QVC Group, Inc 8-K, filed Sep 26, 2024
QVC Group, Inc. (QVCG)
About this 8-K
QVC Group, Inc filed this 8-K on September 26, 2024, reporting on events of September 25, 2024.
Items reported
- Item 7.01: Regulation FD disclosure
- Item 8.01: Other events
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Item 7.01. Regulation FD.
On September 25, 2024, QVC, Inc. (the “Company” or “QVC”) issued a press release regarding the closing of its previously disclosed offers to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) and purchase any and all of its outstanding 4.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the “Old 2027 Notes”) and its outstanding 4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “Old 2028 Notes” and together with the Old 2027 Notes, the “Old Notes”) for its newly issued 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (“New Notes”) and, as applicable, cash.
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated by reference herein. The information disclosed and incorporated by reference under Item 7.01. Regulation FD of this Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission under Item 7.01 of Form 8-K in satisfaction of the public disclosure requirements of Regulation FD and shall not be deemed “filed” for any purpose.
This Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute an offer to tender for, or purchase, any Old Notes or any other security, nor does it constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy New Notes or any other security.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On September 25, 2024, QVC closed its previously disclosed Exchange Offers for any and all of its outstanding Old Notes for its New Notes and, as applicable, cash. The early settlement date for QVC’s previously disclosed offers to purchase the Old Notes for cash (together with the Exchange Offers, the “Offers”), made to holders of the Old Notes who were not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offers, also occurred on September 25, 2024 (together with the closing of the Exchange Offers, the “Settlement”). In connection with the Settlement, approximately $605 million aggregate principal amount of New Notes were issued and approximately $352 million in cash was paid in exchange for the Old Notes validly tendered and accepted by QVC in the Offers, plus accrued and unpaid interest from the last applicable interest payment date to, but excluding, the Settlement Date, which was approximately $4 million, without giving effect to any Old Notes that may still be tendered in QVC’s offers to holders who were not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offers. Liberty Interactive LLC (“LI LLC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qurate Retail, Inc., which is the indirect parent of QVC, through its subsidiaries, contributed approximately $277 million in cash to fund a portion of the cash consideration to be paid in Offers. As of September 25, 2024, approximately $44 million aggregate principal amount of Old 2027 Notes remain outstanding and approximately $72 million principal amount of Old 2028 Notes remain outstanding.
In connection with the issuance of the New Notes, on September 25, 2024, QVC entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) with Affiliate Investment, Inc., Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc., AMI 2, Inc., ER Marks, Inc., QVC Global Holdings I, Inc., QVC Global Holdings II, Inc., QVC Rocky Mount, Inc., QVC San Antonio, LLC, HSN, Inc., HSNi, LLC, HSN Holding LLC, Home Shopping Network En Espanol, L.L.C., Home Shopping Network En Espanol, L.P., Ingenious Designs LLC, NLG Merger Corp.,Ventana Television, Inc., Ventana Television Holdings, Inc., QVC Global Corporate Holdings, LLC and QVC GCH Company, LLC as guarantors (together, the “Guarantors”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
The New Notes will bear interest at a rate of 6.875% per annum and will mature on April 15, 2029. Interest on the New Notes will accrue from September 25, 2024 and will be payable semi-annually, on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 2025.
The New Notes are secured by a first-priority perfected lien on the capital stock of QVC, which also secures QVC’s existing secured indebtedness and may secure certain future indebtedness. The New Notes are guaranteed by the Guarantors, which guarantee the borrowings under QVC’s existing secured indebtedness. The guarantees are the Guarantors’ senior unsecured obligations.
The foregoing description of the Indenture and the New Notes are qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture and the New Notes, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 8.01 by reference
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| QVC, Inc. | ||
| Date: September 26, 2024 | By: | /s/ Bill Wafford |
| Bill Wafford | ||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Exhibit 4.1
QVC, INC.,
ANY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO
and
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of September 25, 2024
6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2029
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||
| ARTICLE ONE | ||
| DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | ||
| SECTION 1.01. | Definitions | 1 |
| SECTION 1.02. | Other Definitions | 25 |
| SECTION 1.03. | Trust Indenture Act | 26 |
| SECTION 1.04. | Rules of Construction | 26 |
| ARTICLE TWO | ||
| THE NOTES | ||
| SECTION 2.01. | Amount of Notes | 27 |
| SECTION 2.02. | Form and Dating; Book Entry Provisions | 27 |
| SECTION 2.03. | Execution and Authentication | 29 |
| SECTION 2.04. | Registrar and Paying Agent | 29 |
| SECTION 2.05. | Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust | 30 |
| SECTION 2.06. | Holder Lists | 30 |
| SECTION 2.07. | Transfer and Exchange | 30 |
| SECTION 2.08. | Replacement Notes | 31 |
| SECTION 2.09. | Outstanding Notes | 31 |
| SECTION 2.10. | Treasury Notes | 32 |
| SECTION 2.11. | Temporary Notes | 32 |
| SECTION 2.12. | Cancellation | 32 |
| SECTION 2.13. | Defaulted Interest | 32 |
| SECTION 2.14. | CUSIP Number | 33 |
| SECTION 2.15. | Deposit of Moneys | 33 |
| SECTION 2.16. | Special Transfer Provisions | 33 |
| SECTION 2.17. | Certificated Notes | 39 |
| SECTION 2.18. | Computation of Interest | 39 |
| ARTICLE THREE | ||
| REDEMPTION | ||
| SECTION 3.01. | Election To Redeem; Notices to Trustee | 40 |
| SECTION 3.02. | Selection by Trustee of Notes To Be Redeemed | 40 |
| SECTION 3.03. | Notice of Redemption | 40 |
| SECTION 3.04. | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 41 |
| SECTION 3.05. | Deposit of Redemption Price | 41 |
| SECTION 3.06. | Notes Redeemed in Part | 42 |
| SECTION 3.07. | Mandatory Redemption | 42 |
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| Page | ||
| ARTICLE FOUR | ||
| COVENANTS | ||
| SECTION 4.01. | Payment of Notes | 42 |
| SECTION 4.02. | Reports to Holders | 42 |
| SECTION 4.03. | Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws | 44 |
| SECTION 4.04. | Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default | 44 |
| SECTION 4.05. | [Reserved] | 44 |
| SECTION 4.06. | Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness | 44 |
| SECTION 4.07. | Limitations on Restricted Payments | 46 |
| SECTION 4.08. | Limitations on Asset Sales | 48 |
| SECTION 4.09. | Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates | 48 |
| SECTION 4.10. | Limitations on Liens | 49 |
| SECTION 4.11. | Additional Note Guarantees | 49 |
| SECTION 4.12. | Limitations on Dividend and Other Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries | 50 |
| SECTION 4.13. | Limitations on Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries | 51 |
| SECTION 4.14. | Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions | 52 |
| SECTION 4.15. | Conduct of Business | 52 |
| SECTION 4.16. | [Reserved] | 53 |
