LanzaTech Global, Inc S-3, filed May 9, 2024
LanzaTech Global, Inc. (LNZA)
S-3
2024-05-09
View Original
Added on
October 27, 2026
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2024
Registration No: 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
LanzaTech Global, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 8731 | 92-2018969 | ||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | ||||||
8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Tel: (847) 324-2400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Joe Blasko
8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Tel: (847) 324-2400
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Kerry S. Burke
Brian Rosenzweig
Covington & Burling LLP
One CityCenter
Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel: (202) 662-6000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one:)
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||
| 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement contains three prospectuses:
•a base prospectus, which covers the offering, issuance and sale, from time to time, of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units, in one or more offerings, with an aggregate initial offering price of $300,000,000; and
•a prospectus for selling stockholders, which covers (i) the issuance by us of up to 23,403,989 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of certain convertible securities and (ii) the offering and sale of up to 226,840,670 shares of our common stock and up to 8,857,762 warrants to purchase our common stock that may be sold in one or more secondary offerings by the selling stockholders from time to time.
•a sales agreement prospectus, which covers the offering, issuance and sale of up to $100,000,000 of our common stock that may be issued and sold under an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2024, with B. Riley Securities, Inc.
The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus.
The prospectus for selling stockholders immediately follows the base prospectus. The 23,403,989 shares of our common stock that may be issued by us under the prospectus for selling stockholders is exclusive of the $300,000,000 of securities that may be offered, issued and sold by us under the base prospectus.
The sales agreement prospectus immediately follows the prospectus for selling stockholders. The $100,000,000 of shares of common stock that may be offered, issued and sold by us under the sales agreement prospectus is included in the $300,000,000 of securities that may be offered, issued and sold by us under the base prospectus. Upon termination of the sales agreement, any portion of the $100,000,000 included in the sales agreement prospectus that is not sold pursuant to the sales agreement will be available for sale in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and an accompanying prospectus supplement, and if no shares are sold under the sales agreement, the full $300,000,000 of securities may be sold in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and an accompanying prospectus supplement.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated May 9, 2024
PROSPECTUS
$300,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Subscription Rights
Units
From time to time, we may offer and sell up to $300,000,000 in the aggregate of the securities identified above, either individually or in combination, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable anti-dilution provisions.
This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. Each time we offer any securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered and the specific manner in which they may be offered. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, including any information incorporated by reference therein, and any applicable free writing prospectus carefully before you invest in the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our common stock and our warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “LNZA” and “LNZAW”, respectively. On May 6, 2024, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $2.85 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on the Nasdaq Capital Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, directly to purchasers or through a combination of these methods, on a continuous or delayed basis from time to time. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the distribution of our securities, their compensation and any option they hold to acquire additional securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Net proceeds from the sale of securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We are incorporated in Delaware and our headquarters are in Skokie, Illinois. We are not a company that was formed under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. However, we have business operations in China, several strategic investors located in China, including Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd. (“Sinopec”), and a core team of technical, business and administrative professionals at our office in Shanghai, which support the ongoing operations and further growth of the business in China. We also hold a minority ownership stake in Beijing Shougang LanzaTech Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Shougang Joint Venture”). We license our technology in China to the Shougang Joint Venture. Entities in which the Shougang Joint Venture holds a controlling interest currently produce low carbon ethanol at four commercial scale facilities using our process technology, which, in addition to its use as fuel, is transported and processed for use in consumer products. For more information on the Shougang Joint Venture, see the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements — Shougang Joint Venture” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
We have determined the Shougang Joint Venture to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which we are not the primary beneficiary. This VIE structure was implemented to effectuate the intellectual property licensing arrangement between us and the Shougang Joint Venture and is not used to provide investors with exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies. We had previously determined that we were able to exercise significant influence, but no control, over the Shougang Joint Venture through our equity holdings in the Shougang Joint Venture, our representation on the VIE’s board of directors and participation in the policy-making process. Although we have the right to appoint and elect, and currently have appointed and elected, one director to the Shougang Joint Venture’s board of directors, the agreements between us, the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec do not provide us with the power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the Shougang Joint Venture. Therefore we do not consolidate the Shougang Joint Venture in our financial statements. On September 30, 2022, we determined that we no longer had significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the Shougang Joint Venture due to the significant decrease in the Shougang Joint Venture’s technological dependence on us.
Although we are incorporated and headquartered in the United States, we may still be subject to certain PRC laws due to our business operations in China. We face risks and uncertainties associated with complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations and as to whether and how recent PRC government statements and regulatory developments, such as those relating to cross-border data security, anti-monopoly concerns and VIEs, would apply to us or our operations. Any application of these statements or regulatory actions to us or our operations in the future, including a limitation on or disallowance of the VIE structure by Chinese regulatory authorities, could result in a material change in our operations or in the value of the shares of our common stock. For more information, see the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Pursuant to our license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture, the Shougang Joint Venture transfers required payments by wire transfer to LanzaTech, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary. As of the date of this prospectus, transfers of cash or other types of assets have been made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech and its subsidiaries. The payments made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech, Inc. have been in the ordinary course of business and have consisted of payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture for the sale of ethanol and payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. for sales of microbes, media, consumables and equipment. Payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture were approximately $1.9 million and $1.1 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $0.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. No payments were made from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. were approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We did not receive any payments from the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 nor in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. We have not in the past and do not intend in the future to distribute to our stockholders any amounts that we receive from the Shougang Joint Venture. For more information, see our audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Our auditor, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and therefore is not subject to the determinations announced by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) on December 16, 2021 regarding the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations are not applicable to us.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), using the “shelf” registration process under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under this shelf registration statement, we may offer and sell from time to time, separately or together, any combination of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, subscription rights, and units in one or more offerings at an aggregate offering price of up to $300,000,000. The preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units may be convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common or preferred stock or other securities issued by us.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” We may also prepare free writing prospectuses that describe particular securities. Any free writing prospectus should also be read in connection with this prospectus and any prospectus supplement referred to therein. For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to an applicable prospectus supplement may also refer to a free writing prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “LanzaTech,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to LanzaTech Global, Inc. (formerly known as AMCI Acquisition Corp. II) and its consolidated subsidiaries (including LanzaTech NZ, Inc.). References to “PRC” or “China” refer to the People’s Republic of China, which, solely for the purpose of this prospectus, exclude Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. We have no operations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau; however, the legal and operational risks associated with operating in China that are described in this prospectus also apply to any operations in Hong Kong and Macau.
This prospectus describes the terms of this offering also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus that was filed with the SEC, before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date (for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus) the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. The information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein or therein, is accurate only as of the respective dates thereof, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our shares of common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, including the exhibits to the registration statement, contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be obtained from the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Copies of information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at https://lanzatech.com. The reference to our website is not intended to be an active link and the information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus or any other filings we make with the SEC.
1
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from or in addition to the information contained in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus. Accordingly, we take no responsibility for, or can provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may provide. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus that we have prepared is accurate as of any date other than the date of those documents, and that any information in documents that we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of such document, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
The distribution of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and the offering of the securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who obtain this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement should inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not permitted or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
2
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this prospectus, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When we discuss our strategies or plans, we are making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, LanzaTech’s management.
Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about:
•our anticipated growth rate and market opportunities;
•our ability to maintain the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market;
•the potential liquidity and trading of our securities;
•our ability to raise substantial additional financing in the future;
•our assessment of the competitive landscape;
•our ability to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business;
•our ability to enter into, successfully maintain and manage relationships with industry partners;
•our receipt of substantial additional financing to fund our operations and complete the development and commercialization of our process technologies;
•the availability of governmental programs designed to incentivize the production and consumption of low-carbon fuels and carbon capture and utilization;
•our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property rights;
•our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel and to manage our growth effectively;
•our future financial performance, growth, costs and expenses, availability of resources and capital requirements;
•our ability to increase our revenue from engineering services, sales of equipment packages and sales of CarbonSmart products and to improve our operating results; and
•our ability to implement and maintain effective internal controls.
We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus.
These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Moreover, we operate in a competitive industry, and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for the management of LanzaTech to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may
3
not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements in this prospectus.
The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are made only as of the date hereof. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. LanzaTech does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in expectations, except as required by law.
You should read this prospectus, and the documents that have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and any accompanying prospectus supplement with the understanding that the actual future results, levels of activity, performance, events and circumstances of LanzaTech may be materially different from what is expected.
4
MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA
Certain information contained in this document relates to or is based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and LanzaTech’s own internal estimates and research. While we believe these third-party sources to be reliable as of the date of this prospectus, we have not independently verified the market and industry data contained in this prospectus or the underlying assumptions relied on therein. Finally, while we believe our own internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent source.
5
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and our securities offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for review at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at www.lanzatech.com, at which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. LanzaTech’s website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, such website are not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus.
6
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in all cases, if you are considering whether to rely on information contained in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference (other than any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, unless expressly stated otherwise therein) the documents listed below (File No. 001-40282 unless otherwise stated), which are considered to be a part of this prospectus:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024, incorporated by reference therein);
•our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024;
•our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024 and on May 9, 2024 (other than information furnished to the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02); and
•the description of our common stock contained Exhibit 4.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024.
All reports and other documents we subsequently file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until our offering is completed, including all such reports and other documents filed with the SEC after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part hereof (other than any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, unless expressly stated otherwise therein). The information contained in any such filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus commencing on the date on which the document is filed.
Any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available without charge to you, upon written request by contacting our Investor Relations department at Investor Relations, LanzaTech Global, Inc., 8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400, Skokie, Illinois 60077.
7
THE COMPANY
LanzaTech is a nature-based carbon refining company that transforms waste carbon into the chemical building blocks for consumer goods such as sustainable fuels, fabrics, and packaging that people use in their daily lives. Using LanzaTech’s process technology, LanzaTech’s partners started up the world’s first commercial carbon refining plant in 2018 in China. Since then, LanzaTech’s partners in China have started up an additional three commercial plants operating in China, one in April 2021, another in September 2022, and the last one in June 2023. Additionally, LanzaTech’s partners have started up a commercial scale plant in India in September 2023 and in Belgium in November 2023. LanzaTech has numerous projects under development and in the pipeline globally. LanzaTech’s technology platform is designed to use a variety of waste feedstocks, from waste industrial gases to biomass residues and municipal solid waste. LanzaTech’s technology platform is designed to capitalize on the demand for sustainable fuels and chemicals, which can be used in multiple sectors such as aviation, automotive, textiles, home goods, consumer goods and others, to address the growing preference among major companies for environmentally conscious products and manufacturing processes.
LanzaTech is incorporated in Delaware and its headquarters are in Skokie, Illinois. LanzaTech is not a company that was formed under the laws of the PRC. However, LanzaTech has business operations in China, several strategic investors located in China, including Sinopec, and a core team of technical, business and administrative professionals at a LanzaTech office in Shanghai, which support the ongoing operations and further growth of the business in China. LanzaTech also holds a minority ownership stake in the Shougang Joint Venture. LanzaTech licenses its technology in China to the Shougang Joint Venture. Entities in which the Shougang Joint Venture holds a controlling interest currently produce low carbon ethanol at three commercial scale facilities using LanzaTech’s process technology, which, in addition to its use as fuel, is transported and processed for use in consumer products. For more information on the Shougang Joint Venture, see the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements — Shougang Joint Venture” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the corresponding sections of any prospectus supplement.
LanzaTech has determined the Shougang Joint Venture to be a VIE for which LanzaTech is not the primary beneficiary. LanzaTech holds its equity interest in the Shougang Joint Venture through its subsidiary, LanzaTech Hong Kong Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Hong Kong. LanzaTech Hong Kong Limited is not a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) organized under the laws of the PRC. This VIE structure was implemented to effectuate the intellectual property licensing arrangement between LanzaTech and the Shougang Joint Venture and is not used to provide investors with exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies.
LanzaTech also has a subsidiary, LanzaTech China Limited, which is a WFOE organized under the laws of the PRC. This subsidiary employs the professionals that work in LanzaTech’s office in Shanghai. LanzaTech China Limited does not hold an equity interest in the Shougang Joint Venture, or in any other VIE in China.
8
The following chart illustrates the organizational structure of LanzaTech and its subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus:
LanzaTech has entered into a license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture and a letter agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec. Although LanzaTech has the right to appoint and elect, and currently has appointed and elected, one director to the Shougang Joint Venture’s board of directors, the agreements between LanzaTech, the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec do not provide LanzaTech with the power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the Shougang Joint Venture. Therefore, LanzaTech does not consolidate the Shougang Joint Venture in its financial statements. LanzaTech may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the agreements. LanzaTech may also face challenges enforcing its contractual arrangements with the Shougang Joint Venture due to legal uncertainties and jurisdictional limits.
Although LanzaTech is incorporated and headquartered in the United States, LanzaTech may still be subject to certain PRC laws due to its business operations in China. LanzaTech faces risks and uncertainties associated with the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations and as to whether and how the recent PRC government statements and regulatory developments, such as those relating to cross-border data security, anti-monopoly concerns and VIEs, would apply to LanzaTech and its operations. Any application of these statements or regulatory actions to LanzaTech and its operations in the future, including a limitation on or disallowance of the VIE structure by Chinese regulatory authorities, could result in a material change in LanzaTech’s operations and could result in a material change in the value of the shares of the common stock.
Because LanzaTech is a U.S. entity, as opposed to a company formed under the laws of the PRC, LanzaTech believes none of LanzaTech or its subsidiaries is required to obtain permission from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) or any other governmental agency in China to consummate the Business Combination. If (i) LanzaTech does not receive or maintain any permission or approval required of it, (ii) LanzaTech inadvertently concludes that certain permissions or approvals have been acquired or are not required, or (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations thereof change and LanzaTech becomes subject to the requirement of additional permissions or approvals in the future, LanzaTech may have to expend significant time and costs to procure them. If LanzaTech is unable to do so, on commercially reasonable terms, in a timely manner or otherwise, LanzaTech may become subject to sanctions imposed by the PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties, proceedings against LanzaTech, and other forms of sanctions, and LanzaTech’s business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. For more information, see the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
9
Pursuant to LanzaTech’s license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture, the Shougang Joint Venture transfers required payments by wire transfer to LanzaTech, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of LanzaTech. As of the date of this prospectus, transfers of cash or other types of assets have been made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech and its subsidiaries. The payments made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech, Inc. have been in the ordinary course of business and have consisted of payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture for the sale of ethanol and payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. for sales of microbes, media, consumables and equipment. Payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture were approximately $1.9 million and $1.1 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $0.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. No payments were made from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. were approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We did not receive any payments from the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 nor in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. We have not received any payments from the Shougang Joint Venture in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. LanzaTech has not in the past and does not intend in the future to distribute to its stockholders any amounts that it receives from the Shougang Joint Venture. For more information, see the audited financial statements of LanzaTech incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
There are no restrictions or limitations on
•foreign exchange;
•LanzaTech’s ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, or to U.S. investors;
•LanzaTech’s ability to distribute earnings from the company, including its subsidiaries, to the holding company or U.S. investors; or
•LanzaTech’s ability to settle amounts owed under agreements with the Shougang Joint Venture.
LanzaTech’s auditor, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and therefore is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021 regarding the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations are not applicable to LanzaTech.
Additional information about us and our subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
Business Combination
On February 8, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), LanzaTech NZ, Inc. (“Legacy LanzaTech”) and AMCI Acquisition Corp. II (“AMCI”) consummated a business combination pursuant to that certain Merger Agreement dated as of March 8, 2022, as amended on December 7, 2022, by and among Legacy LanzaTech, AMCI and AMCI Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”). As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy LanzaTech, with Legacy LanzaTech continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned subsidiary of AMCI.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in Delaware on January 28, 2021, under the name AMCI Acquisition Corp. II, in order to effectuate a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. AMCI completed its initial public offering on August 6, 2021. On February 8, 2023, AMCI and Legacy LanzaTech consummated the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. On the Closing Date, AMCI changed its name to LanzaTech Global, Inc.
Our common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “LNZA.” The mailing address of our principal executive office is 8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400, Skokie, Illinois 60077, and our telephone number is (847) 324-2400. Our website address is https://lanzatech.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed
10
through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We make available free of charge on our website our annual, quarterly and current reports, including amendments to such reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC.
11
RISK FACTORS
Investing in securities issued by us involves a high degree of risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our securities. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any of our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein.
12
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered by this prospectus. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that any net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including expenses related to funding research and development expenses for our clinical trials and pre-clinical studies, manufacturing and other costs associated with advancing our product candidates. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term U.S. treasury money market mutual funds.
13
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
We may issue, separately or together with, or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of other securities, shares of our common stock as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following section describes the material features and rights of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter”) and our By Laws (the “Bylaws”) and applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Each of our Charter and Bylaws is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
General
The Charter authorizes the issuance of 420,000,000 shares, consisting of 400,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of May 6, 2024, there were 197,734,876 shares of our common stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.
Common Stock
The Charter provides the following with respect to the rights, powers, preferences and privileges of the common stock.
Voting Power
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock possess all voting power for the election of LanzaTech’s directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Dividends
Holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on the common stock for the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon LanzaTech’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial conditions. In no event will any stock dividends or stock splits or combinations of stock be declared or made on shares of common stock unless the shares of common stock at the time outstanding are treated equally and identically.
Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up
In the event of LanzaTech’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive an equal amount per share of all of LanzaTech’s assets of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders, after the rights of the holders of the preferred stock have been satisfied.
Preemptive or Other Rights
The LanzaTech stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. No sinking fund provisions are applicable to the common stock.
Registration Rights
AMCI, certain of the Legacy LanzaTech stockholders and certain AMCI stockholders entered into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, such stockholders were granted certain registration rights with respect to certain shares of securities held by them.
14
Listing of Common Stock
Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “LNZA”.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
15
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
Pursuant to the Charter, our board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
We will fix the voting rights, designations, preferences and rights of the preferred stock of each series, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to such series. We will file an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of that series of preferred stock. This description will include:
•the title and stated value;
•the number of shares offered;
•the liquidation preference per share;
•the purchase price per share;
•the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation for dividends;
•whether dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;
•our right, if any, to defer payment of dividends and the maximum length of such deferral period;
•the procedures for auction and remarketing, if any;
•the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;
•the provision for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;
•any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;
•the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation) and conversion period;
•whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period;
•voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;
•preemptive rights, if any;
•restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;
•whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;
•a discussion of any material and/or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;
•the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;
16
•any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and
•any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock.
Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction that might involve a premium price for holders of the shares or which holders might believe to be in their best interests. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, conversion or other rights of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that common stockholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.
The laws of the State of Delaware provide that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes to the rights of holders of such preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.
The transfer agent and registrar for any series of preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and our Charter and Bylaws
Charter and Bylaws
Among other things, the Charter and Bylaws:
•permit the Board to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate, including the right to approve an acquisition or other change of control;
•provide that the number of directors of LanzaTech may be changed only by resolution of the Board;
•provide that, subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock to elect directors, directors may be removed only with cause by the holders of at least 66⅔% of all of LanzaTech’s then-outstanding shares of the capital stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors;
•provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;
•provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide advance notice in writing, and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice;
•provide that special meetings of LanzaTech’s stockholders may be called by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board;
•provide that the Board will be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal as possible, and with the directors serving three-year terms, therefore making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the Board; and
•do not provide for cumulative voting rights, therefore allowing the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors to elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.
The combination of these provisions will make it more difficult for the existing stockholders to replace the Board as well as for another party to obtain control of LanzaTech by replacing the Board. Because the Board has the power to retain and discharge its officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for the Board to issue shares of preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change the control of LanzaTech.
17
These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of the Board and its policies and to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to reduce LanzaTech’s vulnerability to hostile takeovers and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for LanzaTech’s shares and may have the effect of delaying changes in its control or management. As a consequence, these provisions may also inhibit fluctuations in the market price of LanzaTech’s Common Stock.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law
LanzaTech is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:
•a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”);
•an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or
•an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder.
A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of a corporation’s assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 would not apply if:
•the relevant board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an interested stockholder prior to the date of the transaction;
•after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of the corporation’s voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or
•on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the initial business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of the corporation’s stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing changes in control of LanzaTech.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors of corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. The Charter includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director where, in civil proceedings, the person acted in good faith and in a manner that person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of LanzaTech or, in criminal proceedings, where the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
The Bylaws provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers, and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability, advancement and indemnification provisions in the Charter and Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing lawsuits against directors for breaches of their fiduciary duties. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, your
18
investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officer pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, stockholders will have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of LanzaTech. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Stockholders’ Derivative Actions
Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in LanzaTech’s name to procure a judgment in LanzaTech’s favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of our shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.
19
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue, separately or together with, or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of other securities, debt securities, including debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The debt securities may be either secured or unsecured and will either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture between us and a trustee to be specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture between us and a trustee to be specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called indentures in this description. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, will describe the terms of a particular series of debt securities that we may offer from time to time.
The following summary of the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the applicable indenture and certificates evidencing the applicable debt securities. Therefore, you should carefully consider the applicable indenture and the certificate evidencing the applicable debt security that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. Other specific terms of the applicable indenture and debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any particular terms of the indenture or debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. In this description of the debt securities, the words “LanzaTech,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer only to LanzaTech Global, Inc. and not to our subsidiary, unless we otherwise expressly state or the context otherwise requires.
General
Debt securities may be issued in separate series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series.
We are not limited as to the amount of debt securities that we may issue under the indentures. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, a series of debt securities may be reopened to issue additional debt securities of such series.
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities will set forth the material terms of the debt securities being offered, including:
•the title of the debt securities and whether they are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;
•the offering price;
•the person who will be entitled to receive interest, if other than the record holder on the record date;
•the maturity date or dates;
•the interest rate or rates, if any, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates;
•the date from which interest will accrue, the interest payment dates and the regular record dates, or the method for calculating the dates and rates;
•the place or places where payments of principal and interest may be made;
•any mandatory or optional redemption provisions or sinking fund provisions and any applicable redemption or purchase prices associated with these provisions;
•if issued other than in denominations of $1,000 or any multiple of $1,000, the denominations in which the debt securities shall be issuable;
20
•if applicable, the method for determining how the principal, premium, if any, or interest will be calculated by reference to an index or formula;
•if other than U.S. currency, the currency or currency units in which principal, premium, if any, or interest will be payable, whether we or a holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency and the designation of the original currency determination agent;
•the portion of the principal amount that will be payable upon acceleration of maturity, if other than the entire principal amount;
•if the principal amount payable at stated maturity will not be determinable as of any date prior to stated maturity, the amount or method for determining the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount;
•if applicable, whether the debt securities shall be subject to the defeasance provisions described below under “Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance” or such other defeasance provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for the debt securities;
•any conversion or exchange provisions;
•whether the debt securities will be issuable in the form of a global security;
•any subordination provisions applicable to the subordinated debt securities if different from those described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities”;
•any paying agents, authenticating agents, security registrars or other agents for the debt securities, if other than the trustee;
•any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities, including any provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted;
•any deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default, acceleration provisions or covenants;
•any provisions relating to guaranties for the securities and any circumstances under which there may be additional obligors; and
•any other specific terms of such debt securities.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies, or if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement information on the restrictions, elections, material federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be registered debt securities. Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities sold at a discount will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Exchange and Transfer
Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us.
We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.
21
In the event of any partial redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
•issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or
•register the transfer of or exchange any debt security of that series selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion being redeemed in part.
Under any indenture, we will initially appoint the trustee as the security registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the security registrar initially designated by us, will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
Conversion or Exchange
If any debt securities being offered are convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities, the relevant prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of conversion or exchange. Those terms will include whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, and the number of shares of common stock or other securities, or the method of determining the number of shares of common stock or other securities, to be received by the holder upon conversion or exchange. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.
Global Securities
The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:
•be registered in the name of a depositary, or its nominee, that we will identify in a prospectus supplement;
•be deposited with the depositary or nominee or custodian; and
•bear any required legends.
No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:
•the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary;
•an event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series; or
•any other circumstance described in a prospectus supplement has occurred permitting or requiring the issuance of any such security.
As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indentures. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be:
•entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;
•entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; or
•considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indenture.
22
Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants.” Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants’ interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf.
Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither any trustee nor we will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary’s or any participant’s records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the provisions described in this paragraph will apply to the debt securities. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder. The trustee will be designated as our initial paying agent.
We may also name any other paying agents in a prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security that remain unclaimed for a period ending the earlier of:
•10 business days prior to the date the money would be turned over to the applicable state; or
•at the end of two years after such payment was due, will be repaid to us thereafter.
The holder may look only to us for such payment.
No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, whether or not such transaction results in a change in control.
Covenants
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the debt securities will not contain any financial or restrictive covenants.
23
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any entity, unless:
•the successor entity, if any, is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other business entity existing under the laws of the United States, any State within the United States or the District of Columbia;
•the successor entity assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the applicable indenture;
•immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
•certain other conditions specified in the indenture are met.
Events of Default
Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the following will be events of default for any series of debt securities under the indentures:
(1)we fail to pay any interest on any debt security of that series when it becomes due and we subsequently fail to pay such interest for 30 days;
(2)we fail to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;
(3)we fail to deposit any sinking fund payment when due;
(4)we fail to perform any other covenant in the applicable indenture and such failure continues for 90 days after we are given the notice required in the indentures; and
(5)certain events including our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
Additional or different events of default applicable to a series of debt securities may be described in a prospectus supplement. An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities.
The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, any sinking fund installment on, or with respect to any conversion right of, the debt securities of such series. However, the trustee must consider it to be in the interest of the holders of the debt securities of such series to withhold this notice.
Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, if an event of default, other than an event of default described in clause (5) above, shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount and premium, if any, of the debt securities of that series, or if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, such other amount as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to be due and payable immediately.
If an event of default described in clause (5) above shall occur, the principal amount and premium, if any, of all the debt securities of that series, or if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, such other amount as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, will automatically become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder. Any payment by us on the subordinated debt securities following any such acceleration will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities.”
24
After acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, or other specified amounts or interest, have been cured or waived.
Other than the duty to act with the required care during an event of default, the trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request of the holders unless the holders shall have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Generally, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.
A holder of debt securities of any series will not have any right to institute any proceeding under the indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy under the indentures, unless:
(1)the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;
(2)the holders of at least 25%, with respect to senior debt securities, and a majority, with respect to subordinated debt securities, in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request and have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute the proceeding; and
(3)the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding and has not received direction inconsistent with the original request from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series within 60 days after the original request.
Holders may, however, sue to enforce the payment of principal, premium or interest on any debt security on or after the due date or to enforce the right, if any, to convert any debt security (if the debt security is convertible) without following the procedures listed in clauses (1) through (3) above.
We will furnish the trustee an annual statement by our officers as to whether or not we are in default in the performance of the conditions and covenants under the indenture and, if so, specifying all known defaults.
Modification and Waiver
Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we and the applicable trustee may make modifications and amendments to an indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment.
We may also make modifications and amendments to the indentures for the benefit of holders without their consent, for certain purposes including, but not limited to:
•providing for our successor to assume the covenants under the indenture;
•adding covenants or events of default;
•making certain changes to facilitate the issuance of the securities;
•securing the securities, including provisions relating to the release or substitution of collateral;
•providing for guaranties of, or additional obligors on, the securities;
•providing for a successor trustee or additional trustees;
•curing any ambiguities or inconsistencies;
•permitting or facilitating the defeasance and discharge of the securities; and
•other changes specified in the indenture.
25
However, neither we nor the trustee may make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holder of each outstanding security of that series affected by the modification or amendment if such modification or amendment would:
•change the stated maturity of any debt security;
•reduce the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security or any amount payable upon redemption or repurchase, whether at our option or the option of any holder, or reduce the amount of any sinking fund payments;
•reduce the principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable on acceleration of maturity;
•change the place of payment or the currency in which any debt security is payable;
•impair the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption date;
•if subordinated debt securities, modify the subordination provisions in a materially adverse manner to the holders;
•adversely affect the right to convert any debt security if the debt security is a convertible debt security; or
•change the provisions in the indenture that relate to modifying or amending the indenture.
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
We may be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities, subject to limited exceptions, of any series that have matured or will mature or be redeemed within one year if we deposit enough money with the trustee to pay all of the principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of the debt securities.
Each indenture contains a provision that permits us to elect either or both of the following:
(1)We may elect to be discharged from all of our obligations, subject to limited exceptions, with respect to any series of debt securities then outstanding. If we make this election, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for the rights of holders to receive payments on debt securities or the registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities.
(2)We may elect to be released from our obligations under some or all of any financial or restrictive covenants applicable to the series of debt securities to which the election relates and from the consequences of an event of default resulting from a breach of those covenants.
To make either of the above elections, we must irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, cash in the currency in which such series of securities is denominated and/or foreign government obligations. As a condition to either of the above elections, for debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the action.
“Foreign government obligations” means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than United States dollars:
•direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued the currency in which such securities are denominated and for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged, or, with respect to debt securities of any series which are denominated in euros, direct obligations of certain
26
members of the European Union for the payment of which obligations the full faith and credit of such members is pledged, which in each case are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof;
•obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of a government described in the bullet above, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or
•any depository receipt issued by a bank as custodian with respect to any obligation specified in the first two bullet points and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such deposit any receipt, or with respect to any such obligation which is so specified and held.
Notices
Notices to holders will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders in the security register.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders
No incorporator, shareholder, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary of ours will have any liability for any obligations of ours, or because of the creation of any indebtedness under the debt securities, the indentures or supplemental indentures. The indentures provide that all such liability is expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of such indentures and the issuance of the debt securities.
Regarding the Trustee
The indentures limit the right of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims or secure its claims.
The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions with us. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, and there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which it is trustee, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.
The accompanying prospectus supplement will specify the trustee for the particular series of debt securities to be issued under the indentures.
Subordinated Debt Securities
The following provisions will be applicable with respect to each series of subordinated debt securities, unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of subordinated debt securities.
The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities of any series is subordinated, to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture and the applicable prospectus supplement, to the prior payment in full, of all senior debt, including any senior debt securities, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of senior debt.
Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, marshalling of assets, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings, payments on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt of all senior debt.
In the event of any acceleration of the subordinated debt securities of any series because of an event of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities of that series, holders of any senior debt would be entitled to
27
payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt of all senior debt before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution.
In addition, the subordinated debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, including trade payables and lease obligations. This occurs because our right to receive any assets of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization, and your right to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary. If we are recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary, our claims would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of the subsidiary and any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to us.
We are required to promptly notify holders of senior debt or their representatives under the subordinated indenture if payment of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event of default.
Under the subordinated indenture, we may also not make payment on the subordinated debt securities if:
•a default in our obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, interest or other amounts on our senior debt occurs and the default continues beyond any applicable grace period, which we refer to as a payment default; or
•a nonpayment default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior debt that permits holders of designated senior debt to accelerate its maturity, and the trustee receives a payment blockage notice from us or some other person permitted to give the notice under the subordinated indenture, which we refer to as a non-payment default.
We may and shall resume payments on the subordinated debt securities:
•in case of a payment default, when the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist; and
•in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of when the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or 179 days after the receipt of the payment blockage notice.
No new payment blockage period may start on the basis of a nonpayment default unless at least 365 days have elapsed from the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to the trustee shall be the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice.
As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior debt may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors. The subordination provisions will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the subordinated indenture.
The subordination provisions will not apply to payments from money or government obligations held in trust by the trustee for the payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, on subordinated debt securities pursuant to the provisions described under “Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance,” if the subordination provisions were not violated at the time the money or government obligations were deposited into trust.
If the trustee or any holder receives any payment that should not have been made to them in contravention of subordination provisions before all senior debt is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt, then such payment will be held in trust for the holders of senior debt.
Senior debt securities will constitute senior debt under the subordinated indenture.
Additional or different subordination provisions may be described in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.
28
Definitions
“Designated senior debt” means our obligations under any particular senior debt in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof, or related agreements or documents to which we are a party, expressly provides that such indebtedness shall be designated senior debt for purposes of the subordinated indenture. The instrument, agreement or other document evidencing any designated senior debt may place limitations and conditions on the right of such senior debt to exercise the rights of designated senior debt.
“Indebtedness” means the following, whether absolute or contingent, secured or unsecured, due or to become due, outstanding on the date of the indenture for such series of securities or thereafter created, incurred or assumed:
•our indebtedness evidenced by a credit or loan agreement, note, bond, debenture or other written obligation;
•all of our obligations for borrowed money;
•all of our obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind,
•our obligations:
◦as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles, or
◦as lessee under other leases for facilities, capital equipment or related assets, whether or not capitalized, entered into or leased for financing purposes;
•all of our obligations under interest rate and currency swaps, caps, floors, collars, hedge agreements, forward contracts or similar agreements or arrangements;
•all of our obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar facilities, including reimbursement obligations with respect to the foregoing;
•all of our obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business;
•all obligations of the type referred to in the above clauses of another person and all dividends of another person, the payment of which, in either case, we have assumed or guaranteed, for which we are responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or which are secured by a lien on our property; and
•renewals, extensions, modifications, replacements, restatements and refundings of, or any indebtedness or obligation issued in exchange for, any such indebtedness or obligation described in the above clauses of this definition.
“Senior debt” means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, including all interest accruing subsequent to the commencement of any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest is allowable as a claim in any such proceeding, on, and all fees and other amounts payable in connection with, our indebtedness. Senior debt shall not include:
•any debt or obligation if its terms or the terms of the instrument under which or pursuant to which it is issued expressly provide it shall not be senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities or expressly provide that such indebtedness is on the same basis or “junior” to the subordinated debt securities; or
•debt to any of our subsidiaries.
“Subsidiary” means an entity more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by us or by one or more of our other subsidiaries or by a combination of us and our other subsidiaries. For
29
purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock or other similar interests to us which ordinarily has or have voting power for the election of directors, or persons performing similar functions, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or other interests has or have such voting power by reason of any contingency
Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies
Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
30
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that describe the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements, that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:
•the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;
•the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;
•if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such securities or each principal amount of such security;
•in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
•in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
•the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;
•the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
•any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
•the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
•the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;
•a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations of holding or exercising the warrants;
31
•the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and
•any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
•in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
•in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Upon receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed by the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will be issued for the remaining warrants.
Governing Law
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and any warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
32
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
We may issue subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subscription rights will include specific terms relating to the offering, including:
•the price, if any, for the subscription rights;
•the exercise price payable for each share of common stock or preferred stock upon the exercise of the subscription rights;
•the number of subscription rights to be offered to each shareholder;
•the number and terms of the shares of common stock or preferred stock which may be purchased per each subscription right;
•the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;
•any other terms of the subscription rights, including the procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;
•the dates on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence and expire;
•the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an over-allotment privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and
•if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the offering of subscription rights.
The preceding summary of the terms of the subscription rights does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms of the subscription rights being offered, as well as any applicable subscription rights certificate and the terms of the securities to which the subscription rights relate. Therefore, you should carefully consider the actual provisions of the subscription right, and subscription agreement and the applicable securities.
33
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units comprising one or more securities described in this prospectus in any combination. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the units and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the units so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit also is the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. Units will be issued pursuant to the terms of a unit agreement, which may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date. A copy of the forms of the unit agreement and the unit certificate relating to any particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.
The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issuance of units will describe the terms of those units, including, to the extent applicable, the following:
•the designation and terms of the units and the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
•any provision for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and
•whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.
34
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered under this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions (or in any combination) at:
•a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
•market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
•prices related to the prevailing market price; or
•negotiated prices.
For each type and series of securities offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including, without limitation:
•the public offering price;
•the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amount of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;
•any delayed delivery arrangements;
•the proceeds from the sale of securities to us and the use of proceeds from the sale of the securities;
•any underwriting discounts, concessions, commissions, agency fees or other compensation payable to underwriters, dealers or agents;
•any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or repaid to dealers;
•estimated offering expenses; and
•the securities exchanges on which the securities will be listed, if any.
We may grant underwriters options to purchase additional securities at the public offering price, with additional underwriting commissions or discounts, as applicable, set forth in the prospectus supplement. The terms of any such option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for those securities.
Underwriters or agents may make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on Nasdaq, the existing trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.
We may issue to our existing security holders, though a dividend or similar distribution, rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of rights to our existing security holders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to facilitate the distribution of the unsubscribed securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of our common stock or preferred stock through the issuance of rights including, if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting agreement or purchase agreement.
Sales Through Underwriters, Dealers or Agents; Direct Sales
If we use underwriters in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters will buy the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase
35
agreements with us. The underwriters may then resell the securities in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale or thereafter. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if they purchase any securities. The public offering price for the securities and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If we use dealers in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the securities will be sold to such dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale.
If agents are used in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, they will use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis. If required, the prospectus supplement relating to any particular offering of securities will name any agents designated to solicit offers and will include information about any commissions they may be paid in that offering.
If securities offered under this prospectus are sold directly, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved.
If we sell securities through dealers or agents, or directly, the terms of any such sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers from certain institutions whereby the institution contractually agrees to purchase the securities offered under this prospectus from us on a future date at a specific price. This type of contract may be made only with institutions that we specifically approve. Such institutions could include banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. The underwriters, dealers or agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of these contracts. The prospectus supplement relating to the contracts will set forth the price to be paid for offered securities pursuant to such contracts, the commission payable for solicitation of the contracts and the date or dates in the future for delivery of offered securities pursuant to the contracts.
Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
Each issue of a new series of securities, other than issuances of our common stock, will not have an established trading market, except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we do not expect to list the offered securities on a securities exchange, except for our common stock, which is listed on Nasdaq. We can provide no assurance as to whether any of our securities will have a liquid trading market.
In order to facilitate the offering of any of the securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters with respect to any such offering may, as described in the prospectus supplement and in accordance with applicable law, engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on these securities. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of preventing or delaying a decline in the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Any of these activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or delaying a decline in the market price of our securities. As a result, the market price of the securities may be higher than it otherwise would be in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
36
Any person participating in the distribution of securities will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of transactions involving the securities offered under this prospectus. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of such securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular securities being distributed. All of the above may affect the marketability of the securities offered under this prospectus and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to such securities.
Derivative Transactions and Hedging
We, the underwriters or other agents engaged by us may engage in derivative transactions involving the securities. These derivatives may consist of short sale transactions and other hedging activities. The underwriters or agents may acquire a long or short position in the securities, hold or resell securities acquired and purchase options or futures on the securities and other derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the price of the securities. In order to facilitate these derivative transactions, we may enter into security lending or repurchase agreements with the underwriters or agents. The underwriters or agents may effect the derivative transactions through sales of the securities to the public, including short sales, or by lending the securities in order to facilitate short sale transactions by others. The underwriters or agents may also use the securities purchased or borrowed from us or others (or, in the case of derivatives, securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives) to directly or indirectly settle sales of the securities or close out any related open borrowings of the securities.
Electronic Auctions
We may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you will want to pay particular attention to the description of that system, which we will provide in a prospectus supplement.
Such electronic system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. These bidding or ordering systems may present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected. For example, in the case of debt security, the clearing spread could be indicated as a number of “basis points” above an index treasury note.
Upon completion of such an electronic auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.
General Information
We expect that any agreements we may have with underwriters, dealers and agents will include provisions indemnifying them against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or providing for contribution with respect to payments that they may be required to make. An underwriter, dealer or agent, or any of their affiliates, may be a customer of, or otherwise engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
The specific terms of any lock-up provisions with respect to any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Under the securities laws of various states, the securities offered under this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in various states the securities offered under this prospectus may not be offered and sold unless such securities have been registered or qualified for sale in the
37
state or an exemption from such registration or qualification is available. We are not making an offer of securities in any state that does not permit such an offer.