| SECTION 4.17. | [Reserved] | 53 |
| SECTION 4.18. | [Reserved] | 53 |
| SECTION 4.19. | Payments for Consent | 53 |
| SECTION 4.20. | Change of Control Offer | 53 |
| SECTION 4.21. | Fall-Away Event | 54 |
| ARTICLE FIVE | ||
| SUCCESSOR CORPORATION | ||
| SECTION 5.01. | Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations, etc. | 54 |
| SECTION 5.02. | Successor Person Substituted | 56 |
| ARTICLE SIX | ||
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | ||
| SECTION 6.01. | Events of Default | 56 |
| SECTION 6.02. | Acceleration | 58 |
| SECTION 6.03. | Other Remedies | 59 |
| SECTION 6.04. | Waiver of Past Defaults and Events of Default | 60 |
| SECTION 6.05. | Control by Majority | 60 |
| SECTION 6.06. | Limitation on Suits | 60 |
| SECTION 6.07. | No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders | 60 |
| SECTION 6.08. | Rights of Holders To Receive Payment | 61 |
| SECTION 6.09. | Collection Suit by Trustee | 61 |
| SECTION 6.10. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 61 |
| SECTION 6.11. | Priorities | 61 |
| SECTION 6.12. | Undertaking for Costs | 62 |
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| Page | ||
| ARTICLE SEVEN | ||
| TRUSTEE | ||
| SECTION 7.01. | Duties of Trustee | 62 |
| SECTION 7.02. | Rights of Trustee | 63 |
| SECTION 7.03. | Individual Rights of Trustee | 64 |
| SECTION 7.04. | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 65 |
| SECTION 7.05. | Notice of Defaults | 65 |
| SECTION 7.06. | [Reserved] | 65 |
| SECTION 7.07. | Compensation and Indemnity | 65 |
| SECTION 7.08. | Replacement of Trustee | 66 |
| SECTION 7.09. | Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger, etc. | 67 |
| SECTION 7.10. | Eligibility; Disqualification | 67 |
| ARTICLE EIGHT | ||
| AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS | ||
| SECTION 8.01. | Without Consent of Holders | 67 |
| SECTION 8.02. | With Consent of Holders | 68 |
| SECTION 8.03. | [Reserved] | 69 |
| SECTION 8.04. | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 69 |
| SECTION 8.05. | Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 70 |
| SECTION 8.06. | Trustee To Sign Amendments, etc. | 70 |
| ARTICLE NINE | ||
| DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE | ||
| SECTION 9.01. | Discharge of Indenture | 70 |
| SECTION 9.02. | Legal Defeasance | 71 |
| SECTION 9.03. | Covenant Defeasance | 71 |
| SECTION 9.04. | Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 72 |
| SECTION 9.05. | Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 73 |
| SECTION 9.06. | Reinstatement | 73 |
| SECTION 9.07. | Moneys Held by Paying Agent | 74 |
| SECTION 9.08. | Moneys Held by Trustee | 74 |
| ARTICLE TEN | ||
| GUARANTEE OF NOTES | ||
| SECTION 10.01. | Guarantee | 74 |
| SECTION 10.02. | Execution and Delivery of Guarantee | 75 |
| SECTION 10.03. | Limitation of Guarantee | 75 |
| SECTION 10.04. | Release of Guarantor | 76 |
| SECTION 10.05. | Waiver of Subrogation | 76 |
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| Page | ||
| ARTICLE ELEVEN | ||
| MISCELLANEOUS | ||
| SECTION 11.01. | [Reserved] | 77 |
| SECTION 11.02. | Notices | 77 |
| SECTION 11.03. | [Reserved] | 79 |
| SECTION 11.04. | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 79 |
| SECTION 11.05. | Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion | 79 |
| SECTION 11.06. | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 79 |
| SECTION 11.07. | Business Days | 80 |
| SECTION 11.08. | Governing Law | 80 |
| SECTION 11.09. | Waiver of Jury Trial | 80 |
| SECTION 11.10. | Force Majeure | 80 |
| SECTION 11.11. | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 80 |
| SECTION 11.12. | No Recourse Against Others | 80 |
| SECTION 11.13. | Successors | 81 |
| SECTION 11.14. | Multiple Counterparts | 81 |
| SECTION 11.15. | Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | 81 |
| SECTION 11.16. | Separability | 81 |
| SECTION 11.17. | USA Patriot Act | 81 |
| ARTICLE TWELVE | ||
| COLLATERAL AND SECURITY | ||
| SECTION 12.01. | Security Documents | 81 |
| SECTION 12.02. | Collateral Agent | 82 |
| SECTION 12.03. | Release of Collateral | 83 |
| SECTION 12.04. | Filing, Recording and Opinions | 83 |
| SECTION 12.05. | Possession and Use of Collateral | 84 |
| SECTION 12.06. | Authorization of Actions to Be Taken by the Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents | 84 |
| SECTION 12.07. | Purchase Protected | 84 |
| SECTION 12.08. | Reinstatement; Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee | 85 |
| EXHIBITS | ||
| Exhibit A | Form of Global Note | A-1 |
| Exhibit B | Form of Notation of Guarantee | B-1 |
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INDENTURE, dated as of September 25, 2024, among QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined) party hereto from time to time and U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
ARTICLE One
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. Definitions.
“2013 Notes” means the 5.950% Senior Secured Notes due 2043 issued by the Issuer on March 18, 2013.
“2013 Notes Indenture” means the indenture governing the 2013 Notes dated as of March 18, 2013, among the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof.
“2014 Notes” means the 4.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 and the 5.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2034 issued by the Issuer on August 21, 2014.
“2014 Notes Indenture” means the indenture governing the 2014 Notes, dated as of August 21, 2014, among the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof.
“2018 Notes” means the 6.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2067 issued by the Issuer on September 13, 2018.
“2018 Notes Indenture” means the indenture governing the 2018 Notes, the 2019 Notes and the 2020 Notes dated as of September 13, 2018, among the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof.
“2019 Notes” means the 6.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2068 issued by the Issuer on November 26, 2019.
“2020 Notes” means (i) the 4.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 issued by the Issuer on February 4, 2020 and (ii) the 4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 issued by the Issuer on August 20, 2020.
“Acquired Indebtedness” means (1) with respect to any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (2) with respect to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of a Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person is merged with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Indebtedness expressly assumed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of an asset or assets from another Person, which Indebtedness was not, in any case, incurred by such other Person in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or acquisition.
“Additional Notes” means an unlimited principal amount of Notes having identical terms and conditions to the Notes issued pursuant to Article Two and in compliance with Section 4.06 and Section 4.10, except for issue date, issue price and first interest payment date.
“Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life (as defined below), yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month); or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. The Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. Any weekly average yields calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward.
“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person which directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common Control with, the referent Person; provided that no Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any other Person solely because they share one or more common officers or members of their respective board of managers, board of directors or other controlling governing body.
“Affiliated Persons” means, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, stepchildren, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a) and in the event of the incompetence or death of any of the persons described in clause (a), such Person’s executor, administrator, committee or other personal representative or similar fiduciary, (c) any trusts or private foundations created primarily for the benefit of, or controlled at the time of creation by, any of the Persons described in the above clause (a) or (b) of this definition, or any trusts or private foundations created primarily for the benefit of any such trust or private foundation or for charitable purposes and (d) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any of such Persons.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
“amend” means to amend, supplement, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, including successively, and “amendment” shall have a correlative meaning.
“ Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Temporary Regulation S Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such a Temporary Regulation S Global Note, to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
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“asset” means any asset or property.
“Asset Acquisition” means:
(1) an Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person if, as a result of such Investment, such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or
(2) the acquisition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person or any division or line of business of any other Person.
“Asset Sale” means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease, assignment or other disposition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by means of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction or a merger or consolidation) (collectively, for purposes of this definition, a “transfer”), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of any assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of this definition, the term “Asset Sale” shall not include:
(1) transfers of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(2) transfers of assets (including Equity Interests) that are governed by, and made in accordance with, Section 5.01;
(3) Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.07;
(4) the creation of or realization on any Lien permitted under this Indenture;
(5) transfers of inventory and damaged, worn out or obsolete equipment or assets that are no longer used or useful in the business of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(6) sales or grants of licenses or sublicenses to use the patents, trade secrets, know-how and other intellectual property, and licenses, leases or subleases of other assets, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent not materially interfering with the business of Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(7) any transfer or series of related transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the assets transferred in such transaction or any such series of related transactions does not exceed $50.0 million; and
(8) Asset Sales by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer.
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“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period commencing 60 days prior to the date of the first public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control and ending at the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Holders of Notes in writing at their request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprising or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).
“Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, or the functional equivalent of the foregoing, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of such Person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing or, in each case, any duly authorized committee of such body.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuer and to be in full force and effect, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York State are authorized or required by law to close.
“Capitalized Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as finance leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; provided however, that, unless such Person elects otherwise, any obligations relating to a lease that would have been accounted by such Person as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP as of December 31, 2018 (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) shall be deemed an operating lease and not a Capitalized Lease Obligation for all purposes under this Indenture.
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(1) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition;
(2) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof;
(3) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s or P-1 by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition;
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(4) repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government;
(5) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by Standard & Poor’s or A by Moody’s;
(6) securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition;
(7) money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (1) through (6) of this definition;
(8) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; and
(9) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, (x) investments substantially comparable to any of the foregoing investments with respect to the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized and (y) other short term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in such foreign jurisdiction.
“Cash Management Services Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any of the following bank services: (1) commercial credit cards, other commercial cards, purchase cards and merchant card services, (2) stored value cards, (3) treasury management services or other payment services (including, without limitation, electronic payment services, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) the acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by any Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group does not have on the date of such acquisition or within 45 days thereafter (i) an investment grade corporate family rating by both of Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s or (ii) a corporate family rating equal to or better than Qurate Retail’s rating with Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date of such acquisition, the Issuer is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by them is not an Investment Grade Rating; or
(2) the Issuer shall adopt a plan of liquidation or dissolution or any such plan shall be approved by the stockholders of the Issuer.
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For purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.
“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event occurring in respect of that Change of Control.
“Collateral” means all “Collateral” as such term is defined in the Parent Pledge Agreement and all other assets pledged from time to time to secure the Obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and the Security Documents.
“Collateral Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as collateral agent under the Security Documents and any successors or new collateral agents in such capacity.
“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such securities (“Remaining Life”).
“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
“Consolidated Amortization Expense” for any period means the amortization expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Cash Flow” for any period means, without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of
(1) Consolidated Net Income, plus
(2) in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income,
(a) Consolidated Income Tax Expense,
(b) Consolidated Amortization Expense (but only to the extent not included in Consolidated Interest Expense),
(c) Consolidated Depreciation Expense,
(d) Consolidated Interest Expense, and
(e) stock compensation, as reported in the Issuer’s financial statements,
in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that
(i) the aggregate amount of all other non-cash charges, expenses or losses reducing such Consolidated Net Income (excluding any non-cash charge, expense or loss that results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges in any future period and any non-cash charge, expense or loss relating to write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts or inventory) for such period, and
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(ii) the aggregate amount of all non-cash items, determined on a consolidated basis, to the extent such items increased Consolidated Net Income for such period
will, in each case, be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for purposes of this definition only.
“Consolidated Depreciation Expense” for any period means the depreciation expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Income Tax Expense” for any period means the provision for taxes of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” means the ratio of (i) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available (the “Four-Quarter Period”) ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (the “Transaction Date”) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such Four-Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to:
(1) the incurrence of any Indebtedness or the issuance of any Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (and the application of the proceeds thereof) and any repayment of other Indebtedness or redemption of other Preferred Stock (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) (other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to any revolving credit arrangement) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such incurrence, repayment, issuance or redemption, as the case may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period; and
(2) any Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Acquisition or as a result of a Redesignation) incurring Acquired Indebtedness and also including any Consolidated Cash Flow (including any pro forma expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) associated with any such Asset Acquisition) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence of, or assumption or liability for, any such Indebtedness or Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period.
In calculating Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio:
(a) interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such Indebtedness in effect on the Transaction Date;
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(b) if interest on any Indebtedness actually incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during the Four-Quarter Period; and
(c) notwithstanding clause (a) or (b) above, interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by agreements relating to Hedging Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of the agreements governing such Hedging Obligations.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” for any period means, without duplication, the total interest expense minus the total interest income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and including, without duplication,
(1) imputed interest on Capitalized Lease Obligations,
(2) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit securing financial obligations, bankers’ acceptance financing and receivables financings,
(3) the net costs associated with Hedging Obligations related to interest rates,
(4) amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium and other financing fees and expenses,
(5) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligations,
(6) all other non-cash interest expenses,
(7) capitalized interest,
(8) the product of (a) all dividend payments on any series of Disqualified Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any such Disqualified Equity Interests or any Preferred Stock held by the Issuer or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary or to the extent paid in Qualified Equity Interests), multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, expressed as a decimal,
(9) all interest payable with respect to discontinued operations, and
(10) all interest on any Indebtedness described in clause (6) or (7) of the definition of “Indebtedness”.
“Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, at any date, the ratio of:
(i) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) minus the amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on such date to:
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(ii) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is made, then the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that the Issuer may elect, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.
“Consolidated Leverage Test” means, at any date, that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is no greater than 3.50 to 1.00.
“Consolidated Net Income” for any period means the net income (or loss) of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein), without duplication:
(1) the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent that cash in an amount equal to any such income has actually been received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period;
(2) except to the extent includible in the consolidated net income of the Issuer pursuant to the foregoing clause (1), the net income (or loss) of any Person that accrued prior to the date that (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the assets of such Person are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(3) any gain (or loss), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), realized during such period by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary upon (a) the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the sale of any financial or equity investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) gains and losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects according to GAAP;
(5) gains and losses with respect to Hedging Obligations;
(6) the cumulative effect of any change in accounting principles;
(7) the net income (or loss) associated with minority interests in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; and
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(8) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), together with any related provision for taxes on any such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or the tax effect of any such extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), realized by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period.