38
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C. If legal matters are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
39
EXPERTS
The financial statements of LanzaTech Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of LanzaTech Global Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports which express an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of LanzaTech Global Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
40
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated May 9, 2024
PROSPECTUS
Up to 226,840,670 Shares of Common Stock
8,857,762 Warrants to Purchase Common Stock
This prospectus relates to the issuance by us of an aggregate of up to 23,403,989 shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“common stock”), which consists of (i) up to 4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of private placement warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) originally issued in a private placement to AMCI Sponsor II LLC (the “Sponsor”) in connection with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of AMCI Acquisition Corp. II (“AMCI”) and upon the conversion of certain working capital loans of the Sponsor, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, (ii) up to 7,499,924 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of public warrants (the “Public Warrants” and, together with the Private Placement Warrants, the “warrants”) originally issued in connection with the AMCI IPO as units of AMCI at a price of $10.00 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of AMCI’s Class A common stock and one-half of one warrant, (iii) up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of that certain Simple Agreement for Future Equity between BGTF LT Aggregator LP (“Brookfield”) and LanzaTech NZ, Inc., dated October 3, 2022 (the “Brookfield SAFE”) at the equivalent to a price of $10.00 per share, (iv) up to 300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable under a warrant held by ArcelorMittal XCarb S. à r.l. (“ArcelorMittal”), dated December 8, 2021 (the “AM Warrant”), at the equivalent to a price of $10.00 per share, (v) up to 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants issued to certain selling stockholders pursuant to that certain forward purchase agreement (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) by and between the Company, ACM ARRT H LLC (“ACM”), and the other parties thereto (the “Shortfall Warrants”), and (vi) up to 1,746,303 shares of common stock underlying options issued to certain holders under our incentive plans (the “Options” and together with the warrants, the AM Warrant and the Brookfield SAFE and the Shortfall Warrants, the “Convertible Securities”) held by certain selling stockholders. We will receive the proceeds from the exercise of any warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants or the Options for cash.
This prospectus also relates to the offer and sale from time to time by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus or their permitted transferees (the “selling stockholders”) of up to 4,774,276 Private Placement Warrants, up to 4,083,486 Shortfall Warrants, and up to 203,436,682 shares of common stock, which consists of (i) up to 18,500,000 shares of common stock issued on February 8, 2023 in a private placement pursuant to subscription agreements, dated March 8, 2022, October 18, 2022, February 1, 2023, and February 6, 2023 (each as amended, as applicable), at a price of $10.00 per share (the “PIPE Shares”), (ii) up to 4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, (iii) up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE, (iv) up to 300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of the AM Warrant, (v) up to 2,164,839 shares of common stock held by certain selling stockholders, (vi) up to 1,746,303 shares of common stock underlying the Options held by certain selling stockholders, (vii) up to 5,916,514 shares of common stock purchased by certain selling stockholders subject to the Forward Purchase Agreement , (viii) up to 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, at a price equal to $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment, and (ix) up to 160,951,264 shares of common stock, required to be registered pursuant to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 8, 2023 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among us and certain of the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants or of the common stock by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.
The selling stockholders may offer, sell or distribute all or a portion of the securities hereby registered publicly or through private transactions at prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We are required to pay certain costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of these securities, including with regard to compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws. The selling stockholders will bear all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to their sale of Private Placement Warrants or shares of common stock. See the section titled “Plan of Distribution.”
Our common stock and warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “LNZA” and “LNZAW,” respectively. On May 6, 2024, the last reported sales price of the common stock was $2.85 per share.
The common stock and the common stock issuable upon exercise of the resale securities noted above represent a substantial percentage of the total outstanding shares of our common stock as of the date of this prospectus. Additionally, assuming all of the Convertible Securities were converted, or exercised, as applicable, the selling stockholders would own 203,436,682 shares of common stock, representing approximately 92.0% of the total outstanding common stock. So long as the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is effective, the sales of the securities being offered in this prospectus could result in a significant decline in the public trading price of the common stock. Furthermore, the cash proceeds associated with the exercises of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options, are dependent on the stock price inasmuch as the holders are unlikely to exercise the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants or the Options, as applicable, if the exercise price thereof is less than the price of our common stock at the time of exercise. In that circumstance, such holder would be selling at a loss if they exercised their warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options, as applicable and sold their common stock. Subject to adjustment, the exercise price of the warrants is $11.50 per share and the exercise price of the AM Warrant is $10.00 per share. Subject to adjustment, the exercise price of the Shortfall Warrants is $10.00 per share. The exercise prices of the Options range from $0.16 per share to $3.15 per share. The shares currently held by the selling stockholders were purchased by them at a price per share ranging between $0.005 and $10.00. On May 6, 2024 the last reported sales price of the common stock was $2.85 per share. If the market price for shares of common stock is less than $10.00 per share, holders of shares of common stock would be selling at a loss if they purchased the shares of common stock at $10.00 per share. Because certain selling stockholders purchased shares privately at a price below the current market price, or have the right to exercise Convertible Securities at an exercise price that is less than the current market price, they may have an incentive to sell shares of their common stock, or exercise their Convertible Securities and sell their common stock, because they could profit despite the market price of common stock falling below $10.00 per share. While these selling stockholders may, on average, experience a positive rate of return based on the current market price, public securityholders may not experience a similar rate of return on the securities they purchased due to differences in the purchase prices and the current market price.
We are incorporated in Delaware and our headquarters are in Skokie, Illinois. We are not a company that was formed under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. However, we have business operations in China, several strategic investors located in China, including Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd. (“Sinopec”), and a core team of technical, business and administrative professionals at our office in Shanghai, which support the ongoing operations and further growth of the business in China. We also hold a minority ownership stake in Beijing Shougang LanzaTech Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Shougang Joint Venture”). We license our technology in China to the Shougang Joint Venture. Entities in which the Shougang Joint Venture holds a controlling interest currently produce low carbon ethanol at four commercial scale facilities using our process technology, which, in addition to its use as fuel, is transported and processed for use in consumer products. For more information on the Shougang Joint Venture, see the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements — Shougang Joint Venture” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and any similar section contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
We have determined the Shougang Joint Venture to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which we are not the primary beneficiary. This VIE structure was implemented to effectuate the intellectual property licensing arrangement between us and the Shougang Joint Venture and is not used to provide investors with exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies. We had previously determined that we were able to exercise significant influence, but no control, over the Shougang Joint Venture through our equity holdings in the Shougang Joint Venture, our representation on the VIE’s board of directors and participation in the policy-making process. Although we have the right to appoint and elect, and currently have appointed and elected, one director to the Shougang Joint Venture’s board of directors, the agreements between us, the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec do not provide us with the power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the Shougang Joint Venture. Therefore we do not consolidate the Shougang Joint Venture in our financial statements. On September 30, 2022, we determined that we no longer had significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the Shougang Joint Venture due to the significant decrease in the Shougang Joint Venture’s technological dependence on us.
Although we are incorporated and headquartered in the United States, we may still be subject to certain PRC laws due to our business operations in China. We face risks and uncertainties associated with complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations and as to whether and how recent PRC government statements and regulatory developments, such as those relating to cross-border data security, anti-monopoly concerns and VIEs, would apply to us or our operations. Any application of these statements or regulatory actions to us or our operations in the future, including a limitation on or disallowance of the VIE structure by Chinese regulatory authorities, could result in a material change in our operations or in the value of the shares of our common stock. For more information, see the section entitled described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 17 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Pursuant to our license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture, the Shougang Joint Venture transfers required payments by wire transfer to LanzaTech, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary. As of the date of this prospectus, transfers of cash or other types of assets have been made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech and its subsidiaries. The payments made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech, Inc. have been in the ordinary course of business and have consisted of payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture for the sale of ethanol and payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. for sales of microbes, media, consumables and equipment. Payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture were approximately $1.9 million and $1.1 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $0.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. No payments were made from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. were approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We did not receive any payments from the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 nor in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. We have not in the past and do not intend in the future to distribute to our stockholders any amounts that we receive from the Shougang Joint Venture. For more information, see our audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Our auditor, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and therefore is not subject to the determinations announced by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) on December 16, 2021 regarding the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations are not applicable to us.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 17 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC using the “shelf” registration process under the Securities Act. This prospectus relates to the issuance by us of the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of any Convertible Securities. Under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders may, from time to time, sell the securities offered by them described in this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by such selling stockholders of the securities offered by them described in this prospectus.
We may provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” We may also prepare free writing prospectuses that describe particular securities. Any free writing prospectus should also be read in connection with this prospectus and any prospectus supplement referred to therein. For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to an applicable prospectus supplement may also refer to a free writing prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “LanzaTech,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to LanzaTech Global, Inc. (formerly known as AMCI Acquisition Corp. II) and its consolidated subsidiaries (including LanzaTech NZ, Inc.). References to “PRC” or “China” refer to the People’s Republic of China, which, solely for the purpose of this prospectus, exclude Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. We have no operations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau; however, the legal and operational risks associated with operating in China that are described in this prospectus also apply to any operations in Hong Kong and Macau.
This prospectus describes the terms of this offering also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus that was filed with the SEC, before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date (for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus) the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. The information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein or therein, is accurate only as of the respective dates thereof, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our shares of common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, including the exhibits to the registration statement, contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be obtained from the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Copies of information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at https://lanzatech.com. The reference to our website is not intended to be an active link and the information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus or any other filings we make with the SEC.
1
Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from or in addition to the information contained in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus. Accordingly, neither we nor any selling stockholder takes any responsibility for, or can provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may provide. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus that we have prepared is accurate as of any date other than the date of those documents, and that any information in documents that we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of such document, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
The distribution of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and the offering of the securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who obtain this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement should inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not permitted or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
2
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this prospectus, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When we discuss our strategies or plans, we are making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, LanzaTech’s management.
Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about:
•our anticipated growth rate and market opportunities;
•our ability to maintain the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market;
•the potential liquidity and trading of our securities;
•our ability to raise substantial additional financing in the future;
•our assessment of the competitive landscape;
•our ability to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business;
•our ability to enter into, successfully maintain and manage relationships with industry partners;
•our receipt of substantial additional financing to fund our operations and complete the development and commercialization of our process technologies;
•the availability of governmental programs designed to incentivize the production and consumption of low-carbon fuels and carbon capture and utilization;
•our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property rights;
•our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel and to manage our growth effectively;
•our future financial performance, growth, costs and expenses, availability of resources and capital requirements;
•our ability to increase our revenue from engineering services, sales of equipment packages and sales of CarbonSmart products and to improve our operating results; and
•our ability to implement and maintain effective internal controls.
We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus.
These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Moreover, we operate in a competitive industry, and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for the management of LanzaTech to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may
3
not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements in this prospectus.
The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are made only as of the date hereof. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. LanzaTech does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in expectations, except as required by law.
You should read this prospectus, and the documents that have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and any accompanying prospectus supplement with the understanding that the actual future results, levels of activity, performance, events and circumstances of LanzaTech may be materially different from what is expected.
4
MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA
Certain information contained in this document relates to or is based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and LanzaTech’s own internal estimates and research. While we believe these third-party sources to be reliable as of the date of this prospectus, we have not independently verified the market and industry data contained in this prospectus or the underlying assumptions relied on therein. Finally, while we believe our own internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent source.
5
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and our securities offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for review at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at www.lanzatech.com, at which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. LanzaTech’s website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, such website are not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus.
6
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in all cases, if you are considering whether to rely on information contained in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference (other than any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, unless expressly stated otherwise therein) the documents listed below (File No. 001-40282 unless otherwise stated), which are considered to be a part of this prospectus:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024, incorporated by reference therein);
•our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024;
•our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024 and on May 9, 2024 (other than information furnished to the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02); and
•the description of our common stock contained Exhibit 4.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024.
All reports and other documents we subsequently file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until our offering is completed, including all such reports and other documents filed with the SEC after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part hereof (other than any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, unless expressly stated otherwise therein). The information contained in any such filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus commencing on the date on which the document is filed.
Any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available without charge to you, upon written request by contacting our Investor Relations department at Investor Relations, LanzaTech Global, Inc., 8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400, Skokie, Illinois 60077.
7
THE COMPANY
LanzaTech is a nature-based carbon refining company that transforms waste carbon into the chemical building blocks for consumer goods such as sustainable fuels, fabrics, and packaging that people use in their daily lives. Using LanzaTech’s process technology, LanzaTech’s partners started up the world’s first commercial carbon refining plant in 2018 in China. Since then, LanzaTech’s partners in China have started up an additional three commercial plants operating in China, one in April 2021, another in September 2022, and the last one in June 2023. Additionally, LanzaTech’s partners have started up a commercial scale plant in India in September 2023 and in Belgium in November 2023. LanzaTech has numerous projects under development and in the pipeline globally. LanzaTech’s technology platform is designed to use a variety of waste feedstocks, from waste industrial gases to biomass residues and municipal solid waste. LanzaTech’s technology platform is designed to capitalize on the demand for sustainable fuels and chemicals, which can be used in multiple sectors such as aviation, automotive, textiles, home goods, consumer goods and others, to address the growing preference among major companies for environmentally conscious products and manufacturing processes.
LanzaTech is incorporated in Delaware and its headquarters are in Skokie, Illinois. LanzaTech is not a company that was formed under the laws of the PRC. However, LanzaTech has business operations in China, several strategic investors located in China, including Sinopec, and a core team of technical, business and administrative professionals at a LanzaTech office in Shanghai, which support the ongoing operations and further growth of the business in China. LanzaTech also holds a minority ownership stake in the Shougang Joint Venture. LanzaTech licenses its technology in China to the Shougang Joint Venture. Entities in which the Shougang Joint Venture holds a controlling interest currently produce low carbon ethanol at three commercial scale facilities using LanzaTech’s process technology, which, in addition to its use as fuel, is transported and processed for use in consumer products. For more information on the Shougang Joint Venture, see the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements — Shougang Joint Venture” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the corresponding sections of any prospectus supplement.
LanzaTech has determined the Shougang Joint Venture to be a VIE for which LanzaTech is not the primary beneficiary. LanzaTech holds its equity interest in the Shougang Joint Venture through its subsidiary, LanzaTech Hong Kong Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Hong Kong. LanzaTech Hong Kong Limited is not a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) organized under the laws of the PRC. This VIE structure was implemented to effectuate the intellectual property licensing arrangement between LanzaTech and the Shougang Joint Venture and is not used to provide investors with exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies.
LanzaTech also has a subsidiary, LanzaTech China Limited, which is a WFOE organized under the laws of the PRC. This subsidiary employs the professionals that work in LanzaTech’s office in Shanghai. LanzaTech China Limited does not hold an equity interest in the Shougang Joint Venture, or in any other VIE in China.
8
The following chart illustrates the organizational structure of LanzaTech and its subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus:
LanzaTech has entered into a license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture and a letter agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec. Although LanzaTech has the right to appoint and elect, and currently has appointed and elected, one director to the Shougang Joint Venture’s board of directors, the agreements between LanzaTech, the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec do not provide LanzaTech with the power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the Shougang Joint Venture. Therefore, LanzaTech does not consolidate the Shougang Joint Venture in its financial statements. LanzaTech may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the agreements. LanzaTech may also face challenges enforcing its contractual arrangements with the Shougang Joint Venture due to legal uncertainties and jurisdictional limits.
Although LanzaTech is incorporated and headquartered in the United States, LanzaTech may still be subject to certain PRC laws due to its business operations in China. LanzaTech faces risks and uncertainties associated with the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations and as to whether and how the recent PRC government statements and regulatory developments, such as those relating to cross-border data security, anti-monopoly concerns and VIEs, would apply to LanzaTech and its operations. Any application of these statements or regulatory actions to LanzaTech and its operations in the future, including a limitation on or disallowance of the VIE structure by Chinese regulatory authorities, could result in a material change in LanzaTech’s operations and could result in a material change in the value of the shares of the common stock.
Because LanzaTech is a U.S. entity, as opposed to a company formed under the laws of the PRC, LanzaTech believes none of LanzaTech or its subsidiaries is required to obtain permission from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) or any other governmental agency in China to consummate the Business Combination. If (i) LanzaTech does not receive or maintain any permission or approval required of it, (ii) LanzaTech inadvertently concluded that certain permissions or approvals have been acquired or are not required, or (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations thereof change and LanzaTech becomes subject to the requirement of additional permissions or approvals in the future, LanzaTech may have to expend significant time and costs to procure them. If LanzaTech is unable to do so, on commercially reasonable terms, in a timely manner or otherwise, LanzaTech may become subject to sanctions imposed by the PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties, proceedings against LanzaTech, and other forms of sanctions, and LanzaTech’s business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. For more information, see the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 17 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Pursuant to LanzaTech’s license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture, the Shougang Joint Venture transfers required payments by wire transfer to LanzaTech, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of LanzaTech. As of the
9
date of this prospectus, transfers of cash or other types of assets have been made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech and its subsidiaries. The payments made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech, Inc. have been in the ordinary course of business and have consisted of payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture for the sale of ethanol and payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. for sales of microbes, media, consumables and equipment. Payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture were approximately $1.9 million and $1.1 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $0.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. No payments were made from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. were approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We did not receive any payments from the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 nor in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. We have not received any payments from the Shougang Joint Venture in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. LanzaTech has not in the past and does not intend in the future to distribute to its stockholders any amounts that it receives from the Shougang Joint Venture. For more information, see the audited financial statements of LanzaTech incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
There are no restrictions or limitations on
•foreign exchange;
•LanzaTech’s ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, or to U.S. investors;
•LanzaTech’s ability to distribute earnings from the company, including its subsidiaries, to the holding company or U.S. investors; or
•LanzaTech’s ability to settle amounts owed under agreements with the Shougang Joint Venture.
LanzaTech’s auditor, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and therefore is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021 regarding the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations are not applicable to LanzaTech.
Additional information about us and our subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
Business Combination
On February 8, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), LanzaTech NZ, Inc. (“Legacy LanzaTech”) and AMCI Acquisition Corp. II (“AMCI”) consummated a business combination pursuant to that certain Merger Agreement dated as of March 8, 2022, as amended on December 7, 2022, by and among Legacy LanzaTech, AMCI and AMCI Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”). As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy LanzaTech, with Legacy LanzaTech continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned subsidiary of AMCI.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in Delaware on January 28, 2021, under the name AMCI Acquisition Corp. II, in order to effectuate a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. AMCI completed its initial public offering on August 6, 2021. On February 8, 2023, AMCI and Legacy LanzaTech consummated the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. On the Closing Date, AMCI changed its name to LanzaTech Global, Inc.
Our common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “LNZA.” The mailing address of our principal executive office is 8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400, Skokie, Illinois 60077, and our telephone number is (847) 324-2400. Our website address is https://lanzatech.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We make available free of charge on our website our annual,
10
quarterly and current reports, including amendments to such reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC.
11
THE OFFERING
Issuance of common stock | |||||
Shares of common stock offered by us | Up to 23,403,989 shares of common stock, which consists of (i) up to 4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Private Placement Warrants, (ii) up to 7,499,924 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Public Warrants, (iii) up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE, (iv) up to 300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of the AM Warrant, (v) up to 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, and (vi) up to 1,746,303 shares of common stock underlying the Options held by certain selling stockholders. | ||||
Shares of common stock outstanding prior to the exercise or conversion of all Convertible Securities | 197,734,876 shares (as of May 6, 2024) | ||||
Shares of common stock outstanding assuming exercise or conversion of all Convertible Securities | 221,133,455 shares (based on total shares outstanding as of May 6, 2024) | ||||
Exercise price of the Private Placement Warrants | $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein. | ||||
Exercise price of the Public Warrants | $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein. | ||||
Exercise price of the AM Warrant | $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment. | ||||
Exercise prices of the Options | The Options have exercise prices ranging between $0.16 per share and $3.15 per share. | ||||
Exercise price of the Shortfall Warrants | $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein | ||||
12
Use of Proceeds | We will receive up to an aggregate of approximately $188 million from the exercise of all of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options, assuming the exercise in full of all of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options for cash. There is no exercise price that must be paid in connection with the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE. The cash proceeds associated with the exercises of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options are dependent on the stock price inasmuch as the holders are unlikely to exercise the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants or the Options, as applicable, if the exercise price thereof is less than the price of our common stock at the time of exercise. In that circumstance, such holder may be less likely to exercise the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants or the Options, as applicable, as such holder would be selling at a loss if they sold their common stock. Subject to adjustment, the exercise price of the warrants is $11.50 per share, the exercise price of the AM Warrant is $10.00 per share, and the exercise price of the Shortfall Warrants is $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment. The exercise prices of the Options range from $0.16 per share to $3.15 per share. The shares currently held by the selling stockholders were purchased by them at prices per share ranging between $0.005 and $10.00. On May 6, 2024 the last reported sales price of the common stock was $2.85 per share. We expect to use the net proceeds from the exercise of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants, and the Options for general corporate purposes. See the section titled “Use of Proceeds.” | ||||
Resale of common stock and warrants | |||||
Shares of common stock offered by the selling stockholders | (i) Up to 18,500,000 PIPE Shares, (ii) up to 4,774,276 shares of common stock exercisable on the Private Placement Warrants, (iii) up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the Brookfield SAFE, (iv) up to 300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of the AM Warrant, (v) up to 2,164,839 shares of common stock held by certain selling stockholders, (vi) up to 1,746,303 shares of common stock underlying the Options held by certain selling stockholders, (vii) up to 5,916,514 shares of common stock purchased by certain selling stockholders subject to the Forward Purchase Agreement, (viii) up to 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, and (ix) up to 160,951,264 shares of common stock required to be registered pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. | ||||
13
The shares of common stock currently held by the selling stockholders were purchased by them at prices per share ranging between $0.005 and $10.00. Subject to adjustment, the exercise price of the warrants is $11.50 per share, the exercise price of the AM Warrant is $10.00 per share, and the exercise price of the Shortfall Warrants is $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment. The exercise prices of the Options range from $0.16 per share to $3.15 per share. On May 6, 2024 the last reported sales price of the common stock was $2.85 per share. If the market price for shares of common stock is less than $10.00 per share, holders of shares of common stock would be selling at a loss if they purchased the shares of common stock at $10.00 per share. Because certain selling stockholders purchased shares privately at a price below the current market price, or have the right to exercise Convertible Securities at an exercise price that is less than the current market price, they may have an incentive to sell shares of their common stock, or exercise their Convertible Securities and sell their common stock, because they could profit despite the market price of common stock falling below $10.00 per share. While these selling stockholders may, on average, experience a positive rate of return based on the current market price, public securityholders may not experience a similar rate of return on the securities they purchased due to differences in the purchase prices and the current market price. Based on the closing price of our common stock of $2.85 on May 6, 2024, the selling stockholders would have a potential profit of up to $2.845 per share, or up to approximately $38.8 million in the aggregate (not giving effect to the issuance of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Convertible Securities held by them). | |||||
Warrants offered by the selling stockholders | (i) Up to 4,774,276 Private Placement Warrants and (ii) up to 4,083,486 Shortfall Warrants | ||||
Redemption | The Private Placement Warrants and the Shortfall Warrants are redeemable in certain circumstances. See “Description of Securities” for further discussion. | ||||
Use of Proceeds | We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants or of the common stock by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus. | ||||
Risk Factors | Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read and consider the information set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” of this prospectus. | ||||
Nasdaq Ticker Symbol | The common stock and Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under “LNZA” and “LNZAW”, respectively. | ||||
Effective purchase prices and potential profits upon resale of the common stock and warrants offered for resale(1) | |||||
Effective purchase price of AMCI’s units in the IPO and potential profit upon resale of the common stock underlying AMCI’s units(2) | $10.00 per unit with no potential profit per share or in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the PIPE Shares | $185,000,000 in the aggregate or $10.00 per share with no potential profit per share or in the aggregate | ||||
14
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the Private Placement Warrants | $4,774,276 in the aggregate or $1.00 per warrant with no potential profit per warrant or in the aggregate(3) | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants | $54,904,174 in the aggregate or $11.50 per warrant(4) with no potential profit per warrant or in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the shares of common stock pursuant to the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE | $50,000,000 in the aggregate or $10.00 per share with no potential profit per share or in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of the AM Warrant | $3,000,000 in the aggregate or $10.00 per share(5) with no potential profit per share or in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the shares of common stock held by certain selling stockholders | From $1.38 per share to $1.60 per share(6) with a potential profit between $1.25 per share and $1.47 per share or up to approximately $3.0 million in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the shares of common stock underlying the Options held by certain selling stockholders | From $0.16 per share to $3.15 per share(7) with a potential profit between $0 per share and $2.69 per share or up to approximately $2.0 million in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the shares of common stock purchased by certain selling stockholders subject to the Forward Purchase Agreement | $60,100,000 in the aggregate or approximately $10.16 per share with no potential profit per share or in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the Shortfall Warrants | The Shortfall Warrants were granted to certain selling stockholders pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement and did not have a separate purchase price. The potential profit upon a resale of the Shortfall Warrants would be up to $0.23 per warrant or up to approximately $0.9 million in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants | $40,834,860 in the aggregate or approximately $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment(8) with no potential profit per share or in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the founder shares | $25,000 in the aggregate or approximately $0.005 per share with a potential profit of up to $2.845 per share or up to approximately $10.7 million in the aggregate | ||||
Effective purchase price and potential profit upon resale of the shares of common stock required to be registered pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (other than founder shares) | From approximately $0.40 per share to $10.00 per share with a potential profit between $0 per share and $2.45 per share or up to approximately $25.2 million in the aggregate | ||||
__________________
(1)This table includes information relating to the securities held by the selling stockholders, including the price that certain selling stockholders paid for the securities. The table is in part based on LanzaTech’s internal records and is for illustrative purposes only. For additional
15
information and assumptions, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Ownership of our Securities — The holders of the shares of common stock registered hereby may be willing to sell their shares at a price lower than the public market price.” The public offering price in AMCI’s IPO was $10.00 per unit. As seen in the table, some of the selling stockholders may realize a positive rate of return on the sale of their common stock covered by this prospectus even if the market price per share of the common stock is below $10.00 per share, in which case the public stockholders who purchased shares in AMCI’s IPO may experience a negative rate of return on their investment. Unless otherwise noted, our calculation of potential profit is based an assumption that the closing price of our common stock of $2.85 per share on May 6, 2024 is identical to the sale price. The trading price of our common stock may be different at the time a selling stockholder decides to sell its common stock.
(2)Each unit consisted of one share of AMCI’s Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant to purchase one share of AMCI’s Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.
(3)Unless otherwise noted, our calculation of potential profit is based an assumption that the closing price of our Public Warrants of $0.23 per Public Warrant on May 6, 2024 is identical to the sale price. The trading price of our Public Warrants may be different at the time a selling stockholder decides to sell its warrants.
(4)Represents the exercise price of the Private Placement Warrants, which is subject to adjustment.
(5)Represents the exercise price of the AM Warrant, which is subject to adjustment.
(6)Represents the range of exercise prices for the Options exercised by the selling stockholder. Certain shares of the common stock registered on behalf of the selling stockholder were granted by Legacy LanzaTech to the selling stockholder as restricted stock units, so the effective purchase price is not applicable.
(7)Represents the range of exercise prices for the shares of common stock underlying the Options held by the selling stockholders, which are subject to adjustment.
(8)Represents the exercise price of the Shortfall Warrants, which is subject to adjustment.
16
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. If any of these risks occur, the value of our common stock may decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. Before investing in our common stock, you should consider carefully the risk factors set forth in this prospectus and contained in any free writing prospectus with respect to this offering filed by us with the SEC, along with the risk factors described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and other filings we have made and will make with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Risks Related to This Offering
The common stock and the common stock issuable upon exercise of the resale securities described in this prospectus represent a substantial percentage of the total outstanding shares of our common stock.
The common stock and the common stock issuable upon exercise of the resale securities described in this prospectus represent a substantial percentage of the total outstanding shares of our common stock as of the date of this prospectus. Additionally, assuming all of the Convertible Securities were converted, the selling stockholders would own 203,436,682 shares of common stock, representing approximately 92.0% of the total outstanding common stock. So long as the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is effective, the sales of the securities being offered in this prospectus could result in a significant decline in the public trading price of the common stock.
There can be no assurance that our warrants, the AM Warrant or the Shortfall Warrants will be in the money at the time they become exercisable, and they may expire worthless.
Subject to adjustment, the exercise price for the outstanding Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants is $11.50 per share of common stock, the exercise price for the AM Warrant is $10.00 per share of common stock and the exercise price for the Shortfall Warrants is $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment. On May 6, 2024 the last reported sales price of the common stock was $2.85 per share. The cash proceeds associated with the exercises of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options are dependent on the stock price inasmuch as the holders are unlikely to exercise the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants or the Options, as applicable, if the exercise price thereof is greater than the price of our common stock at the time of exercise. In that circumstance, such holder may be less likely to exercise the warrants, the AM Warrant, or the Shortfall Warrants, as applicable, as such holder would be selling at a loss if they exercised their Convertible Securities and sold their common stock. There can be no assurance that such warrants, the AM Warrant or the Shortfall Warrants will be in the money following the time they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, and as such, the warrants, the AM Warrant and the Shortfall Warrants may expire worthless.
The holders of the shares of common stock registered hereby may be willing to sell their shares at a price lower than the public market price.
On May 6, 2024 the last reported sales price of the common stock was $2.85 per share. If the market price for shares of common stock is less than $10.00 per share, holders of shares of common stock would be selling at a loss if they purchased the shares of common stock at $10.00 per share. Because certain selling stockholders purchased shares privately at a price below the current market price, or have the right to exercise Convertible Securities at an exercise price that is less than the current market price, they may have an incentive to sell shares of their common stock, or exercise their Convertible Securities and sell their common stock, because they could profit despite the market price of common stock falling below $10.00 per share. While these selling stockholders may, on average, experience a positive rate of return based on the current market price, public securityholders may not experience a similar rate of return on the securities they purchased due to differences in the purchase prices and the current market price.
For example, the Private Placement Warrants were purchased for a price of $1.00 per warrant, and based on the closing price of the Public Warrants of $0.23 on May 6, 2024, such holder would not earn any profit from the resale
17
of such Private Placement Warrants. The Shortfall Warrants were granted to certain selling stockholders pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement and did not have a separate purchase price and, therefore, such selling stockholder would earn a profit equal to the purchase price of the Shortfall Warrant for the resale of such Shortfall Warrant. The PIPE Shares were purchased at a price, or at the equivalent to a price, of $10.00 per share, as applicable, and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholders would not earn any profit from the resale of such shares. The exercise price of the Private Placement Warrants is $11.50 per warrant, and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholders would not earn any profit from the resale of such shares if the Private Placement Warrants were to be exercised. The shares of common stock pursuant to the Brookfield SAFE were purchased at the equivalent to a price of $10.00 per share and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholder would not earn any profit from the resale of such shares. The shares of common stock underlying the AM Warrant have an exercise price of $10.00 per share and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024 such selling stockholder would not earn any profit from the resale of such shares if the AM Warrant were to be exercised. Certain of the shares of common stock held by a selling stockholder were purchased pursuant to Options exercised at a price ranging from $1.38 per share to $1.60 per share and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholder would earn a profit ranging from $1.25 per share to $1.47 per share for the resale of such shares. Certain other shares of common stock held by a selling stockholder were granted by Legacy LanzaTech pursuant to restricted stock units, which do not have an exercise price and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholder would earn a profit of $2.85 per share for the resale of such shares. The shares of common stock underlying the Options held by certain selling stockholders are exercisable at a price ranging from $0.16 per share to $3.15 per share and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholder would earn a profit ranging from $0 per share to $2.69 per share for the resale of such shares. The shares of common stock purchased by certain selling stockholders subject to the Forward Purchase Agreement were purchased at the equivalent to a price of $10.16 per share and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholder would not earn any profit from the resale of such shares. The shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants have an exercise price equal to $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment, and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholder would not earn any profit from the resale of such shares. The founder shares were purchased at the equivalent to a price of $0.005 per share and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholders would earn a profit of $2.845 per share from the resale of such shares. The shares of common stock registered pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (other than the founder’s shares) were purchased at purchase prices ranging from approximately $0.40 per share to $10.00 per share and, therefore, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 6, 2024, such selling stockholders would earn a profit ranging from $0 per share to $2.45 per share for the resale of such shares.
18
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants or of the common stock by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.
We will receive up to an aggregate of approximately $188 million from the exercise of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options, assuming the exercise in full of all of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options for cash. To the extent that the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options are exercised on a “cashless basis,” the amount of cash we would receive from the exercise of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options will decrease. We expect to use the net proceeds from the exercise of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options for general corporate purposes. We will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from the exercise of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options.
There is no assurance that the holders of the warrants, the AM Warrant, or the Shortfall Warrants will elect to exercise any or all of such warrant, or that the holders of Options will elect to exercise any or all of such Options. The cash proceeds associated with the exercises of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants, and the Options are dependent on the stock price inasmuch as the holders are unlikely to exercise the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants or the Options, as applicable, if the exercise price thereof is less than the price of our common stock at the time of exercise. In that circumstance, such holder may be less likely to exercise the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants, or the Options, as applicable, as such holder would be selling at a loss if they exercised their Convertible Securities and sold their common stock. Accordingly, we have not included the net proceeds from any exercise of the warrants, the AM Warrant, the Shortfall Warrants and the Options in our assessment of our liquidity and our ability to fund operations on a prospective basis.
Subject to adjustment, the exercise price of the warrants is $11.50 per share, the exercise price of the AM Warrant is $10.00 per share, and the exercise price of the Shortfall Warrants is $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment. Subject to adjustment, the exercise prices of the Options range from $0.16 per share to $3.15 per share. On May 6, 2024 the last reported sales price of the common stock was $2.85 per share. Additionally, if the market price for shares of common stock is less than $10.00 per share, holders of shares of common stock would be selling at a loss if they purchased the shares of common stock at $10.00 per share. Because certain selling stockholders purchased shares privately at a price below the current market price, or have the right to exercise Convertible Securities at an exercise price that is less than the current market price, they may have an incentive to sell shares of their common stock, or exercise their Convertible Securities and sell their common stock, because they could profit despite the market price of common stock falling below $10.00 per share. While these selling stockholders may, on average, experience a positive rate of return based on the current market price, public securityholders may not experience a similar rate of return on the securities they purchased due to differences in the purchase prices and the current market price. Based on the closing price of our common stock of $2.85 on May 6, 2024, the selling stockholders would have a potential profit of up to $2.845 per share, or up to approximately $38.8 million in the aggregate (not giving effect to the issuance of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Convertible Securities held by them).
19
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE
The offering price of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants offered hereby is determined by reference to the exercise price of the warrants of $11.50 per share. The Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “LNZAW.” The offering price of the shares of common stock underlying the Brookfield SAFE offered hereby is determined by reference to the conversion price of the Brookfield SAFE of $10.00 per share. The offering price of the shares of common stock underlying the AM Warrant is determined by reference to the exercise price of the AM Warrant of $10.00 per share. The offering price of the shares of common stock underlying the Shortfall Warrants is determined by reference to the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, equal to $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment. The offering price of shares of common stock underlying the Options is determined by reference to the exercise price of the Options, which ranges between $0.16 per share and $3.15 per share.
We cannot currently determine the price or prices at which shares of common stock, the Private Placement Warrants or the Shortfall Warrants may be sold by the selling stockholders under this prospectus.
20
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The following summary of the material terms of the common stock, preferred stock, our Private Placement Warrants and our Shortfall Warrants is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities, and is qualified by reference to the applicable warrant agreement and to our Charter and Bylaws, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We urge you to read the applicable warrant agreement and our Charter and Bylaws in their entirety for a complete description of the rights and preferences of our securities.
Authorized and Outstanding Stock
The Charter authorizes the issuance of 420,000,000 shares, consisting of 400,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of May 6, 2024, there were 197,734,876 shares of common stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.
Common Stock
The Charter provides the following with respect to the rights, powers, preferences and privileges of the common stock.
Voting Power
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock possess all voting power for the election of LanzaTech’s directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Dividends
Holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on the common stock for the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon LanzaTech’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial conditions. In no event will any stock dividends or stock splits or combinations of stock be declared or made on shares of common stock unless the shares of common stock at the time outstanding are treated equally and identically.
Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up
In the event of LanzaTech’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive an equal amount per share of all of LanzaTech’s assets of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders, after the rights of the holders of the preferred stock have been satisfied.
Preemptive or Other Rights
The LanzaTech stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. No sinking fund provisions are applicable to the common stock.
Preferred Stock
The Charter provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. The Board will be able to, without stockholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the shares of common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of the Board to issue shares of preferred stock without
21
stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of LanzaTech or the removal of existing management.
Registration Rights
AMCI, certain of the Legacy LanzaTech stockholders and AMCI Stockholders entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, such stockholders were granted certain registration rights with respect to certain shares of securities held by them.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Charter and Bylaws
Among other things, the Charter and Bylaws:
•permit the Board to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate, including the right to approve an acquisition or other change of control;
•provide that the number of directors of LanzaTech may be changed only by resolution of the Board;
•provide that, subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock to elect directors, directors may be removed only with cause by the holders of at least 66⅔% of all of LanzaTech’s then-outstanding shares of the capital stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors;
•provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;
•provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide advance notice in writing, and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice;
•provide that special meetings of LanzaTech’s stockholders may be called by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board;
•provide that the Board will be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal as possible, and with the directors serving three-year terms, therefore making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the Board; and
•do not provide for cumulative voting rights, therefore allowing the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors to elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.
The combination of these provisions will make it more difficult for the existing stockholders to replace the Board as well as for another party to obtain control of LanzaTech by replacing the Board. Because the Board has the power to retain and discharge its officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for the Board to issue shares of preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change the control of LanzaTech.
These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of the Board and its policies and to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to reduce LanzaTech’s vulnerability to hostile takeovers and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for LanzaTech’s shares and may have the effect of delaying changes in its control or management. As a consequence, these provisions may also inhibit fluctuations in the market price of LanzaTech’s Common Stock.
22
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law
LanzaTech is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:
•a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”);
•an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or
•an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder.
A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of a corporation’s assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 would not apply if:
•the relevant board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an interested stockholder prior to the date of the transaction;
•after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of the corporation’s voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or
•on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the initial business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of the corporation’s stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing changes in control of LanzaTech.
Forward Purchase Agreement
On February 3, 2023, AMCI, Legacy LanzaTech and ACM entered into the Forward Purchase Agreement for an over-the-counter Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction (the “Forward Purchase Transaction”). For purposes of the Forward Purchase Agreement, ACM is referred to as the “Seller” and AMCI and LanzaTech are referred to as the “Counterparty” prior to and after the Business Combination, respectively. Pursuant to the terms of the Forward Purchase Agreement, the Seller purchased through a broker in the open market 5,916,514 shares of AMCI’s common stock before the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”) from holders of AMCI’s common shares (other than AMCI), including from holders who had previously elected to redeem their shares (such purchased shares, and the successor shares following the Closing, the “Recycled Shares”) in connection with the Business Combination pursuant to the redemption rights set forth in AMCI’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (such holders, “Redeeming Holders”). The aggregate total number of shares subject to the Forward Purchase Agreement (the “Number of Shares”) is 10,000,000. The Number of Shares is subject to reduction following termination of the Forward Purchase Agreement with respect to the Recycled Shares as described under “Optional Early Termination” in the Forward Purchase Agreement. Unless in connection with an optional early termination, the Seller has agreed to hold the Recycled Shares in a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle for the benefit of the Counterparty. The Seller also may not beneficially own greater than 9.9% of our outstanding common shares.
In accordance with the Forward Purchase Agreement, the Seller was paid directly, out of the funds held in the Trust Account $60.1 million (the “Prepayment Amount”).
We agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC registering the resale of the Recycled Shares and the Share Consideration (as defined below) (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, within 45 days following the request of the Seller. From time to time following the Closing and only after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Seller was permitted, at its discretion, to provide a shortfall sale notice to the Counterparty without a payment obligation to the Counterparty until such time as the aggregate amount indicated on
23
such shortfall sale notices equals $2,500,000 (the “Prepayment Shortfall”). LanzaTech did not take the Prepayment Shortfall. The Seller in its sole discretion may request Shortfall Warrants exercisable for shares in an amount equal to (i) 10,000,000 shares less (ii) the number of Recycled Shares at the outset of the Forward Purchase Transaction (the “Shortfall Warrants”). The Shortfall Warrants will have an exercise price equal to the Reset Price.
The Seller may also, at its discretion and at any time, provide a notice under “OET Sales.” The Seller may deliver an OET notice and return to the Counterparty the product of the Reset Price and the number of shares listed on the OET notice. Following the Closing, the reset price (the “Reset Price”) will initially be the per share Redemption Price; provided, however, that the Reset Price may be reduced to any lower price at which the Counterparty sells, issues or grants any shares or securities convertible or exchangeable into shares (other than grants or issuances under the Counterparty’s equity compensation plans or shares underlying warrants issued in connection with the Business Combination), subject to certain exceptions.
The maturity date of the Forward Purchase Agreement will be the third anniversary of the Closing (the “Maturity Date”). Upon the occurrence of the Maturity Date, the Counterparty is obligated to pay to Seller an amount equal to the product of (1) (a) the lesser of the Maximum Number of Shares and 7,500,000 less (b) the number of Terminated Shares multiplied by (2) $2.00 (the “Maturity Consideration”). At the Maturity Date, the Counterparty will be entitled to deliver the Maturity Consideration to the Seller in cash or shares calculated based on the average daily VWAP Price over 30 trading days ending on the later of the Maturity Date and the date on which such shares are registered. The Maturity Date may be accelerated by Seller, at its discretion, if, among other termination events, following the Closing, the VWAP Price is below $2.00 per Share for any 50 trading days during a 60 consecutive trading day-period that ends during the first 90 days after the date of the Forward Purchase Agreement, and (2) $3.00 per share thereafter. In addition to the Prepayment Amount and the Maturity Consideration, on the Maturity Date, the Counterparty has agreed to pay to the Seller an amount equal to the product of (x) 500,000 and (y) the Redemption Price (the “Share Consideration”).
The Forward Purchase Agreement may be terminated by any of the parties thereto if the resale registration statement is not declared effective within 105 days of the registration request (such event, an “Additional Termination Event”).
The Counterparty has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Seller, its affiliates, assignees and other parties described therein (the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities under the Forward Purchase Agreement (excluding liabilities relating to the manner in which Seller sells any shares it owns) and reimburse the Indemnified Parties for their reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such liabilities, subject to certain exceptions described therein, and has agreed to contribute to any amounts required to be paid by any Indemnified Parties if such indemnification is unavailable or insufficient to hold such party harmless.
The Seller waived any redemption rights with respect to any Recycled Shares in connection with the Business Combination. In connection with the Forward Purchase Agreement, ACM assigned its rights, duties and obligations with respect to a portion of the shares purchased under the Forward Purchase Agreement to Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC - Series 10 (which entity assumed all of the obligations and rights of ACM described above with respect to the portion of the shares so assigned).
Warrants
Public Warrants
Each Public Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a Public Warrant holder may exercise its Public Warrants only for a whole number of shares of common stock. This means that only a whole Public Warrant may be exercised at any given time by a Public Warrant holder. No fractional Public Warrants were issued upon separation of AMCI’s units and only whole Public Warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the Closing, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
24
We are not obligated to deliver any shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of a Public Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such Public Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock underlying the Public Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to satisfaction of our obligations described below with respect to registration. No Public Warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock upon exercise of a Public Warrant unless the common stock issuable upon such Public Warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the Public Warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Public Warrant, the holder of such Public Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such Public Warrant and such Public Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised Public Warrants, the purchaser of a unit containing such Public Warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the share of common stock underlying such unit.
We have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the Closing, we will use our best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of common stock until the Public Warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so if, for example, any facts or events arise which represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement or prospectus, the financial statements contained or incorporated by reference therein are not current or correct or the SEC issues a stop order. If a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the Closing, Public Warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if common stock is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event we do not so elect, we will use our best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Public Warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the volume weighted average price of the common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.
Redemption of Public Warrant when the price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $18.00.
Once the Public Warrants become exercisable, we may call the Public Warrants for redemption:
•in whole and not in part;
•at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
•upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each Public Warrant holder; and
•if, and only if, the closing price of common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing once the Public Warrants become exercisable and ending three trading days before we send the notice of redemption to the Public Warrant holders.
We may not redeem the Public Warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current
25
prospectus relating to those shares of common stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the Public Warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
We have established the last of the redemption criteria discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the Public Warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the Public Warrants, each Public Warrant holder will be entitled to exercise its Public Warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the common stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) as well as the $11.50 (for whole shares) warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $10.00.
Once the Public Warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants:
•in whole and not in part;
•at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares determined by reference to the table below, based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of the common stock except as otherwise described below; and
•if, and only if, the closing price of the common stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described below under the heading “— Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) for any 20 trading days within the 30-trading day period ending three trading days before we send the notice of redemption to the Public Warrant holders.
Beginning on the date the notice of redemption is given until the Public Warrants are redeemed or exercised, holders may elect to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis. The numbers in the table below represent the number of shares of common stock that a Public Warrant holder will receive upon such cashless exercise in connection with a redemption by New LanzaTech pursuant to this redemption feature, based on the “fair market value” of common stock on the corresponding redemption date (assuming holders elect to exercise their Public Warrants and such warrants are not redeemed for $0.10 per warrant), determined for these purposes based on volume weighted average price of common stock during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of Public Warrants, and the number of months that the corresponding redemption date precedes the expiration date of the warrants, each as set forth in the table below. We will provide the Public Warrant holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the 10-trading day period described above ends.
The share prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Public Warrant or the exercise price of a Public Warrant is adjusted as set forth under the heading “— Anti-Dilution Adjustments” below. If the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Public Warrant is adjusted, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the share prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a Public Warrant immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a Public Warrant as so adjusted. The number of shares in the table below shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Public Warrant. If the exercise price of a Public Warrant is adjusted, (a) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the second paragraph under the heading “— Other Terms” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted share price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price as set forth under the heading “— Other Terms” and the denominator of which is $10.00 and (b) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the second paragraph under the heading “—Anti-Dilution
26
Adjustments” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted share price less the decrease in the exercise price of a public warrant pursuant to such exercise price adjustment.
| Redemption Date (period to expiration of Public Warrants) | Fair Market Value of common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| <10.00 | 11.00 | 12.00 | 13.00 | 14.00 | 15.00 | 16.00 | 17.00 | >18.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60 months | 0.261 | 0.281 | 0.297 | 0.311 | 0.324 | 0.337 | 0.348 | 0.358 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 57 months | 0.257 | 0.277 | 0.294 | 0.310 | 0.324 | 0.337 | 0.348 | 0.358 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 54 months | 0.252 | 0.272 | 0.291 | 0.307 | 0.322 | 0.335 | 0.347 | 0.357 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 51 months | 0.246 | 0.268 | 0.287 | 0.304 | 0.320 | 0.333 | 0.346 | 0.357 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 48 months | 0.241 | 0.263 | 0.283 | 0.301 | 0.317 | 0.332 | 0.344 | 0.356 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 45 months | 0.235 | 0.258 | 0.279 | 0.298 | 0.315 | 0.330 | 0.343 | 0.356 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 42 months | 0.228 | 0.252 | 0.274 | 0.294 | 0.312 | 0.328 | 0.342 | 0.355 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 39 months | 0.221 | 0.246 | 0.269 | 0.290 | 0.309 | 0.325 | 0.340 | 0.354 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36 months | 0.213 | 0.239 | 0.263 | 0.285 | 0.305 | 0.323 | 0.339 | 0.353 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 months | 0.205 | 0.232 | 0.257 | 0.280 | 0.301 | 0.320 | 0.337 | 0.352 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 months | 0.196 | 0.224 | 0.250 | 0.274 | 0.297 | 0.316 | 0.335 | 0.351 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 months | 0.185 | 0.214 | 0.242 | 0.268 | 0.291 | 0.313 | 0.332 | 0.350 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24 months | 0.173 | 0.204 | 0.233 | 0.260 | 0.285 | 0.308 | 0.329 | 0.348 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 months | 0.161 | 0.193 | 0.223 | 0.252 | 0.279 | 0.304 | 0.326 | 0.347 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 months | 0.146 | 0.179 | 0.211 | 0.242 | 0.271 | 0.298 | 0.322 | 0.345 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 months | 0.130 | 0.164 | 0.197 | 0.230 | 0.262 | 0.291 | 0.317 | 0.342 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 months | 0.111 | 0.146 | 0.181 | 0.216 | 0.250 | 0.282 | 0.312 | 0.339 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 months | 0.090 | 0.125 | 0.162 | 0.199 | 0.237 | 0.272 | 0.305 | 0.336 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 months | 0.065 | 0.099 | 0.137 | 0.178 | 0.219 | 0.259 | 0.296 | 0.331 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 months | 0.034 | 0.065 | 0.104 | 0.150 | 0.197 | 0.243 | 0.286 | 0.326 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 months | — | — | 0.042 | 0.115 | 0.179 | 0.233 | 0.281 | 0.323 | 0.361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The exact fair market value and redemption date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case, if the fair market value is between two values in the table or the redemption date is between two redemption dates in the table, the number of shares of common stock to be issued for each Public Warrant exercised will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of shares set forth for the higher and lower fair market values and the earlier and later redemption dates, as applicable, based on a 365 or 366-day year, as applicable. For example, if the volume weighted average price of common stock during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the Public Warrants is $11.00 per share, and at such time there are 57 months until the expiration of the warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their Public Warrants for 0.277 shares of common stock for each whole public warrant. For an example where the exact fair market value and redemption date are not as set forth in the table above, if the volume weighted average price of common stock during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the Public Warrants is $13.50 per share, and at such time there are 38 months until the expiration of the Public Warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their Public Warrants for 0.298 shares of common stock for each whole Public Warrant. In no event will the Public Warrants be exercisable on a cashless basis in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361 shares of common stock per warrant (subject to adjustment). Finally, as reflected in the table above, if the Public Warrants are out of the money and about to expire, they cannot be exercised on a cashless basis in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, since they will not be exercisable for any shares of common stock.
This redemption feature differs from the typical warrant redemption features used in other blank check offerings, which typically only provide for a redemption of warrants for cash (other than the Private Placement Warrants) when the trading price for the underlying common stock exceeds $18.00 per share for a specified period
27
of time. This redemption feature is structured to allow for all of the outstanding Public Warrants to be redeemed when the common stock is trading at or above $10.00 per share, which may be at a time when the trading price of the common stock is below the exercise price of the Public Warrants. We have established this redemption feature to provide us with the flexibility to redeem the Public Warrants without the warrants having to reach the $18.00 per share threshold set forth above under “— Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of the common stock equals or exceeds $18.00.” Holders choosing to exercise their Public Warrants in connection with a redemption pursuant to this feature will, in effect, receive a number of shares for their Public Warrants based on an option pricing model with a fixed volatility input. This redemption right provides us with an additional mechanism by which to redeem all of the outstanding Public Warrants, and therefore have certainty as to our capital structure as the Public Warrants would no longer be outstanding and would have been exercised or redeemed and we will be required to pay the redemption price to Public Warrant holders if we choose to exercise this redemption right and it will allow us to quickly proceed with a redemption of the Public Warrants if we determine it is in our best interest to do so. As such, we would redeem the Public Warrants in this manner when we believes it is in our best interest to update our capital structure to remove the Public Warrants and pay the redemption price to the Public Warrant holders.
As stated above, we can redeem the Public Warrants when the common stock is trading at a price starting at $10.00, which is below the exercise price of $11.50, because it will provide certainty with respect to our capital structure and cash position while providing Public Warrant holders with the opportunity to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis for the applicable number of shares. If we choose to redeem the Public Warrant when the common stock is trading at a price below the exercise price of the Public Warrants, this could result in the Public Warrant holders receiving fewer shares of common stock than they would have received if they had chosen to wait to exercise their Public Warrants for Common Stock if and when such Common Stock was trading at a price higher than the exercise price of $11.50.
No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon exercise. If, upon exercise, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will round down to the nearest whole number of the number of shares of common stock to be issued to the holder.
Redemption Procedures
A holder of a Public Warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such Public Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (as specified by the holder) of the common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments
If the number of outstanding shares of common stock is increased by a capitalization or share dividend payable in Common Stock, or by a split-up of shares of common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of each whole Public Warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding ordinary stock. A rights offering made to all or substantially all holders of common stock entitling holders to purchase common stock at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined below) will be deemed a share dividend of a number of shares of common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of common stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for common stock) and (ii) one minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of common stock paid in such rights offering and (y) the historical fair market value. For these purposes, (a) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, in determining the price payable for Common Stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (b) ”historical fair market value” means the volume weighted average price of common stock as reported during the 10 trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
28
In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of shares of common stock on account of such shares (or other securities into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, or (b) any cash dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the common stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of each Public Warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of common stock in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding shares of common stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of each Public Warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of common stock.
Whenever the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Public Warrants is adjusted, as described above, the Public Warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the Public Warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Public Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of common stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of common stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares of common stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of LanzaTech with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of common stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of LanzaTech as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the Public Warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Public Warrants and in lieu of the common stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of common stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the Public Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their Public Warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of common stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of common stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the Public Warrant properly exercises the Public Warrant within 30 days following public disclosure of such transaction, the Public Warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the warrant agreement based on the Black-Scholes value (as defined in the warrant agreement) of the Public Warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the Public Warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the Public Warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the Public Warrants in order to determine and realize the option value component of the Public Warrant. This formula is to compensate the Public Warrant holder for the loss of the option value portion of the Public Warrant due to the requirement that the Public Warrant holder exercise the Public Warrant within 30 days of the event. The Black-Scholes model is an accepted pricing model for estimating fair market value where no quoted market price for an instrument is available.
29
Other Terms
The Public Warrants are issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the Public Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, and that all other modifications or amendments will require the vote or written consent of the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding Public Warrants, and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the Private Placement Warrants, a majority of the then outstanding Private Placement Warrants.
The Public Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of Public Warrants being exercised. The Public Warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their Public Warrants and receive common stock. After the issuance of common stock upon exercise of the Public Warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. If, upon exercise of the Public Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of common stock to be issued to the warrant holder.
Private Placement Warrants
Except as described below, the Private Placement Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the Public Warrants. The Private Placement Warrants (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the Closing and they will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. The Sponsor, or its permitted transferees, has the option to exercise the Private Placement Warrants on a cashless basis. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by holders other than the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by us in all redemption scenarios and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
If holders of the Private Placement Warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering their warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “Sponsor fair market value” (defined below) over the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the Sponsor fair market value. For these purposes, the “Sponsor fair market value” shall mean the average reported closing price of the common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor and its permitted transferees is because if they remain affiliated with us, their ability to sell our securities in the open market will be significantly limited. We have policies in place that restrict insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell our securities, an insider cannot trade in our securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike public stockholders who could exercise their warrants and sell the common stock received upon such exercise freely in the open market in order to recoup the cost of such exercise, the insiders could be significantly restricted from selling such securities. As a result, we believe that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis is appropriate.
Shortfall Warrants
On March 27, 2023, we issued an aggregate of 2,073,486 Shortfall Warrants to ACM and 2,010,000 Shortfall Warrants to Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC - Series 10 pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement, as further described in “— Forward Purchase Agreement.” Each Shortfall Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment in the event that we sell, grant or otherwise issue common stock or common stock equivalents at an effective price less than the then current exercise
30
price of the Shortfall Warrants, at any time commencing on March 27, 2023. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a Shortfall Warrant holder may exercise its Shortfall Warrants only for a whole number of shares of common stock. This means that only a whole Shortfall Warrant may be exercised at any given time by a Shortfall Warrant holder. The Shortfall Warrants will expire on March 27, 2028 at 5:00 p.m., New York City time.
We are not obligated to deliver any shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of a Shortfall Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such Shortfall Warrant exercise unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock underlying the Shortfall Warrants is then effective, subject to satisfaction of our obligations described in “— Forward Purchase Agreement” with respect to registration, or (ii) either (a) the shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of a Shortfall Warrant are eligible for resale by the holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144 (assuming cashless exercise of the Shortfall Warrants), and (b) otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate. In the event that these conditions are not satisfied with respect to a Shortfall Warrant, the holder of such Shortfall Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such Shortfall Warrant and such Shortfall Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any Shortfall Warrant.
A holder of a Shortfall Warrant may exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Shortfall Warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to (A-B) (X) by (A), where: (A) is the volume-weighted average price of our common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the applicable notice of exercise (subject to certain adjustments depending on the timing of the notice of exercise), (B) is the exercise price of the Shortfall Warrant, as adjusted; and (X) is the number of shares of common stock that would be issuable upon exercise of the Shortfall Warrant in accordance with its terms if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise.
Each Shortfall Warrant may be exercised in part or in full. If we fail for any reason to deliver to the holder the applicable shares before the required date, we must pay certain liquidated damages to the holder.
We have agreed to certain registration rights with regard to the Shortfall Warrants described in “— Forward Purchase Agreement.”
On May 13, 2023, we amended the Shortfall Warrant agreements in order to effect the reclassification of the Shortfall Warrants as equity. The form of amended Shortfall Warrant is attached as Exhibit 4.25.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors of corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. The Charter includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director where, in civil proceedings, the person acted in good faith and in a manner that person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of LanzaTech or, in criminal proceedings, where the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
The Bylaws provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers, and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability, advancement and indemnification provisions in the Charter and Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing lawsuits against directors for breaches of their fiduciary duties. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officer pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
31
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, stockholders will have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of LanzaTech. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Stockholders’ Derivative Actions
Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in LanzaTech’s name to procure a judgment in LanzaTech’s favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of our shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent for our capital stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Listing of Common Stock
Our common stock and Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “LNZA” and “LNZAW,” respectively.
32
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
This prospectus relates to the resale by the selling stockholders from time to time of up to 4,774,276 Private Placement Warrants, up to 4,083,486 Shortfall Warrants, and up to 203,436,682 shares of common stock, which consists of (i) up to 18,500,000 PIPE Shares issued in the PIPE Investment, (ii) up to 4,774,276 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, (iii) up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock issuable to Brookfield upon the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE, (iv) up to 300,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the AM Warrant, (v) up to 2,164,839 shares of common stock held by certain selling stockholders, (vi) up to 1,746,303 shares of common stock underlying the Options held by certain selling stockholders, (vii) up to 5,916,514 shares of common stock purchased by certain selling stockholders subject to the Forward Purchase Agreement, (viii) up to 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, and (ix) up to 160,951,264 shares of common stock pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants or of the common stock by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.
The selling stockholders may from time to time offer and sell any or all of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants and common stock set forth below pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. As used in this prospectus, the term “selling stockholders” includes the persons listed in the table below, together with any additional selling stockholders listed in a subsequent amendment to this prospectus, and their pledgees, donees, transferees, assignees, successors, designees and others who later come to hold any of the selling stockholders’ interests in the common stock, other than through a public sale.
Except as set forth in the footnotes below, the following table sets forth certain information as of May 6, 2024 regarding the beneficial ownership of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants and common stock by the selling stockholders and the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants and shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders. The applicable percentage ownership of the Private Placement Warrants is based on 4,774,276 Private Placement Warrants outstanding as of May 6, 2024. The applicable percentage ownership of the Shortfall Warrants is based on 4,083,486 Shortfall Warrants outstanding as of May 6, 2024. The applicable percentage ownership of common stock is based on 197,734,876 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 6, 2024. Information with respect to the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants and shares of common stock owned beneficially after the offering assumes the sale of all of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants and shares of common stock registered hereby. The selling stockholders may offer and sell some, all or none of their Private Placement Warrants, Shortfall Warrants and shares of common stock.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. A person is a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares “voting power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security, or “investment power,” which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of the security, or has the right to acquire such powers within 60 days.
Unless otherwise noted in the footnotes to the following table, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their beneficially owned Private Placement Warrants, Shortfall Warrants and common stock.
Please see the section titled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus for further information regarding the selling stockholders’ method of distributing these securities.
| Name of Selling Stockholder | Shares of Common Stock | Warrants to Purchase Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering | Number Registered for Sale Hereby(1) | Number Beneficially Owned After Offering | Percent Owned After Offering | Number Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering | Number Registered for Sale Hereby(1) | Number Beneficially Owned After Offering | Percent Owned After Offering | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Activant Capital IV, LP(2) | 1,212,500 | 1,212,500 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACM ARRT H LLC(3) | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | — | — | 2,073,486 | 2,073,486 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adage Capital Partners, L.P.(4) | 74,250 | 74,250 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AMCI Group, LLC Series 35(5) | 2,799,835 | 2,799,835 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AMCI Sponsor II LLC(6) | 4,774,276 | 4,774,276 | — | — | 4,774,276 | 4,774,276 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ArcelorMittal XCarb S.à r.l.(7) | 3,300,000 | 3,300,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aristeia Capital, LLC(8) | 49,499 | 49,499 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baowu Clean Energy Co., Ltd. | 1,920,380 | 1,920,380 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BASF Venture Capital GmbH(9) | 3,335,877 | 3,335,877 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BGTF LT Aggregator LP(10) | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boat Harbour Limited(11) | 1,869,239 | 1,869,239 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CCSRF Fuel (HK) Investment Limited(12) | 4,103,718 | 4,103,718 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dialog (Labuan) Ltd | 773,063 | 773,063 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gothic Corporation(13) | 596,486 | 596,486 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gothic ERP LLC(14) | 113,114 | 113,114 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gothic HSP Corporation(15) | 113,114 | 113,114 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation(16) | 33,263,337 | 33,263,337 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Highbridge Capital Management LLC(17) | 49,500 | 49,500 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IOCL Singapore Pte Ltd(18) | 6,025,762 | 6,025,762 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
K One W One (No. 2) Ltd(19) | 2,365,019 | 2,365,019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
K One W One (No. 3) Ltd(20) | 6,413,480 | 6,413,480 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P.(21) | 29,799 | 29,799 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kepos Special Opportunities Master Fund L.P.(22) | 19,701 | 19,701 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Entities affiliated with Khosla Ventures(23) | 43,839,900 | 43,839,900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Land Noble Investments Limited(24) | 1,452,718 | 1,452,718 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LCP Extension Fund, LLC(25) | 147,710 | 147,710 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meteora Capital Partners, LP(26) | 46,684 | 46,684 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mitsui & Co. Ltd.(27) | 6,310,884 | 6,310,884 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Novo Holdings A/S(28) | 15,814,845 | 15,814,845 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, LLC(29) | 2,800,000 | 2,800,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pescadero Capital, LLC | 200,000 | 200,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PETRONAS Technology Ventures SDN BHD(30) | 3,865,329 | 3,865,329 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH(31) | 1,362,175 | 1,362,175 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Puig International SA(32) | 500,000 | 500,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Qiming Managing Directors Fund II, LP(33) | 66,007 | 66,007 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Qiming Venture Partners II, LP(34) | 4,536,087 | 4,536,087 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Qiming Venture Partners II-C, LP(35) | 397,204 | 397,204 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saints Ventures II, L.P.(36) | 150,855 | 150,855 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sandia Investment Management, LP(37) | 261,750 | 261,750 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SBCVC Fund III Company Limited(38) | 104,852 | 104,852 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schoenfeld Asset Management LP(39) | 49,500 | 49,500 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.(40) | 967,621 | 967,621 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shaolin Capital Partners(41) | 49,499 | 49,499 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SHV Energy N.V.(42) | 750,000 | 750,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd.(43) | 17,112,976 | 17,112,976 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Suncor Energy, Inc.(44) | 3,899,693 | 3,899,693 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tenor Opportunity Master Fund, Ltd.(45) | 25,000 | 25,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (SEVF II) | 19,197 | 19,197 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Duke Endowment(46) | 226,242 | 226,242 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trafigura US Holdings, Inc.(47) | 500,000 | 500,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UBS O'Connor LLC(48) | 1,370 | 1,370 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC - Series 10(49) | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | — | — | 2,010,000 | 2,010,000 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Woodside Energy Technologies Pty, Ltd.(50) | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian Beem(51) | 298,148 | 298,148 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kate Burson(52) | 19,968 | 19,968 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Henry Copses(53) | 7,142 | 7,142 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Holmes(54) | 17,854 | 17,854 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Patrick Murphy(55) | 177,890 | 177,890 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nimesh Patel(56) | 318,148 | 318,148 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adrian Paterson(57) | 19,968 | 19,968 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Pinho(58) | 19,968 | 19,968 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sean Simpson(59) | 3,473,674 | 3,473,674 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jill Watz(60) | 19,968 | 19,968 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Walker Woodson(61) | 32,059 | 32,059 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roger Wyse(62) | 371,848 | 371,848 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TOTAL | 203,436,682 | 203,436,682 | — | — | 8,857,762 | 8,857,762 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1)The amounts set forth in this column are the number of shares of common stock that may be offered by each selling stockholder using this prospectus. These amounts do not represent any other shares of our common stock that the selling stockholder may own beneficially or otherwise.
(2)Steve Sarracino has voting and/or investment power over the shares held by Activant Capital IV, LP.
(3)Consists of (i) 2,926,514 shares of common stock, (ii) 2,073,486 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Shortfall Warrants, and (iii) 2,073,486 Shortfall Warrants. On February 3, 2023, AMCI, Legacy LanzaTech and ACM entered into the Forward Purchase Transaction, as described in the section entitled “Description of Securities — Forward Purchase Agreement.” The securities are held directly by ACM ARRT H LLC, of which Atalaya Capital Management LP (“ACM”) is the Manager and has investment and dispositive power over the shares. Ivan Zinn is the Chief Investment Officer of ACM and has voting and dispositive power over the shares. The business address of ACM ARRT H LLC and ACM is One Rockefeller Plaza, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10020.
(4)Consists of 74,250 founder shares of LanzaTech common stock allocated to investors managed by Adage Capital Partners, L.P. Bob Atchinson and Phillip Gross are the managing members of Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C., which is the managing member of Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C., which is the general partner of Adage Capital Partners, L.P., and each such person or entity may be deemed the beneficial owner of such shares. The address of Adage Capital Partners, L.P. is 200 Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor, Boston MA 02116.
(5)AMCI Group, LLC Series 35 is a member of AMCI Sponsor II LLC. Hans Mende, former non-executive chairman of the board of directors of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, is the chairman of AMCI Group LLC, Series 35 and may be deemed to have voting or investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by AMCI Group LLC, Series 35.
(6)Consists of (i) 4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Private Placement Warrants, and (ii) 4,774,276 Private Placement Warrants. Brian Beem is the sole managing member of AMCI Sponsor II LLC. Mr. Beem is the former president and a member of the board of directors of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination. Mr. Beem may be deemed to have voting or investment power with respect to the securities held by AMCI Sponsor II LLC.
(7)Consists of 3,000,000 shares of common stock held by ArcelorMittal XCarb S.à r.l. (“XCarb”) and 300,000 shares of common stock subject to warrants that are exercisable within 60 days of February 8, 2023. XCarb is a commercial partner of LanzaTech. XCarb is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of AM Global Holding S.à r.l. and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, a publicly traded company, each of which may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by XCarb. The address for XCarb is 24-26, boulevard d’Avranches, L-1160 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
(8)Consists of (i) 33,349 shares of common stock held by Aristeia Master, L.P., (ii) 3,274 shares of common stock held by ASIG International Limited, (iii) 8,869 shares of common stock held by Blue Peak Limited, (iv) 2,960 shares of common stock held by DS Liquid Div RVA ARST, LLC, and (v) 1,047 shares of common stock held by Windermere Cayman Fund Limited (each an “Aristeia Fund” and collectively, the “Aristeia Funds”). Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. (collectively, “Aristeia”) may be deemed the beneficial owners of the securities described herein in their capacity as the investment manager, trading manager, and/or general partner, as the case may be, of the Aristeia Funds. As investment manager, trading advisor and/or general partner of each Aristeia Fund, Aristeia has voting and investment control with respect to the securities held by each Aristeia Fund. Anthony M. Frascella and William R. Techar are the co-Chief Investment Officers of Aristeia. Each of Aristeia and such individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities referenced herein except to the extent of its or his direct or indirect economic interest in the Aristeia Funds.
(9)BASF Venture Capital GmbH is a commercial partner of LanzaTech. Markus Solibieda, managing director, has direct voting and investment power over the shares held by BASF Venture Capital GmbH.
(10)BGTF LT Aggregator LP is an affiliate of Brookfield Renewable Power Inc., a commercial partner of LanzaTech. The general partner of BGTF LT Aggregator LP is BGTF Bermuda GP Limited, an affiliate of Brookfield Corporation. BAM Partners Trust (“BAM Partnership”) owns all of Brookfield Corporation’s class B limited voting shares entitling it to appoint one-half of the board of directors of Brookfield Corporation. The beneficial interests in the BAM Partnership, and the voting interests in its trustee (“BAM Partners”), are held as follows: one-third by Jack L. Cockwell, one-third by Bruce Flatt, and one-third jointly by Brian W. Kingston, Brian D. Lawson, Cyrus Madon, Samuel J.B. Pollock and Sachin G. Shah in equal parts. No single individual or entity controls the BAM Partnership.
(11)Voting and investment decisions with respect to the shares held by Boat Harbour are made by its board of directors, and none of the directors are deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of the shares held by Boat Harbour Limited. Consists of 1,803,619 shares of common stock and 65,620 shares of common stock underlying stock options.
(12)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, CCSRF Fuel (HK) Investment Limited had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Any action by CCSRF Fuel (HK) Investment Limited with respect to its shares, including voting and dispositive decisions, requires a unanimous vote by the investment committee, which consists of more than one member. Because voting and dispositive decisions must be unanimous, none of the investment committee members is deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities held by CCSRF Fuel (HK) Investment Limited. Accordingly, none of the members of the investment committee is deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of the shares held by CCSRF Fuel (HK) Investment Limited. The business address of CCSRF Fuel (HK) Investment Limited is 8/F Capital Mansion, No. 6 Xinyuan South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
(13)DUMAC, Inc., as the investment manager of Gothic Corporation, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock of the issuer held by Gothic Corporation. Neal F. Triplett, as the President of DUMAC, Inc., may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock of the issuer held by Gothic Corporation. The address of each of the persons referenced in this footnote is 280 S. Mangum Street, Suite 210, Durham, NC 27701.
(14)DUMAC, Inc., as the investment manager of Gothic ERP LLC, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock of the issuer held by Gothic ERP LLC. Neal F. Triplett, as the President of DUMAC, Inc., may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock of the issuer held by Gothic ERP LLC. The address of each of the persons referenced in this footnote is 280 S. Mangum Street, Suite 210, Durham, NC 27701.
(15)DUMAC, Inc., as the investment manager of Gothic HSP Corporation, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock of the issuer held by Gothic HSP Corporation. Neal F. Triplett, as the President of DUMAC, Inc., may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock of the issuer held by Gothic HSP Corporation. The address of each of the persons referenced in this footnote is 280 S. Mangum Street, Suite 210, Durham, NC 27701.
(16)Shares of common stock held by Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, as the manager and administrator of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Matt Whineray, Chief Executive Officer, has direct voting and investment power over the shares held by Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation. The business address of Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation is Level 12, 21 Queen Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
(17)Highbridge Capital Management, LLC (“HCM”), the trading manager of Highbridge Convertible Dislocation Fund, L.P., and Highbridge Tactical Credit Master Fund, L.P. (together the “Highbridge Funds”), has beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Highbridge Funds. The Highbridge Funds disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares. The address of HCM is 277 Park Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10172, and the address of the Highbridge Funds is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, South Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
(18)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, IOCL Singapore Pte Ltd had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination.
(19)Stephen Robert Tindall has voting and/or investment control over the shares held by K One W One (No. 2) Ltd.
(20)Stephen Robert Tindall has voting and/or investment control over the shares held by K One W One (No. 3) Ltd.
(21)Kepos Capital LP is the investment manager of the selling securityholder and Kepos Partners LLC is the general partner of the selling securityholder and each may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares. The general partner of Kepos
Capital LP is Kepos Capital GP LLC (“Kepos GP”) and the managing member of Kepos Partners LLC is Kepos Partners MM LLC ("Kepos MM"). Mark Carhart controls Kepos GP and Kepos MM and, accordingly, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by this selling securityholder. Mr. Carhart disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the selling securityholder.
(22)Kepos Capital LP is the investment manager of the selling securityholder and Kepos Partners LLC is the general partner of the selling securityholder and each may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares. The general partner of Kepos Capital LP is Kepos GP and the managing member of Kepos Partners LLC is Kepos MM. Mark Carhart controls Kepos GP and Kepos MM and, accordingly, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by this selling securityholder. Mr. Carhart disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the selling securityholder.
(23)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, certain affiliates of Khosla Ventures II, LP (“KV II”) and Khosla Ventures III, LP (“KV III”) had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, two directors to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Consists of (i) 13,875,332 shares of LanzaTech common stock held by KV III, (ii) 28,992,029 shares of LanzaTech common stock held by entities owned or controlled by Vinod Khosla, and (iii) 972,539 shares of LanzaTech common stock held by limited partners of KV II not affiliated with Vinod Khosla. Khosla Ventures Associates III, LLC (“KVA III”) is the general partner of KV III. VK Services, LLC (“VK Services”) is the Manager of KVA III. Vinod Khosla is the Managing Member of VK Services. As such, (i) each of KVA III and VK Services may be deemed to be the beneficial owners having shared voting power and shared investment power over 13,875,332 shares of LanzaTech common stock, and (ii) Vinod Khosla may be deemed to be the beneficial owner having shared voting power and shared investment power over 42,867,361 shares of LanzaTech common stock, and each disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein. The business address of Vinod Khosla and each of the other entities listed in this footnote is 2128 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
(24)Land Noble Investments Limited (“Land Noble”) is the registered owner of the shares and is governed by a three member board of directors. Land Noble is wholly owned by CICC Growth Capital Fund I, L.P. (“CICC Fund”), which is controlled by its general partner, CICC Growth Capital Fund GP, Ltd. (“CICC GP”). CICC GP is governed by a three member board of directors. Additionally, the consent of a majority of the three-member investment committee of CICC Investment Management Co. Ltd. (“CICC Manager”), is required for any disposal of the shares by Land Noble. Land Noble, CICC Fund and CICC GP may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares, but under the so-called “rule of three”, neither the members of the boards of directors of Land Noble and CICC GP, nor the members of the investment committee of CICC Manager, are deemed beneficial owners of the shares. The business address of all of the foregoing entities is 35th Floor, SK Tower, No.6A Jianguomenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
(25)Saints Ventures II, LLC (“SVII LLC”) is the manager of LCP Extension Fund, LLC. Any investment decision by SVII LLC requires the approval of two out of three of its managing members. Under the so-called “rule of three,” because voting and dispositive decisions are made by two out of the three managing members of SVII LLC, none of the managing members is deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities held.
(26)Meteora Capital Partners, LP ("MCP") holds shares of LanzaTech common stock. Meteora Capital, LLC (“Meteora Capital”) serves as investment manager to MCP. Voting and investment power over the shares held by MCP resides with its investment manager, Meteora Capital. Mr. Vik Mittal serves as the managing member of Meteora Capital and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares. Mr. Mittal, however, disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares held by such entities.
(27)LanzaTech and Mitsui are party to certain collaboration and investment agreements described in the section entitled see the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, Mitsui had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. No natural person has voting and/or investment power over the shares held by Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
(28)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, Novo Holdings A/S had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Novo Holdings A/S has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares, and no individual or other entity is deemed to hold any beneficial ownership in the shares. The business address of Novo Holdings A/S is Tuborg Havnevej 19, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.
(29)Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, LLC is a commercial partner of LanzaTech.
(30)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, PETRONAS Technology Ventures SDN BHD had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. PETRONAS Technology Ventures SDN BHD has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares, and no individual or other entity is deemed to hold any beneficial ownership in the shares.
(31)Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH is a commercial partner of LanzaTech. Etsuro Hirai, Andreas Weinhengst, Alexander Fleischanderl, Michael Kienberger, Miljenko Solje, Jeremy Hamon, and Rainer Oberleitner, each may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares.
(32)Puig International SA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Spanish entity JORBA PERFUMES, S.L., which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Spanish entity PUIG, S.L. Voting and dispositive decisions with respect to the shares held by Puig International SA are made by PUIG, S.L. The business address of Puig International SA is Business Park Terre Bonne - (Bâtiment A4), Route de Crassier 17, CH - 1262 Eysins, Switzerland.
(33)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, Qiming Venture Partners II, L.P., Qiming Venture Partners II-C, L.P. and Qiming Managing Directors Fund II, L.P. (collectively, “Qiming Venture Partners”) jointly had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The general partner of Qiming Venture Partners II, L.P. and Qiming Venture Partners II-C, L.P. is Qiming GP II, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, whose general partner is Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company. The general partner of Qiming Managing Directors Fund II, L.P. is Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd. The voting and investment power of shares held by Qiming Venture Partners is exercised by Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd., which is beneficially owned by Duane Kuang, Gary Rieschel, Nisa Leung and Robert Headley.
(34)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination Qiming Venture Partners jointly had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the
Business Combination. The general partner of Qiming Venture Partners II, L.P. and Qiming Venture Partners II-C, L.P. is Qiming GP II, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, whose general partner is Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company. The general partner of Qiming Managing Directors Fund II, L.P. is Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd. The voting and investment power of shares held by Qiming Venture Partners is exercised by Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd., which is beneficially owned by Duane Kuang, Gary Rieschel, Nisa Leung and Robert Headley.
(35)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination Qiming Venture Partners jointly had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The general partner of Qiming Venture Partners II, L.P. and Qiming Venture Partners II-C, L.P. is Qiming GP II, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, whose general partner is Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company. The general partner of Qiming Managing Directors Fund II, L.P. is Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd. The voting and investment power of shares held by Qiming Venture Partners is exercised by Qiming Corporate GP II, Ltd., which is beneficially owned by Duane Kuang, Gary Rieschel, Nisa Leung and Robert Headley.
(36)SVII LLC is the manager of LCP Extension Fund, LLC. Any investment decision by SVII LLC requires the approval of two out of three of its managing members. Under the so-called “rule of three,” because voting and dispositive decisions are made by two out of the three managing members of SVII LLC, none of the managing members is deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities held.
(37)Consists of shares of LanzaTech common stock allocated to investors managed by Sandia Investment Management LP (“Sandia”). Sandia Investment Management LLC is the general partner of Sandia. Tim Sichler serves as Founder & CIO of the general partner of Sandia, and in such capacity may be deemed to be the beneficial owner having shared voting power and shared investment power over the securities described in this footnote.
(38)SBCVC Fund III Company Limited is an investment vehicle under SBCVC Fund III L.P. which is an investment fund in a form of a limited partnership incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Island. Chauncey Shey, Peter Hua and Alan Song, members of the investment committee of SBCVC Fund III L.P., have shared voting and investment power with respect to the shares held by SBCVC Fund III Company Limited.
(39)Consists of (i) 10,959 shares of common stock held by Lumyna Specialist Funds - Event Alternative Fund (“EAF”), and (ii) 38,541 shares of common stock held by PSAM WorldArb Master Fund Ltd (“WAM”). P. Schoenfeld Asset Management LP (“PSAM”), is the investment manager of EAF and WAM. Peter Schoenfeld is the CEO of PSAM. PSAM and Peter Schoenfeld have voting and investment power over the shares held directly by EAF and WAM. Each of PSAM and Peter Schoenfeld disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The address for P. Schoenfeld Asset Management LP is 1350 Avenue of the Americas, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10019.