For the purpose of this definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” “nonrecurring” means any gain or loss as of any date that is not reasonably likely to recur within the two years following such date; provided that if there was a gain or loss similar to such gain or loss within the two years preceding such date, such gain or loss shall not be deemed nonrecurring.
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of assets (including investments in joint ventures) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and any other like intangibles of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, all as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer for the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
“Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio” means, at any date, the ratio of:
(i) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by the Collateral as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) plus Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by any assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) minus the amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on such date to:
(ii) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio. In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio is made, then the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that the Issuer may elect, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Corporate Trust Office” shall mean the principal office of the Trustee or Agent at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered which office as of the date hereof (i) solely for purposes of surrender for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase or for conversion is located at 50 S. 16th St. Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19102, Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services – QVC, Inc., and (ii) subject to Section 2.15, for all other purposes is located at 111 Fillmore Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55017, Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services - QVC, Inc., or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Holders and the Issuer from time to time.
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“Credit Agreement” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 27, 2021, by and among the Issuer, QVC Global Corporate Holdings, LLC and Cornerstone Brands, Inc., as borrowers, the guarantors party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, including any notes, guarantees, collateral and security documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended or refinanced from time to time.
“Credit Facilities” means one or more (A) debt facilities (which may be outstanding at the same time and including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities (including, without limitation, the Notes), indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of the Issuer as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder).
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Dealer Manager Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Dealer Manager Agreement, dated September 18, 2024, by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors, BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SG Americas Securities, LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Truist Securities, Inc., U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.
“Default” means (1) any Event of Default or (2) any event, act or condition that, after notice or the passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.
“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note in fully registered form bearing, if required, the appropriate restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.16(e).
“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.
“Disqualified Equity Interests” of any Person means any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, or by the terms of any related agreement or of any security into which it is convertible, puttable or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of any event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed by such Person, whether or not at the option of the holder thereof, or matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes; provided, however, that any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, authorizes such Person to satisfy in full its obligations with respect to the payment of dividends or upon maturity, redemption (pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise) or repurchase thereof or otherwise by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests, and that is not convertible, puttable or exchangeable for Disqualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness, will not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests so long as such Person satisfies its obligations with respect thereto solely by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests; provided, further, however, that any Equity Interests that would not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such Equity Interests are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require the Issuer to redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change in control occurring prior to the 91st day after the final maturity date of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests if (1) the change of control provisions applicable to such Equity Interests are no more favorable to such holders than the provisions of Section 4.20, and (2) such Equity Interests specifically provide that the Issuer will not redeem any such Equity Interests pursuant to such provisions prior to the Issuer’s purchase of the Notes as required pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.20.
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“Distribution Compliance Period,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Notes.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
“Equity Interests” of any Person means (1) any and all shares or other equity interests (including common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests and partnership interests) in such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such shares or other interests in such Person.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Existing Notes” means the 2013 Notes, each series of the 2014 Notes, the 2018 Notes, the 2019 Notes and each series of the 2020 Notes.
“Existing Note Guarantees” means the guarantees of the Existing Notes by the Guarantors.
“Existing Notes Indentures” means the 2013 Notes Indenture, the 2014 Notes Indenture and the 2018 Notes Indenture.
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) that would be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction for cash between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, consistently applied.
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“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“guarantee” means a direct or indirect guarantee by any Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person and includes any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm’s-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); “guarantee,” when used as a verb, and “guaranteed” have correlative meanings.
“Guarantors” means each Material Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer on the Issue Date, and each other Person that is required to, or at the election of the Issuer does, become a Guarantor by the terms of this Indenture, in each case, until such Person is released from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person under swap, cap, collar, forward purchase or similar agreements or arrangements dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies.
“Holder” means any registered holder, from time to time, of the Notes.
“incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or Obligation, incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to such Indebtedness or Obligation; provided that (1) the Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary and (2) neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount or the accretion or accumulation of dividends on any Equity Interests shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness.
“Indebtedness” of any Person at any date means, without duplication:
(1) all liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof) or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind;
(2) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;
(3) all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers’ acceptances and similar credit transactions;
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(4) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred by such Person in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services;
(5) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person;
(6) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person;
(7) all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee; provided that Indebtedness of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries that is guaranteed by the Issuer or the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall only be counted once in the calculation of the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; and
(8) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to assets purchased by such Person (excluding obligations arising from inventory transactions in the ordinary course of business).
The amount of any Indebtedness which is incurred at a discount to the principal amount at maturity thereof as of any date shall be deemed to have been incurred at the accreted value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above (i.e., shall not take into account the fair value of such Indebtedness), the maximum liability of such Person for any such contingent obligations at such date and, in the case of clause (6), the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of any asset subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others on the date that the Lien attaches and (b) the amount of the Indebtedness secured.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.
“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Issuer.
“Initial Notes” means the Issuer’s 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 issued on the Issue Date.
“interest” means, with respect to the Notes, interest on the Notes.
“Interest Payment Dates” means each April 15 and October 15, commencing April 15, 2025.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) if by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) if by Standard & Poor’s.
“Investments” of any Person means:
(1) all investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions or other credit extensions constituting Indebtedness of such other Person, and any guarantee of Indebtedness of any other Person;
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(2) all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities of any other Person (other than any such purchase that constitutes a Restricted Payment of the type described in clause (2) of the definition thereof);
(3) all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP (including, if required by GAAP, purchases of assets outside the ordinary course of business); and
(4) the Designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Except as otherwise expressly specified in this definition, the amount of any Investment (other than an Investment made in cash) shall be the Fair Market Value thereof on the date such Investment is made. The amount of Investment pursuant to clause (4) shall be the Fair Market Value of the Issuer’s proportionate interest in such Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the date of such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Equity Interests, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of and all other Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary retained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, purchases or redemptions of Equity Interests of the Issuer or Parent shall be deemed not to be Investments.
“Issue Date” means September 25, 2024, the date on which the Initial Notes are originally issued.
“Issuer” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article Five and thereafter means the successor.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or other), pledge, easement, charge, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind or nature in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.
“Material Domestic Subsidiary” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Issuer most recently ended for which financial statements are available, that has assets (including Equity Interests in Subsidiaries) or revenues (including both third party and intercompany revenues) with a value in excess of 7.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 7.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries; provided, that in the event Domestic Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Domestic Subsidiaries shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 7.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 7.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter, then one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries designated by the Issuer (or, if the Issuer shall make no designation, one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries in descending order based on their respective contributions to the consolidated assets of the Issuer), shall be included as Material Domestic Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess.
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“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Non-Material Domestic Subsidiary” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer other than a Material Domestic Subsidiary.
“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary:
(1) as to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, and
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Credit Agreement, Existing Notes or Notes) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on the other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.
“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person, as defined in Regulation S.
“Notes” means the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.
“Notes Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.
“Obligation” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnification, reimbursements, costs, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated as of September 11, 2024, as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, relating to the offering of the Notes.
“Officer” means any of the following of the Issuer: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee from legal counsel, which counsel is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, opining on the matters required by Section 11.05 and delivered to the Trustee.
“Parent” means Qurate Retail.
“Parent Pledge Agreement” means the pledge agreement by and among the Parent Pledgor and the Collateral Agent dated as of June 16, 2009 as amended and restated as of September 25, 2009, March 23, 2010, September 2, 2010, March 1, 2013, March 18, 2013, March 18, 2014 August 21, 2014, March 9, 2015, June 23, 2016, September 13, 2018, December 31, 2018, November 26, 2019, February 4, 2020, August 20, 2020, October 27, 2021 and September 25, 2024, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.
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“Parent Pledgor” means the pledgor party to the Parent Pledge Agreement.
“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) Qurate Retail, (b) John C. Malone or Gregory B. Maffei (whether such persons are acting individually or in concert), (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clause (b), (d) any publicly traded Person in which any of the Persons referred to in clauses (b) and (c) (whether individually or together with the other Persons in clauses (b) and (c)) is the largest beneficial owner of (x) the Equity Interests of such Person or (y) the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the Equity Interests of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, (e) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d), and (f) any group consisting solely of persons described in clauses (a) through (e). For purposes of the definition of “Permitted Holders,” “Person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provisions, and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.
“Permitted Investment” means:
(1) Investments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary;
(2) Investments in the Issuer by any Restricted Subsidiary;
(3) loans and advances to directors, employees and officers of Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering of the Issuer’s Equity Interests) or the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries for bona fide business purposes and to purchase Equity Interests of the Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering of the Issuer’s Equity Interests) or the Issuer (after the consummation of an initial public offering of the Issuer’s Equity Interests) not in excess of $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(4) cash and Cash Equivalents;
(5) receivables owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;
(6) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;
(7) Investments made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of consideration received in connection with a sale of assets made in compliance with Section 4.08;
(8) lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;
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(9) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;
(10) any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Issue Date; and
(11) Investments, including in joint ventures of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time.
“Permitted Liens” means the following types of Liens:
(1) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either (a) not delinquent or (b) contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant to GAAP;
(2) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other Liens imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or being contested in good faith, if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;
(3) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation (or pursuant to letters of credit issued in connection with such workers’ compensation compliance), unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
(4) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds, letters of credit and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(5) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(6) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;
(7) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(8) Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit and covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods) financed or the purchase of which is supported by such letters of credit and the proceeds and products thereof;
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(9) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including rights of offset and setoff;
(10) bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;
(11) leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(12) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases;
(13) [Reserved];
(14) Liens securing Hedging Obligations entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business not for the purpose of speculation;
(15) Liens existing on the Issue Date securing obligations outstanding on the Issue Date;
(16) Liens in favor of the Issuer or a Guarantor;
(17) Liens securing Purchase Money Indebtedness; provided that such Liens shall secure Capitalized Lease Obligations or be created within 90 days of the acquisition of such fixed or capital assets and shall not extend to any asset other than the specified asset being financed and additions and improvements thereon;
(18) Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided that the Liens do not extend to assets not subject to such Lien at the time of acquisition (other than improvements thereon) and are no more favorable to the lienholders than those securing such Acquired Indebtedness prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(19) deposits and other Liens securing credit card operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, provided the amount secured does not exceed amounts owed by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in connection with such credit card operations;
(20) Liens to secure Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (15), (17) and (18); provided that in the case of Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (15), (17) and (18) such Liens do not extend to any additional assets (other than improvements thereon and replacements thereof);
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(21) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(22) Interests of vendors in inventory arising out of such inventory being subject to a “sale or return” arrangement with such vendor or any consignment by any third party of any inventory; and
(23) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that do not in the aggregate exceed $150.0 million at any one time outstanding, so long as such Liens do not encumber Collateral consisting of assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.
“Plan of Liquidation” with respect to any Person, means a plan that provides for, contemplates or the effectuation of which is preceded or accompanied by (whether or not substantially contemporaneously, in phases or otherwise): (1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Person other than as an entirety or substantially as an entirety; and (2) the distribution of all or substantially all of the proceeds of such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the remaining assets of such Person to holders of Equity Interests of such Person.
“Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or preference stock or other equity interests (however designated) of such Person whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date.
“principal” means, with respect to the Notes, the principal of, and premium, if any, on the Notes.
“Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness, including Capitalized Lease Obligations, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or the cost of installation, construction or improvement thereof; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is comprised of Capitalized Lease Obligations or (1) the amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed such purchase price or cost and (2) such Indebtedness shall be incurred within 90 days after such acquisition of such asset by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or such installation, construction or improvement.
“Qualified Equity Interests” of any Person means Equity Interests of such Person other than Disqualified Equity Interests; provided that such Equity Interests shall not be deemed Qualified Equity Interests to the extent sold or owed to a Subsidiary of such Person or financed, directly or indirectly, using funds (1) borrowed from such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid or (2) contributed, extended, guaranteed or advanced by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including, without limitation, in respect of any employee stock ownership or benefit plan). Unless otherwise specified, Qualified Equity Interests refer to Qualified Equity Interests of the Issuer.
“Qualified Institutional Buyer” or “QIB” has the meaning specified in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
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“Qurate Retail” means Qurate Retail, Inc. (f/k/a Liberty Interactive Corporation), a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of the Issuer then beneficially owned by Qurate Retail as to which Qurate Retail has dispositive power, the term “Qurate Retail” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by Qurate Retail of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of the Issuer beneficially owned by Qurate Retail, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of Qurate Retail, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of Qurate Retail (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of Qurate Retail designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of Qurate Retail, (b) the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer of Qurate Retail, (c) any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of Qurate Retail, (d) each of the directors of Qurate Retail and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).
“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s; and (2) if any of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Issuer’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, that the Issuer selects (as certified by an Officer of the Issuer) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, or both of them, as the case may be.
“redeem” means to redeem, repurchase, purchase, defease, retire, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value; and “redemption” shall have a correlative meaning; provided that this definition shall not apply for purposes of Section 3.01.
“Redemption Date” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to the terms of the Notes.
“Reference Treasury Dealer” means any primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City selected by the Issuer.
“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.
“refinance” means to refinance, repay, prepay, replace, renew or refund.