(40)LanzaTech and Sekisui are party to certain collaboration agreements described in the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
(41)Consists of shares of LanzaTech common stock allocated to Shaolin Capital Partners Master Fund, Ltd., MAP 214 Segregated Portfolio, a segregated portfolio of LMA SPC, DS Liquid DIV RVA SCM, LLC and Shaolin Capital Partners SP, a segregated portfolio of PC MAP SPC by Shaolin Capital Management LLC. David Puritz, in his position as CIO at Shaolin Capital Management LLC and Michael Jester in his position as Co-founder and Head of Research at Shaolin Capital Management LLC may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to the shares. Shaolin Capital Management LLC has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares.
(42)SHV Energy N.V. is a commercial partner of LanzaTech. The board of directors has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares. The board of directors is jointly represented by its two members, Mr. Abraham A. Graber and Mr. Paulo F. Rodrigues. No individual or other entity has any specific rights over the shares nor holds any beneficial ownership of the shares.
(43)Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd. had the right to appoint and elect, and did appoint and elect, one director to Legacy LanzaTech’s board of directors. This appointment right terminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Any action by Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd. with respect to its shares, including voting and dispositive decisions, requires a vote of three out of the five members of its investment team. Under the so-called “rule of three,” because voting and dispositive decisions are made by three out of the five members of the investment team, none of the members is deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities held by Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd. Accordingly, none of the members of the investment team is deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of the shares held by Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd. The business address of Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd. is 22nd Floor, World Financial Center East Tower, 1 East 3rd Ring Middle Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
(44)LanzaTech and Suncor are party to certain collaboration and investment agreements described in the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
(45)Tenor Capital Management Company, L.P. serves as the investment adviser for Tenor Opportunity Master Fund, Ltd. and therefore may be deemed to share voting and investment power with respect to these shares in such capacity. Tenor Management GP, LLC is the general partner of Tenor Capital Management Company, L.P. and Robin R. Shah is the sole managing member of Tenor Management GP, LLC. As such, Mr. Shah may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over the shares. The address of Tenor Opportunity Master Fund, Ltd. is c/o Tenor Capital Management, 810 7th Avenue, Suite 1905, New York, NY 10019.
(46)DUMAC, Inc., as the investment manager of The Duke Endowment, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock of the issuer held by The Duke Endowment. Neal F. Triplett, as the President of DUMAC, Inc., may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock of the issuer held by The Duke Endowment. The address of each of the persons referenced in this footnote is 280 S. Mangum Street, Suite 210, Durham, NC 27701.
(47)Trafigura US Holdings Inc. is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Trafigura US Inc., which in turn is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Trafigura Group Pte. Ltd. The business address of Trafigura US Holdings, Inc. is 1209, Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware. Trafigura Trading LLC, another direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Trafigura US Inc., is a commercial partner of LanzaTech.
(48)Consists of shares of LanzaTech common stock allocated to investors managed by UBS O'Connor LLC.
(49)Consists of (i) 2,990,000 shares of common stock, (ii) 2,010,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Shortfall Warrants, and (iii) 2,010,000 Shortfall Warrants held directly by Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC - Series 10 (“Vellar”). AMCI, Legacy LanzaTech, ACM and Vellar entered into an Assignment and Novation Agreement, as described in the section entitled “Description of Securities — Forward Purchase Agreement.” Cohen & Company Financial Management, LLC (“CCFM”) is the investment manager for Vellar, and Mr. Daniel Cohen is the Chief Investment Officer of CCFM. CCFM is a controlled subsidiary of Dekania Investors, LLC, which
in turn is a controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company LLC, which in turn is a controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company Inc. Mr. Cohen disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares held by these entities. The business address of Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 10 is c/o Mourant Governance Services (Cayman) Limited 94, Solaris Avenue, Camana Bay, PO Box 1348 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands. The business address for each of Cohen & Company Financial Management, LLC; Dekania Investors, LLC; Cohen & Company LLC; Cohen & Company Inc.; and Mr. Daniel Cohen is 3 Columbus Circle, 24th Floor, New York NY 10019.
(50)There are no natural persons who have voting and/or investment power over the shares held by Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd.
(51)Mr. Beem is the former president and a member of the board of directors of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(52)Ms. Burson is a former member of the board of directors of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(53)Mr. Copses is the former Vice President of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(54)Mr. Holmes is the former Vice President of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(55)Mr. Murphy is the former chief financial officer of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(56)Mr. Patel is the former chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, and former member of the board of directors of LanzaTech.
(57)Mr. Paterson is a former member of the board of directors of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(58)Mr. Pinho is a former member of the board of directors of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(59)Dr. Simpson is the former chief scientific officer and a member of the board of directors of Legacy LanzaTech. Consists of 2,164,839 shares of common stock and 1,308,835 shares of common stock underlying stock options.
(60)Ms. Watz is a former member of the board of directors of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(61)Mr. Woodson is an affiliate of AMCI, predecessor registrant prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
(62)Dr. Wyse is a former member of the board of directors of Legacy LanzaTech. Consists of 371,848 shares of common stock underlying stock options.
33
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion describes material United States federal income and estate tax considerations relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of shares, Shortfall Warrants, or Private Placement Warrants by a non-U.S. holder (as defined below) that acquires our shares, Shortfall Warrants, or Private Placement Warrants in this offering and holds them as a capital asset. This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States, including the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated or proposed thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date hereof. These tax laws are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and subject to differing interpretations that could affect the tax consequences described herein. This section does not address the treatment of a non-U.S. holder under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.
For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our shares, Shortfall Warrants, or Private Placement Warrants that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is:
•a non-resident alien individual;
•a foreign corporation;
•an estate the income of which is not subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
•a trust that does not have in effect a valid election under the Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person and either (1) no court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration or (2) no United States person has the authority to control all substantial decisions of that trust.
This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be applicable to non-U.S. holders in light of their particular circumstances or status (including, for example, banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, brokers and dealers in securities or currencies, traders that have elected to mark securities to market, partnerships or other pass-through entities, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid United States federal income tax, tax-exempt organizations, pension plans, persons that hold our shares as part of a straddle, hedge or other integrated investment, persons subject to alternative minimum tax, certain United States expatriates, and foreign governments or agencies).
If a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a non-U.S. holder, the tax treatment of a person treated as a partner in the partnership for United States federal income tax purposes generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships (and other entities or arrangements so treated for United States federal income tax purposes) and their partners should consult their own tax advisors.
This discussion addresses only non-U.S. holders and does not discuss any tax considerations other than United States federal income tax and certain United States federal estate tax considerations. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our shares, Shortfall Warrants and Private Placement Warrants, including the effect of any applicable tax treaties.
Dividends
As discussed above, we have not paid and do not currently expect to pay dividends. If we do make a distribution of cash or property with respect to our shares, any such distribution generally will constitute a dividend for United States federal income tax purposes except as described below. Subject to the discussion below under “— FATCA Withholding” and “— Information Reporting and Backup Withholding,” and except as described below, any such dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence. In order to receive a reduced treaty withholding tax rate, a non-U.S. holder must furnish to us or our paying agent a properly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) prior to
34
payment of the dividend, certifying under penalties of perjury that the non-U.S. holder is entitled to a reduction in withholding under an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. holder that holds our shares through a financial institution or other agent will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the financial institution or other agent, which then will be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent either directly or through other intermediaries. A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing a refund claim with the Internal Revenue Service.
If a dividend is “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States of the non-U.S. holder (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), the non-U.S. holder is exempt from the withholding tax described above provided that the holder has furnished to us or our paying agent an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form), certifying under penalties of perjury that the dividend is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained in the United States). “Effectively connected” dividends will generally be subject to United States federal income tax at the rates that also apply to U.S. persons. A corporate non-U.S. holder may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) with respect to its “effectively connected” dividends.
To the extent a distribution with respect to our shares exceeds our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles, the distribution will be treated, first, as a tax-free return of the non-U.S. holder’s investment, up to the holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares, and, thereafter, as capital gain, which is subject to the tax treatment described below in “— Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition.”
Exercise of Shortfall Warrants and Private Placement Warrants
In general, a non-U.S. holder will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon exercise of a Shortfall Warrant or Private Placement Warrant. In general, a non-U.S. holder will not be able to utilize a loss recognized upon the expiration of such a warrant against the non-U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability unless the loss is (i) effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States) or (ii) treated as a U.S.-source loss, the non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition, and certain other conditions are met.
Gain On Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition
Subject to the discussion below under “— FATCA Withholding” and “— Information Reporting and Backup Withholding,” a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on gain realized upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Private Placement Warrants, Shortfall Warrants, or shares (including a redemption, but only if the redemption would be treated as a sale or exchange rather than a distribution for United States federal income tax purposes) unless:
•the gain is “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained in the United States), in which case the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis with respect to such gain in the same manner as if such holder were a resident of the United States and, if the non-U.S. holder is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on its “effectively connected” gains;
•the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and meets certain other conditions, in which case the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income
35
tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale, which gain may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses for the year; or
•we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” or USRPHC (as described below) at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition and the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our shares, Private Placement Warrants, or Shortfall Warrants (the “relevant period”) and the non-U.S. holder (i) makes a disposition during a calendar year when our shares are no longer regularly traded on an established securities market or (ii) owned (directly, indirectly, and constructively) more than 5% of our shares at any time during the relevant period, in which case such a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to tax on the gain as if the gain were effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, except that the “branch profits tax” will not apply.
We believe we currently are not, and we do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC for United States federal income tax purposes. Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC only if the fair market value of its United States real property interests (as defined in the Code) equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business.
FATCA Withholding
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the Treasury regulations issued thereunder (commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA) impose a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid on our shares to, and (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) the gross proceeds derived from the sale or other disposition of our shares by, a foreign entity if the foreign entity is:
•a “foreign financial institution” (as defined under FATCA) that does not furnish proper documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (i) an exemption from FATCA withholding or (ii) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with specified due diligence, reporting, withholding and certification obligations under FATCA or (iii) residence in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the United States relating to FATCA and compliance with the diligence and reporting requirements of the intergovernmental agreement and local implementing rules; or
•a “non-financial foreign entity” (as defined under FATCA) that does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (i) an exemption from FATCA or (ii) adequate information regarding substantial United States beneficial owners of such entity (if any).
Withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our shares and to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our shares. Withholding agents may, however, rely on proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations that would no longer require FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds. A withholding agent such as a broker, and not LanzaTech, will determine whether or not to implement gross proceeds FATCA withholding.
If a dividend payment is subject to withholding both under FATCA and the withholding tax rules discussed above under “— Dividends,” the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. Holders of shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding these requirements and whether they may be relevant to their ownership and disposition of the shares.
Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder will be eligible for refunds or credits of withholding taxes imposed under FATCA by filing a United States federal income tax return. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of FATCA on their ownership and disposition of our shares.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Except as described below, a non-U.S. holder generally will be exempt from backup withholding and information reporting requirements with respect to dividend payments and the payment of the proceeds from a sale of our shares, Private Placement Warrants, or Shortfall Warrants that is effected at a United States office of a broker,
36
as long as the payor or broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a United States person and the holder has furnished to the payor or broker:
•a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E on which the non-U.S. holder certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is a non-United States person; or
•other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payments as made to a non-United States person in accordance with Treasury regulations,
or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
However, we must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to non-U.S. holders the amount of dividends paid to them and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the respective non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
Payment of the proceeds from the sale of our shares, Private Placement Warrants, or Shortfall Warrants effected at a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale of our shares by a non-U.S. holder that is effected at a foreign office of a broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding if:
•the proceeds are transferred to an account maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States;
•the payment of proceeds or the confirmation of the sale is mailed to the non-U.S. holder at a United States address; or
•the sale has some other specified connection with the United States as provided in the Treasury regulations,
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a United States person and the documentation requirements described above are met or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
In addition, a sale of shares, Private Placement Warrants, or Shortfall Warrants will be subject to information reporting if it is effected at a foreign office of a broker that is:
•a United States person;
•a “controlled foreign corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes;
•a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period; or
•a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year (a) one or more of its partners are “U.S. persons”, as defined in U.S. Treasury regulations, who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership, or (b) such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States,
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a United States person and the documentation requirements described above are met or an exemption is otherwise established. Backup withholding will apply if the sale is subject to information reporting and the broker has actual knowledge that the holder is a United States person.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. A non-U.S. holder generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed the non-U.S. holder’s income tax liability by timely filing a refund claim with the Internal Revenue Service.
37
Federal Estate Taxes
The estates of nonresident alien decedents generally are subject to United States federal estate tax on property with a United States situs. Because we are a United States corporation, our shares, Shortfall Warrants, and Private Placement Warrants will be United States situs property and therefore will be included in the taxable estate of a nonresident alien decedent at the time of the decedent’s death, unless an applicable estate tax treaty between the United States and the decedent’s country of residence provides otherwise. An estate tax credit is available to reduce the net tax liability of a nonresident alien’s estate, but the estate tax credit for a nonresident alien is generally much smaller than the applicable credit for computing the estate tax of a United States resident. Nonresident aliens should consult their personal tax advisors regarding the United States federal estate tax consequences of owning our shares, Shortfall Warrants, and Private Placement Warrants .
38
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the issuance by us of up to 23,403,989 shares of common stock, which consists of (i) up to 4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Private Placement Warrants, (ii) up to 7,499,924 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Public Warrants, (iii) up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE, (iv) up to 300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of the AM Warrant, (v) up to 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, and (vi) up to 1,746,303 shares of common stock underlying the Options held by certain selling stockholders. We are also registering the resale by the selling stockholders of up to 4,774,276 Private Placement Warrants, up to 4,083,486 Shortfall Warrants, and up to 203,436,682 shares of common stock, which consists of (i) up to 18,500,000 PIPE Shares issued in the PIPE Investment, (ii) up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE, (iii) up to 4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of Private Placement Warrants, (iv) up to 300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of the AM Warrant, (v) up to 2,164,839 shares of common stock held by certain selling stockholders, (vi) up to 1,746,303 shares of common stock underlying the Options held by certain selling stockholders, (vii) up to 5,916,514 shares of common stock purchased by certain selling stockholders subject to the Forward Purchase Agreement, (viii) up to 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, and (ix) up to 160,951,264 shares of common stock issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of these securities, including with regard to compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws. The selling holders will bear all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to their sale of warrants or shares of common stock (as applicable).
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants or of the common stock by the selling holders pursuant to this prospectus. The aggregate proceeds to the selling holders will be the purchase price of the common stock or warrants (as applicable) less any discounts and commissions borne by the selling holders.
The Private Placement Warrants, the Shortfall Warrants and shares of common stock beneficially owned by the selling holders covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time by the selling holders. The term “selling holders” or “selling stockholders” includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest selling securities received after the date of this prospectus from a selling holder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer. The selling holders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale. Such sales may be made on one or more exchanges or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise, at prices and under terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price or in negotiated transactions. The selling holders may sell their shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants by one or more of, or a combination of, the following methods:
•purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus;
•ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers;
•block trades in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
•an over-the-counter distribution in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq;
•through trading plans entered into by a selling holder pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, that are in place at the time of an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement hereto that provide for periodic sales of their securities on the basis of parameters described in such trading plans;
•to or through underwriters, agents or broker-dealers;
39
•“at the market” offerings, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, at negotiated prices, at prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, including sales made directly on a national securities exchange or sales made through a market maker other than on an exchange or other similar offerings through sales agents;
•privately negotiated transactions
•options transactions;
•if the selling stockholder is an entity, an in-kind distribution to its members, partners or stockholders;
•through a combination of any of the above methods of sale; or
•any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
In addition, any securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. In connection with distributions of the common stock, Private Placement Warrants, Shortfall Warrants or otherwise, the selling holders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants in the course of hedging the positions they assume with selling holders. The selling holders may also sell shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants short and redeliver the shares to close out such short positions. The selling holders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). The selling holders may also pledge shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants to a broker-dealer or other financial institution, and, upon a default, such broker-dealer or other financial institution may effect sales of the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
A selling holder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If an applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by any selling holder or borrowed from any selling holder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants, and may use securities received from any selling holder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock or warrants. If treated as so under applicable securities laws, the third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, any selling holder may otherwise loan or pledge shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by the selling holders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling holders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.
In offering the shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants covered by this prospectus, the selling holders and any broker-dealers who execute sales for them may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. Any profits realized by
40
selling holders who are “underwriters,” and the compensation of any broker-dealer who executes sales for them, may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the common stock, Private Placement Warrants and Shortfall Warrants must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants and Shortfall Warrants may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
We have advised the selling holders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants in the market and to the activities of the selling holders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling holders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling holders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the common stock or warrants against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
At the time a particular offer of shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants or Shortfall Warrants is made, if required, a prospectus supplement will be distributed that will set forth the number of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid by any underwriter, any discount, commission and other item constituting compensation, any discount, commission or concession allowed or reallowed or paid to any dealer, and the proposed selling price to the public.
We have agreed to indemnify certain of the selling holders against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities laws, relating to the registration of the shares of common stock, Private Placement Warrants and Shortfall Warrants offered by this prospectus.
41
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C. If legal matters are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
42
EXPERTS
The financial statements of LanzaTech Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of LanzaTech Global Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports which express an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of LanzaTech Global Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
43
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated May 9, 2024
PROSPECTUS
Up to $100,000,000
Common Stock
We have entered into an At Market Issuance Sale Agreement, dated May 9, 2024 (the “Sales Agreement”) and a Terms Agreement (the “Terms Agreement”), with B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley Securities”), relating to the sale of shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, offered by this prospectus. We may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 from time to time through B. Riley Securities, acting as our sales agent or principal.
Our common stock and our warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “LNZA” and “LNZAW”, respectively. On May 6, 2024, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $2.85 per share.
Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement may be made by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). B. Riley Securities will act as our sales agent in connection with agency transactions on a commercially reasonable efforts basis consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. In addition, B. Riley Securities will act as principal in connection with any principal transactions. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
B. Riley Securities will be entitled to a commission in an amount equal to (i) 3.0% of the gross proceeds per share sold under the Sales Agreement and (ii) equal to 5.0% of the purchase price per share sold in principal transactions, under the Terms Agreement. See “Plan of Distribution” for additional information regarding compensation to be paid to B. Riley Securities. In connection with the sale of our common stock on our behalf, B. Riley Securities will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of B. Riley Securities will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to B. Riley Securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
We are incorporated in Delaware and our headquarters are in Skokie, Illinois. We are not a company that was formed under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. However, we have business operations in China, several strategic investors located in China, including Sinopec Capital Co., Ltd. (“Sinopec”), and a core team of technical, business and administrative professionals at our office in Shanghai, which support the ongoing operations and further growth of the business in China. We also hold a minority ownership stake in Beijing Shougang LanzaTech Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Shougang Joint Venture”). We license our technology in China to the Shougang Joint Venture. Entities in which the Shougang Joint Venture holds a controlling interest currently produce low carbon ethanol at four commercial scale facilities using our process technology, which, in addition to its use as fuel, is transported and processed for use in consumer products. For more information on the Shougang Joint Venture, see the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements — Shougang Joint Venture” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
We have determined the Shougang Joint Venture to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which we are not the primary beneficiary. This VIE structure was implemented to effectuate the intellectual property licensing arrangement between us and the Shougang Joint Venture and is not used to provide investors with exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies. We had previously determined that we were able to exercise significant influence, but no control, over the Shougang Joint Venture through our equity holdings in the Shougang Joint Venture, our representation on the VIE’s board of directors and participation in the policy-making process. Although we have the right to appoint and elect, and currently have appointed and elected, one director to the Shougang Joint Venture’s board of directors, the agreements between us, the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec do not provide us with the power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the Shougang Joint Venture. Therefore we do not consolidate the Shougang Joint Venture in our financial statements. On September 30, 2022, we determined that we no longer had significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the Shougang Joint Venture due to the significant decrease in the Shougang Joint Venture’s technological dependence on us.
Although we are incorporated and headquartered in the United States, we may still be subject to certain PRC laws due to our business operations in China. We face risks and uncertainties associated with complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations and as to whether and how recent PRC government statements and regulatory developments, such as those relating to cross-border data security, anti-monopoly concerns and VIEs, would apply to us or our operations. Any application of these statements or regulatory actions to us or our operations in the future, including a limitation on or disallowance of the VIE structure by Chinese regulatory authorities, could result in a material change in our operations or in the value of the shares of our common stock. For more information, see the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Pursuant to our license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture, the Shougang Joint Venture transfers required payments by wire transfer to LanzaTech, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary. As of the date of this prospectus, transfers of cash or other types of assets have been made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech and its subsidiaries. The payments made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech, Inc. have been in the ordinary course of business and have consisted of payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture for the sale of ethanol and payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. for sales of microbes, media, consumables and equipment. Payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture were approximately $1.9 million and $1.1 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $0.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. No payments were made from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. were approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We did not receive any payments from the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 nor in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. We have not in the past and do not intend in the future to distribute to our stockholders any amounts that we receive from the Shougang Joint Venture. For more information, see our audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Our auditor, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and therefore is not subject to the determinations announced by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) on December 16, 2021 regarding the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations are not applicable to us.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| B. Riley Securities | ||
The date of this prospectus is , 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC using the “shelf” registration process under the Securities Act. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering.
Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
This prospectus describes the terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus that was filed with the SEC, before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date (for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus) the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. The information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein or therein, is accurate only as of the respective dates thereof, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our shares of common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “LanzaTech,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to LanzaTech Global, Inc. (formerly known as AMCI Acquisition Corp. II) and its consolidated subsidiaries (including LanzaTech NZ, Inc.). References to “PRC” or “China” refer to the People’s Republic of China, which, solely for the purpose of this prospectus, exclude Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. We have no operations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau; however, the legal and operational risks associated with operating in China that are described in this prospectus also apply to any operations in Hong Kong and Macau.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, including the exhibits to the registration statement, contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be obtained from the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Copies of information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at https://lanzatech.com. The reference to our website is not intended to be an active link and the information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus or any other filings we make with the SEC.
Neither we nor B. Riley Securities have authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from or in addition to the information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus. Accordingly, neither we nor B. Riley Securities takes any responsibility for, or can provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may provide. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus that we have prepared is accurate as of any date other than the date of those documents, and that any information in documents that we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of such document, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
1
The distribution of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and the offering of the securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who obtain this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement should inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not permitted or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
2
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this prospectus, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When we discuss our strategies or plans, we are making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, LanzaTech’s management.
Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about:
•our anticipated growth rate and market opportunities;
•our ability to maintain the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market;
•the potential liquidity and trading of our securities;
•our ability to raise substantial additional financing in the future;
•our assessment of the competitive landscape;
•our ability to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business;
•our ability to enter into, successfully maintain and manage relationships with industry partners;
•our receipt of substantial additional financing to fund our operations and complete the development and commercialization of our process technologies;
•the availability of governmental programs designed to incentivize the production and consumption of low-carbon fuels and carbon capture and utilization;
•our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property rights;
•our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel and to manage our growth effectively;
•our future financial performance, growth, costs and expenses, availability of resources and capital requirements;
•our ability to increase our revenue from engineering services, sales of equipment packages and sales of CarbonSmart products and to improve our operating results; and
•our ability to implement and maintain effective internal controls.
We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus.
These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Moreover, we operate in a competitive industry, and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for the management of LanzaTech to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may
3
not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements in this prospectus.
The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are made only as of the date hereof. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. LanzaTech does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in expectations, except as required by law.
You should read this prospectus, and the documents that have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and any accompanying prospectus supplement with the understanding that the actual future results, levels of activity, performance, events and circumstances of LanzaTech may be materially different from what is expected.
4
MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA
Certain information contained in this document relates to or is based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and LanzaTech’s own internal estimates and research. While we believe these third-party sources to be reliable as of the date of this prospectus, we have not independently verified the market and industry data contained in this prospectus or the underlying assumptions relied on therein. Finally, while we believe our own internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent source.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and our securities offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for review at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at www.lanzatech.com, at which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. LanzaTech’s website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, such website are not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in all cases, if you are considering whether to rely on information contained in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference (other than any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, unless expressly stated otherwise therein) the documents listed below (File No. 001-40282 unless otherwise stated), which are considered to be a part of this prospectus:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024, incorporated by reference therein);
•our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024;
•our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024 and on May 9, 2024 (other than information furnished to the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02); and
•the description of our common stock contained Exhibit 4.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024.
All reports and other documents we subsequently file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until our offering is completed, including all such reports and other documents filed with the SEC after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the
5
effectiveness of such registration statement, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part hereof (other than any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, unless expressly stated otherwise therein). The information contained in any such filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus commencing on the date on which the document is filed.
Any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available without charge to you, upon written request by contacting our Investor Relations department at Investor Relations, LanzaTech Global, Inc., 8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400, Skokie, Illinois 60077.
6
THE COMPANY
LanzaTech is a nature-based carbon refining company that transforms waste carbon into the chemical building blocks for consumer goods such as sustainable fuels, fabrics, and packaging that people use in their daily lives. Using LanzaTech’s process technology, LanzaTech’s partners started up the world’s first commercial carbon refining plant in 2018 in China. Since then, LanzaTech’s partners in China have started up an additional three commercial plants operating in China, one in April 2021, another in September 2022, and the last one in June 2023. Additionally, LanzaTech’s partners have started up a commercial scale plant in India in September 2023 and in Belgium in November 2023. LanzaTech has numerous projects under development and in the pipeline globally. LanzaTech’s technology platform is designed to use a variety of waste feedstocks, from waste industrial gases to biomass residues and municipal solid waste. LanzaTech’s technology platform is designed to capitalize on the demand for sustainable fuels and chemicals, which can be used in multiple sectors such as aviation, automotive, textiles, home goods, consumer goods and others, to address the growing preference among major companies for environmentally conscious products and manufacturing processes.
LanzaTech is incorporated in Delaware and its headquarters are in Skokie, Illinois. LanzaTech is not a company that was formed under the laws of the PRC. However, LanzaTech has business operations in China, several strategic investors located in China, including Sinopec, and a core team of technical, business and administrative professionals at a LanzaTech office in Shanghai, which support the ongoing operations and further growth of the business in China. LanzaTech also holds a minority ownership stake in the Shougang Joint Venture. LanzaTech licenses its technology in China to the Shougang Joint Venture. Entities in which the Shougang Joint Venture holds a controlling interest currently produce low carbon ethanol at three commercial scale facilities using LanzaTech’s process technology, which, in addition to its use as fuel, is transported and processed for use in consumer products. For more information on the Shougang Joint Venture, see the section entitled “Business Overview — Key Collaboration Agreements — Shougang Joint Venture” included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the corresponding sections of any prospectus supplement.
LanzaTech has determined the Shougang Joint Venture to be a VIE for which LanzaTech is not the primary beneficiary. LanzaTech holds its equity interest in the Shougang Joint Venture through its subsidiary, LanzaTech Hong Kong Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Hong Kong. LanzaTech Hong Kong Limited is not a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) organized under the laws of the PRC. This VIE structure was implemented to effectuate the intellectual property licensing arrangement between LanzaTech and the Shougang Joint Venture and is not used to provide investors with exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies.
LanzaTech also has a subsidiary, LanzaTech China Limited, which is a WFOE organized under the laws of the PRC. This subsidiary employs the professionals that work in LanzaTech’s office in Shanghai. LanzaTech China Limited does not hold an equity interest in the Shougang Joint Venture, or in any other VIE in China.
7
The following chart illustrates the organizational structure of LanzaTech and its subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus:
LanzaTech has entered into a license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture and a letter agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec. Although LanzaTech has the right to appoint and elect, and currently has appointed and elected, one director to the Shougang Joint Venture’s board of directors, the agreements between LanzaTech, the Shougang Joint Venture and Sinopec do not provide LanzaTech with the power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the Shougang Joint Venture. Therefore, LanzaTech does not consolidate the Shougang Joint Venture in its financial statements. LanzaTech may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the agreements. LanzaTech may also face challenges enforcing its contractual arrangements with the Shougang Joint Venture due to legal uncertainties and jurisdictional limits.
Although LanzaTech is incorporated and headquartered in the United States, LanzaTech may still be subject to certain PRC laws due to its business operations in China. LanzaTech faces risks and uncertainties associated with the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations and as to whether and how the recent PRC government statements and regulatory developments, such as those relating to cross-border data security, anti-monopoly concerns and VIEs, would apply to LanzaTech and its operations. Any application of these statements or regulatory actions to LanzaTech and its operations in the future, including a limitation on or disallowance of the VIE structure by Chinese regulatory authorities, could result in a material change in LanzaTech’s operations and could result in a material change in the value of the shares of the common stock.
Because LanzaTech is a U.S. entity, as opposed to a company formed under the laws of the PRC, LanzaTech believes none of LanzaTech or its subsidiaries is required to obtain permission from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) or any other governmental agency in China to consummate the Business Combination. If (i) LanzaTech does not receive or maintain any permission or approval required of it, (ii) LanzaTech inadvertently concluded that certain permissions or approvals have been acquired or are not required, or (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations thereof change and LanzaTech becomes subject to the requirement of additional permissions or approvals in the future, LanzaTech may have to expend significant time and costs to procure them. If LanzaTech is unable to do so, on commercially reasonable terms, in a timely manner or otherwise, LanzaTech may become subject to sanctions imposed by the PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties, proceedings against LanzaTech, and other forms of sanctions, and LanzaTech’s business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. For more information, see the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Pursuant to LanzaTech’s license agreement with the Shougang Joint Venture, the Shougang Joint Venture transfers required payments by wire transfer to LanzaTech, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of LanzaTech. As of the
8
date of this prospectus, transfers of cash or other types of assets have been made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech and its subsidiaries. The payments made between the Shougang Joint Venture and LanzaTech, Inc. have been in the ordinary course of business and have consisted of payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture for the sale of ethanol and payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. for sales of microbes, media, consumables and equipment. Payments from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture were approximately $1.9 million and $1.1 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $0.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. No payments were made from LanzaTech, Inc. to the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Payments from the Shougang Joint Venture to LanzaTech, Inc. were approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We did not receive any payments from the Shougang Joint Venture in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 nor in the quarter ended March 31, 2024. LanzaTech has not in the past and does not intend in the future to distribute to its stockholders any amounts that it receives from the Shougang Joint Venture. For more information, see the audited financial statements of LanzaTech incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
There are no restrictions or limitations on
•foreign exchange;
•LanzaTech’s ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, or to U.S. investors;
•LanzaTech’s ability to distribute earnings from the company, including its subsidiaries, to the holding company or U.S. investors; or
•LanzaTech’s ability to settle amounts owed under agreements with the Shougang Joint Venture.
LanzaTech’s auditor, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and therefore is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021 regarding the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations are not applicable to LanzaTech.
Additional information about us and our subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
Business Combination
On February 8, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), LanzaTech NZ, Inc. (“Legacy LanzaTech”) and AMCI Acquisition Corp. II (“AMCI”) consummated a business combination pursuant to that certain Merger Agreement dated as of March 8, 2022, as amended on December 7, 2022, by and among Legacy LanzaTech, AMCI and AMCI Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”). As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy LanzaTech, with Legacy LanzaTech continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned subsidiary of AMCI.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in Delaware on January 28, 2021, under the name AMCI Acquisition Corp. II, in order to effectuate a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. AMCI completed its initial public offering on August 6, 2021. On February 8, 2023, AMCI and Legacy LanzaTech consummated the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. On the Closing Date, AMCI changed its name to LanzaTech Global, Inc.
Our common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “LNZA.” The mailing address of our principal executive office is 8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400, Skokie, Illinois 60077, and our telephone number is (847) 324-2400. Our website address is https://lanzatech.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We make available free of charge on our website our annual,
9
quarterly and current reports, including amendments to such reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC.
10
THE OFFERING
Common stock to be offered by us | Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000. | ||||
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering | Up to 232,813,196 (assuming the issuance of up to 35,087,719 shares of our common stock based on an assumed sales price of $2.85 per share, which is the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on May 6, 2024). The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price under this offering. | ||||
Plan of Distribution | “At-the-market offering” that may be made from time to time through or to B. Riley Securities, as sales agent or principal. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 22 of this prospectus. | ||||
Use of Proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 15 of this prospectus. | ||||
Risk Factors | Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 of this prospectus and other information included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. | ||||
Nasdaq Ticker Symbol | The common stock and Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under “LNZA” and “LNZAW”, respectively. | ||||
The number of shares of common stock that will be outstanding after this offering is based on 197,725,477 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024, and excludes the following:
•4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of private placement warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) originally issued in a private placement to AMCI Sponsor II LLC (the “Sponsor”) in connection with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of AMCI and upon the conversion of certain working capital loans of the Sponsor, at a price of $1.00 per warrant;
•7,499,924 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of public warrants (the “Public Warrants” and, together with the Private Placement Warrants, the “Warrants”) originally issued in connection with the AMCI IPO as units of AMCI at a price of $10.00 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of AMCI’s Class A common stock and one-half of one warrant;
•5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of that certain Simple Agreement for Future Equity between BGTF LT Aggregator LP (“Brookfield”) and LanzaTech NZ, Inc., dated October 3, 2022 (the “Brookfield SAFE”) at the equivalent to a price of $10.00 per share;
•300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable under a warrant held by ArcelorMittal, dated December 8, 2021 (the “AM Warrant”) at the equivalent to a price of $10.00 per share;
•4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants issued to certain selling stockholders pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement (the “Shortfall Warrants”);
•16,167,460 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2024, at a weighted average exercise price of $1.97 per share of Common Stock (the “Options”)
•2,015,232 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2024 (the “RSUs”)
•3,929,539 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of performance share units outstanding as of March 31, 2024 (the “PSUs” and together with the Warrants, the AM Warrant, the Brookfield SAFE, the Shortfall Warrants, the Options and the RSUs, the “Convertible Securities”); and
11
•12,303,623 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our long-term incentive plan.
In addition, unless we specifically state otherwise, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise of outstanding options or warrants subsequent to March 31, 2024.
12
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. If any of these risks occur, the value of our common stock may decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. Before investing in our common stock, you should consider carefully the risk factors set forth in this prospectus and contained in any free writing prospectus with respect to this offering filed by us with the SEC, along with the risk factors described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and other filings we have made and will make with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Risks Related to This Offering
Management will have broad discretion over the use of the proceeds from this offering, and may not use the proceeds effectively.
Because we have not designated the amount of net proceeds from this offering to be used for any particular purpose, our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering. Our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not improve our financial condition or market value. Pending use, we may invest any net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or loses value. Please see the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” on page 15 of this prospectus for further information.
You may experience immediate dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock you purchase.
The shares sold in this offering will be sold from time to time at various prices. The price per share of our common stock being offered may, at the time of sale, be higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering. After giving effect to the assumed sale of shares of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $100,000,000 at an assumed public offering price of $2.85 per share, the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on May 6, 2024, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 would have been $187.8 million, or $0.81 per share. This would represent an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.34 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate decrease in as adjusted net tangible book value of $2.04 per share to purchasers of our common stock in this offering. Please see the section entitled “Dilution” on page 20 of this prospectus. Notwithstanding this illustration, because the price per share of our common stock being offered may, at the time of sale, be higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering, there is still a risk that you may experience immediate and substantial dilution.
Issuances of shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of common stock following this offering, as well as the exercise of options, will dilute your ownership interests and may adversely affect the future market price of our common stock.
We may require additional capital to meet our operating requirements. We may seek additional capital through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings, strategic partnerships and alliances and licensing arrangements, which may cause your ownership interest to be diluted. In addition, as of March 31, 2024, there were (i) 4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, (ii) 7,499,924 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of the Public Warrants, (iii) 5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE, (iv) 300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable under the AM Warrant, (v) 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, (vi) 16,167,460 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding. If these securities are exercised, you may incur dilution. Moreover, to the extent that we issue additional options or warrants to purchase, or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of our common stock in the future and those options, warrants or other securities are exercised, converted or exchanged, stockholders may experience dilution.
13
A substantial number of shares may be sold in the market following this offering, which may depress the market price for our common stock.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market following this offering could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. A substantial majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock are, and all of the shares sold in this offering upon issuance will be, freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless these shares are owned or purchased by “affiliates” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In addition, we have also registered the shares of common stock that we may issue under our equity incentive plans. As a result, these shares can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to restrictions under securities laws.
It is not possible to predict the actual number of shares we will sell under the Sales Agreement, or the gross proceeds resulting from those sales.
Subject to certain limitations in the Sales Agreement and compliance with applicable laws, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice to B. Riley Securities at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement. The number of shares that are sold through B. Riley Securities after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on a number of factors, including the market price of our common stock during the term of the Sales Agreement, the limits we set with B. Riley Securities in any applicable placement notice, and the demand for our common stock during the term of the Sales Agreement. Additionally, our board of directors could change the minimum sales price that we are authorized to sell shares under the Sales Agreement. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate during the term of the Sales Agreement, it is not currently possible to predict the number of shares that will be sold or the gross proceeds to be raised in connection with the sales of shares of common stock offered under this prospectus and failure to raise enough working capital to fund our business could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, and prospects.
We have never paid dividends on our capital stock, and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never paid dividends on any of our capital stock and currently intend to retain any future earnings to fund the growth of our business. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors, and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be the sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
14
USE OF PROCEEDS
We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $100,000,000 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required in this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. There can be no assurance that we will sell any shares under or fully utilize the Sales Agreement with B. Riley Securities as a source of financing.
We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes. Pending these uses, we expect to invest the net proceeds in short-term U.S. treasury money market mutual funds.
The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including our development efforts and other factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds.
15
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
We may issue, separately or together with, or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of other securities, shares of our common stock as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following section describes the material features and rights of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter”) and our By Laws (the “Bylaws”) and applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Each of our Charter and Bylaws is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
General
The Charter authorizes the issuance of 420,000,000 shares, consisting of 400,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of May 6, 2024, there were 197,734,876 shares of our common stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.
Common Stock
The Charter provides the following with respect to the rights, powers, preferences and privileges of the common stock.
Voting Power
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock possess all voting power for the election of LanzaTech’s directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Dividends
Holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on the common stock for the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon LanzaTech’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial conditions. In no event will any stock dividends or stock splits or combinations of stock be declared or made on shares of common stock unless the shares of common stock at the time outstanding are treated equally and identically.
Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up
In the event of LanzaTech’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive an equal amount per share of all of LanzaTech’s assets of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders, after the rights of the holders of the preferred stock have been satisfied.
Preemptive or Other Rights
The LanzaTech stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. No sinking fund provisions are applicable to the common stock.
Registration Rights
AMCI, certain of the Legacy LanzaTech stockholders and certain AMCI stockholders entered into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, such stockholders were granted certain registration rights with respect to certain shares of securities held by them.
16
Listing of Common Stock
Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “LNZA”.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and our Charter and Bylaws
Charter and Bylaws
Among other things, the Charter and Bylaws:
•permit the Board to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate, including the right to approve an acquisition or other change of control;
•provide that the number of directors of LanzaTech may be changed only by resolution of the Board;
•provide that, subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock to elect directors, directors may be removed only with cause by the holders of at least 66⅔% of all of LanzaTech’s then-outstanding shares of the capital stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors;
•provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;
•provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide advance notice in writing, and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice;
•provide that special meetings of LanzaTech’s stockholders may be called by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board;
•provide that the Board will be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal as possible, and with the directors serving three-year terms, therefore making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the Board; and
•do not provide for cumulative voting rights, therefore allowing the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors to elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.
The combination of these provisions will make it more difficult for the existing stockholders to replace the Board as well as for another party to obtain control of LanzaTech by replacing the Board. Because the Board has the power to retain and discharge its officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for the Board to issue shares of preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change the control of LanzaTech.