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“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or refinance in whole or in part, any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (the “Refinanced Indebtedness”); provided that:
(1) the principal amount (and accreted value, in the case of Indebtedness issued at a discount) of the Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (and accreted value, as the case may be) of the Refinanced Indebtedness plus the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on the Refinanced Indebtedness, any reasonable premium paid to the holders of the Refinanced Indebtedness and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the incurrence of the Refinancing Indebtedness;
(2) the obligor of Refinancing Indebtedness does not include any Person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) that is not an obligor of the Refinanced Indebtedness;
(3) if the Refinanced Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, then such Refinancing Indebtedness, by its terms, is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as the Refinanced Indebtedness;
(4) the Refinancing Indebtedness has a final stated maturity either (a) no earlier than the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid or amended or (b) after the final maturity date of the Notes; and
(5) the portion, if any, of the Refinancing Indebtedness that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the portion of the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes; provided that Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Refinanced Indebtedness that has no amortization may provide for amortization installments, sinking fund payments, senior maturity dates or other required payments of principal of up to 1% of the aggregate principal amount per annum.
“Regulation S ” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means an officer or assistant officer assigned to the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Person at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Restricted Note” has the same meaning as “Restricted Security” set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) promulgated under the Securities Act; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Note.
“Restricted Payment” means any of the following:
(1) the declaration or payment of any dividend or any other distribution on Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding (a) dividends or distributions payable solely in Qualified Equity Interests or through accretion or accumulation of such dividends on such Equity Interests and (b) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries, dividends or distributions payable to the Issuer or to a Restricted Subsidiary and pro rata dividends or distributions payable to minority stockholders of any Restricted Subsidiary;
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(2) the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any equity holder of the Issuer, including, without limitation, any payment in exchange for such Equity Interests in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding any such Equity Interests held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(3) any Investment other than a Permitted Investment; or
(4) any payment or redemption prior to the scheduled maturity or prior to any scheduled repayment of principal or sinking fund payment, as the case may be, in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated Indebtedness owed to and held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary).
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Sale and Leaseback Transactions” means with respect to any Person an arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by such Person of any asset of such Person which has been or is being sold or transferred by such Person to such lender or investor or to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such asset.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Secured Party” means the lenders and the agents under the Credit Agreement, holders of Existing Notes, the trustee under the Existing Notes, providers of the Specified Swap Agreements, providers of the Specified Cash Management Services Agreements, the Trustee, the Holders, the Collateral Agent and any other party designated as an additional secured party under the Security Documents in accordance with the terms of the Security Documents, Indenture, the Credit Agreement or the Existing Notes Indentures.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Security Documents” means, collectively, the Parent Pledge Agreement and any other security agreement relating to the Collateral, each as in effect on the Issue Date (in the case of the Parent Pledge Agreement) and as any such Security Document may be amended, amended and restated, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.
“Significant Subsidiary” means (1) any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date and (2) any Restricted Subsidiary that, when aggregated with all other Restricted Subsidiaries that are not otherwise Significant Subsidiaries and as to which any event described in clause (7) or (8) under Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under clause (1) of this definition.
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“Specified Cash Management Services Agreement” means any Cash Management Services Agreement entered into by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries and any Person that is a lender or an affiliate of a lender under the Credit Agreement at the time such Cash Management Services Agreement is entered into.
“Specified Swap Agreement” means any Swap Agreement in respect of interest rates or currency exchange rates or commodity prices existing on the Issue Date or entered into by the Issuer or any Guarantor and any Person that is a lender or an affiliate of a lender under the Credit Agreement at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into and is secured equally and ratably with such Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and Security Documents or any such agreement secured equally and ratably with any Credit Facility pursuant to the terms of such Credit Facility and Security Documents.
“Standard & Poor’s” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Stock Compensation Plans” means compensation plans in connection with which the Issuer and its Subsidiaries make payments to Parent and its Affiliates in consideration for securities of Parent issued to employees of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries.
“Subordinated Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.
“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Issuer or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
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“Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement” means that certain Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement dated April 26, 2004 by and between Qurate Retail, Inc. (as assignee of Liberty Interactive LLC (f/k/a Liberty Media Corporation)) and the Issuer, as amended, modified or replaced from time to time in a manner no less favorable to the Issuer than as in effect on the Issue Date; provided that such agreement may be amended from time to time in the future to permit Issuer to pay the portion of any additional consolidated, combined or similar income taxes payable by any direct or indirect parent of Issuer that are attributable to the income of Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Transfer Restricted Notes” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.16(e) hereto.
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
“Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (1) any Subsidiary that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.13 and (2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct non-callable obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, means the number of years obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
“Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of which 100% of the Equity Interests (except for directors’ qualifying shares or certain minority interests owned by other Persons solely due to local law requirements that there be more than one stockholder, but which interest is not in excess of what is required for such purpose) are owned directly by the Issuer or through one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.
The definitions of the following terms may be found in the sections indicated as follows:
| Term | Defined in Section |
| “Affiliate Transaction” | 4.09 |
| “Agent Members” | 2.02(c) |
| “Change of Control Offer” | 4.20 |
| “Change of Control Payment” | 4.20 |
| “Coverage Ratio Exception” | 4.06 |
| “Covenant Defeasance” | 9.03 |
| “Designation” | 4.13 |
| “Event of Default” | 6.01 |
| “Exchange Global Note” | 2.02(b) |
| “Global Notes” | 2.02(b) |
| “Legal Defeasance” | 9.02 |
| “Note Guarantee” | 10.01 |
| “Paying Agent” | 2.04 |
| “Permanent Regulation S Global Note” | 2.02(b) |
| “Permitted Indebtedness” | 4.06 |
| “Permitted Parity Indebtedness” | 4.10(b) |
| “Recovery” | 12.08 |
| “Redesignation” | 4.13 |
| “Registrar” | 2.04 |
| “Regulation S Global Note” | 2.02(b) |
| “Rule 144A Global Note” | 2.02(b) |
| “Successor” | 5.01 |
| “Temporary Regulation S Global Note” | 2.02(b) |
| “Terminated Covenants” | 4.21 |
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SECTION 1.03. Trust Indenture Act.
The Issuer and the Guarantors, if any, shall not be required to qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and the Indenture will not be subject to the terms of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it herein;
(2) “or” is not exclusive;
(3) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(4) words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both genders;
(5) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subsection;
(6) unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer; and
(7) “$,” “U.S. Dollars” and “United States Dollars” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
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ARTICLE Two
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01. Amount of Notes.
Upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) the 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $605,028,000 and (ii) subject to Section 4.06 (unless terminated pursuant to Section 4.21) and Section 4.10, Additional Notes in an unlimited principal amount, upon a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer. The Officer’s Certificate shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, and the names and delivery instructions for each Holder.
Upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate Notes in substitution for Notes originally issued to reflect any name change of the Issuer. Any Additional Notes shall be part of the same issue as the Notes being issued on the date hereof and shall vote on all matters as one class with the Notes being issued on the date hereof, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. For the purposes of this Indenture, except for Section 4.06, references to the Notes include Additional Notes, if any.
SECTION 2.02. Form and Dating; Book Entry Provisions.
(a) The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which are incorporated in and form a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rule or usage to which the Issuer is subject. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
(b) (i) The Notes shall be offered and sold by the Issuer pursuant to the Dealer Manager Agreement initially only to (i) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Notes initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”) and Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary global Notes in fully registered form (collectively, the “Temporary Regulation S Global Note”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit A, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Notes Custodian and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Issuer and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture. Except as set forth in this Section 2.02(b), beneficial ownership interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note, a permanent global Note (the “Permanent Regulation S Global Note” and together with the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, the “Regulation S Global Note”) or any other Note prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and then, after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note only upon certification in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that beneficial ownership interests in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note are owned either by Non-U.S. Persons or U.S. persons who purchased such interests in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act.
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(ii) Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may be exchanged for interests in Rule 144A Global Notes if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Notes in compliance with Rule 144A and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note is being transferred to a Person (A) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (B) purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and (C) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.
(iii) [Reserved].
(iv) Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in this Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).
(v) [Reserved].
(vi) The Rule 144A Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note and the Permanent Regulation S Global Note are collectively referred to herein as “Global Notes”. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
(c) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.02(c) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.
(i) The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, in accordance with this Section 2.02(c), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (A) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or the nominee of such Depository and (B) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.
(ii) Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Note, and the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
(d) Except as provided in this Section 2.02 or Section 2.16 or 2.17, owners of beneficial interests in Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.
(e) The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and agree to be bound thereby.
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(f) The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at the offices of the Registrar.
SECTION 2.03. Execution and Authentication.
An Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature and, with respect to any related Guarantees, an Officer of each Guarantor shall sign the Notation of Guarantee on behalf of such Guarantor, in each case by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer of the Issuer or a Guarantor whose signature is on a Note was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the Note or the Notation of Guarantee, as the case may be, is authenticated, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.
No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Note shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Issuer, and the Issuer shall deliver such Note to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.12, for all purposes of this Indenture such Note shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate the Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Issuer and Affiliates of the Issuer. Each Paying Agent is designated as an authenticating agent for purposes of this Indenture.
The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”), and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer, if any, in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. If and for so long as the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Trustee shall have the right to inspect the register of the Notes during regular business hours. The Issuer may have one or more additional Paying Agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agent. The Issuer or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.
The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent that is not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.07. The Issuer or any wholly owned Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.
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The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office to act as Registrar, Paying Agent and agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes and this Indenture. In acting hereunder and in connection with the Notes, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and the agent for service of notices and demands shall act solely as agents of the Issuer, and will not thereby assume any obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust for or with any Holder.
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust.
No later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on or prior to each due date of the principal or interest on any Notes, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or premium or interest on the Notes (whether such money has been paid to it by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Notes or the Guarantors), and the Issuer and the Paying Agent shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuer (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer serves as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. Money held in trust by the Paying Agent need not be segregated except as required by law and in no event shall the Paying Agent be liable for any interest on any money received by it hereunder. The Issuer at any time may require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2), upon written request to the Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith all money so held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon making such payment, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
SECTION 2.06. Holder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.
SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange.
Subject to Sections 2.02(b), 2.16 and 2.17, when Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request from such Holder to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture are met. Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorneys duly authorized in writing. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall issue and execute and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes (and the Guarantors shall execute the guarantee thereon) evidencing such transfer or exchange at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange. The Issuer may require from the Holder payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer taxes or similar governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to a transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.06, 4.20 or 8.05. The Registrar shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Note for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the delivery of notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed or of any Note selected, called or being called for redemption except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
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Any Holder of any Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of the beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Issuer and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable U.S. Federal or state securities law.
Except as expressly provided herein, neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any duty to monitor the Issuer’s compliance with or have any responsibility with respect to the Issuer’s compliance with any Federal or state securities laws.
SECTION 2.08. Replacement Notes.
If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or the Trustee, or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note (and the Guarantors shall execute the guarantee thereon) if such Holder furnishes to the Issuer and the Trustee evidence reasonably acceptable to them of the ownership and the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date of this Indenture are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond, an indemnity and/or security satisfactory to the Trustee or the Issuer, as applicable, shall be posted by such Holder, sufficient in the judgment of both to protect the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any Paying Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if such Note is replaced. The Issuer and/or the Trustee may charge such Holder for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in replacing such Note (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements) in replacing such Note. Every replacement Note shall constitute a contractual obligation of the Issuer.
SECTION 2.09. Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for (a) those cancelled by it, (b) those delivered to it for cancellation, (c) to the extent set forth in Sections 9.01 and 9.02, on or after the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 9.01 or 9.02 have been satisfied, those Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and (d) those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. Subject to Section 2.10, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or one of its Affiliates holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuer receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer.
If the Paying Agent holds in trust, in its capacity as such, on any Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all accrued interest and principal with respect to the Notes payable on that date and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders thereof pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
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SECTION 2.10. Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any declaration of acceleration or notice of default or direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, Notes owned by the Issuer or any other Affiliate of the Issuer shall be disregarded as though they were not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, only Notes as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee established to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer, a Guarantor, any other obligor on the Notes or any of their respective Affiliates.
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Notes.
Until definitive Notes are prepared and ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as definitive Notes.
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation.
The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall (subject to the record-retention requirements of the Exchange Act) destroy cancelled Notes. The Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Issuer. The Issuer may not reissue or resell, or issue new Notes to replace, Notes that the Issuer has redeemed or paid, or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, other than in accordance with the express provisions of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest.
If the Issuer defaults on a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent permitted by law) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, in accordance with the terms hereof, to the Persons who are Holders of such Notes on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date. The Issuer shall fix such special record date and payment date in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee. The Issuer shall promptly notify each Holder of such Notes a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on defaulted interest, if any, to be paid. The Issuer may make payment of any defaulted interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements (if applicable) of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed and, upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this sentence, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
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SECTION 2.14. CUSIP Number.
The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use a “CUSIP” number, ISIN and “Common Code” number (in each case if then generally in use), and if so, such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number shall be included in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such number either as printed in the notice or on the Notes, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of any such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number used by the Issuer in connection with the issuance of the Notes and of any change in the CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number.
SECTION 2.15. Deposit of Moneys.
Subject to the following paragraph, prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Interest Payment Date and maturity date, the Issuer shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date or maturity date, as the case may be. The principal and interest on Global Notes shall be payable to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the Global Notes represented thereby. The principal and interest on Definitive Notes shall be payable, either in person or by mail, at the applicable offices of the Paying Agent.
If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Issuer at least ten Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, the Issuer (through the Paying Agent) will make all payments on such Holder’s Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on the Notes will be made at the office or agency of the Payment Agent for the Notes within the City and State of New York unless the Issuer (with notice to the Paying Agent) elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.
SECTION 2.16. Special Transfer Provisions.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request:
(x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or
(y) to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:
(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and
(ii) if such Definitive Notes are required to bear a restricted securities legend, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.16(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:
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(A) if such Definitive Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect; or
(B) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Issuer, a certification to that effect; or
(C) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and (ii) if the Issuer so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.16(e)(i).
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note. A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note or a Permanent Regulation S Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note, that such Definitive Note is either (A) being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A or (B) being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Note in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Note in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note; and
(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Notes Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)) or Permanent Regulation S Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(C)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase,
then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled. If no Rule 144A Global Notes or Permanent Regulation S Global Notes, as applicable, are then outstanding, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer, a new Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, in the appropriate principal amount.