These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of the Board and its policies and to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to reduce LanzaTech’s vulnerability to hostile takeovers and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for LanzaTech’s shares and may have the effect of delaying changes in its control or management. As a consequence, these provisions may also inhibit fluctuations in the market price of LanzaTech’s Common Stock.
17
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law
LanzaTech is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:
•a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”);
•an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or
•an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder.
A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of a corporation’s assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 would not apply if:
•the relevant board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an interested stockholder prior to the date of the transaction;
•after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of the corporation’s voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or
•on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the initial business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of the corporation’s stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing changes in control of LanzaTech.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors of corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. The Charter includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director where, in civil proceedings, the person acted in good faith and in a manner that person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of LanzaTech or, in criminal proceedings, where the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
The Bylaws provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers, and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability, advancement and indemnification provisions in the Charter and Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing lawsuits against directors for breaches of their fiduciary duties. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officer pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, stockholders will have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of LanzaTech. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal
18
rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Stockholders’ Derivative Actions
Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in LanzaTech’s name to procure a judgment in LanzaTech’s favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of our shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.
19
DILUTION
If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest may be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.
As of March 31, 2024, our net tangible book value was $91.8 million, or $0.46 per share of common stock. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024.
After giving effect to the assumed sale of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $100,000,000 at an assumed offering price of $2.85 per share, closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on May 6, 2024, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 would have been $187.8 million, or $0.81 per share of common stock. This amount would represent an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.34 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate decrease in net tangible book value of $2.04 per share to investors purchasing shares in this offering.
The following table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis. The as adjusted information is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual price to the public, the actual number of shares sold and other terms of the offering determined at the time shares of our common stock are sold pursuant to this prospectus. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. Therefore, while this illustration reflects accretion to investors purchasing shares in this offering, depending on the price at which shares are sold in this offering, investors purchasing shares in this offering may experience dilution.
| Assumed public offering price per share | $ | 2.85 | |||||||||
Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2024 | $ | 0.46 | |||||||||
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to investors purchasing shares in this offering | $ | 0.34 | |||||||||
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2024, after giving effect to this offering | $ | 0.81 | |||||||||
| Dilution per share to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering | $ | 2.04 | |||||||||
The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 35,087,719 shares of our common stock are sold pursuant to this prospectus at a price of $2.85 per share, closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on May 6, 2024, for aggregate gross proceeds of $100,000,000. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices pursuant to the Sales Agreement with the Sales Agents. A $1.00 increase in the assumed public offering price of $1.00 per share, which is the minimum sales price authorized by our board of directors, would increase our as adjusted net tangible book value per share to $0.84, resulting in dilution to investors purchasing shares in this offering of $3.01 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The foregoing table and calculations are based on 197,725,477 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024, and exclude:
•4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants originally issued in a private placement to the Sponsor in connection with the IPO of AMCI and upon the conversion of certain working capital loans of the Sponsor, at a price of $1.00 per warrant;
•7,499,924 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of the Public Warrants originally issued in connection with the AMCI IPO as units of AMCI at a price of $10.00 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of AMCI’s Class A common stock and one-half of one warrant;
•5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of the Brookfield SAFE at the equivalent to a price of $10.00 per share;
20
•300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable under the AM Warrant at the equivalent to a price of $10.00 per share;
•4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Shortfall Warrants;
•16,167,460 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of Options outstanding as of March 31, 2024, at a weighted average exercise price of $1.97 per share of Common Stock;
•2,015,232 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of RSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2024;
•3,929,539 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of PSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2024; and
•12,303,623 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our long-term incentive plan.
To the extent that any of the Convertible Securities are exercised, investors purchasing shares in this offering could experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or equity-based securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.
21
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We have entered into the Sales Agreement and a Terms Agreement with B. Riley Securities, pursuant to which, under this prospectus we may issue and sell our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $100,000,000 from time to time through or to B. Riley Securities, acting as sales agent or principal, subject to certain limitations. Sales of shares of our common stock, if any, will be made by any method deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act.
Each time we wish to issue and sell common stock under the Sales Agreement pursuant to any agency sale, we will notify B. Riley Securities of the number of shares to be issued, the dates on which such sales are anticipated to be made, any minimum price below which sales may not be made and other sales parameters as we deem appropriate. B. Riley Securities has agreed that once we have so instructed it, unless B. Riley Securities declines to accept the terms of the notice, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares up to the amount specified on such terms.
From and after the date hereof, we will have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time at our sole discretion, to direct B. Riley Securities on any trading day to act on a principal basis and purchase up to the lesser of (i) 50% of the trading volume traded during normal trading hours on the trading day immediately prior to the date on which a commitment notice is delivered to B. Riley Securities and (ii) $180,000, by timely delivering a written notice to B. Riley Securities in accordance with the Sales Agreement; provided, however, only one principal sale may be requested per day, unless otherwise agreed to by B. Riley Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate amount of shares of common stock that we will direct B. Riley Securities to sell as principal in principal transactions (inclusive of any shares sold by B. Riley Securities in agency transactions) in any calendar week shall not exceed $900,000.
B. Riley Securities will be entitled to a commission in an amount equal to (i) 3.0% of the gross proceeds per share sold under the Sales Agreement and (ii) 5.0% of the purchase price per share sold in principal transactions, under the Terms Agreement. B. Riley Securities may also receive customary brokerage commissions from purchasers of the common stock in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121. B. Riley Securities may effect sales to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from B. Riley Securities and/or purchasers of shares of common stock for whom they may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principal. In addition, we have agreed to reimburse legal expenses of B. Riley Securities in an amount not to exceed $100,000 in connection with the execution of this Agreement, and (y) not to exceed $10,000 per calendar quarter thereafter in connection with updates at the time of Representation Dates, in addition to certain ongoing disbursements of its legal counsel. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable or fees reimbursable to B. Riley Securities under the terms of the Sales Agreement, will be approximately $170,000.
Settlement for sales of common stock sold on an agency basis will occur (i) prior to May 28, 2024, on the second business day, and (ii) on and after May 28, 2024, on the first business day following the date on which any sales are made (or any such other settlement cycle as may be in effect pursuant to Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act), or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and B. Riley Securities in connection with a particular agency transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Settlement for sales of common stock sold on a principal basis shall occur as provided for in the applicable notice. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
The offering pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earliest of (a) the sale of all shares of common stock subject to the Sales Agreement or (b) termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein.
In connection with the sales of common stock on our behalf, B. Riley Securities will be deemed an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of B. Riley Securities will be deemed underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to B. Riley Securities against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
B. Riley Securities and its affiliates have in the past and may in the future provide various investment banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary
22
fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, B. Riley Securities will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement.
This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by B. Riley Securities, and B. Riley Securities may distribute this prospectus electronically.
23
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York is counsel for B. Riley Securities in connection with this offering.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of LanzaTech Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of LanzaTech Global Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports which express an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of LanzaTech Global Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
24
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the various expenses payable by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered hereby.
Amount to be paid | |||||
| SEC registration fee | $ | 165,771 | |||
| FINRA filing fee | * | ||||
| Legal fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Accounting fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Printing fees | * | ||||
| Trustee and depositary fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Blue sky fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Rating agency fees | * | ||||
| Listing fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Miscellaneous | * | ||||
Total | * | ||||
__________________
*The fees and expenses are variable based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth an estimate of such expenses incurred in connection with securities to be offered and sold pursuant to this registration statement.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation (our “Charter”) provides that all of our directors, officers, employees and agents shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Section 145 of the DGCL concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.
Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.
(a)A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.
(b)A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
II-1
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(c)(1) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. For indemnification with respect to any act or omission occurring after December 31, 2020, references to “officer” for purposes of paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section shall mean only a person who at the time of such act or omission is deemed to have consented to service by the delivery of process to the registered agent of the corporation pursuant to § 3114(b) of Title 10 (for purposes of this sentence only, treating residents of this State as if they were nonresidents to apply § 3114(b) of Title 10 to this sentence).
(2) The corporation may indemnify any other person who is not a present or former director or officer of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person to the extent he or she has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.
(d)Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer of the corporation at the time of such determination:
(1)By a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum; or
(2)By a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum; or
(3)If there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or
(4)By the stockholders.
(e)Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.
II-2
(f)The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal or elimination of the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.
(g)A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section. For purposes of this subsection, insurance shall include any insurance provided directly or indirectly (including pursuant to any fronting or reinsurance arrangement) by or through a captive insurance company organized and licensed in compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction, including any captive insurance company licensed under Chapter 69 of Title 18, provided that the terms of any such captive insurance shall:
(1)Exclude from coverage thereunder, and provide that the insurer shall not make any payment for, loss in connection with any claim made against any person arising out of, based upon or attributable to any (i) personal profit or other financial advantage to which such person was not legally entitled or (ii) deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act of such person, or a knowing violation of law by such person, if (in the case of the foregoing paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section) established by a final, nonappealable adjudication in the underlying proceeding in respect of such claim (which shall not include an action or proceeding initiated by the insurer or the insured to determine coverage under the policy), unless and only to the extent such person is entitled to be indemnified therefor under this section;
(2)Require that any determination to make a payment under such insurance in respect of a claim against a current director or officer (as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this section) of the corporation shall be made by a independent claims administrator or in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (d)(1) through (4) of this section; and
(3)Require that, prior to any payment under such insurance in connection with any dismissal or compromise of any action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the right of a corporation as to which notice is required to be given to stockholders, such corporation shall include in such notice that a payment is proposed to be made under such insurance in connection with such dismissal or compromise.
For purposes of paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the conduct of an insured person shall not be imputed to any other insured person. A corporation that establishes or maintains a captive insurance company that provides insurance pursuant to this section shall not, solely by virtue thereof, be subject to the provisions of Title 18.
(h)For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the
II-3
resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(i)For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.
(j)The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(k)The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our Charter provides that no director shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such limitation on or exemption from liability is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of this provision of our Charter is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL. However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.
If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, then, in accordance with our Charter, the liability of our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our Charter limiting or eliminating the liability of directors, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors on a retroactive basis.
Our Charter also provides that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former officers and directors, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss
II-4
(including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our Charter will be indemnified by us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.
The right to indemnification which is conferred by our Charter is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director (solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our Charter or otherwise.
The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our Charter may have or hereafter acquire under law, our Charter, our amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our Charter affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our Charter will also permit us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our Charter.
Our Bylaws include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those which are set forth in our Charter. In addition, our Bylaws provide for a right of indemnity to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our Bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our Bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
In connection with our consummation of the Business Combination, we entered into customary indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers.
II-5
Item 16. Exhibits.
Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
| 1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |||||||
| 1.2 | ||||||||
1.3 | ||||||||
| 3.1 | ||||||||
| 3.2 | ||||||||
| 4.1 | ||||||||
| 4.2* | Form of certificate of designation with respect to any preferred stock. | |||||||
| 4.3* | Form of preferred stock certificate. | |||||||
| 4.4* | Form of warrant agreement. | |||||||
| 4.5* | Form of warrant certificate. | |||||||
| 4.6 | ||||||||
| 4.7 | ||||||||
| 4.8 | ||||||||
| 4.9 | ||||||||
| 4.10* | Form of subscription rights agreement. | |||||||
| 4.11* | Form of subscription rights certificate. | |||||||
| 4.12* | Form of unit agreement. | |||||||
| 4.13* | Form of unit certificate. | |||||||
| 4.14 | ||||||||
| 4.15 | ||||||||
| 4.16 | ||||||||
| 4.17 | ||||||||
| 4.18 | ||||||||
| 4.19 | ||||||||
| 4.20 | ||||||||
| 4.21 | ||||||||
II-6
Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
| 4.22 | ||||||||
| 4.23 | ||||||||
| 4.24 | ||||||||
| 4.25 | ||||||||
| 4.25.1 | ||||||||
| 4.26 | ||||||||
| 4.27 | ||||||||
| 4.27.1 | ||||||||
| 5.1 | ||||||||
| 5.2 | ||||||||
| 5.3 | ||||||||
| 23.1 | ||||||||
| 23.2 | ||||||||
| 23.3 | ||||||||
| 23.3 | ||||||||
| 24.1 | ||||||||
| 25.1** | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under Trust Indenture Act of 1939. | |||||||
| 107 | ||||||||
__________________
*To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference herein.
**To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
II-7
prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)That, for purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i)Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii)Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned registrant;
II-8
(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6)That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7)Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(8)To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
II-9
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Skokie, State of Illinois, on May 9, 2024.
| LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC. | ||
| By: /s/ Jennifer Holmgren, Ph.D. | ||
| Name: Jennifer Holmgren, Ph.D. | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned directors and officers of LanzaTech Global, Inc. (the “Registrant”) hereby severally constitute and appoint Geoff Trukenbrod and Joseph Blasko with full power of substitution, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and in his name, place and stead and on his behalf, and in any and all capacities, to execute any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the within registration statement (as well as any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, together with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and such other agencies, offices and persons as may be required by applicable law, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing which said attorney-in-fact and agent may deem necessary or advisable to be done or performed in connection with any or all of the above-described matters, as fully as each of the undersigned could do if personally present and acting, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name | Position | Date | ||||||||||||
| /s/ Jennifer Holmgren, Ph.D. | Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | May 9, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Jennifer Holmgren, Ph.D. | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Geoff Trukenbrod | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | May 9, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Geoff Trukenbrod | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ George Dimitrov | Vice President, Finance (Principal Accounting Officer) | May 9, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| George Dimitrov | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Barbara Byrne | Director | May 9, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Barbara Byrne | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Nigel Gormly | Director | May 9, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Nigel Gormly | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Dorri McWhorter | Director | May 9, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Dorri McWhorter | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Jim Messina | Director | May 9, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Jim Messina | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Gary Rieschel | Director | May 9, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Gary Rieschel | ||||||||||||||
Exhibit 1.2
LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC.
Common Stock
(par value $0.0001 per share)
At Market Issuance Sales Agreement
May 9, 2024
B. Riley Securities, Inc.
299 Park Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10171
Ladies and Gentlemen:
LanzaTech Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. (the “Agent”) as follows:
1. Issuance and Sale of Shares. The Company agrees that, from time to time during the term of this Agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, it may issue and sell through or to the Agent, as sales agent or principal, shares (the “Placement Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”); provided however, that in no event shall the Company issue or sell through the Agent such number of Placement Shares that exceeds (a) the number of shares or dollar amount of Common Stock registered on the effective Registration Statement (as defined below) pursuant to which the offering is being made or (b) the number of shares or dollar amount registered on the Prospectus Supplement (as defined below) (the lesser of (a) or (b) the “Maximum Amount”) and provided further, however, that in no event shall the aggregate number of Placement Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement exceed the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto agree that compliance with the limitations set forth in this Section 1 on the number of Placement Shares issued and sold under this Agreement shall be the sole responsibility of the Company and that the Agent shall have no obligation in connection with such compliance. The issuance and sale of Placement Shares through the Agent will be effected pursuant to the Registration Statement (as defined below), although nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as requiring the Company to use the Registration Statement to issue any Placement Shares.
The Company shall file, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Securities Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), a registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, relating to certain securities including the Placement Shares to be issued from time to time by the Company, and which incorporates by reference documents that the Company has filed or will file in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). The Company has prepared a prospectus to be included as part of such registration statement specifically relating to the Placement Shares (the “ATM Prospectus”) and will, if necessary, prepare a prospectus supplement to the ATM Prospectus (a “Prospectus Supplement”). The Company will furnish to the Agent, for use by the Agent, copies of the ATM Prospectus included as part of such registration statement, as supplemented by any Prospectus Supplement, relating to the Placement Shares. Except where the context otherwise requires, such registration statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, including all documents filed as part thereof or incorporated by reference therein, and including any information contained in a Prospectus (as defined below) subsequently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act or deemed to be a part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Securities Act, or any subsequent registration statement on Form S-3 filed pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act by the Company to cover any Placement Shares, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” The ATM Prospectus, including all documents incorporated or deemed incorporated therein by reference to the extent such information has not been superseded or modified in accordance with Rule 412 under the Securities Act (as qualified by Rule 430B(g) of the Securities Act), included in the Registration Statement, as it may be supplemented by a Prospectus Supplement, in the form in which such ATM Prospectus and/or Prospectus Supplement have most recently been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act is herein called the “Prospectus.” Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein, and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing after the execution hereof of any document with the Commission incorporated by reference therein (the “Incorporated Documents”).
For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or to any amendment or supplement thereto shall be deemed to include the most recent copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System, or if applicable, the Interactive Data Electronic Application system when used by the Commission (collectively, “EDGAR”).
2. Placements. Each time that the Company wishes to issue and sell Placement Shares hereunder (each, a “Placement”), it will notify the Agent by electronic mail (or other method mutually agreed to in writing by the parties) of the number of Placement Shares to be sold, the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of Placement Shares that may be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made (a “Placement Notice”), the form of which is attached hereto as Schedule 1. The Placement Notice shall originate from any of the individuals from the Company set forth on Schedule 3 (with a copy to each of the other individuals from the Company listed on such schedule), and shall be addressed to each of the individuals from the Agent set forth on Schedule 3, as such Schedule 3 may be amended from time to time. The Placement Notice shall be effective immediately upon receipt by the Agent unless and until (i) if the Placement Notice relates to a sale of Placement Shares by the Agent as sales agent and not as principal, the Agent
2
declines to accept the terms contained therein for any reason, in its sole discretion, (ii) the entire amount of the Placement Shares thereunder has been sold, (iii) the Company suspends or terminates the Placement Notice, which suspension and termination rights may be exercised by the Company in its sole discretion, or (iv) this Agreement has been terminated under the provisions of Section 13. The amount of any discount, commission or other compensation to be paid by the Company to the Agent in connection with the sale of the Placement Shares shall be calculated in accordance with the terms set forth in Schedule 2. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that neither the Company nor the Agent will have any obligation whatsoever with respect to a Placement or any Placement Shares unless and until the Company delivers a Placement Notice to the Agent and the Agent does not decline such Placement Notice pursuant to the terms set forth above, and then only upon the terms specified therein and herein. In the event of a conflict between the terms of Sections 2 or 3 of this Agreement and the terms of a Placement Notice, the terms of the Placement Notice will control.
3. Sale of Placement Shares by the Agent. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period specified in a Placement Notice, the Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Exchange”), to sell the Placement Shares up to the amount specified in, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of, such Placement Notice. The Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day (as defined below) immediately following the Trading Day on which it has made sales of Placement Shares hereunder setting forth the number of Placement Shares sold on such day, the compensation payable by the Company to the Agent pursuant to Section 2 with respect to such sales, and the Net Proceeds (as defined below) payable to the Company, with an itemization of the deductions made by the Agent (as set forth in Section 5(b)) from the gross proceeds that it receives from such sales. Subject to the terms of a Placement Notice, the Agent may sell Placement Shares by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. “Trading Day” means any day on which shares of Common Stock are purchased and sold on the Exchange.
4. Suspension of Sales. The Company or the Agent may, upon notice to the other party in writing (including by email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Schedule 3, if receipt of such correspondence is actually acknowledged by any of the individuals to whom the notice is sent, other than via auto-reply) or by telephone (confirmed immediately by email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Schedule 3), suspend any sale of Placement Shares (a “Suspension”); provided, however, that such suspension shall not affect or impair any party’s obligations with respect to any Placement Shares sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice. While a Suspension is in effect, any obligation under Sections 7(l), 7(m), and 7(n) with respect to the delivery of certificates, opinions, or comfort letters to the Agent, shall be waived. Each of the parties agrees that no such notice under this Section 4 shall be effective against any other party unless it is made to one of
3
the individuals named on Schedule 3 hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time.
5. Sale and Delivery to the Agent; Settlement.
a. Sale of Placement Shares. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, upon the Agent’s acceptance of the terms of a Placement Notice, and unless the sale of the Placement Shares described therein has been declined, suspended, or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Agent, for the period specified in the Placement Notice, will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of the Exchange to sell such Placement Shares up to the amount specified in, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of, such Placement Notice. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) there can be no assurance that the Agent will be successful in selling Placement Shares, (ii) the Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other person or entity if it does not sell Placement Shares for any reason other than a failure by the Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of the Exchange to sell such Placement Shares as required under this Agreement and (iii) the Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Placement Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise agreed by the Agent and the Company.
b. Settlement of Placement Shares. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Placement Notice, settlement for sales of Placement Shares will occur (i) prior to May 28, 2024, on the second (2nd) Trading Day and (ii) on and after May 28, 2024, on the first (1st) Trading Day (or such earlier day as is industry practice for regular-way trading) following the date on which such sales are made (each, a “Settlement Date”). The Agent shall notify the Company of each sale of Placement Shares no later than opening of the Trading Day following the Trading Day that the Agent sold Placement Shares. The amount of proceeds to be delivered to the Company on a Settlement Date against receipt of the Placement Shares sold (the “Net Proceeds”) will be equal to the aggregate sales price received by the Agent, after deduction for (i) the Agent’s commission, discount or other compensation for such sales payable by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof, and (ii) any transaction fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization in respect of such sales.
c. Delivery of Placement Shares. On or before each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Placement Shares being sold by crediting the Agent’s or its designee’s account (provided the Agent shall have given the Company written notice of such designee and such designee’s account information at least one Trading Day prior to the Settlement Date) at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian System or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form. On each Settlement Date, the Agent will deliver the related Net Proceeds in same day funds to an account designated by the Company on, or prior to, the Settlement Date. The Company agrees that if the Company, or its transfer agent
4
(if applicable), defaults in its obligation to deliver Placement Shares on a Settlement Date through no fault of the Agent, then in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Section 11(a) hereto, it will (i) hold the Agent harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or reasonable, documented expense (including reasonable and documented legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company or its transfer agent (if applicable) and (ii) pay to the Agent (without duplication) any commission, discount, or other compensation to which it would otherwise have been entitled absent such default.
d. Limitations on Offering Size. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Placement Shares if, after giving effect to the sale of such Placement Shares, the aggregate number of Placement Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement would exceed the lesser of (A) together with all sales of Placement Shares under this Agreement, the Maximum Amount, (B) the amount available for offer and sale under the currently effective Registration Statement and (C) the amount authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement by the Company’s board of directors, a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized executive committee, and notified to the Agent in writing. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement at a price lower than the minimum price authorized from time to time by the Company’s board of directors, a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized executive committee, and notified to the Agent in writing.
6. Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus (including the Incorporated Documents), the Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Agent that as of the date of this Agreement and as of each Applicable Time (as defined below), unless such representation, warranty or agreement specifies a different date or time:
a. Registration Statement and Prospectus. The transactions contemplated by this Agreement meet the requirements for and comply with the conditions for the use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. The Registration Statement shall be filed with the Commission and prior to the delivery of any Placement Notice, shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act. Any Prospectus Supplement will name the Agent as the agent in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” The Company shall not have received any order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, or threatening or instituting proceedings for that purpose. The Registration Statement and the offer and sale of Placement Shares as contemplated hereby will meet the requirements of Rule 415 under the Securities Act and will comply in all material respects with said Rule. Any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement shall have been so described or filed, as applicable. Copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and any such amendments or supplements and all documents incorporated by reference therein that were filed with the Commission on or prior to the date of this Agreement shall have been delivered, or are available through EDGAR, to the Agent and its counsel. The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of each Settlement Date and completion of the distribution of the
5
Placement Shares, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering or sale of the Placement Shares other than the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) to which the Agent has consented, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, or that is required by applicable law or the listing maintenance requirements of the Exchange. The Common Stock is currently quoted on the Exchange under the trading symbol “LNZA.” The Company has not, in the 12 months preceding the date hereof, received notice from the Exchange to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of the Exchange. To the Company’s knowledge, it is in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements.
b. No Misstatement or Omission. At each Settlement Date, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of such date, will conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act. The Registration Statement, when it became or becomes effective, did not, and will not, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Prospectus and any amendment and supplement thereto, on the date thereof and at each Applicable Time (defined below), did not or will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Incorporated Documents did not and will not, when filed with the Commission, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in such document or necessary to make the statements in such document, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The foregoing shall not apply to statements in, or omissions from, any such document made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Company by the Agent specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
c. Conformity with Securities Act and Exchange Act. The Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, and the Incorporated Documents, when such documents were or are filed with the Commission under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or became or become effective under the Securities Act, as the case may be, conformed or will conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable.
d. Financial Information. The consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined below) as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Company and the Subsidiaries for the periods specified (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which will not be material, either individually or in the aggregate) and have been prepared in compliance with the published requirements of the Securities Act and Exchange Act, as applicable, and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis (except (i) for such adjustments to accounting standards and practices as are noted therein and (ii) in the case of unaudited interim financial statements, to the extent they may
6
exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) during the periods involved; the other financial and statistical data with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company; there are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus that are not included or incorporated by reference as required; the Company and the Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off balance sheet obligations), not described in the Registration Statement, and the Prospectus which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus; and all disclosures contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, if any, regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable.
e. Conformity with EDGAR Filing. The Prospectus delivered to the Agent for use in connection with the sale of the Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement will be identical to the versions of the Prospectus created to be transmitted to the Commission for filing via EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
f. Organization. The Company and any subsidiary that is a significant subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission) (each, a “Subsidiary,” collectively, the “Subsidiaries”), are, and will be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization. The Company and the Subsidiaries are duly licensed or qualified as a foreign corporation for transaction of business and in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such license or qualification, and have all corporate power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the assets, business, operations, earnings, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (a “Material Adverse Effect”).
g. Subsidiaries. The Company owns directly or indirectly, all of the equity interests of the Subsidiaries free and clear of any lien, charge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal or other restriction, and all the equity interests of the Subsidiaries are validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive and similar rights. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year and other than (i) those subsidiaries not required to be listed
7
on Exhibit 21.1 by Item 601 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act and (ii) those subsidiaries formed since the last day of the most recently ended fiscal year.
h. No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other similar agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject; or (iii) in violation of any applicable law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Company’s knowledge, no other party under any material contract or other agreement to which it or any Subsidiary is a party is in default in any respect thereunder where such default would have a Material Adverse Effect.
i. No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, there has not been (i) any Material Adverse Effect, or any development that would reasonably result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any transaction which is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iii) any obligation or liability, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), incurred by the Company or the Subsidiaries, which is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iv) any material change in the Company’s capital stock (other than (A) the grant of additional equity securities under the Company’s existing employee benefit plans, (B) changes in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company due to the issuance of shares upon the exercise or conversion of securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof, (C) as a result of the issuance of Placement Shares, (D) any repurchases of capital stock of the Company, (E) as described in a proxy statement filed on Schedule 14A or a Registration Statement on Form S-4, or (F) otherwise publicly announced) or outstanding long-term indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiaries or (v) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, other than in each case above in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus (including any Incorporated Documents).
j. Capitalization. The issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and, other than as disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, are not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights. The Company has an authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as of the dates referred to therein (other than (i) the grant of additional equity securities under the Company’s existing employee benefit plans, (ii) changes in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company due to the issuance of shares upon the exercise or conversion of securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof, (iii) as a
8
result of the issuance of Placement Shares, or (iv) any repurchases of capital stock of the Company) and such authorized capital stock conforms to the description thereof set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The description of the Common Stock in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus is complete and accurate in all material respects. Except as disclosed in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company did not have outstanding any options to purchase, or any rights or warrants to subscribe for, or any securities or obligations convertible into, or exchangeable for, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell, any shares of capital stock or other securities.
k. S-3 Eligibility. (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement and (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), the Company shall have met the then applicable requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, including compliance with General Instruction I.B.1 of Form S-3, as applicable. The Company is not a shell company (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) and has not been a shell company for at least 12 calendar months previously and if it has been a shell company at any time previously, has filed current Form 10 information (as defined in General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3) with the Commission at least 12 calendar months previously reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.
l. Authorization; Enforceability. The Company has full legal right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that (i) enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles and (ii) the indemnification and contribution provisions of Section 11 hereof may be limited by federal or state securities laws and public policy considerations in respect thereof.
m. Authorization of Placement Shares. The Placement Shares, when issued and delivered pursuant to the terms approved by the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof, or a duly authorized executive committee, against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of any pledge, lien, encumbrance, security interest or other claim (other than any pledge, lien, encumbrance, security interest or other claim arising from an act or omission of the Agent or a purchaser), including any statutory or contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights, and will be registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. The Placement Shares, when issued, will conform in all material respects to the description thereof set forth in or incorporated into the Prospectus.
n. No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or any governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, and the issuance and sale by the Company of the Placement Shares as contemplated
9
hereby, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications (i) as may be required under applicable state securities laws or by the by-laws and rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or the Exchange, including any notices that may be required by the Exchange, in connection with the sale of the Placement Shares by the Agent, (ii) as may be required under the Securities Act and (iii) as have been previously obtained by the Company.
o. No Preferential Rights. (i) No person, as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act (each, a “Person”), has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the Company to issue or sell to such Person any Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other securities of the Company (other than upon the exercise of options or warrants to purchase Common Stock or upon the exercise of options that may be granted from time to time under the Company’s stock option plan), (ii) no Person has any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal, or any other rights (whether pursuant to a “poison pill” provision or otherwise) to purchase any Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other securities of the Company from the Company which have not been duly waived with respect to the offering contemplated hereby, (iii) no Person has the right to act as an underwriter or as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with the offer and sale of the Common Stock, and (iv) except as set forth in the Registration Statement, no Person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to require the Company to register under the Securities Act any Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other securities of the Company, or to include any such shares or other securities in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby, whether as a result of the filing or effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the sale of the Placement Shares as contemplated thereby or otherwise, except in each case for such rights as have been waived on or prior to the date hereof.
p. Independent Public Accountant. Deloitte & Touche LLP (the “Accountant”), whose report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company is filed with the Commission as part of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission and incorporated into the Registration Statement, are and, during the periods covered by their report, were independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). To the Company’s knowledge, the Accountant is not in violation of the auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) with respect to the Company.
q. Enforceability of Agreements. All material agreements between the Company and third parties expressly referenced in the Prospectus, other than such agreements that have expired by their terms or whose termination is disclosed in documents filed by the Company on EDGAR, are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that (i) enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles and (ii) the indemnification provisions of certain agreements may be limited by federal or state securities laws or public policy considerations in respect thereof, and except for any
10
unenforceability that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
r. No Litigation. There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject (i) other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Prospectus and proceedings that would not reasonably be expected have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described; and there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required.
s. Licenses and Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess or have obtained, all licenses, certificates, consents, orders, approvals, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted, as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (the “Permits”), except where the failure to possess, obtain or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received written notice of any proceeding relating to revocation or modification of any such Permit or has any reason to believe that such Permit will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where the failure to obtain any such renewal would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
t. No Material Defaults. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has defaulted on any installment on indebtedness for borrowed money or on any rental on one or more long-term leases, which defaults, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not filed a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the filing of its last Annual Report on Form 10-K, indicating that it (i) has failed to pay any dividend or sinking fund installment on preferred stock or (ii) has defaulted on any installment on indebtedness for borrowed money or on any rental on one or more long-term leases, which defaults, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.
u. Certain Market Activities. Neither the Company, nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, officers or controlling persons has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or that has constituted or would reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Placement Shares.
11
v. Broker/Dealer Relationships. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or any related entities (i) is required to register as a “broker” or “dealer” in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Act or (ii) directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is a “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member” (within the meaning set forth in the FINRA Manual).
w. No Reliance. The Company has not relied upon the Agent or legal counsel for the Agent for any legal, tax or accounting advice in connection with the offering and sale of the Placement Shares.
x. Taxes. The Company and the Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns which have been required to be filed and paid all taxes shown thereon through the date hereof, to the extent that such taxes have become due and are not being contested in good faith, except where the failure to pay such taxes would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as otherwise disclosed in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any Subsidiary which has had, or would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has no knowledge of any federal, state or other governmental tax deficiency, penalty or assessment which has been or might be asserted or threatened against it which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
y. Title to Real and Personal Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and valid title in fee simple to all items of real property and good and valid title to all personal property described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus as being owned by them that are material to the businesses of the Company or such Subsidiary, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims, except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries or (ii) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real property described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus as being leased by the Company and the Subsidiaries is held by them under valid, existing and enforceable leases, except those that (A) do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company or the Subsidiaries or (B) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
z. Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries own or possess adequate enforceable rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), trade names, trademark registrations, service marks, service mark registrations, Internet domain name registrations, copyrights, copyright registrations, licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”), necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as conducted as of the date hereof, except to the extent that the failure to own or possess adequate rights to use such Intellectual Property would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Subsidiaries have not received any written notice of any claim of infringement or conflict which asserted Intellectual Property rights of others, which infringement or conflict, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, would reasonably be expected
12
to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There are no pending, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened judicial proceedings or interference proceedings challenging the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s rights in or to or the validity of the scope of any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ patents, patent applications or proprietary information except for such right or claim that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the Company’s knowledge, no other entity or individual has any right or claim in any of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiary’s patents, patent applications or any patent to be issued therefrom by virtue of any contract, license or other agreement entered into between such entity or individual and the Company or any Subsidiary or by any non-contractual obligation, other than by written licenses granted by the Company or any Subsidiary, except for such right or claim that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not received any written notice of any claim challenging the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries in or to any Intellectual Property owned, licensed or optioned by the Company or any Subsidiary which claim, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
aa. Compliance with Applicable Laws. The Company has not been advised, and has no reason to believe, that it and each of its Subsidiaries are not conducting business in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdictions in which it is conducting business, except where failure to be so in compliance would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
bb. Environmental Laws. The Company and the Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, decisions and orders relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and (iii) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except, in the case of any of clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above, for any such failure to comply or failure to receive required permits, licenses, other approvals or liability as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
cc. Disclosure Controls. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal control over
13
financial reporting (other than as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus). Since the date of the latest audited financial statements of the Company included in the Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (other than as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus). Except as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company has established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
dd. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Each of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Company (or each former principal executive officer of the Company and each former principal financial officer of the Company as applicable) has made all certifications required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it or furnished by it to the Commission during the past 12 months. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15.
ee. Finder’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has incurred any liability for any finder’s fees, brokerage commissions or similar payments in connection with the transactions herein contemplated, except as may otherwise exist with respect to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
ff. Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of the Company or any Subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened which would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
gg. Investment Company Act. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is or, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Placement Shares, will be required to register as an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).
hh. Operations. The operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions to which the Company or the Subsidiaries are subject, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Company (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), except where the failure to be in such compliance would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency,
14
authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing.
ii. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. There are no transactions, arrangements and other relationships between and/or among the Company, and/or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of its affiliates and any unconsolidated entity, including, but not limited to, any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity (each, an “Off Balance Sheet Transaction”) that would affect materially the Company’s liquidity or the availability of or requirements for its capital resources, including those Off Balance Sheet Transactions described in the Commission’s Statement about Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations (Release Nos. 33-8056; 34-45321; FR-61), required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which have not been described as required.
jj. Underwriter Agreements. Other than with respect to this Agreement, the Company is not a party to any agreement with an agent or underwriter for any other “at the market” or continuous equity transaction.
kk. ERISA. To the knowledge of the Company, (i) each material employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any of its affiliates for employees or former employees of the Company and the Subsidiaries has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred which would result in a material liability to the Company with respect to any such plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; and (iii) for each such plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no “accumulated funding deficiency” as defined in Section 412 of the Code has been incurred, whether or not waived, and the fair market value of the assets of each such plan (excluding for these purposes accrued but unpaid contributions) equals or exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such plan determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions, other than, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
ll. Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) (a “Forward-Looking Statement”) contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
mm. Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Placement Shares nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
15
nn. Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company and the Subsidiaries reasonably believe are adequate for the conduct of their business.
oo. No Improper Practices. (i) Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, the Subsidiaries, nor to the Company’s knowledge, any of their respective executive officers has, in the past five years, made any unlawful contributions to any candidate for any political office (or failed fully to disclose any contribution in violation of law) or made any contribution or other payment to any official of, or candidate for, any federal, state, municipal, or foreign office or other person charged with similar public or quasi-public duty in violation of any law or of the character required to be disclosed in the Prospectus; (ii) no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, the Subsidiaries or any affiliate of any of them, on the one hand, and the directors, officers and stockholders of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, that is required by the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that is not so described; (iii) no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or the Subsidiaries or any affiliate of them, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders or directors of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, that is required by the rules of FINRA to be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that is not so described; (iv) there are no material outstanding loans or advances or material guarantees of indebtedness by the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, the Subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any of their respective officers or directors or any of the members of the families of any of them; and (v) the Company has not offered, or caused any placement agent to offer, Common Stock to any person with the intent to influence unlawfully (A) a customer or supplier of the Company or the Subsidiaries to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company or the Subsidiaries or (B) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or the Subsidiaries or any of their respective products or services, and, (vi) neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any employee or agent of the Company or the Subsidiaries has made any payment of funds of the Company or the Subsidiaries or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977), which payment, receipt or retention of funds is of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.
pp. Status Under the Securities Act. The Company was not and is not an ineligible issuer as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act at the times specified in Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Placement Shares.
qq. No Misstatement or Omission in an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and as of each Applicable Time (as defined in Section 25 below), did not, does not and will not, through the completion of the Placement or Placements for which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is issued, include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any Incorporated Document deemed to be a part thereof that has not
16
been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent specifically for use therein.
rr. No Conflicts. Neither the execution of this Agreement, nor the issuance, offering or sale of the Placement Shares, nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms and provisions hereof will conflict with, or will result in a breach of, any of the terms and provisions of, or has constituted or will constitute a default under, or has resulted in or will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any contract or other agreement to which the Company may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject, except (i) such conflicts, breaches or defaults as may have been waived and (ii) such conflicts, breaches and defaults that would not have a Material Adverse Effect; nor will such action result (x) in any violation of the provisions of the organizational or governing documents of the Company, or (y) in any material violation of the provisions of any statute or any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or of any court or of any federal, state or other regulatory authority or other government body having jurisdiction over the Company, except where such violation would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
ss. OFAC.
(i) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary (collectively, the “Entity”) nor any director or officer of the Entity nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any employee, agent, affiliate or representative of the Entity, is a government, individual, or entity (in this paragraph (ss), “Person”) that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is:
(a) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor
(b) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions.
(ii) The Entity will not, directly or indirectly, knowingly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:
(a) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or
(b) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).
17
(iii) The Entity represents and covenants that, except as detailed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, for the past five years, it has not knowingly engaged in and is not now knowingly engaged in any dealing or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.
tt. Stock Transfer Taxes. On each Settlement Date, all material stock transfer or other taxes (other than income taxes) which are required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Placement Shares to be sold hereunder will be, or will have been, fully paid or provided for by the Company and all laws imposing such taxes will be or will have been fully complied with by the Company in all material respects.
uu. IT Systems. (i)(x) To the knowledge of Company, there has been no security breach or other compromise of any Company’s information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of their respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of them), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”) and (y) the Company has not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to their IT Systems and Data; (ii) the Company is presently in material compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, in the case of this clause (ii), individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) the Company has implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practices.
Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Agent or to counsel for the Agent pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company, as applicable, to the Agent as to the matters set forth therein.
7. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the Agent that:
a. Registration Statement Amendments. After the date of this Agreement and during any period in which a prospectus relating to any Placement Shares is required to be delivered by the Agent under the Securities Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act) (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”) (i) the Company will notify the Agent promptly of the time when any subsequent amendment to the Registration Statement, other than documents incorporated by reference or amendments not related to any Placement, has been filed with the Commission and/or has become effective or any subsequent supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and of any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus related to the Placement or for additional information related to the Placement, (ii)
18
the Company will prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon the Agent’s request, any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that, upon the advice of the Company’s legal counsel, may be necessary or advisable in connection with the distribution of the Placement Shares by the Agent (provided, however, that the failure of the Agent to make such request shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect the Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement and provided, further, that the only remedy the Agent shall have with respect to the failure to make such filing shall be to cease making sales under this Agreement until such amendment or supplement is filed); (iii) the Company will not file any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares or a security convertible into the Placement Shares (other than an Incorporated Document) unless a copy thereof has been submitted to the Agent within a reasonable period of time before the filing and the Agent has not reasonably objected thereto (provided, however, that (A) the failure of the Agent to make such objection shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect the Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement and (B) the Company has no obligation to provide the Agent any advance copy of such filing or to provide the Agent an opportunity to object to such filing if the filing does not name the Agent or does not relate to the transaction herein provided; and provided, further, that the only remedy the Agent shall have with respect to the failure by the Company to obtain such consent shall be to cease making sales under this Agreement) and the Company will furnish to the Agent at the time of filing thereof a copy of any document that upon filing is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or Prospectus, except for those documents available via EDGAR; and (iv) the Company will cause each amendment or supplement to the Prospectus to be filed with the Commission as required pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act or, in the case of any document to be incorporated therein by reference, to be filed with the Commission as required pursuant to the Exchange Act, within the time period prescribed (the determination to file or not file any amendment or supplement with the Commission under this Section 7(a), based on the Company’s reasonable opinion or reasonable objections, shall be made exclusively by the Company).
b. Notice of Commission Stop Orders. The Company will advise the Agent, promptly after it receives notice or obtains knowledge thereof, of the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, of the suspension of the qualification of the Placement Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose; and it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such a stop order should be issued. The Company will advise the Agent promptly after it receives any request by the Commission for any amendments to the Registration Statement related to the Placement Shares or any amendment or supplements to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus related to the Placement Shares or for additional information related to the offering of the Placement Shares or for additional information related to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in each case, related to the Placement Shares.
19
c. Delivery of Prospectus; Subsequent Changes. During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act, as from time to time in force, and to file on or before their respective due dates all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, 15(d) or any other provision of or under the Exchange Act. If the Company has omitted any information from the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of and make all requisite filings with the Commission pursuant to said Rule 430B and to notify the Agent promptly of all such filings. If during the Prospectus Delivery Period any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then existing, not misleading, or if during such Prospectus Delivery Period it is necessary to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify the Agent to suspend the offering of Placement Shares during such period and the Company will promptly amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus (at the expense of the Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; provided, however, that the Company may delay the filing of any amendment or supplement, if in the judgment of the Company, it is in the best interest of the Company.
d. Listing of Placement Shares. During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Placement Shares to be listed on the Exchange and to qualify the Placement Shares for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Agent reasonably designates and to continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Placement Shares; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith to qualify as a foreign corporation or dealer in securities, file a general consent to service of process, or subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.
e. Delivery of Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company will furnish to the Agent and its counsel (at the reasonable expense of the Company) copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference therein) and all amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that are filed with the Commission during the Prospectus Delivery Period (including all documents filed with the Commission during such period that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein), in each case as soon as reasonably practicable and in such quantities as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request and, at the Agent’s request, will also furnish copies of the Prospectus to each exchange or market on which sales of the Placement Shares may be made; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus) to the Agent to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.
f. Earnings Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 15 months after the end of the Company’s current fiscal quarter, an earnings statement covering a 12-month period that
20
satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) and Rule 158 of the Securities Act. B. Riley and the Company acknowledge and agree that the Company’s ordinary, timely-filed periodic filings with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act may be used to satisfy this obligation to the extent consistent with the requirements set forth herein.
g. Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the Net Proceeds as described in the Prospectus in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds.”
h. Notice of Other Sales. Without the prior written consent of the Agent, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock (other than the Placement Shares offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Common Stock during the period beginning on the date on which any Placement Notice is delivered to the Agent hereunder and ending on the third (3rd) Trading Day immediately following the final Settlement Date with respect to Placement Shares sold pursuant to such Placement Notice (or, if the Placement Notice has been terminated or suspended prior to the sale of all Placement Shares covered by a Placement Notice, the date of such suspension or termination); and will not directly or indirectly in any other “at the market” or continuous equity transaction offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock (other than the Placement Shares offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Common Stock prior to the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that such restrictions will not apply in connection with the Company’s issuance or sale of (i) Common Stock, options to purchase Common Stock or Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of options or other equity awards, pursuant to any stock option, or benefits plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan (but not Common Stock subject to a waiver to exceed plan limits in its dividend reinvestment plan) of the Company whether now in effect or hereafter implemented; (ii) Common Stock issuable upon conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants, options or other rights in effect or outstanding, and disclosed in filings by the Company available on EDGAR or otherwise in writing to the Agent, (iii) Common Stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, offered and sold in a privately negotiated transaction to vendors, customers, strategic partners or potential strategic partners or other investors conducted in a manner so as not to be integrated with the offering of Common Stock hereby and (iv) Common Stock in connection with any acquisition, strategic investment or other similar transaction (including any joint venture, strategic alliance or partnership).
i. Change of Circumstances. The Company will, at any time during the pendency of a Placement Notice, advise the Agent promptly after it shall have received notice or obtained knowledge thereof, of any information or fact that would alter or affect in any material respect any opinion, certificate, letter or other document required to be provided to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
j. Due Diligence Cooperation. During the term of this Agreement, the Company will cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by the Agent or its representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without
21
limitation, providing information and making available documents and senior corporate officers, during regular business hours and at the Company’s principal offices, as the Agent may reasonably request.
k. Periodic Reports. Promptly following the end of each quarterly period, the Company shall disclose in its annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by the Company for any quarter the number of Placement Shares sold by or through the Agent under this Agreement and the Net Proceeds received by the Company with respect to such sale or, to the extent required by applicable law and/or interpretations of the Commission, the Company shall disclose such information in a prospectus supplement with the Commission under the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.
l. Representation Dates; Certificate. Each time during the term of this Agreement that the Company:
(i) amends or supplements (other than a prospectus supplement relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Placement Shares) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares by means of a post-effective amendment, sticker, or supplement but not by means of incorporation of documents by reference into the Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares;
(ii) files an annual report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act (including any Form 10-K/A containing amended audited financial information or a material amendment to the previously filed Form 10-K);
(iii) files its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act; or
(iv) files a current report on Form 8-K containing amended financial information (other than information “furnished” pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or to provide disclosure pursuant to Item 8.01 of Form 8-K relating to the reclassification of certain properties as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144) under the Exchange Act;
(Each date of filing of one or more of the documents referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) shall be a “Representation Date.”)
the Company shall furnish the Agent (but in the case of clause (iv) above only if the Agent reasonably determines that the information contained in such Form 8-K is material) with a certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7(1). The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 7(1) shall be waived for any Representation Date occurring at a time at which no Placement Notice is pending, which waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers a Placement Notice hereunder (which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Representation Date) and the next occurring Representation Date on which the Company files its annual report on Form 10-K. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) upon the delivery of the first Placement Notice hereunder and (ii) if the Company subsequently decides to
22
sell Placement Shares following a Representation Date when the Company relied on such waiver and did not provide the Agent with a certificate under this Section 7(1), then before the Agent sells any Placement Shares, the Company shall provide the Agent with a certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7(1), dated the date of the Placement Notice.
m. Legal Opinion. On or prior to the date of the first Placement Notice given hereunder, the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Agent a written opinion and a negative assurance letter of Covington & Burling LLP (“Company Counsel”), or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. Thereafter, within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7(l) other than the date of this Agreement and for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Agent a negative assurance letter of Company Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; provided, however, the Company shall be required to furnish to the Agent no more than one opinion of each firm hereunder per calendar quarter; and provided further, that, in lieu of such negative assurance for subsequent periodic filings under the Exchange Act, counsel may furnish the Agent with a letter (a “Reliance Letter”) to the effect that the Agent may rely on the negative assurance letter previously delivered under this Section 7(m) to the same extent as if it were dated the date of such letter (except that statements in such prior letter shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented as of the date of the Reliance Letter).
n. Comfort Letter. (i) On or prior to the date of the first Placement Notice given hereunder and (ii) thereafter, within five (5) Trading Days after each Representation Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7(l) other than the date of this Agreement, and for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause its independent accountants to furnish the Agent letters (the “Comfort Letters”), dated the date the Comfort Letter is delivered, which shall meet the requirements set forth in this Section 7(n). The Comfort Letter from the Company’s independent accountants shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (i) confirming that they are an independent public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, (ii) stating, as of such date, the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings (the first such letter, the “Initial Comfort Letter”) and (iii) updating the Initial Comfort Letter with any information that would have been included in the Initial Comfort Letter had it been given on such date and modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended and supplemented to the date of such letter.
o. Market Activities. The Company will not, directly or indirectly, (i) take any action designed to cause or result in, or that constitutes or would constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of Common Stock or (ii) sell, bid for, or purchase Common Stock in violation of Regulation M, or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Placement Shares other than the Agent.
23
p. Investment Company Act. The Company will conduct its affairs in such a manner so as to reasonably ensure that neither it nor the Subsidiaries will be or become, at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act.
q. No Offer to Sell. Other than an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus approved in advance by the Company and the Agent in its capacity as agent hereunder pursuant to Section 23, neither of the Agent nor the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Agent in its capacity as such) will make, use, prepare, authorize, approve or refer to any written communication (as defined in Rule 405), required to be filed with the Commission, that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy Placement Shares hereunder.
r. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company will maintain and keep accurate books and records reflecting its assets and maintain internal accounting controls in a manner designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and including those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (iii) that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with management’s and the Company’s directors’ authorization, and (iv) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements. The Company will maintain disclosure controls and procedures that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
8. Representations and Covenants of the Agent. The Agent represents and warrants that it is duly registered as a broker-dealer under FINRA, the Exchange Act and the applicable statutes and regulations of each state in which the Placement Shares will be offered and sold, except such states in which the Agent is exempt from registration or such registration is not otherwise required. The Agent shall continue, for the term of this Agreement, to be duly registered as a broker-dealer under FINRA, the Exchange Act and the applicable statutes and regulations of each state in which the Placement Shares will be offered and sold, except such states in which it is exempt from registration or such registration is not otherwise required, during the term of this Agreement. The Agent shall comply with all applicable law and regulations in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the issuance and sale through the Agent of the Placement Shares.
9. Payment of Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, filing, including any fees required by the Commission, and printing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment and supplement thereto and each Free Writing Prospectus, in such number as the Agent shall deem reasonably necessary, (ii) the printing and delivery to the Agent of this Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or
24
delivery of the Placement Shares, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates, if any, for the Placement Shares to the Agent, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any capital duties, stamp duties or other duties or taxes payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Placement Shares to the Agent, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Company, (v) the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agent (x) not to exceed $100,000 in connection with the execution of this Agreement, (y) not to exceed $10,000 per calendar quarter thereafter in connection with updates at the time of Representation Dates; (vi) the fees and expenses of the transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock, (vii) the filing fees incident to any review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Placement Shares, and (viii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Placement Shares on the Exchange.
10. Conditions to the Agent’s Obligations. The obligations of the Agent hereunder with respect to a Placement will be subject to the continuing accuracy and completeness of the representations and warranties made by the Company herein (other than those representations and warranties made as of a specified date or time), to the due performance in all material respects by the Company of its obligations hereunder, to the completion by the Agent of a due diligence review satisfactory to it in its reasonable judgment, and to the continuing reasonable satisfaction (or waiver by the Agent in its sole discretion) of the following additional conditions:
a. Registration Statement Effective. The Registration Statement shall have become and shall remain effective and shall be available for the sale of all Placement Shares contemplated to be issued by any Placement Notice.
b. No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (i) receipt by the Company of any request for additional information from the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the response to which would require any post-effective amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or receipt by the Company of notification of the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Placement Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or receipt by the Company of notification of the initiation of, or a threat to initiate, any proceeding for such purpose; or (iv) the occurrence of any event that makes any material statement made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any material Incorporated Document untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any material Incorporated Document so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any materially 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 or any material Incorporated Document, it will not contain any materially untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
25
c. No Misstatement or Material Omission. The Agent shall not have advised the Company that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact that in the Agent’s reasonable opinion is material, or omits to state a fact that in the Agent’s reasonable opinion is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
d. Material Changes. Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, or disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the Commission, there shall not have been any Material Adverse Effect, or any development that would cause a Material Adverse Effect, or a downgrading in or withdrawal of the rating assigned to any of the Company’s securities (other than asset backed securities) by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act (a “Rating Organization”), or a public announcement by any Rating Organization that it has under surveillance or review its rating of any of the Company’s securities (other than asset backed securities), the effect of which, in the case of any such action by a Rating Organization described above, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent (without relieving the Company of any obligation or liability it may otherwise have), is so material as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering of the Placement Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
e. Company Counsel Legal Opinion. The Agent shall have received the opinion and negative assurance letter of Company Counsel required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(m) on or before the date on which such delivery of such opinion and negative assurance letter are required pursuant to Section 7(m).
f. Agent Counsel Legal Opinion. Agent shall have received from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Agent, such opinion or opinions, on or before the date on which the delivery of the Company Counsel legal opinion is required pursuant to Section 7(m), with respect to such matters as the Agent may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for enabling them to pass upon such matters.
g. Comfort Letter. The Agent shall have received the Comfort Letter required to be delivered pursuant Section 7(n) on or before the date on which such delivery of such letter is required pursuant to Section 7(n).
h. Representation Certificate. The Agent shall have received the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(1) on or before the date on which delivery of such certificate is required pursuant to Section 7(1).
i. Secretary’s Certificate. On or prior to the first Representation Date, the Agent shall have received a certificate, signed on behalf of the Company by its corporate Secretary, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel.
26
j. No Suspension. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended on the Exchange and the Common Stock shall not have been delisted from the Exchange.
k. Other Materials. On each date on which the Company is required to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 7(1), the Company shall have furnished to the Agent such appropriate further information, certificates and documents as the Agent may reasonably request and which are usually and customarily furnished by an issuer of securities in connection with a securities offering of the type contemplated hereby. All such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents will be in compliance with the provisions hereof.
l. Securities Act Filings Made. All filings with the Commission required by Rule 424 under the Securities Act to have been filed prior to the issuance of any Placement Notice hereunder shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 424.
m. Approval for Listing. The Placement Shares shall either have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject only to notice of issuance, or the Company shall have filed an application for listing of the Placement Shares on the Exchange at, or prior to, the issuance of any Placement Notice.
n. No Termination Event. There shall not have occurred any event that would permit the Agent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 13(a).
11. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Company Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, its partners, members, directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls the Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any related Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, joint or several, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to
27
Section 11(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be delayed or withheld; and
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above,
provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made solely in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any related Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(b) Indemnification by the Agent. The Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors and officers, and each person, if any, who (i) controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act or (ii) is controlled by or is under common control with the Company against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 11(a), as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendments thereto) or in any related Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Agent and furnished to the Company in writing by the Agent expressly for use therein.
(c) Procedure. Any party that proposes to assert the right to be indemnified under this Section 11 will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party or parties under this Section 11, notify each such indemnifying party of the commencement of such action, enclosing a copy of all papers served, but the omission so to notify such indemnifying party will not relieve the indemnifying party from (i) any liability that it might have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 11 and (ii) any liability that it may have to any indemnified party under the foregoing provisions of this Section 11 unless, and only to the extent that, such omission results in the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses by the indemnifying party. If any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of its commencement, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it elects by delivering written notice to the indemnified party promptly after receiving notice of the commencement of the action from the indemnified party, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense of the action, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense, the indemnifying party will not be liable to the indemnified party for any legal or other expenses except as provided below
28
and except for the reasonable costs of investigation subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense. The indemnified party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel will be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (1) the employment of counsel by the indemnified party has been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (2) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, (3) a conflict or potential conflict of interest exists (based on advice of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party will not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or (4) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel to assume the defense of such action within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the commencement of the action, in each of which cases the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel will be at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties. It is understood that the indemnifying party or parties shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of more than one separate firm admitted to practice in such jurisdiction at any one time for all such indemnified party or parties. All such reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges will be reimbursed by the indemnifying party promptly after the indemnifying party receives a written invoice relating to fees, disbursements and other charges in reasonable detail. An indemnifying party will not, in any event, be liable for any settlement of any action or claim effected without its written consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of each indemnified party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding relating to the matters contemplated by this Section 11 (whether or not any indemnified party is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (1) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (2) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in the foregoing paragraphs of this Section 11 is applicable in accordance with its terms but for any reason is held to be unavailable from the Company or the Agent, the Company and the Agent will contribute to the total losses, claims, liabilities, expenses and damages (including any investigative, legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted, but after deducting any contribution received by the Company from persons other than the Agent, such as persons who control the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, officers of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and directors of the Company, who also may be liable for contribution) to which the Company and the Agent may be subject in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Agent on the other hand. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Agent on the other hand shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total Net Proceeds from the sale of the
29
Placement Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total compensation received by the Agent (before deducting expenses) from the sale of Placement Shares on behalf of the Company. If, but only if, the allocation provided by the foregoing sentence is not permitted by applicable law, the allocation of contribution shall be made in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in the foregoing sentence but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, with respect to the statements or omission that resulted in such loss, claim, liability, expense or damage, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations with respect to such offering. Such relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Agent, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Agent agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 11(d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, liability, expense, or damage, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 11(d) shall be deemed to include, for the purpose of this Section 11(d), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim to the extent consistent with Section 11(c) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(d), the Agent shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the commissions received by it under this Agreement and no person found guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 11(d), any person who controls a party to this Agreement within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and any officers, directors, partners, employees or agents of the Agent, will have the same rights to contribution as that party, and each officer who signed the Registration Statement and director of the Company will have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the provisions hereof. Any party entitled to contribution, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made under this Section 11(d), will notify any such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify will not relieve that party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it or they may have under this Section 11(d) except to the extent that the failure to so notify such other party materially prejudiced the substantive rights or defenses of the party from whom contribution is sought. Except for a settlement entered into pursuant to the last sentence of Section 11(c) hereof, no party will be liable for contribution with respect to any action or claim settled without its written consent if such consent is required pursuant to Section 11(c) hereof.
12. Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in Section 11 of this Agreement and all representations and warranties of the Company herein or in certificates delivered pursuant hereto shall survive, as of their respective dates, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent, any
30
controlling persons, or the Company (or any of their respective officers, directors or controlling persons), (ii) delivery and acceptance of the Placement Shares and payment therefor or (iii) any termination of this Agreement.
13. Termination.
a. The Agent may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, as hereinafter specified at any time (1) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the date as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any Material Adverse Effect, or any development that would have a Material Adverse Effect that, in the sole judgment of the Agent, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to market the Placement Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Placement Shares, (2) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Agent, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Placement Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Placement Shares, (3) if trading in the Common Stock has been suspended or limited by the Commission or the Exchange, or if trading generally on the Exchange has been suspended or limited, or minimum prices for trading have been fixed on the Exchange, (4) if any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market shall have occurred and be continuing, (5) if a major disruption of securities settlements or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred and be continuing, or (6) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either U.S. Federal or New York authorities. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination. If the Agent elects to terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 13(a), the Agent shall provide the required notice as specified in Section 14 (Notices).
b. The Company shall have the right, by giving five (5) days’ notice as hereinafter specified to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time after the date of this Agreement. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.
c. Intentionally omitted.
d. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Section 13, this Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the issuance and sale of all of the Placement Shares through the Agent on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein except that the provisions of Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12
31
(Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.
e. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless terminated pursuant to Sections 13(a), (b), (c), or (d) above or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties; provided, however, that any such termination by mutual agreement shall in all cases be deemed to provide that Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) shall remain in full force and effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Company shall not have any liability to the Agent for any discount, commission or other compensation with respect to any Placement Shares not otherwise sold by the Agent under this Agreement.
f. Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice of termination; provided, however, that such termination shall not be effective until the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice by the Agent or the Company, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Placement Shares, such Placement Shares shall settle in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
14. Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given by any party to any other party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing, unless otherwise specified, and if sent to the Agent, shall be delivered to:
B. Riley Securities, Inc.
299 Park Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10171
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (212) 457-9947
Email: atmdesk@brileyfin.com
with a copy to:
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Derek Dostal
Telephone: (212) 450-4322
Email: derek.dostal@davispolk.com
32
and if to the Company, shall be delivered to:
LanzaTech Global, Inc.
8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Attention: Geoff Trukenbrod
George Dimitrov
Omar El-Sharkawy
Email: Geoff@lanzatech.com
George.Dimitrov@lanzatech.com
Omar.El-Sharkawy@lanzatech.com
with a copy to:
LegalTeam@lanzatech.com
and:
Covington & Burling LLP
One City Center
Washington, D.C. 20001
Attention: Kerry S. Burke
Telephone: (202) 662-5297
Email: kburke@cov.com
Each party to this Agreement may change such address for notices by sending to the parties to this Agreement written notice of a new address for such purpose. Each such notice or other communication shall be deemed given (i) when delivered personally, by email, or by verifiable facsimile transmission on or before 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day, (ii) on the next Business Day after timely delivery to a nationally-recognized overnight courier and (iii) on the Business Day actually received if deposited in the U.S. mail (certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid). For purposes of this Agreement, “Business Day” shall mean any day on which the Exchange and commercial banks in the City of New York are open for business.
15. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Agent and their respective successors and the affiliates, controlling persons, officers and directors referred to in Section 11 hereof. References to any of the parties contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the successors and permitted assigns of such party. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement. Neither the Company nor the Agent may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.
16. Adjustments for Stock Splits. The parties acknowledge and agree that all share-related numbers contained in this Agreement shall be adjusted to take into account any share
33
consolidation, stock split, stock dividend, corporate domestication or similar event effected with respect to the Placement Shares.
17. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Severability. This Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits attached hereto and Placement Notices issued pursuant hereto) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended except pursuant to a written instrument executed by the Company and the Agent. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable as written by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be given full force and effect to the fullest possible extent that it is valid, legal and enforceable, and the remainder of the terms and provisions herein shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable term or provision was not contained herein, but only to the extent that giving effect to such provision and the remainder of the terms and provisions hereof shall be in accordance with the intent of the parties as reflected in this Agreement.
18. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME. THE COMPANY AND THE AGENT EACH 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 AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
19. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, ANY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT PERSONALLY SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR THAT THE VENUE OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS IMPROPER. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO PROCESS BEING SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF (CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS IN EFFECT FOR NOTICES TO IT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE GOOD AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE OF PROCESS AND NOTICE THEREOF. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED TO LIMIT IN ANY WAY ANY RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.
34
20. Use of Information. The Agent may not use any information gained in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including due diligence, to advise any party with respect to transactions not expressly approved by the Company.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed Agreement by one party to the other may be made by facsimile transmission or email of a .pdf attachment.
22. Effect of Headings. The section, Schedule and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
23. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents, warrants and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Agent, and the Agent represents, warrants and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Placement Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Agent or by the Company, as the case may be, is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents and warrants that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. For the purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that all free writing prospectuses, if any, listed in Exhibit 23 hereto are Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses.
24. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:
a. The Agent is acting solely as agent in connection with the public offering of the Placement Shares and in connection with each transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the process leading to such transactions, and no fiduciary or advisory relationship between the Company or any of its respective affiliates, stockholders (or other equity holders), creditors or employees or any other party, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, has been or will be created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not the Agent has advised or is advising the Company on other matters, and the Agent has no obligation to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement;
b. it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
c. the Agent has not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and it has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate;
35
d. it is aware that the Agent and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Agent has no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise; and
e. it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Agent for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the sale of Placement Shares under this Agreement and agrees that the Agent shall not have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, employees or creditors of Company, other than in respect of the Agent’s obligations under this Agreement and to keep information provided by the Company to the Agent and its counsel confidential to the extent not otherwise publicly-available.
25. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Applicable Time” means (i) each Representation Date and (ii) the time of each sale of any Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement.
“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, relating to the Placement Shares that (1) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (2) is a “road show” that is a “written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (3) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Placement Shares or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) under the Securities Act.
“Rule 172,” “Rule 405,” “Rule 415,” “Rule 424,” “Rule 424(b),” “Rule 430B,” and “Rule 433” refer to such rules under the Securities Act.
All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be.
All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR; all references in this Agreement to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that, pursuant to Rule 433, are not required to be filed with the Commission) shall be deemed to include the copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR; and all references in this Agreement to “supplements” to the Prospectus shall include, without limitation, any supplements, “wrappers” or similar
36
materials prepared in connection with any offering, sale or private placement of any Placement Shares by the Agent outside of the United States.
[Remainder of the page intentionally left blank]
37
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Company and the Agent, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between the Company and the Agent.
| Very truly yours, | ||||||||||||||
| LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC. | ||||||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Geoff Trukenbrod | |||||||||||||
| Name: Geoff Trukenbrod | ||||||||||||||
| Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||||
| ACCEPTED as of the date first-above written: | ||||||||||||||
| B. RILEY SECURITIES, INC. | ||||||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Patrice McNicoll | |||||||||||||
| Name: Patrice McNicoll | ||||||||||||||
| Title: Co-Head of Investment Banking | ||||||||||||||
38
SCHEDULE 1
______________________________
FORM OF PLACEMENT NOTICE
______________________________
From: LanzaTech Global, Inc.
To: B. Riley Securities, Inc.
Attention: [•]
Subject: At Market Issuance--Placement Notice
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the At Market Issuance Sales Agreement between LanzaTech Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and B. Riley Securities, Inc. (the “Agent”), dated [•], 2024, the Company hereby requests that the Agent sell up to [____] of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at a minimum market price of $ per share, during the time period beginning [month, day, time] and ending [month, day, time].
39
SCHEDULE 2
________________________
Compensation
________________________
The Company shall pay to the Agent in cash, upon each sale of Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement, an amount equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of Placement Shares.
40
SCHEDULE 3
________________________
Notice Parties
________________________
The Company
Geoff Trukenbrod Geoff@lanzatech.com
George Dimitrov George.Dimitrov@lanzatech.com
Omar El-Sharkawy Omar.El-Sharkawy@lanzatech.com
with a copy to legalteam@lanzatech.com
B. Riley Securities
Matthew Feinberg mfeinberg@brileyfin.com
Patrice McNicoll pmcnicoll@brileyfin.com
Keith Pompliano kpompliano@brileyfin.com
Scott Ammaturo sammaturo@brileyfin.com
with a copy to atmdesk@brileyfin.com
41
EXHIBIT 7(1)
Form of Representation Date Certificate
___________, 20___
This Representation Date Certificate (this “Certificate”) is executed and delivered in connection with Section 7(1) of the At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated [•], 2024, and entered into between LanzaTech Global, Inc. (the “Company”) and B. Riley Securities, Inc. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Agreement.
The Company hereby certifies as follows:
1. As of the date of this Certificate (i) the Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (ii) neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (iii) no event has occurred as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not untrue or misleading for this paragraph 1 to be true.
2. Each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Agreement were, when originally made, and are, as of the date of this Certificate, true and correct in all material respects.
3. Except as waived by the Agent in writing, each of the covenants required to be performed by the Company in the Agreement on or prior to the date of the Agreement, this Representation Date, and each such other date prior to the date hereof as set forth in the Agreement, has been duly, timely and fully performed in all material respects and each condition required to be complied with by the Company on or prior to the date of the Agreement, this Representation Date, and each such other date prior to the date hereof as set forth in the Agreement has been duly, timely and fully complied with in all material respects.
4. Subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements in the Prospectus, and except as described in the Prospectus, including Incorporated Documents, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.
5. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any part thereof has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or threatened by any securities or other governmental authority (including, without limitation, the Commission).
6. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the qualification or registration of the Placement Shares under the securities or Blue Sky laws of any
jurisdiction are in effect and no proceeding for such purpose is pending before, or threatened, to the Company’s knowledge or in writing by, any securities or other governmental authority (including, without limitation, the Commission).
The undersigned has executed this Representation Date Certificate as of the date first written above.
| LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC. | ||||||||||||||
| By: | ||||||||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||||||||
43
EXHIBIT 23
Permitted Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses
[None.]
Exhibit 1.3
LANATECH GLOBAL, INC.
TERMS AGREEMENT
May 9, 2024
B. Riley Securities, Inc.
299 Park Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10171
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Sales Agreement, dated May 9, 2024 (the “Sales Agreement”), between LanzaTech Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley Securities”), the Company proposes to issue and sell to B. Riley Securities, in a principal transaction, Placement Shares (this agreement being referred to herein as the “Terms Agreement”). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Sales Agreement.
Section 1. Definitions. As used in this Terms Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Minimum Price” means $1.00.
“Principal Share Purchase Price” equals the product of (a) Principal Share Discount and (b) the VWAP for the trading session on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of issuance of a Principal Commitment Notice.
“Principal Daily Commitment Amount” means an amount of up to a maximum of the lesser of (a) 50% of the total volume traded during normal trading hours on the on the Trading Day immediately prior to the Principal Commitment Date, as set forth in the Principal Commitment Notice and (b) $180,000. The aggregate amount of Principal Daily Commitment Amounts may not exceed $900,000 per calendar week unless otherwise agreed in writing by B. Riley Securities.
“Principal Maximum Commitment Amount” means an aggregate amount of up to $40,000,000 in any twelve-month period.
“Principal Commitment Date” means the date on which a valid Principal Commitment Notice is received by B. Riley Securities.
“Principal Commitment Notice” means a notice (which may be delivered electronically) by the Company to B. Riley Securities on any Trading Day where the closing stock price of the Company’s Common Stock for the immediately preceding Trading Day (during normal trading
hours) exceeds the Minimum Price and which B. Riley Securities timely receives, (i) after 6:00 a.m., New York City time, and (ii) prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day setting forth the requested Principal Daily Commitment Amount.
“Principal Share Discount” means 95.0%.
“VWAP” means the volume weighted average price of the Company’s Common Stock for a given Trading Day.
Section 2. Principal Transactions.
(a) For so long as the Sales Agreement remains in full force and effect, on any Trading Day on which the closing stock price of the Company’s Common Stock for the immediately preceding Trading Day (during normal trading hours) exceeds the Minimum Price and until the Principal Maximum Commitment Amount has been sold to B. Riley Securities under this Terms Agreement, upon the valid delivery to B. Riley Securities of a Principal Commitment Notice, the Company agrees to issue and sell directly to B. Riley Securities a number of Placement Shares equal to the applicable Principal Daily Commitment Amount divided by the Principal Share Purchase Price (such number of Placement Shares, as rounded up to a whole number, the “Principal Shares”).
(b) Upon the receipt of a valid Principal Commitment Notice, B. Riley Securities agrees to (i) purchase from the Company the Principal Shares on the applicable Principal Commitment Date at a purchase price equal to the applicable Principal Share Purchase Price, and (ii) (A) prior to May 28, 2024, on the second Trading Day following a Principal Commitment Date and (B) on or after May 28, 2024, on the first Trading Day following a Principal Commitment Date, to remit to the Company net proceeds equal to the applicable Principal Daily Commitment Amount.
(c) The Principal Shares shall be distributed by B. Riley Securities by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. B. Riley Securities will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC, to sell the Principal Shares.
(g) The Company may not issue more than one Principal Commitment Notice per Trading Day unless otherwise agreed in writing by B. Riley Securities.
Section 3. Conditions. The Company’s right to issue any Principal Commitment Notices to B. Riley Securities, and the B. Riley Securities’ obligation to purchase the Placement Shares that are the subject of a Principal Commitment Notice are subject to (a) the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 10 of the Sales Agreement and (b) the condition that no restriction shall have been placed on B. Riley Securities in clearing any principal trade under this Terms Agreement.
Section 4 Miscellaneous.
(a)Each of the provisions of the Sales Agreement is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and shall be deemed to be part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Each of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth in the Sales Agreement, unless such representation, warranty or agreement specifies a different date or time, shall be deemed to have been made as of the date of this Terms Agreement, on each Principal Commitment Date, and each Settlement Date.
(b)The maximum number of Placement Shares purchased by B. Riley Securities pursuant to this Terms Agreement shall be subject to any applicable limitations pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC. For the avoidance of doubt, during the term of the Sales Agreement, B. Riley Securities may not purchase, pursuant to this Terms Agreement, more than 20% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date hereof or such number of shares that would otherwise cause a “change of control” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC.
(c)Subject to the provisions under Section 7(h) of the Sales Agreement, during any period in which a Principal Commitment Notice is pending, the Company will not make sales of its Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Common Stock (other than Placement Shares otherwise offered pursuant to the Sales Agreement) under any continuous or at the market offering agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any other terms agreement) or engage in any variable rate transactions.
(d)Notwithstanding any provision of the Sales Agreement or this Terms Agreement to the contrary, the Company consents to B. Riley Securities trading in the Common Stock for B. Riley Securities’ own account and for the account of its clients at the same time as sales of Placement Shares occur pursuant to this Terms Agreement.
(e)THIS TERMS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, ANY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT PERSONALLY SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR THAT THE VENUE OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS IMPROPER. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO PROCESS BEING SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF (CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS IN EFFECT FOR
NOTICES TO IT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE GOOD AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE OF PROCESS AND NOTICE THEREOF. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED TO LIMIT IN ANY WAY ANY RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.
(f)The Company and B. Riley Securities each hereby irrevocably waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any claim based upon or arising out of this Terms Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.
(g)This Terms Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of the executed Terms Agreement by one party to the other may be made by facsimile or electronic transmission.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us a counterpart hereof, whereupon this Terms Agreement shall constitute a binding agreement between B. Riley Securities and the Company.
| LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC. | |||||
| By: | /s/ Geoff Trukenbrod | ||||
Name: Geoff Trukenbrod Title: Chief Financial Officer | |||||
Accepted and agreed as of
the date first above written:
| B. RILEY SECURITIES, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Patrice McNicoll | |||||||
Name: Patrice McNicoll Title: Co-Head of Investment Banking | ||||||||
Exhibit 4.6
LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC.
TO
AS TRUSTEE
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF ____, 20__
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||||
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 | |||||||
Section 1.1 Definitions. | 1 | |||||||
Section 1.2 Compliance Certificates and Opinions. | 5 | |||||||
Section 1.3 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. | 6 | |||||||
Section 1.4 Acts of Holders; Record Dates. | 6 | |||||||
Section 1.5 Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company. | 7 | |||||||
Section 1.6 Notice to Holders; Waiver. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.7 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.8 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.9 Successors and Assigns. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.10 Separability Clause. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.12 Governing Law. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.13 Legal Holidays. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.14 Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.15 Indenture May be Executed in Counterparts. | 9 | |||||||
ARTICLE 2 SECURITY FORMS | 9 | |||||||
Section 2.1 Forms Generally. | 9 | |||||||
Section 2.2 Form of Face of Security. | 9 | |||||||
Section 2.3 Form of Reverse of Security. | 10 | |||||||
Section 2.4 Form of Legend for Global Securities. | 13 | |||||||
Section 2.5 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. | 13 | |||||||
Section 2.6 Form of Conversion Notice. | 13 | |||||||
ARTICLE 3 THE SECURITIES | 14 | |||||||
Section 3.1 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. | 14 | |||||||
Section 3.2 Denominations. | 16 | |||||||
Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. | 16 | |||||||
Section 3.4 Temporary Securities. | 17 | |||||||
Section 3.5 Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange. | 17 | |||||||
Section 3.6 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. | 18 | |||||||
Section 3.7 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. | 18 | |||||||
Section 3.8 Persons Deemed Owners. | 19 | |||||||
Section 3.9 Cancellation. | 19 | |||||||
Section 3.10 Computation of Interest. | 19 | |||||||
ARTICLE 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 20 | |||||||
Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. | 20 | |||||||
Section 4.2 Application of Trust Money. | 20 | |||||||
ARTICLE 5 REMEDIES | 20 | |||||||
Section 5.1 Events of Default. | 20 | |||||||
Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. | 21 | |||||||
Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. | 22 | |||||||
Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. | 22 | |||||||
Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. | 22 | |||||||
Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected. | 23 | |||||||
Section 5.7 Limitation on Suits. | 23 | |||||||
Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and to Convert. | 23 | |||||||
Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. | 23 | |||||||
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
| Page | ||||||||
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. | 23 | |||||||
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.12 Control by Holders. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.15 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. | 24 | |||||||
ARTICLE 6 THE TRUSTEE | 25 | |||||||
Section 6.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. | 25 | |||||||
Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults. | 25 | |||||||
Section 6.3 Certain Rights of Trustee. | 25 | |||||||
Section 6.4 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. | 26 | |||||||
Section 6.5 May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee under Other Indentures. | 26 | |||||||
Section 6.6 Money Held in Trust. | 26 | |||||||
Section 6.7 Compensation and Reimbursement. | 26 | |||||||
Section 6.8 Conflicting Interests. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.9 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. | 28 | |||||||
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. | 28 | |||||||
Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. | 29 | |||||||
Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent. | 29 | |||||||
ARTICLE 7 HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 30 | |||||||
Section 7.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. | 30 | |||||||
Section 7.2 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. | 30 | |||||||
Section 7.3 Reports by Trustee. | 30 | |||||||
Section 7.4 Reports by Company. | 31 | |||||||
ARTICLE 8 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE | 31 | |||||||
Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms. | 31 | |||||||
Section 8.2 Successor Substituted. | 31 | |||||||
ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 31 | |||||||
Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. | 31 | |||||||
Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. | 32 | |||||||
Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures. | 33 | |||||||
Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. | 33 | |||||||
Section 9.5 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. | 33 | |||||||
Section 9.6 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. | 33 | |||||||
ARTICLE 10 COVENANTS | 33 | |||||||
Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. | 33 | |||||||
Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency. | 33 | |||||||
Section 10.3 Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust. | 34 | |||||||
Section 10.4 Statement by Officers as to Default. | 34 | |||||||
Section 10.5 Existence. | 35 | |||||||
Section 10.6 Waiver of Certain Covenants. | 35 | |||||||
ARTICLE 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 35 | |||||||
Section 11.1 Applicability of Article. | 35 | |||||||
Section 11.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. | 35 | |||||||
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
| Page | ||||||||
Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. | 35 | |||||||
Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption. | 36 | |||||||
Section 11.5 Deposit of Redemption Price. | 36 | |||||||
Section 11.6 Securities Payable on Redemption Date. | 36 | |||||||
Section 11.7 Securities Redeemed in Part. | 37 | |||||||
ARTICLE 12 SINKING FUNDS | 37 | |||||||
Section 12.1 Applicability of Article. | 37 | |||||||
Section 12.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. | 37 | |||||||
Section 12.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. | 37 | |||||||
ARTICLE 13 DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 37 | |||||||
Section 13.1 Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. | 37 | |||||||
Section 13.2 Defeasance and Discharge. | 38 | |||||||
Section 13.3 Covenant Defeasance. | 38 | |||||||
Section 13.4 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. | 38 | |||||||
Section 13.5 Deposited Money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions. | 40 | |||||||
Section 13.6 Reinstatement. | 40 | |||||||
ARTICLE 14 CONVERSION OF SECURITIES | 40 | |||||||
Section 14.1 Applicability of Article. | 40 | |||||||
Section 14.2 Exercise of Conversion Privilege. | 40 | |||||||
Section 14.3 No Fractional Shares. | 41 | |||||||
Section 14.4 Adjustment of Conversion Price or Conversion Rate. | 41 | |||||||
Section 14.5 Notice of Certain Corporate Actions. | 41 | |||||||
Section 14.6 Reservation of Shares of Common Stock. | 42 | |||||||
Section 14.7 Payment of Certain Taxes upon Conversion. | 42 | |||||||
Section 14.8 Nonassessability. | 42 | |||||||
Section 14.9 Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. | 42 | |||||||
Section 14.10 Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion. | 43 | |||||||
Section 14.11 Repayment of Certain Funds upon Conversion. | 43 | |||||||
-iii-
Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to Sections 310 through 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
| Section 310 | (a)(1) | 6.9 | ||||||||||||
| (a)(2) | 6.9 | |||||||||||||
| (a)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (a)(4) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (b) | 6.8, 6.10 | |||||||||||||
| Section 311 | (a) | 6.13 | ||||||||||||
| (b) | 6.13 | |||||||||||||
| Section 312 | (a) | 7.1, 7.2 | ||||||||||||
| (b) | 7.2 | |||||||||||||
| (c) | 7.2 | |||||||||||||
| Section 313 | (a) | 7.3 | ||||||||||||
| (b) | 7.3 | |||||||||||||
| (c) | 7.3 | |||||||||||||
| (d) | 7.3 | |||||||||||||
| Section 314 | (a) | 7.4 | ||||||||||||
| (a)(4) | 1.1, 10.4 | |||||||||||||
| (b) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (c)(1) | 1.2 | |||||||||||||
| (c)(2) | 1.2 | |||||||||||||
| (c)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (d) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (e) | 1.2 | |||||||||||||
| Section 315 | (a) | 6.1 | ||||||||||||
| (b) | 6.2 | |||||||||||||
| (c) | 6.1 | |||||||||||||
| (d) | 6.1 | |||||||||||||
| (e) | 5.14 | |||||||||||||
| Section 316 | (a) | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
| (a)(1)(A) | 5.2, 5.12 | |||||||||||||
| (a)(1)(B) | 5.13 | |||||||||||||
| (a)(2) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (b) | 5.8 | |||||||||||||
| (c) | 1.4 | |||||||||||||
| Section 317 | (a)(1) | 5.3 | ||||||||||||
| (a)(2) | 5.4 | |||||||||||||
| (b) | 10.3 | |||||||||||||
| Section 318 | (a) | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
-iv-
INDENTURE, dated as of _____, 20___, between LanzaTech Global, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”), having its principal executive office at 8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400, Skokie, Illinois 60077, and _____, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof appertaining, as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1 Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2)all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3)all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles in the United States of America as are generally accepted at the date of such computation;
(4)all references to “$” refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America;
(5)unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and
(6)the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.
“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.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.14 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board empowered to act for it with respect to this Indenture.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Common Stock” includes any stock of any class of the Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, however, subject to the provisions of Section 14.9, shares issuable upon conversion of Securities shall include only shares of the class designated as Common Stock of the Company at the date of this Indenture or shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and which have no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and which are not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, further, that if at any time there shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares of each such class then so issuable shall be substantially in the proportion which the total number of shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.
“Company” means the corporation named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President or a Vice President, and by its principal financial officer, its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
“control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at, Attention: Corporate Trust Department, or such other office, designated by the Trustee by written notice to the Company, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered.
“corporation” means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock company or business trust.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“euro” or “euros” means the currency adopted by those nations participating in the third stage of the economic and monetary union provisions of the Treaty on European Union, signed at Maastricht on February 7, 1992.
“European Economic Area” means the member nations of the European Economic Area pursuant to the Oporto Agreement on the European Economic Area dated May 2, 1992, as amended.
“European Union” means the member nations of the European Union established by the Treaty of European Union, signed at Maastricht on February 2, 1992, which amended the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Community.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.
-2-
“Foreign Government Obligation” means with respect to Securities of any series which are not denominated in the currency of the United States of America (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the government which issued or caused to be issued the currency in which such security is denominated and for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged, or, with respect to Securities of any series which are denominated in euros, a direct obligation of any member nation of the European Union for the payment of which obligation the full faith and credit of the respective nation is pledged so long as such nation has a credit rating at least equal to that of the highest rated member nation of the European Economic Area, or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of a government specified in clause (i) above the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the such government, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any Foreign Government Obligation which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any Foreign Government Obligation which is so specified and held, 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Foreign Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 2.4 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities).
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.1, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee, was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term “Indenture” for a particular series of Securities shall only include the supplemental indentures applicable thereto.
“interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security, which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, repurchase at the option of the Holder, upon redemption or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(4).
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, and by the principal financial officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers’ Certificate given pursuant to Section 10.4 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for, or an employee of, the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
-3-
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.
“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except
(1)Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2)Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3)Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 13.2; and
(4)Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 3.1, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more non-U.S. dollar currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.
Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Record Date” means any Regular Record Date or Special Record Date.
“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
-4-
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office assigned and duly authorized by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.
“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means a Person of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such Person (in the case of a corporation) is, or of which more than 50% of the equity interests (in the case of a Person which is not a corporation) are, at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by a combination of the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock or other similar interests to the Company which ordinarily has or have voting power for the election of directors, or persons performing similar functions, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or other interests has or have such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”
Section 1.2 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.
-5-
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,
(1)a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2)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;
(3)a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4)a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.3 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.4 Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made 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 agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. The Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Company copies of all such instrument or instruments delivered to the Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.1) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
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 a certificate of a 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 or her the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority. 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.
The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, vote, notice, consent, waiver or other action
-6-
provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 5.2, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 5.7(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 5.12, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security 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.
Section 1.5 Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1)the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (or by facsimile or other electronic transmissions, provided that oral confirmation of receipt shall have been received) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Department, or
(2)the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, personally delivered or sent via overnight courier to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
-7-
Section 1.6 Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or delivered by hand or overnight courier, to each Holder affected by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. Neither the failure to mail or deliver by hand or overnight courier any notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed or delivered by hand or overnight courier, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Section 1.7 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act, which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.8 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.9 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.10 Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities 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 1.11 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.12 Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE REFER CONSTRUCTION OR INTERPRETATION OF THIS INDENTURE TO THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
Section 1.13 Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert a Security at a particular conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) or, if applicable to a particular series of Securities, conversion need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, at the Stated Maturity or on such last day for conversion, as the case may be.
-8-
Section 1.14 Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Security, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, employee, agent, officer, or director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.
Section 1.15 Indenture May be Executed in Counterparts.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
ARTICLE 2
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1 Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to such supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. Any such Board Resolution or record of such action shall have attached thereto a true and correct copy of any form of Security referred to therein approved by or pursuant to such Board Resolution.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Section 2.2 Form of Face of Security.
[INSERT ANY LEGEND REQUIRED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE OR THE RELEVANT SECURITIES LAWS AND THE REGULATIONS THEREUNDER.]
LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC.
NO. | $ | ||||
CUSIP:
LanzaTech Global, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ____, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ____ dollars on ____ [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — , and to pay interest thereon from ____ or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on ____ and ____ in each year, commencing ____, at the rate of ____% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert — , provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of ____% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this
-9-
Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the ____ or ____ (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall bear interest at the rate of __ % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue principal or premium shall be payable on demand. [Any such interest on overdue principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of ___ % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the amount so demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue interest shall be payable on demand.]]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert — any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in ____, 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 [if applicable, insert — ; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| Dated: | LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC. | |||||||||||||||||||
| By: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ATTEST: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Section 2.3 Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of ____, 20 __ (herein called the “Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and ____, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert — , limited in aggregate principal amount to $ ____].
[If applicable, insert —The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than [if applicable, insert — 30] days’ notice by mail, [if applicable, insert— (1) on in any year commencing with the year ____ and ending with the year ____ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)]
-10-
at any time [if applicable, insert— on or after ____, 20 __], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert— on or before ____, ____%, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning ____ of the years indicated,
| Year | Redemption Price | Year | Redemption Price | |||||||||||||||||
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to ____% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert— (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert— The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than [if applicable, insert— 30] days’ notice by mail, (1) on ___ in any year commencing with the year and ending with the year ____ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [if applicable, insert— on or after ____], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning ____ of the years indicated,
| Year | Redemption Price for Redemption Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | Redemption Price for Redemption Otherwise than Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | ||||||||||||
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to ____% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert — Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to ____, redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [if applicable, insert— clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than ____% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert— The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on _____, in each year beginning with the year ____ and ending with the year ____ of [if applicable, insert— not less than $ ____ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than] $ ____ aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable, insert— mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [if applicable, insert — mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [if applicable, insert— , in the inverse order in which they become due].]
[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert —In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert— The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or] [certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security] [, in each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is convertible into other securities of the Company, specify the conversion features.]
-11-
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert — If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert — If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to — insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $ ____ and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
-12-
Section 2.4 Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
Section 2.5 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| as Trustee | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Authorized Officer | ||||||||
Section 2.6 Form of Conversion Notice.
Unless otherwise as contemplated by Section 3.1, or in a supplemental indenture for the Securities evidenced hereby, conversion notices shall be in substantially the following form:
To LanzaTech Global, Inc.:
The undersigned owner of this Security hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert this Security, or portion hereof (which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common Stock of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Security, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable upon the conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares and any Securities representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect hereto. Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Security.
Principal Amount to be Converted
(in an integral multiple of $1,000, if less than all)
U.S. $
| Dated: | ||||||||||||||
| Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15. | ||||||||||||||
| Signature Guaranty | ||||||||||||||
-13-
Fill in for registration of shares of Common Stock and Security if to be issued otherwise than to the registered Holder.
| (Name) | Social Security or Other Taxpayer | |||||||
| Identification Number | ||||||||
| Please print Name and Address | ||||||||
| (including zip code) | ||||||||
[The above conversion notice is to be modified, as appropriate, for conversion into other securities or property of the Company.]
ARTICLE 3
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,
(1)the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(2)any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(3)the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(4)the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of the series is payable;
(5)the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date (or the method for determining the dates and rates);
(6)the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable;
(7)the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(8)the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(9)if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
-14-
(10)if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(11)if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.1 and, whether the Company or the Holder thereof may elect payment to be made in a different currency;
(12)if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(13)if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;
(14)if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(15)if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 or both such Sections, or any other defeasance provisions applicable to any Securities of the series, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;
(16)if applicable, the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of the series into shares of Common Stock of the Company or other securities or property;
(17)if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 2.4 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;
(18)any deletion of, addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 5.2;
(19)any deletion of, addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article 10 which applies to Securities of the series;
(20)any Authenticating Agents, Paying Agents, Security Registrars or such other agents necessary in connection with the issuance of the Securities of such series, including, without limitation, exchange rate agents and calculation agents;
(21)if applicable, the terms of any security that will be provided for a series of Securities, including any provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted;
(22)if applicable, the terms of any guaranties for the Securities and any circumstances under which there may be additional obligors on the Securities; and
(23)any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 9.1(5)).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
-15-
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
Section 3.2 Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its principal financial officer, its President or one of its Vice Presidents, attested by its Treasurer, its Secretary or one of its Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, a copy of such Board Resolution, the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series and an Opinion of Counsel, with such Opinion of Counsel stating,
(1)if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2)if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(3)that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
-16-
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the CUSIP number that appears on any Security, check, advice of payment or redemption notice, and any such document may contain a statement to the effect that CUSIP numbers have been assigned by an independent service for convenience of reference and that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any inaccuracy in such numbers.
Section 3.4 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor.
Section 3.5 Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.6 or 11.7 not involving any transfer.
If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
-17-
The provisions of clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to Global Securities:
(1)Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.
(2)Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Security or (C) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.
(3)Subject to clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.
(4)Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 3.4, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.
Section 3.6 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.7 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities or in a supplemental indenture with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular
-18-
Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1)The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company 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 in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
(2)The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.8 Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.7) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Section 3.9 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary procedures.
Section 3.10 Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
-19-
ARTICLE 4
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(1)either
(A)all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Trustee or the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B)all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(i)have become due and payable, 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 satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2)the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3)the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and the last paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive.
Section 4.2 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES
Section 5.1 Events of Default.
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities 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), unless in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate establishing such series, it is provided that such series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(1)default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
-20-
(2)default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3)default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or
(4)default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(5)the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(6)the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(7)any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate establishing that series.
Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
Unless the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate establishing such series provides otherwise, if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or 5.1(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof), and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount), and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or 5.1(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof), and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1)the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A)all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,
(B)the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
-21-
(C)to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D)all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(2)all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(1)default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2)default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, 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.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official 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 it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.
No provision of this Indenture 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 Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon
-22-
presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company or any other Person or Persons entitled thereto.
Section 5.7 Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1)such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(2)the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3)such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4)the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5)no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and to Convert.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.7) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date), to convert such Securities in accordance with Article 14 to the extent that such right to convert is applicable to such Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder 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 proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, 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.
-23-
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities 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 (subject to the limitations contained in this Indenture) or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 5.12 Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that
(1)such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture and the Trustee shall not have determined that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to Holders of Securities of that series, or any other series, not taking part in such direction; and
(2)the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction or this Indenture.
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except
(1)a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms thereof, otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest, principal and premium, if any, has been deposited with the Trustee), or
(2)to the extent such right is applicable to such Security, a failure by the Company on request to convert any Security into Common Stock; or
(3)in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or in any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Security in accordance with Article 14.
Section 5.15 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
-24-
ARTICLE 6
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability 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 adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment or any conversion right applicable to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of Securities of such series; provided, further, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.1(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
Except with respect to Section 10.1, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company with respect to the covenants contained in Article 10. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of an Event of Default except (i) any Default or Event of Default occurring pursuant to Sections 5.1(1), 5.1(2) and 5.1(3) (defaults in payments on the Securities) or (ii) any Default or Event of Default of which the Trustee shall have received written notification or obtained actual knowledge.
Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 7.4 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
Section 6.3 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(1)in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2)any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3)whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) is entitled to and may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;
(4)the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5)the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
-25-
(6)the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney; and
(7)the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
Section 6.4 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity, sufficiency or priority of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.5 May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee under Other Indentures.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
Subject to the limitations imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, nothing in this Indenture shall prohibit the Trustee from becoming and acting as trustee under other indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest of participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding in the same manner as if it were not Trustee hereunder.
Section 6.6 Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
Section 6.7 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1)to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2)except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(3)to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or Section 5.1(6) hereof 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 applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law.
Section 6.8 Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act and there is an Event of Default under the Securities of that series, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the
-26-
Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series.
Section 6.9 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has (or if the Trustee is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person or bank holding company publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person or bank holding company shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
If at any time:
(1)the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2)the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(3)the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, the retiring Trustee may petition, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may petition, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
-27-
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.6. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In the event that any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities in either its own name or that of such predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.
-28-
Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having (or if the Authenticating Agent is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 1.6 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.12, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
-29-
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| , | ||||||||||||||
| as Trustee | ||||||||||||||
| By: | ||||||||||||||
| as Authenticating Agent | ||||||||||||||
| By: | ||||||||||||||
| Authorized Officer | ||||||||||||||
ARTICLE 7
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
(1)semi-annually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for each respective series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of such Regular Record Date, as the case may be, or if there is no Regular Record Date for such series of Securities, semi-annually, and
(2)at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided that no such list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as Security Registrar.
Section 7.2 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.3 Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more than 12 months shall be transmitted no later than July 15 in each calendar year, commencing with the first July 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture.
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
-30-
Section 7.4 Reports by Company.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.
ARTICLE 8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person (in a transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation) or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:
(1)in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person (in a transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation) or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other business entity, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and the conversion rights shall be provided for in accordance with Article 14, if applicable, or as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee, by the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company shall have been merged or by the Person which shall have acquired the Company’s assets;
(2)immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3)the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.2 Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1)to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities in compliance with Article 8; or
-31-
(2)to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(3)to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or
(4)to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or
(5)to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding; or
(6)to secure the Securities, including provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted; or
(7)to add or provide for a guaranty of the Securities or additional obligors on the Securities; or
(8)to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or
(9)to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11; or
(10)to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this clause (10) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or
(11)to supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Articles 4 and 13, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect.
Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1)change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal or premium amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any amount payable upon the redemption or repurchase thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or reduce the amount of any sinking fund payment, or change the place of payment or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or modify the provisions of this Indenture in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible into Securities or other securities of the Company, adversely affect the right of Holders to convert any of the Securities of such series other than as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, or
(2)reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or
-32-
(3)modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.6, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 10.6, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.11 and 9.1(8), or
(4)if applicable, make any change that adversely affects the right to convert any security as provided in Article 14 or pursuant to Section 3.1 (except as permitted by Section 9.1(9)).
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.3) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.5 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.6 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE 10
COVENANTS
Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the
-33-
Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. Unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, the Place of Payment for any series of Securities shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
Section 10.3 Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee for any series of Securities to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for a period ending on the earlier of the date that is ten Business Days prior to the date such money would escheat to the State or two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in each Place of Payment, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.4 Statement by Officers as to Default.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers’ Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge. The fiscal year of the Company currently ends on December 31; and the Company will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any change of its fiscal year.
-34-
Section 10.5 Existence.
Subject to Article 8, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.
Section 10.6 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 3.1(19), 9.1(2) or 9.1(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article.
Section 11.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.
Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by lot, or in the Trustee’s discretion, on a pro-rata basis, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities that have been converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
-35-
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address appearing in the Security Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1)the Redemption Date,
(2)the Redemption Price (including accrued interest, if any),
(3)f less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,
(4)in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,
(5)that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,
(6)the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,
(7)if applicable, the conversion price or the conversion rate, as the case may be, the date on which the right to convert the principal of the Securities or the portions thereof to be redeemed will terminate, and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion,
(8)that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and
(9)the CUSIP number or numbers and/or common codes of the Security being redeemed; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.
Section 11.5 Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
If any Security called for redemption is converted, any money deposited with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to the right of any Holder of such Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 3.7) be paid to the Company on Company Request, or if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.
Section 11.6 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the
-36-
Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.7 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE 12
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
Section 12.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
Section 12.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not fewer than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to Section 12.2 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not fewer than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.6 and 11.7.
-37-
ARTICLE 13
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 13.1 Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, designated pursuant to Section 3.1 as being defeasible pursuant to such Section 13.2 or 13.3, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 3.1 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.
Section 13.2 Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(1)the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 13.4 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due,
(2)the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3, and, if applicable, Article 14,
(3)the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, and
(4)this Article.
Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 13.3 applied to such Securities.
Section 13.3 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be,
(1)the Company shall be released from its obligations under any covenants provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(19), 9.1(2) or 9.1(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and
(2)the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.1(4) (with respect to any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 3.1(19), 9.1(2) or 9.1(7)) and the occurrence of any other Event of Default specified pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default,
in each case with respect to such Securities or any series of Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 5.1(4) and the occurrence of any Event of Default specified pursuant to Section 3.1), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
-38-
Section 13.4 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:
(1)The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 6.9 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities,
(A)in the case of Securities of a series denominated in currency of the United States of America,
(i)cash in currency of the United States of America in an amount, or
(ii)U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, an amount in cash, or
(iii)a combination thereof, or
(B)in the case of Securities of a series denominated in currency other than that of the United States of America,
(i)cash in the currency in which such series of Securities is denominated in an amount, or
(ii)Foreign Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, an amount in cash, or
(iii)a combination thereof,
in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities.
(2)For Securities denominated in United States dollars, in the event of an election to have Section 13.2 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that
(A)the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(B)since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law,
in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3)For Securities denominated in United States dollars, in the event of an election to have Section 13.3 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4)The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5)No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 5.1(5) and (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
-39-
(6)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).
(7)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(8)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
(9)The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 13.5 Deposited Money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 13.6, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 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 Outstanding Securities. Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
Section 13.6 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 13.2 or 13.3 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 13.5 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.
ARTICLE 14
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES
Section 14.1 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of such Securities, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series or in a supplemental indenture for the Securities of such series.
Section 14.2 Exercise of Conversion Privilege.
In order to exercise a conversion privilege, the Holder of a Security of a series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the Company at the office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 10.2, accompanied by a duly executed conversion notice to the Company substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.6 stating that the Holder elects to
-40-
convert such Security or a specified portion thereof. Such notice shall also state, if different from the name and address of such Holder, the name or names (with address) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock, which shall be issuable on such conversion, shall be issued. Securities surrendered for conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by or accompanied by instruments of transfer in forms satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder or its attorney duly authorized in writing. As promptly as practicable after the receipt of such notice and of any payment required pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of such series of Security, and the surrender of such Security in accordance with such reasonable regulations as the Company may prescribe, the Company shall issue and shall deliver, at the office or agency at which such Security is surrendered, to such Holder or on its written order, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of such Security (or specified portion thereof), in accordance with the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture, and cash as provided therein in respect of any fractional share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such conversion. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the date on which such notice and such payment, if required, shall have been received in proper order for conversion by the Company and such Security shall have been surrendered as aforesaid (unless such Holder shall have so surrendered such Security and shall have instructed the Company to effect the conversion on a particular date following such surrender and such Holder shall be entitled to convert such Security on such date, in which case such conversion shall be deemed to be effected immediately prior to the close of business on such date) and at such time the rights of the Holder of such Security as such Security Holder shall cease and the person or persons in whose name or names any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the Holder or Holders of record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set forth above and subject to the final paragraph of Section 3.7, no payment or adjustment shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued on the Securities (or any part thereof) surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends on the Common Stock of the Company issued upon such conversion. In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of such Security.
Section 14.3 No Fractional Shares.
No fractional share of Common Stock of the Company shall be issued upon a conversion of Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the provisions of this Section 14.3, any Holder of a Security or Securities would be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock of the Company upon the conversion of such Security or Securities, or specified portions thereof, the Company shall pay to such Holder an amount in cash equal to the current market value of such fractional share computed, (i) if such Common Stock is listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange or market, on the basis of the last reported sale price regular way on such exchange or market on the last trading day prior to the date of conversion upon which such a sale shall have been effected, or (ii) if such Common Stock is not at the time so listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange or market, on the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of such Common Stock in the over-the-counter market, on the last trading day prior to the date of conversion, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated or similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated is no longer reporting such information, or if not so available, the fair market price as determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Section, “trading day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday other than any day on which the Common Stock is not traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or if the Common Stock is not traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, on the principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock is traded or quoted.
Section 14.4 Adjustment of Conversion Price or Conversion Rate.
The conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, of Securities of any series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company shall be adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits, reclassifications, combinations or similar transactions in accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series. Whenever the conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, is adjusted, the Company shall compute the adjusted conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, in accordance with terms of the applicable Board Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the adjusted conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, and showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 and, if different, with the Trustee. The Company shall forthwith cause a notice setting forth the adjusted conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at its address appearing on the Security Register and to any conversion agent other than the Trustee.
-41-
Section 14.5 Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.
In case:
(1)the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its retained earnings (other than a dividend for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required) that would require an adjustment pursuant to Section 14.4; or
(2)the Company shall authorize the granting to all or substantially all of the holders of its Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any other rights (other than any such grant for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required); or
(3)of any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, or of any consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company is a party and for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required), or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(4)(of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company;
then the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee, and shall cause to be mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in clause (1) or (2) above) prior to the applicable record date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. If at any time the Trustee shall not be the conversion agent, a copy of such notice shall also forthwith be filed by the Company with the Trustee.
Section 14.6 Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.
The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, the full number of shares of Common Stock of the Company then issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding Securities of any series that has conversion rights.
Section 14.7 Payment of Certain Taxes upon Conversion.
Except as provided in the next sentence, the Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of its Common Stock on conversion of Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of its Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.
Section 14.8 Nonassessability.
The Company covenants that all shares of its Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue in accordance with the terms hereof be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
Section 14.9 Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets.
In case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person, any merger of another Person with or into the Company (other than a merger which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company) or any conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of each Security of a series then Outstanding that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company shall have the right thereafter (which right shall be the exclusive conversion right thereafter available to said Holder), during the period such Security shall be convertible, to convert such Security only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Security might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease,
-42-
assuming such holder of Common Stock of the Company (i) is not a Person with which the Company consolidated or merged with or into or which merged into or with the Company or to which such conveyance, sale, transfer or lease was made, as the case may be (a “Constituent Person”), or an Affiliate of a Constituent Person and (ii) failed to exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease (provided that if the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer, or lease is not the same for each share of Common Stock of the Company held immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by others than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate thereof and in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised (“Non-electing Share”), then for the purpose of this Section 14.9 the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by the holders of each Non-electing Share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the Non-electing Shares). Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent to the effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article or in accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions setting forth the terms of such adjustments. The above provisions of this Section 14.9 shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, conveyances, sales, transfers or leases. Notice of the execution of such a supplemental indenture shall be given by the Company to the Holder of each Security of a series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company as provided in Section 1.6 promptly upon such execution. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent, if any, shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any such supplemental indenture relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or other securities or property or cash receivable by Holders of Securities of a series convertible into Common Stock of the Company upon the conversion of their Securities after any such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease or to any such adjustment, but may accept as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel with respect thereto, which the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Trustee upon request.
Section 14.10 Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion.
Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company to determine whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental indenture, any resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or more officers of the Company provided to be employed in making the same. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock of the Company, or of any securities or property, which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Securities and neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent makes any representation with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of its Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article 14 or in the applicable supplemental indenture, resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or more duly authorized officers of the Company.
Section 14.11 Repayment of Certain Funds upon Conversion.
Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of paying the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of the Securities (including, but not limited to, funds deposited for the sinking fund referred to in Article 12 hereof and funds deposited pursuant to Article 13 hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because of the conversion of such Securities as provided in this Article 14 shall after such conversion be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the Company’s written request.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
-43-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC. | |||||
| By: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
| as Trustee | |||||
| By: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
Exhibit 4.8
LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC.
TO
AS TRUSTEE
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF _____, 20__
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||||
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 | |||||||
Section 1.1 Definitions. | 1 | |||||||
Section 1.2 Compliance Certificates and Opinions. | 6 | |||||||
Section 1.3 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. | 7 | |||||||
Section 1.4 Acts of Holders; Record Dates. | 7 | |||||||
Section 1.5 Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.6 Notice to Holders; Waiver. | 8 | |||||||
Section 1.7 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.8 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.9 Successors and Assigns. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.10 Separability Clause. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.12 Governing Law. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.13 Legal Holidays. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.14 Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations. | 9 | |||||||
Section 1.15 Indenture May be Executed in Counterparts. | 10 | |||||||
ARTICLE 2 SECURITY FORMS | 10 | |||||||
Section 2.1 Forms Generally. | 10 | |||||||
Section 2.2 Form of Face of Security. | 10 | |||||||
Section 2.3 Form of Reverse of Security. | 11 | |||||||
Section 2.4 Form of Legend for Global Securities. | 13 | |||||||
Section 2.5 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. | 14 | |||||||
Section 2.6 Form of Conversion Notice. | 14 | |||||||
ARTICLE 3 THE SECURITIES | 15 | |||||||
Section 3.1 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. | 15 | |||||||
Section 3.2 Denominations. | 16 | |||||||
Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. | 17 | |||||||
Section 3.4 Temporary Securities. | 17 | |||||||
Section 3.5 Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange. | 18 | |||||||
Section 3.6 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. | 19 | |||||||
Section 3.7 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. | 19 | |||||||
Section 3.8 Persons Deemed Owners. | 20 | |||||||
Section 3.9 Cancellation. | 20 | |||||||
Section 3.10 Computation of Interest. | 20 | |||||||
ARTICLE 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 20 | |||||||
Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. | 20 | |||||||
Section 4.2 Application of Trust Money. | 21 | |||||||
ARTICLE 5 REMEDIES | 21 | |||||||
Section 5.1 Events of Default. | 21 | |||||||
Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. | 22 | |||||||
Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. | 22 | |||||||
Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. | 23 | |||||||
Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. | 23 | |||||||
Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected. | 23 | |||||||
Section 5.7 Limitation on Suits. | 23 | |||||||
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
| Page | ||||||||
Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and to Convert. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.12 Control by Holders. | 24 | |||||||
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults. | 25 | |||||||
Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs. | 25 | |||||||
Section 5.15 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. | 25 | |||||||
ARTICLE 6 THE TRUSTEE | 25 | |||||||
Section 6.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. | 25 | |||||||
Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults. | 25 | |||||||
Section 6.3 Certain Rights of Trustee. | 26 | |||||||
Section 6.4 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. | 26 | |||||||
Section 6.5 May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee under Other Indentures. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.6 Money Held in Trust. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.7 Compensation and Reimbursement. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.8 Conflicting Interests. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.9 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. | 27 | |||||||
Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. | 28 | |||||||
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. | 29 | |||||||
Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. | 29 | |||||||
Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent. | 29 | |||||||
ARTICLE 7 HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 30 | |||||||
Section 7.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. | 30 | |||||||
Section 7.2 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. | 30 | |||||||
Section 7.3 Reports by Trustee. | 31 | |||||||
Section 7.4 Reports by Company. | 31 | |||||||
ARTICLE 8 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE | 31 | |||||||
Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms. | 31 | |||||||
Section 8.2 Successor Substituted. | 31 | |||||||
ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 32 | |||||||
Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. | 32 | |||||||
Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. | 32 | |||||||
Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures. | 33 | |||||||
Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. | 33 | |||||||
Section 9.5 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. | 33 | |||||||
Section 9.6 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. | 33 | |||||||
ARTICLE 10 COVENANTS | 34 | |||||||
Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. | 34 | |||||||
Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency. | 34 | |||||||
Section 10.3 Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust. | 34 | |||||||
Section 10.4 Statement by Officers as to Default. | 35 | |||||||
Section 10.5 Existence. | 35 | |||||||
Section 10.6 Waiver of Certain Covenants. | 35 | |||||||
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
| Page | ||||||||
ARTICLE 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 35 | |||||||
Section 11.1 Applicability of Article. | 35 | |||||||
Section 11.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. | 35 | |||||||
Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. | 35 | |||||||
Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption. | 36 | |||||||
Section 11.5 Deposit of Redemption Price. | 37 | |||||||
Section 11.6 Securities Payable on Redemption Date. | 37 | |||||||
Section 11.7 Securities Redeemed in Part. | 37 | |||||||
ARTICLE 12 SINKING FUNDS | 37 | |||||||
Section 12.1 Applicability of Article. | 37 | |||||||
Section 12.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. | 37 | |||||||
Section 12.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. | 38 | |||||||
ARTICLE 13 DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 38 | |||||||
Section 13.1 Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. | 38 | |||||||
Section 13.2 Defeasance and Discharge. | 38 | |||||||
Section 13.3 Covenant Defeasance. | 38 | |||||||
Section 13.4 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. | 39 | |||||||
Section 13.5 Deposited Money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions. | 40 | |||||||
Section 13.6 Reinstatement. | 41 | |||||||
ARTICLE 14 CONVERSION OF SECURITIES | 41 | |||||||
Section 14.1 Applicability of Article. | 41 | |||||||
Section 14.2 Exercise of Conversion Privilege. | 41 | |||||||
Section 14.3 No Fractional Shares. | 41 | |||||||
Section 14.4 Adjustment of Conversion Price or Conversion Rate. | 42 | |||||||
Section 14.5 Notice of Certain Corporate Actions. | 42 | |||||||
Section 14.6 Reservation of Shares of Common Stock. | 43 | |||||||
Section 14.7 Payment of Certain Taxes upon Conversion. | 43 | |||||||
Section 14.8 Nonassessability. | 43 | |||||||
Section 14.9 Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. | 43 | |||||||
Section 14.10 Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion. | 43 | |||||||
Section 14.11 Repayment of Certain Funds upon Conversion. | 44 | |||||||
ARTICLE 15 SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES | 44 | |||||||
Section 15.1 Agreement of Subordination. | 44 | |||||||
Section 15.2 Payments to Holders. | 44 | |||||||
Section 15.3 Subrogation of Securities. | 46 | |||||||
Section 15.4 Authorization to Effect Subordination. | 46 | |||||||
Section 15.5 Notice to Trustee. | 46 | |||||||
Section 15.6 Trustee’s Relation to Senior Debt. | 47 | |||||||
Section 15.7 No Impairment of Subordination. | 47 | |||||||
Section 15.8 Certain Conversions/Exchanges Deemed Payment. | 47 | |||||||
Section 15.9 Article Applicable to Paying Agents. | 47 | |||||||
Section 15.10 Senior Debt Entitled to Rely. | 48 | |||||||
Section 15.11 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent. | 48 | |||||||
Section 15.12 Trust Monies Not Subordinated. | 48 | |||||||
-iii-
Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to Sections 310 through 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
| Section 310 | (a)(1) | 6.9 | ||||||||||||
| (a)(2) | 6.9 | |||||||||||||
| (a)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (a)(4) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (b) | 6.8, 6.10 | |||||||||||||
| Section 311 | (a) | 6.13 | ||||||||||||
| (b) | 6.13 | |||||||||||||
| Section 312 | (a) | 7.1, 7.2 | ||||||||||||
| (b) | 7.2 | |||||||||||||
| (c) | 7.2 | |||||||||||||
| Section 313 | (a) | 7.3 | ||||||||||||
| (b) | 7.3 | |||||||||||||
| (c) | 7.3 | |||||||||||||
| (d) | 7.3 | |||||||||||||
| Section 314 | (a) | 7.4 | ||||||||||||
| (a)(4) | 1.1, 10.4 | |||||||||||||
| (b) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (c)(1) | 1.2 | |||||||||||||
| (c)(2) | 1.2 | |||||||||||||
| (c)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (d) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (e) | 1.2 | |||||||||||||
| Section 315 | (a) | 6.1 | ||||||||||||
| (b) | 6.2 | |||||||||||||
| (c) | 6.1 | |||||||||||||
| (d) | 6.1 | |||||||||||||
| (e) | 5.14 | |||||||||||||
| Section 316 | (a) | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
| (a)(1)(A) | 5.2, 5.12 | |||||||||||||
| (a)(1)(B) | 5.13 | |||||||||||||
| (a)(2) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
| (b) | 5.8 | |||||||||||||
| (c) | 1.4 | |||||||||||||
| Section 317 | (a)(1) | 5.3 | ||||||||||||
| (a)(2) | 5.4 | |||||||||||||
| (b) | 10.3 | |||||||||||||
| Section 318 | (a) | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
-iv-
INDENTURE, dated as of _____, 20__, between LanzaTech Global, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”), having its principal executive office at 8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400, Skokie, Illinois 60077, and _____, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof appertaining, as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1 Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles in the United States of America as are generally accepted at the date of such computation;
(4) all references to “$” refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America;
(5) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and
(6) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.
“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.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.14 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board empowered to act for it with respect to this Indenture.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Common Stock” includes any stock of any class of the Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, however, subject to the provisions of Section 14.9, shares issuable upon conversion of Securities shall include only shares of the class designated as Common Stock of the Company at the date of this Indenture or shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and which have no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and which are not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, further, that if at any time there shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares of each such class then so issuable shall be substantially in the proportion which the total number of shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.
“Company” means the corporation named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President or a Vice President, and by its principal financial officer, its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
“control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at , Attention: Corporate Trust Department, or such other office, designated by the Trustee by written notice to the Company, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered.
“corporation” means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock company or business trust.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Designated Senior Debt” means the Company’s obligations under any particular Senior Debt in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof (or related agreements or documents to which the Company is a party) expressly provides that such Senior Debt shall be “Designated Senior Debt” for purposes of this Indenture (provided that such instrument, agreement or other document may place limitations and conditions on the right of such Senior Debt to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Debt). If any payment made to any holder of any Designated Senior Debt or its Representative with respect to such Designated Senior Debt is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by such holder or Representative upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, the reinstated Indebtedness of the Company arising as a result of such rescission or return shall constitute Designated Senior Debt effective as of the date of such rescission or return.
“euro” or “euros” means the currency adopted by those nations participating in the third stage of the economic and monetary union provisions of the Treaty on European Union, signed at Maastricht on February 7, 1992.
-2-
“European Economic Area” means the member nations of the European Economic Area pursuant to the Oporto Agreement on the European Economic Area dated May 2, 1992, as amended.
“European Union” means the member nations of the European Union established by the Treaty of European Union, signed at Maastricht on February 2, 1992, which amended the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Community.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.
“Foreign Government Obligation” means with respect to Securities of any series which are not denominated in the currency of the United States of America (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the government which issued or caused to be issued the currency in which such security is denominated and for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged, or, with respect to Securities of any series which are denominated in euros, a direct obligation of any member nation of the European Union for the payment of which obligation the full faith and credit of the respective nation is pledged so long as such nation has a credit rating at least equal to that of the highest rated member nation of the European Economic Area, or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of a government specified in clause (i) above the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the such government, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any Foreign Government Obligation which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any Foreign Government Obligation which is so specified and held, 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Foreign Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 2.4 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities).
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, all obligations, whether absolute or contingent, whether secured or unsecured, due or to become due, outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, of such Person (i) (a) for borrowed money (including, but not limited to, any indebtedness secured by a security interest, mortgage or other lien on the assets of that Person that is (1) given to secure all or part of the purchase price of property subject thereto, whether given to the vendor of such property or to another, or (2) existing on property at the time of acquisition thereof), (b) evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind, (c) evidenced by a credit or loan agreement, note, debenture, bond or other written obligation, (d) under a lease required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or under other leases for facilities, capital equipment or related assets, whether or not capitalized, entered into or leased for financing purposes, (e) in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances and similar facilities (including reimbursement obligations with respect to any of the foregoing), (f) issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of any property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, (g) under interest rate or currency swap agreements, cap, floor, collar agreements, hedge agreements, forward contracts and similar agreements and arrangements; (ii) with respect to any obligation of others of the type described in the preceding clause (i) and all dividends of another Person, the payment of which, in either case, assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by such Person or for which such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or which are secured by a lien on such Person’s property; and (iii) any and all renewals, extensions, modifications, replacements, restatements and refundings of, or any Indebtedness or obligation issued in exchange for, any such Indebtedness or obligation described in the preceding clauses (i) or (ii).
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is
-3-
Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.1, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee, was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term “Indenture” for a particular series of Securities shall only include the supplemental indentures applicable thereto.
“interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security, which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, repurchase at the option of the Holder, upon redemption or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(4).
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, and by the principal financial officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers’ Certificate given pursuant to Section 10.4 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for, or an employee of, the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.
“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except
(1) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 13.2; and
(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 3.1, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more non-U.S. dollar currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such
-4-
date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Payment Blockage Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 15.2.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Record Date” means any Regular Record Date or Special Record Date.
“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Representative” means the (a) indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or representative for any Senior Debt or (b) with respect to any Senior Debt that does not have any such trustee, agent or other representative, (i) in the case of such Senior Debt issued pursuant to an agreement providing for voting arrangements as among the holders or owners of such Senior Debt, any holder or owner of such Senior Debt acting with the consent of the required persons necessary to bind such holders or owners of such Senior Debt and (ii) in the case of all other such Senior Debt, the holder or owner of such Senior Debt.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office assigned and duly authorized by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
“Senior Debt” means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest (including all interest accruing subsequent to the commencement of any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest is allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) on, and all fees and other amounts payable in connection with, Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by the Company (including all deferrals, renewals, extensions or refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, the foregoing), unless in the case of any particular Indebtedness the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the Securities or expressly provides that such Indebtedness is “pari passu” or “ junior” to the Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Senior Debt
-5-
shall not include any Indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary of the Company. If any payment made to any holder of any Senior Debt or its Representative with respect to such Senior Debt is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by such holder or Representative upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, the reinstated Indebtedness of the Company arising as a result of such rescission or return shall constitute Senior Debt effective as of the date of such rescission or return.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.
“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means a Person of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such Person (in the case of a corporation) is, or of which more than 50% of the equity interests (in the case of a Person which is not a corporation) are, at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by a combination of the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock or other similar interests to the Company which ordinarily has or have voting power for the election of directors, or persons performing similar functions, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or other interests has or have such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”
Section 1.2 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) 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;
-6-
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.3 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.4 Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made 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 agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. The Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Company copies of all such instrument or instruments delivered to the Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.1) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
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 a certificate of a 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 or her the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority. 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.
The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, vote, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph
-7-
(whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 5.2, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 5.7(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 5.12, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security 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.
Section 1.5 Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (or by facsimile or other electronic transmissions, provided that oral confirmation of receipt shall have been received) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Department, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, personally delivered or sent via overnight courier to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
Section 1.6 Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or delivered by hand or overnight courier, to each Holder affected by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. Neither the failure to mail or deliver by hand or overnight courier any notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed or delivered by hand or overnight courier, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
-8-
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Section 1.7 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act, which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.8 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.9 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.10 Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities 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 1.11 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.12 Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE REFER CONSTRUCTION OR INTERPRETATION OF THIS INDENTURE TO THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
Section 1.13 Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert a Security at a particular conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) or, if applicable to a particular series of Securities, conversion need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, at the Stated Maturity or on such last day for conversion, as the case may be.
Section 1.14 Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Security, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, employee, agent, officer, or director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.
-9-
Section 1.15 Indenture May be Executed in Counterparts.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
ARTICLE 2
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1 Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to such supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. Any such Board Resolution or record of such action shall have attached thereto a true and correct copy of any form of Security referred to therein approved by or pursuant to such Board Resolution.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Section 2.2 Form of Face of Security.
[INSERT ANY LEGEND REQUIRED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OR THE RELEVANT SECURITIES LAWS AND THE REGULATIONS THEREUNDER.]
LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC.
NO. _____ | $ _____ | ||||
| CUSIP: _____ | |||||
LanzaTech Global, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _____, or registered assigns, the principal sum of _____ dollars on _____ [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — , and to pay interest thereon from _____ or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on _____ and in each year, commencing _____, at the rate of _____% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert — , provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of _____% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the _____ or _____ (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case
-10-
the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue principal or premium shall be payable on demand. [Any such interest on overdue principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the amount so demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue interest shall be payable on demand.]]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert — any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in , 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 [if applicable, insert —; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| Dated: | LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC. | |||||||||||||
| By: | ||||||||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||||||||
| ATTEST: | ||||||||||||||
Section 2.3 Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of _____, 20__ (herein called the “Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and _____, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert — , limited in aggregate principal amount to $_____].
[If applicable, insert — The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than [If applicable, insert — 30] days’ notice by mail, [if applicable, insert — (1) on ___ in any year commencing with the year __ and ending with the year ___ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time [if applicable, insert — on or after _____, 20__], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert — on or before _____, _____%, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning _____ of the years indicated,
| Year | Redemption Price | Year | Redemption Price | |||||||||||||||||
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [If applicable, insert — (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
-11-
[If applicable, insert —The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than [If applicable, insert — 30] days’ notice by mail, (1) on _____ in any year commencing with the year _____ and ending with the year _____ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [If applicable, insert — on or after _____], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning _____ of the years indicated,
| Year | Redemption Price for Redemption Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | Redemption Price for Redemption Otherwise than Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | ||||||||||||
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert — Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to , redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [if applicable, insert — clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than _____% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert — The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on _____, in each year beginning with the year _____ and ending with the year _____ of [if applicable, insert — not less than $_____ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than] $_____ aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable, insert — mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [if applicable, insert — mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [if applicable, insert —, in the inverse order in which they become due].]
[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert — In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert — The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or] [certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security] [, in each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is convertible into other securities of the Company, specify the conversion features.]
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company, and this Security is issued subject to such provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert — If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert — If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to —insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
-12-
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $_____ and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
Section 2.4 Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
-13-
Section 2.5 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
as Trustee | |||||||||||
By: | |||||||||||
| Authorized Officer | |||||||||||
Section 2.6 Form of Conversion Notice.
Unless otherwise as contemplated by Section 3.1, or in a supplemental indenture for the Securities evidenced hereby, conversion notices shall be in substantially the following form:
To LanzaTech Global, Inc.:
The undersigned owner of this Security hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert this Security, or portion hereof (which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common Stock of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Security, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable upon the conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares and any Securities representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect hereto. Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Security.
Principal Amount to be Converted (in an integral multiple of $1,000, if less than all): | |||||
U.S. $_____ | |||||
Dated: | Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15. | ||||||||||
| Signature Guaranty | |||||||||||
Fill in for registration of shares of Common Stock and Security if to be issued otherwise than to the registered Holder. | |||||||||||
| (Name) | Social Security or Other Taxpayer | ||||||||||
| Identification Number | |||||||||||
| Please print Name and Address | |||||||||||
| (including zip code) | |||||||||||
[The above conversion notice is to be modified, as appropriate, for conversion into other securities or property of the Company.]
-14-
ARTICLE 3
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(4) the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of the series is payable;
(5) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date (or the method for determining the dates and rates);
(6) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable;
(7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(10) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(11) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.1 and, whether the Company or the Holder thereof may elect payment to be made in a different currency;
(12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(13) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;
-15-
(14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(15) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 or both such Sections, or any other defeasance provisions applicable to any Securities of the series, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;
(16) if applicable, the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of the series into shares of Common Stock of the Company or other securities or property;
(17) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 2.4 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;
(18) any deletion of, addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 5.2;
(19) any deletion of, addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article 10 which applies to Securities of the series;
(20) any Authenticating Agents, Paying Agents, Security Registrars or such other agents necessary in connection with the issuance of the Securities of such series, including, without limitation, exchange rate agents and calculation agents;
(21) if applicable, the terms of any security that will be provided for a series of Securities, including provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted;
(22) if applicable, the terms of any guaranties for the Securities and any circumstances under which there may be additional obligors on the Securities;
(23) any addition to or change in or modification to the subordination provisions of this Indenture relating to the Securities of that series (including the provisions of Article 15), or different subordination provisions, including a different definition of “Senior Debt” or “Designated Senior Debt,” that will apply to Securities of the series; and
(24) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 9.1(5)).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt as provided in Article 15.
Section 3.2 Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
-16-
Section 3.3 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its principal financial officer, its President or one of its Vice Presidents, attested by its Treasurer, its Secretary or one of its Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, a copy of such Board Resolution, the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series and an Opinion of Counsel, with such Opinion of Counsel stating,
(1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the CUSIP number that appears on any Security, check, advice of payment or redemption notice, and any such document may contain a statement to the effect that CUSIP numbers have been assigned by an independent service for convenience of reference and that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any inaccuracy in such numbers.
Section 3.4 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they
-17-
are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor.
Section 3.5 Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.6 or 11.7 not involving any transfer.
If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
The provisions of clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to Global Securities:
(1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global
-18-
Security or (C) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.
(3) Subject to clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.
(4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 3.4, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.
Section 3.6 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.7 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities or in a supplemental indenture with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company 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 in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the
-19-
Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.8 Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.7) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Section 3.9 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary procedures.
Section 3.10 Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
ARTICLE 4
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(1) either
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Trustee or the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
-20-
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and the last paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive.
Section 4.2 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES
Section 5.1 Events of Default.
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be occasioned by the provisions of Article 15 or 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), unless in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate establishing such series, it is provided that such series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
-21-
(6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate establishing that series.
Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
Unless the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate establishing such series provides otherwise, if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or 5.1(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof), and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount), and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or 5.1(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof), and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. Any payments by the Company on the Securities following any such acceleration will be subject to the subordination provisions of Article 15 to the extent provided therein.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,
(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
-22-
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, 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.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official 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 it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7. No provision of this Indenture 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 Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
Section 5.5 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.6 Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7;
SECOND: Subject to Article 15, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company or any other Person or Persons entitled thereto.
Section 5.7 Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
-23-
(2) the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
Section 5.8 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and to Convert.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.7) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date), to convert such Securities in accordance with Article 14 to the extent that such right to convert is applicable to such Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder 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 proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, 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 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities 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 (subject to the limitations contained in this Indenture) or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 5.12 Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture and the Trustee shall not have determined that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to Holders of Securities of that series, or any other series, not taking part in such direction; and
-24-
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction or this Indenture.
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except
(1) a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms thereof, otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest, principal and premium, if any, has been deposited with the Trustee), or
(2) to the extent such right is applicable to such Security, a failure by the Company on request to convert any Security into Common Stock; or
(3) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or in any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Security in accordance with Article 14.
Section 5.15 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE 6
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability 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 adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment or any conversion right applicable to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith
-25-
determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of Securities of such series; provided, further, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.1(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
Except with respect to Section 10.1, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company with respect to the covenants contained in Article 10. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of an Event of Default except (i) any Default or Event of Default occurring pursuant to Sections 5.1(1), 5.1(2) and 5.1(3) (defaults in payments on the Securities) or (ii) any Default or Event of Default of which the Trustee shall have received written notification or obtained actual knowledge.
Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 7.4 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
Section 6.3 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(1) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) is entitled to and may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney; and
(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
Section 6.4 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity, sufficiency or priority of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
-26-
Section 6.5 May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee under Other Indentures.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
Subject to the limitations imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, nothing in this Indenture shall prohibit the Trustee from becoming and acting as trustee under other indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest of participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding in the same manner as if it were not Trustee hereunder.
Section 6.6 Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
Section 6.7 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or Section 5.1(6) hereof 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 applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law.
Section 6.8 Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act and there is an Event of Default under the Securities of that series, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series.
Section 6.9 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has (or if the Trustee is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person or bank holding company publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person or bank holding company shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section
-27-
6.11. The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, the retiring Trustee may petition, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may petition, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.6. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain
-28-
such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In the event that any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities in either its own name or that of such predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.
Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having (or if the Authenticating Agent is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
-29-
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 1.6 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.12, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| as Trustee | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| as Authenticating Agent | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Authorized Officer | ||||||||
ARTICLE 7
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
(1) semi-annually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for each respective series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of such Regular Record Date, as the case may be, or if there is no Regular Record Date for such series of Securities, semi-annually, and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided that no such list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as Security Registrar.
Section 7.2 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
-30-
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.3 Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more than 12 months shall be transmitted no later than July 15 in each calendar year, commencing with the first July 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture.
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.4 Reports by Company.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.
ARTICLE 8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person (in a transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation) or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:
(1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person (in a transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation) or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other business entity, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and the conversion rights shall be provided for in accordance with Article 14, if applicable, or as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee, by the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company shall have been merged or by the Person which shall have acquired the Company’s assets;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.2 Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor
-31-
Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities in compliance with Article 8; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or
(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or
(5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding; or
(6) to secure the Securities, including provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted; or
(7) to add or provide for a guaranty of the Securities or additional obligors on the Securities; or
(8) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or
(9) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11; or
(10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this clause (10) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or
(11) to supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Articles 4 and 13, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect.
Section 9.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding
-32-
any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal or premium amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any amount payable upon the redemption or repurchase thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or reduce the amount of any sinking fund payment, or change the place of payment or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of such series of Securities in a manner materially adverse to the Holders of Securities of such series, or, in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible into Securities or other securities of the Company, adversely affect the right of Holders to convert any of the Securities of such series other than as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.6, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 10.6, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.11 and 9.1(8), or
(4) if applicable, make any change that adversely affects the right to convert any security as provided in Article 14 or pursuant to Section 3.1 (except as permitted by Section 9.1(9)).
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.3 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.3) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.4 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.5 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.6 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
-33-
ARTICLE 10
COVENANTS
Section 10.1 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 10.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. Unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, the Place of Payment for any series of Securities shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
Section 10.3 Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee for any series of Securities to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for a period ending on the earlier of the date that is ten Business Days prior to the date such money would escheat to the State or two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust
-34-
money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in each Place of Payment, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.4 Statement by Officers as to Default.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers’ Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge. The fiscal year of the Company currently ends on December 31; and the Company will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any change of its fiscal year.
Section 10.5 Existence.
Subject to Article 8, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.
Section 10.6 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 3.1(19), 9.1(2) or 9.1(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article.
Section 11.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.
Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by lot, or in the Trustee’s discretion, on a pro-rata basis, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not
-35-
more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities that have been converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address appearing in the Security Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date,
(2) the Redemption Price (including accrued interest, if any),
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,
(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,
(5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,
(6) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,
(7) if applicable, the conversion price or the conversion rate, as the case may be, the date on which the right to convert the principal of the Securities or the portions thereof to be redeemed will terminate, and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion,
(8) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and
(9) the CUSIP number or numbers and/or common codes of the Security being redeemed; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.
-36-
Section 11.5 Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
If any Security called for redemption is converted, any money deposited with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to the right of any Holder of such Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 3.7) be paid to the Company on Company Request, or if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.
Section 11.6 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.7 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE 12
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
Section 12.2 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
-37-
Section 12.3 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not fewer than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to Section 12.2 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not fewer than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.6 and 11.7.
ARTICLE 13
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 13.1 Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, designated pursuant to Section 3.1 as being defeasible pursuant to such Section 13.2 or 13.3, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 3.1 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.
Section 13.2 Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations, and the provisions of Article 15 shall cease to be effective, with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 13.4 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due,
(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3, and, if applicable, Article 14,
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, and
(4) this Article.
Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 13.3 applied to such Securities.
Section 13.3 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be,
(1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under any covenants provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(19), 9.1(2) or 9.1(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities,
(2) the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.1(4) (with respect to any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 3.1(19), 9.1(2) or 9.1(7)) and the occurrence of any other Event of Default specified pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, and
(3) the provisions of Article 15 shall cease to be effective,
-38-
in each case with respect to such Securities or any series of Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 5.1(4) and the occurrence of any Event of Default specified pursuant to Section 3.1) or Article 15, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or Article or by reason of any reference in any such Section or Article to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
Section 13.4 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 6.9 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities,
(A) in the case of Securities of a series denominated in currency of the United States of America,
(i) cash in currency of the United States of America in an amount, or
(ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, an amount in cash, or
(iii) a combination thereof, or
(B) in the case of Securities of a series denominated in currency other than that of the United States of America,
(i) cash in the currency in which such series of Securities is denominated in an amount, or
(ii) Foreign Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, an amount in cash, or
(iii) a combination thereof,
in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities.
(2) For Securities denominated in United States dollars, in the event of an election to have Section 13.2 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that
(A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law,
in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3) For Securities denominated in United States dollars, in the event of an election to have Section 13.3 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the
-39-
same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 5.1(5) and (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
(6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).
(7) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(8) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
(9) At the time of such deposit,
(A) no default in the payment of any principal of or premium or interest on any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing,
(B) no event of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have resulted in such Senior Debt becoming, and continuing to be, due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable (unless payment of such Senior Debt has been made or duly provided for), and
(C) no other event of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing permitting (after notice or lapse of time or both) the holders of such Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of such holders) to declare such Senior Debt due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable.
(10) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 13.5 Deposited Money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 13.6, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations so held in trust shall not be subject to the provisions of Article 15.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 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 Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
-40-
Section 13.6 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 13.2 or 13.3 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 13.5 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.
ARTICLE 14
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES
Section 14.1 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of such Securities, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series or in a supplemental indenture for Securities of such series.
Section 14.2 Exercise of Conversion Privilege.
In order to exercise a conversion privilege, the Holder of a Security of a series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the Company at the office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 10.2, accompanied by a duly executed conversion notice to the Company substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.6 stating that the Holder elects to convert such Security or a specified portion thereof. Such notice shall also state, if different from the name and address of such Holder, the name or names (with address) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock, which shall be issuable on such conversion, shall be issued. Securities surrendered for conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by or accompanied by instruments of transfer in forms satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder or its attorney duly authorized in writing. As promptly as practicable after the receipt of such notice and of any payment required pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of such series of Security, and the surrender of such Security in accordance with such reasonable regulations as the Company may prescribe, the Company shall issue and shall deliver, at the office or agency at which such Security is surrendered, to such Holder or on its written order, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of such Security (or specified portion thereof), in accordance with the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture, and cash as provided therein in respect of any fractional share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such conversion. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the date on which such notice and such payment, if required, shall have been received in proper order for conversion by the Company and such Security shall have been surrendered as aforesaid (unless such Holder shall have so surrendered such Security and shall have instructed the Company to effect the conversion on a particular date following such surrender and such Holder shall be entitled to convert such Security on such date, in which case such conversion shall be deemed to be effected immediately prior to the close of business on such date) and at such time the rights of the Holder of such Security as such Security Holder shall cease and the person or persons in whose name or names any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the Holder or Holders of record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set forth above and subject to the final paragraph of Section 3.7, no payment or adjustment shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued on the Securities (or any part thereof) surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends on the Common Stock of the Company issued upon such conversion.
In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of such Security.
Section 14.3 No Fractional Shares.
No fractional share of Common Stock of the Company shall be issued upon a conversion of Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall be
-41-
issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the provisions of this Section 14.3, any Holder of a Security or Securities would be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock of the Company upon the conversion of such Security or Securities, or specified portions thereof, the Company shall pay to such Holder an amount in cash equal to the current market value of such fractional share computed, (i) if such Common Stock is listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange or market, on the basis of the last reported sale price regular way on such exchange or market on the last trading day prior to the date of conversion upon which such a sale shall have been effected, or (ii) if such Common Stock is not at the time so listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange or market, on the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of such Common Stock in the over- the-counter market, on the last trading day prior to the date of conversion, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated or similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated is no longer reporting such information, or if not so available, the fair market price as determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Section, “trading day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday other than any day on which the Common Stock is not traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or if the Common Stock is not traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, on the principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock is traded or quoted.
Section 14.4 Adjustment of Conversion Price or Conversion Rate.
The conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, of Securities of any series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company shall be adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits, reclassifications, combinations or similar transactions in accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.
Whenever the conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, is adjusted, the Company shall compute the adjusted conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, in accordance with terms of the applicable Board Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the adjusted conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, and showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 and, if different, with the Trustee. The Company shall forthwith cause a notice setting forth the adjusted conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at its address appearing on the Security Register and to any conversion agent other than the Trustee.
Section 14.5 Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.
In case:
(1) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its retained earnings (other than a dividend for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required) that would require an adjustment pursuant to Section 14.4; or
(2) the Company shall authorize the granting to all or substantially all of the holders of its Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any other rights (other than any such grant for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required); or
(3) of any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, or of any consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company is a party and for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required), or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(4) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company;
then the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee, and shall cause to be mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in clause (1) or (2) above) prior to the applicable record date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. If at any time the Trustee shall not be the conversion agent, a copy of such notice shall also forthwith be filed by the Company with the Trustee.
-42-
Section 14.6 Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.
The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, the full number of shares of Common Stock of the Company then issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding Securities of any series that has conversion rights.
Section 14.7 Payment of Certain Taxes upon Conversion.
Except as provided in the next sentence, the Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of its Common Stock on conversion of Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of its Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.
Section 14.8 Nonassessability.
The Company covenants that all shares of its Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue in accordance with the terms hereof be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
Section 14.9 Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets.
In case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person, any merger of another Person with or into the Company (other than a merger which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company) or any conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of each Security of a series then Outstanding that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company shall have the right thereafter (which right shall be the exclusive conversion right thereafter available to said Holder), during the period such Security shall be convertible, to convert such Security only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Security might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease, assuming such holder of Common Stock of the Company (i) is not a Person with which the Company consolidated or merged with or into or which merged into or with the Company or to which such conveyance, sale, transfer or lease was made, as the case may be (a “Constituent Person”), or an Affiliate of a Constituent Person and (ii) failed to exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease (provided that if the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer, or lease is not the same for each share of Common Stock of the Company held immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by others than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate thereof and in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised (“Non-electing Share”), then for the purpose of this Section 14.9 the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by the holders of each Non-electing Share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the Non-electing Shares). Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent to the effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article or in accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions setting forth the terms of such adjustments. The above provisions of this Section 14.9 shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, conveyances, sales, transfers or leases. Notice of the execution of such a supplemental indenture shall be given by the Company to the Holder of each Security of a series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company as provided in Section 1.6 promptly upon such execution.
Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent, if any, shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any such supplemental indenture relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or other securities or property or cash receivable by Holders of Securities of a series convertible into Common Stock of the Company upon the conversion of their Securities after any such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease or to any such adjustment, but may accept as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel with respect thereto, which the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Trustee upon request.
Section 14.10 Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion.
Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company to determine whether any facts exist which may
-43-
require any adjustment of the conversion price or conversion rate, as the case may be, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental indenture, any resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or more officers of the Company provided to be employed in making the same. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock of the Company, or of any securities or property, which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Securities and neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent makes any representation with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of its Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article 14 or in the applicable supplemental indenture, resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or more duly authorized officers of the Company.
Section 14.11 Repayment of Certain Funds upon Conversion.
Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of paying the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of the Securities (including, but not limited to, funds deposited for the sinking fund referred to in Article 12 hereof and funds deposited pursuant to Article 13 hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because of the conversion of such Securities as provided in this Article 14 shall after such conversion be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the Company’s written request.
ARTICLE 15
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 15.1 Agreement of Subordination.
Except as otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or pursuant to Section 3.1, the Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder by its acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article 15; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with the Indenture) issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.
No provision of this Article 15 shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.
Section 15.2 Payments to Holders.
No payment shall be made with respect to the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities to be called for redemption in accordance with the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 15.5, if:
(i) a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, rent or other obligations due on any Senior Debt occurs and is continuing (or, in the case of Senior Debt for which there is a period of grace, in the event of such a default that continues beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior Debt) (a “Payment Default”), unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist; or
(ii) a default, other than a Payment Default, on any Designated Senior Debt occurs and is continuing that then permits holders of such Designated Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of the default (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) from a holder of Designated Senior Debt, a Representative of Designated Senior Debt or the Company (a “Non-Payment Default”).
If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant to clause (ii) above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for purposes of this Section unless and until at least 365 days shall have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice. No Non-Payment Default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.
The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in respect of the Securities upon the earlier of:
(1) in the case of any Payment Default, the date upon which the Payment Default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, or
-44-
(2) in the case of a Non-Payment Default, the earlier of (a) the date upon which such Non-Payment Default is cured, waived or ceases to exist or (b) 179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received by the Trustee,
unless this Article 15 otherwise prohibits the payment or distribution at such time.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, receivership or other proceedings, or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company, or otherwise, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Debt, or payment thereof in accordance with its terms provided for in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Debt, before any payment is made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (except payments made pursuant to Article 4 from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to commencement of proceedings for such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or the marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company); and upon any such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company or bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceeding, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provision of this Article 15, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders of the Securities or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Debt (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Debt held by such holders, or as otherwise required by law or a court order) or their Representative or Representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Debt may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt in full, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Debt, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Debt, before any payment or distribution or provision therefor is made to the Holders of the Securities or to the Trustee.
For purposes of this Article 15, the words, “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article 15 with respect to the Securities to the payment of all Senior Debt which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Debt is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of Senior Debt (other than leases which are not assumed by the Company or the new corporation, as the case may be) are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article 8 shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.2 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 8.
In the event of the acceleration of the Securities because of an Event of Default, no payment or distribution shall be made to the Trustee or any Holder of Securities in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (including, but not limited to, the redemption price with respect to the Securities called for redemption in accordance with Article 11 as provided in the Indenture), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as permitted by the first or second paragraph of Section 15.5, until all Senior Debt has been paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt or such acceleration is rescinded in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify holders of Senior Debt of the acceleration.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, by way of setoff or otherwise), prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Debt is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Debt, or provision is made for such payment thereof in accordance with its terms in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Debt, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Debt or their Representative or Representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Debt may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Debt, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.
-45-
Nothing in this Section 15.2 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.7. This Section 15.2 shall be subject to the further provisions of Section 15.5.
Section 15.3 Subrogation of Securities.
Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt, the rights of the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Debt pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15 (equally and ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as the Securities are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Debt until the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Debt of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article 15, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Debt; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities to or for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the subrogation provisions of this Article 15, which would otherwise have been paid to the holders of Senior Debt shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or for the account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article 15 are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Debt, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in this Article 15 or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 15 of the holders of Senior Debt in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article 15, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 15.
Section 15.4 Authorization to Effect Subordination.
Each Holder of a Security by the holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on the holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article 15 and appoints the Trustee to act as the holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. If the Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to in Section 5.4 hereof at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim, the holders of any Senior Debt or their representatives are hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 15.5 Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and to any Paying Agent of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee or any Paying Agent in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 15 or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office from the Company (in the form of an Officers’ Certificate) or a Representative or a holder or holders of Senior Debt or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date not fewer than two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Security)
-46-
the Trustee shall not have received, with respect to such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 15.5, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article 15 to the contrary, nothing shall prevent any payment by the Trustee to the Holders of monies deposited with it pursuant to Section 4.1, and any such payment shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 15.1 or 15.2.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Representative or a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a Representative or a holder of Senior Debt or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. The Trustee shall not be required to make any payment or distribution to or on behalf of a holder of Senior Debt pursuant to this Article 15 unless it has received satisfactory evidence as to the amount of Senior Debt held by such person, the extent to which such person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such person under this Article 15.
Section 15.6 Trustee’s Relation to Senior Debt.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 15 in respect of any Senior Debt at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article 15, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Debt (i) for any failure to make any payments or distributions to such holders or (ii) if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of Securities, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 15 or otherwise.
Section 15.7 No Impairment of Subordination.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company, the Trustee or any Holder of Securities with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.
Section 15.8 Certain Conversions/Exchanges Deemed Payment.
For the purposes of this Article 15 only, (1) the issuance and delivery of junior securities upon conversion or exchange of Securities in accordance with Article 14 or otherwise (except upon conversion of the Securities in accordance with their terms) shall not be deemed to constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities, and (2) the payment, issuance or delivery of cash (except in satisfaction of fractional shares pursuant to Section 14.3), property or securities (other than junior securities) upon conversion or exchange of a Security shall be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such Security. For the purposes of this Section 15.8, the term “junior securities” means (a) shares of any stock of any class of the Company, or (b) securities of the Company which are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt which may be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery of such securities to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article. Nothing contained in this Article 15 or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of Securities, the right, which is absolute and unconditional, of the Holder of any Security to convert such Security in accordance with Article 14.
Section 15.9 Article Applicable to Paying Agents.
If at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this
-47-
Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that the first paragraph of Section 15.5 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if the Company or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions or inactions of any other Paying Agents (including the Company if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.
Section 15.10 Senior Debt Entitled to Rely.
The holders of Senior Debt (including, without limitation, Designated Senior Debt) shall have the right to rely upon this Article 15, and no amendment or modification of the provisions contained herein shall diminish the rights of such holders unless such holders shall have agreed in writing thereto.
Section 15.11 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company or bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other like proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
Section 15.12 Trust Monies Not Subordinated.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money, U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Obligations held in trust under Article 4 or Article 13 by the Trustee for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment in full of any Senior Debt of the Company or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article 15, and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of Senior Debt of the Company or any other creditor of the Company.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
-48-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| LANZATECH GLOBAL, INC. | |||||||||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||||||||
| Title: | |||||||||||||||||
| as Trustee | |||||||||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||||||||
| Title: | |||||||||||||||||
Exhibit 5.1
Execution Version
 | Covington & Burling LLP One CityCenter 850 Tenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001-4956 T +1 202 662 6000 | |||||||
May 9, 2024
LanzaTech Global, Inc.
8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to LanzaTech Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the offer and sale by the Company from time to time of up to $300,000,000 in aggregate amount of: (i) shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”); (ii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, to be issued in one or more series (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) one or more series of debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”), the terms of which will be determined by the board of directors of the Company prior to the issuance thereof; (iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”); (v) rights to subscribe for and to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock (the “Subscription Rights”); and (vi) stock units, consisting of any combination of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants or Subscription Rights, securing the holder’s obligation to purchase the securities under the applicable stock unit agreement (the “Units” and, collectively with the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, and Subscription Rights, the “Covered Securities”), pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof.
We have reviewed such corporate records, certificates and other documents, and such questions of law, as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. We have assumed that all signatures are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and that all copies of documents submitted to us conform to the originals.
We have relied as to certain matters on information obtained from public officials, officers of the Company and other sources believed by us to be responsible.
We have assumed that, at the time of the issuance, sale and delivery of each issue of Covered Securities:
(i)the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of any indenture, indenture supplement, warrant agreement, subscription rights agreement or subscription rights certificate, and unit agreement (collectively, the “Documents”), as applicable, and all actions necessary for the issuance of the applicable Covered Securities, and the form and terms thereof, will comply with all requirements and restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company, whether imposed by any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or any court or other governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company;
(ii)the Company will have duly authorized, executed and delivered any such Document and will have duly authorized the issuance of any such Covered Security, and none of such authorizations will have been modified or rescinded, and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character or enforceability thereof;
(iii)the prospectus included in the Registration Statement will describe the Covered Securities offered thereby or an appropriate prospectus supplement will have been prepared, delivered and filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder and will describe the Covered Securities offered thereby; and
(iv) an indenture in the form of Exhibit 4.6 or 4.8, as applicable, to the Registration Statement and any necessary indenture supplements will have been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and a trustee qualified to act under applicable law and such indenture will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
We have also assumed that the Covered Securities will be offered and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate prospectus supplement. We have assumed further that the Documents will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. We have further assumed that, at the time of the issuance, sale and delivery of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or of any other Covered Securities which are exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the Company has a sufficient number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, under its certificate of incorporation. With respect to any Document executed or to be executed by any party other than the Company, we have assumed that such party has, or will have, duly authorized, executed and delivered the Documents to which it is a party and that each such Document is, or will be, the valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that, when, as and if:
1.With respect to shares of Common Stock: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendments thereto have all become effective under the Securities Act and all prospectus supplements required by applicable law have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize and approve for issuance any shares of Common Stock and to fix or otherwise determine the consideration to be received for the shares of Common Stock, and the terms of the offer and sale thereof; (iii) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; and (iv) the shares of Common Stock have been duly issued and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement setting forth the terms of the Common Stock and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
2.With respect to shares of any series of Preferred Stock: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendments thereto have all become effective under the Securities Act and all prospectus supplements required by applicable law have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to establish the rights, preferences and privileges of, and limitations on, such series of Preferred Stock and to authorize and approve the issuance and sale of the shares of Preferred Stock of such series and fix or otherwise determine the consideration to be received for the shares of Preferred Stock, and the terms of the offer and sale thereof; (iii) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; (iv) an appropriate certificate of designations with respect to such series of Preferred Stock has been duly filed in accordance with applicable law; and (v) the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement setting forth the terms of the Preferred Stock and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the shares of such series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
3.With respect to the Debt Securities: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendments thereto have all become effective under the Securities Act and all prospectus supplements required by applicable law have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) an indenture in the form of Exhibit 4.6 or Exhibit 4.8, as applicable, to the Registration Statement and any necessary indenture supplements have been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and a trustee qualified to act under applicable law and such indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (iii) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize, execute and deliver the indenture and any necessary indenture supplement and to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of the Debt Securities; (iv) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; and (v) such Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the trustee in accordance with the applicable indenture, or any applicable indenture supplement, and have been duly issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of the Debt Securities and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, such Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities to be issued by the Company upon the conversion or exercise of other Covered Securities issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement) will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
4.With respect to the Warrants: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendments thereto all have become effective under the Securities Act and all prospectus supplements required by applicable law have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize, execute and deliver a warrant agreement and to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of any Warrants and to fix or otherwise determine the consideration to be received for the Warrants and the terms of the offer and sale thereof; (iii) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; (iv) any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock or any Debt Securities purchasable
upon exercise of such Warrants, as applicable, have been duly and validly authorized and, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, reserved for issuance and sale; and (v) the warrant agreement with respect to the Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the warrant agent, and the Warrants have been duly executed and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with any applicable warrant agreement, and in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of the Warrants and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the Warrants will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
5.With respect to the Subscription Rights: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendments thereto all have become effective under the Securities Act and all prospectus supplements required by applicable law have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize, execute and deliver a subscription agreement or subscription rights certificate to the rights agent and to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of the Subscription Rights and to fix or otherwise determine the consideration to be received for the Subscription Rights and the terms of the offer and sale thereof; (iii) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; (iv) any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, have been duly and validly authorized and, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, reserved for issuance and sale; and (v) any necessary subscription agreement or subscription rights certificate has been duly authorized, executed by the Company and the rights agent, and the Subscription Rights have been duly executed and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with any applicable subscription agreement or subscription rights certificate, and in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of the Subscription Rights and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the Subscription Rights will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
6.With respect to the Units: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendments thereto all have become effective under the Securities Act and all prospectus supplements required by applicable law have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize, execute and deliver a unit agreement and to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of the Units and to fix or otherwise determine the consideration to be received for the Units and the terms of the offer and sale thereof; (iii) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; (iv) any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock or any Debt Securities or other securities to be issued pursuant to such Units, have been duly and validly authorized and, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, reserved for issuance and sale; and (v) any necessary unit agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and any other party thereto, and the Units have been duly executed and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with any applicable unit agreement, and in accordance with such corporate
action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of the Units and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the Units will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
Our opinions above are qualified to the extent that the enforcement of any Covered Securities denominated in a currency other than United States dollars may be limited by requirements that a claim (or a foreign currency judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law.
We express no opinion as to: (i) waivers of defenses, subrogation and related rights, rights to trial by jury, rights to object to venue, or other rights or benefits bestowed by operation of law; (ii) releases or waivers of unmatured claims or rights; (iii) indemnification, contribution, exculpation, or arbitration provisions, or provisions for the non-survival of representations, to the extent they purport to indemnify any party against, or release or limit any party’s liability for, its own breach or failure to comply with statutory obligations, or to the extent such provisions are contrary to public policy; (iv) provisions for liquidated damages and penalties, penalty interest and interest on interest; or (v) provisions making notices effective even if not actually received.
We are members of the bars of the District of Columbia and the State of New York. We do not express any opinion herein on any laws other than the laws of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the Covered Securities constituting part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| /s/ Covington & Burling LLP | ||
Exhibit 5.2
Execution Version
 | Covington & Burling LLP One CityCenter 850 Tenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001-4956 T +1 202 662 6000 | |||||||
May 9, 2024
LanzaTech Global, Inc.
8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Ladies & Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to LanzaTech Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”), of (a) the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“common stock”), (b) the resale of common stock held by certain stockholders of the Company and (c) the resale of certain warrants of the Company held by the holders thereof, as follows:
(i) the issuance of up to 4,774,276 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of private placement warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) by the holders thereof (the “Private Warrant Shares”), issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement by and between AMCI and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated August 3, 2021 (the “Warrant Agreement”),
(ii) the issuance of up to 7,499,924 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of certain public warrants by the holders thereof (the “Public Warrant Shares” and together with the Private Warrant Shares, the “Warrant Shares”), issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement,
(iii) the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the conversion of that certain Simple Agreement for Future Equity between BGTF LT Aggregator LP and LanzaTech NZ, Inc., dated October 3, 2022 (the “Brookfield SAFE”), upon conversion by the holder thereof (the “SAFE Shares”),
(iv) the issuance of up to 300,000 shares of common stock that are issuable under the SAFE Warrant by and between ArcelorMittal XCarb S.à r.l. and LanzaTech NZ, Inc., dated December 8, 2021 (the “AM Warrant”) upon the exercise by the holder thereof (the “AM Shares”),
(v) the issuance of up to 4,083,486 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants issued to certain selling stockholders pursuant to the Forward Purchase
Agreement (the “Shortfall Warrants”) upon exercise by the holder thereof (the “Shortfall Warrant Shares”),
(vi) the issuance of up to 1,746,303 shares of common stock (the “Plan Shares” and together with the Private Warrant Shares, the Public Warrant Shares, the SAFE Shares, the AM Shares and the Shortfall Warrant Shares, the “Convertible Security Shares”) underlying options to purchase common stock issued pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Deed Poll Relating to Options Scheme, 2008 Stock Plan, 2011 Stock Plan, 2013 Stock Plan, 2015 Stock Plan, and 2019 Stock Plan, (collectively the “Plans”),
(vii) the resale of the Convertible Security Shares (other than the Public Warrant Shares),
(viii) the resale of up to 187,532,617 shares of common stock (the “Resale Shares”),
(ix) the resale of up to 4,774,276 Private Placement Warrants (the “Resale Private Placement Warrants”), and
(x) the resale of up to 4,083,486 Shortfall Warrants (the “Resale Shortfall Warrants” and, together with the Resale Private Placement Warrants, the “Resale Warrants”).
We have reviewed:
(i) the Warrant Agreement,
(ii) the Brookfield SAFE,
(iii) the AM Warrant,
(iv) the Shortfall Warrants,
(v) the Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company, LanzaTech NZ, Inc., AMCI Sponsor II LLC, and the Holders (as defined therein), dated February 8, 2023,
(vi) the Forward Purchase Agreement by and among ACM ARRT H LLC, the Company and LanzaTech NZ, Inc., dated February 3, 2023,
(vii) the Assignment and Novation Agreement, by and among AMCI Acquisition Corp. II, LanzaTech NZ, Inc., ACM ARRT H LLC, and and Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC - Series 10, dated February 3, 2023,
(viii) the Plans and
(ix) such other corporate records, certificates and other documents, and such questions of law, as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.
We have assumed that all signatures are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and that all copies of documents submitted to us conform to the originals.
We have relied as to certain matters on information obtained from public officials, officers of the Company and other sources believed by us to be responsible.
With respect to the Convertible Security Shares, we express no opinion to the extent that, notwithstanding the Company’s current reservation of shares of common stock, future issuances of securities of the Company, including the Convertible Security Shares, and anti-dilution adjustments to
outstanding securities of the Company, including the Warrants, the Brookfield SAFE, the AM Warrant and the Shortfall Warrants, may cause any of the foregoing to be exercisable for more shares of common stock than the number that remain authorized but unissued. We also have assumed that the Warrant Price (as defined in each of the Private Warrants and the Public Warrants) and the Exercise Price (as defined in each of the AM Warrant and the Shortfall Warrants) will not be adjusted to an amount below the par value per share of the common stock.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that:
(1) The Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for upon exercise of the Warrants, in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(2) The SAFE Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued upon conversion of the Brookfield SAFE, in accordance with the terms of the Brookfield SAFE, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(3) The AM Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for upon exercise of the AM Warrant, in accordance with the terms of the AM Warrant, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(4) The Shortfall Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for upon exercise of the Shortfall Warrants, in accordance with their terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(5) The Plan Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Plan upon the exercise thereof, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(6) The Resale Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(7) The Resale Warrants have been duly authorized and constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
The foregoing opinion is subject to the following qualifications. We express no opinion as to: (i) waivers of defenses, subrogation and related rights, rights to trial by jury, rights to object to venue, or other rights or benefits bestowed by operation of law; (ii) releases or waivers of unmatured claims or rights; (iii) indemnification, contribution, or exculpation provisions, or provisions for the non-survival of representations, to the extent they purport to indemnify any party against, or release or limit any party’s liability for, its own breach or failure to comply with statutory obligations, or to the extent such provisions are contrary to public policy; (iv) provisions for liquidated damages and penalties, penalty
interest and interest on interest; (v) provisions requiring amendments and waivers to be in writing; (vi) provisions making notices effective even if not actually received; (vii) exclusive jurisdiction or venue provisions or (viii) provisions purporting to make a party’s determination conclusive.
We are members of the bars of the District of Columbia and the State of New York. We do not express any opinion herein on any laws other than the Delaware General Corporation Law and the State of New York.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| /s/ Covington & Burling LLP | ||
Exhibit 5.3
Execution Version
| Covington & Burling LLP One CityCenter 850 Tenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001-4956 T +1 202 662 6000 | |||||||
May 9, 2024
LanzaTech Global, Inc.
8045 Lamon Avenue, Suite 400
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Ladies & Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to LanzaTech Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the offer and sale of shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 (the “Shares”), pursuant to the At Market Issuance Sale Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) and a Terms Agreement (the “Terms Agreement”), each dated May 8, 2024, between the Company and B. Riley Securities, Inc. The offer and sale of the Shares are being registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (such registration statement is herein referred to as the “Registration Statement”).
We have reviewed the Sales Agreement, the Terms Agreement, the Registration Statement, and the prospectus included therein, with respect to the offer and sale of the Shares. We have also reviewed such corporate records, certificates and other documents, and such questions of law, as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.
We have assumed that all signatures are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and that all copies of documents submitted to us conform to the originals.
We have relied as to certain matters on information obtained from public officials, officers of the Company and other sources believed by us to be responsible.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized, and when issued and sold by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement and upon receipt by the Company of full payment therefor in accordance with the Sales Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We are members of the bar of the District of Columbia. We do not express any opinion herein on any laws other than the Delaware General Corporation Law.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.3 to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the Shares constituting part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| /s/ Covington & Burling LLP | ||
Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 29, 2024 relating to the financial statements of LanzaTech Global, Inc. and the effectiveness of LanzaTech Global, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of LanzaTech Global, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
May 9, 2024