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(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.
(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions, instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.
(ii) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of Article Two (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.17), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.
(iv) In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes pursuant to Section 2.17, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.16 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Issuer.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Temporary Regulation S Global Notes. During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may only be sold, pledged or transferred in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (i) to Issuer, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note) or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States.
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(e) Legend.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof), in the case of Notes offered otherwise than in reliance on Regulation S, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS (1) A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (2) NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING ITS NOTE IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF QVC, INC. THAT (A) PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (III) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR,” FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (VI) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (A)(VI) ABOVE OR REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION.
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Each certificate evidencing a Note offered in reliance on Regulation S shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS (1) A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (2) NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING ITS NOTE IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF QVC, INC. THAT (A) PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (III) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR,” FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (VI) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (A)(VI) ABOVE OR REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION.
UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
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Each Definitive Note shall also bear the following additional legend:
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER SHALL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a certificated Note that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note).
(f) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned to the Depository for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Notes Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, to reflect such reduction.
(g) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
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SECTION 2.17. Certificated Notes.
(a) A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Notes Custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.02 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.16 hereof and (i) the Depository notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Note and the Depository fails to appoint a successor depository or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notice, (ii) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Notes in definitive form, then, upon surrender by the relevant Global Note Holder of its Global Note, Notes in such form will be issued to each Person that such Global Note Holder and the Depository identifies as being the beneficial owner of the related Notes, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.
(b) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its Corporate Trust Office, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of US$2,000 principal amount or any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.16(e) hereof, bear the applicable restricted securities legends and definitive note legend set forth in Exhibit A.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(b) hereof, the registered Holder of a Global Note shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(d) In the event of the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 2.17(a) hereof, the Issuer shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons. In the event that the Definitive Notes are not issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Note to issue such Certificated Note, the Issuer expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Article 6 of this Indenture, the right of any beneficial holder of Notes to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Note that represents such beneficial holder’s Notes as if such Certificated Notes had been issued.
(e) By its acceptance of any Note bearing any Legend in Section 2.16(e), each Holder of such Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in such Legend in Section 2.16(e) and agrees that it shall transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture.
The Registrar shall retain for a period of two years copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.02 or this Section 2.17. The Issuer shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable notice to the Registrar.
SECTION 2.18. Computation of Interest.
Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
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ARTICLE Three
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Election To Redeem; Notices to Trustee.
If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 of such Notes, the Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the redemption price, and deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the conditions contained in paragraph 6 of the Notes.
SECTION 3.02. Selection by Trustee of Notes To Be Redeemed.
In the event that less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time pursuant to a redemption made pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, selection of the Notes for redemption shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed or, if such Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided, however, that no Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. For all purposes of this Indenture unless the context otherwise requires, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Issuer may acquire Notes by means other than redemption, whether pursuant to an Issuer tender offer, open market purchase or otherwise, whether through a privately negotiated transaction or public tender or exchange offer, provided such acquisition does not otherwise violate the other terms of this Indenture.
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption.
At least 15 days, and no more than 60 days, before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deliver a notice of redemption to each Holder to be redeemed at his or her last address as the same appears on the registry books maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.04, except that redemption notices may be delivered more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. If the Issuer delivers such notice to Holders, it shall deliver a copy of such notice to the Trustee at the same time.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP numbers, ISIN and Common Code numbers, if any thereof) and shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the redemption price and the amount of premium (or the manner of calculation the redemption price and/or premium) and accrued interest to be paid;
(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date and upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued;
(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
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(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(6) that unless the Issuer defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(7) that the Notes are being redeemed pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes; and
(8) the aggregate principal amount of Notes that are being redeemed.
At the Issuer’s written request made at least five Business Days prior to the date on which notice is to be given (or such lesser date as may be agreed by the Trustee), the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption prepared by the Issuer, in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s sole expense. In such event, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.03.
Notice of any redemption of the Notes may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice of redemption shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all of such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the redemption date as stated in such notice, or by the redemption date as so delayed.
The Trustee shall have no obligation to calculate or verify the calculation of the redemption price. The Issuer’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.03 is delivered, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date, provided that if the Redemption Date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant record date, and provided, further, that if a Redemption Date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the period from such Redemption Date to such succeeding Business Day. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. Promptly after the calculation of the redemption price, the Issuer shall give the Trustee and any Paying Agent written notice thereof.
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On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on Notes called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Notes called for redemption shall cease to accrue interest and the only right of the Holders of such Notes shall be to receive payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the first proviso in Section 3.04, accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to the Redemption Date. If any Note surrendered for redemption shall not be so paid, interest shall be paid, from the Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid principal of the Note and any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate and in the manner provided in the Notes.
SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder thereof a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
SECTION 3.07. Mandatory Redemption.
The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.
ARTICLE Four
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes.
The Issuer shall pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay such installment.
The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal (including post-petition interest in a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law), and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Notes.
The Trustee shall have no obligation to calculate or verify the calculation of the interest rate.
SECTION 4.02. Reports to Holders.
(a) Notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer will file with the SEC:
(1) within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for a non-accelerated filer, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form);
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(2) within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for a non-accelerated filer, reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form);
(3) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form); and
(4) any other information, documents and other reports which the Issuer would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Issuer will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes, including by posting such reports on the primary website of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the Holders, in the case of Form 10-K within 30 days, and in each other case within 15 days, after the time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as a non-accelerated filer.
(b) In the event that (1) the rules and regulations of the SEC permit the Issuer and any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and (2) such parent entity of the Issuer is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of the Issuer, such consolidated reporting at such parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 4.02 for the Issuer will satisfy this Section 4.02.
In addition, the Issuer will make such information available to prospective investors upon request. In addition, the Issuer will, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, it will furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the Holders if the Issuer has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation to determine whether or not the Issuer shall have made such filings.
(c) In the event that any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer is or becomes a Guarantor, Issuer may satisfy its obligations in this Section 4.02 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer and the Subsidiaries of the Issuer on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand.
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SECTION 4.03. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
Each of the Issuer and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, or plead (as a defense or otherwise) or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive any of the Issuer and the Guarantors from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) each of the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
SECTION 4.04. Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default.
(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (starting with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2024), an Officer’s Certificate stating whether or not such Officer executing the same has knowledge of any failure by the Issuer to comply with all conditions and covenants then required to be performed by the Issuer under the Indenture and, if so, specifying each such failure and the nature thereof.
(b) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as practicable, after any Officer of the Issuer becoming aware of any Default under this Indenture, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
SECTION 4.05. [Reserved].
SECTION 4.06. Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur additional Indebtedness, in each case, if, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.00 to 1.00 (the “Coverage Ratio Exception”).
Notwithstanding the above, each of the following shall be permitted (the “Permitted Indebtedness”):
(1) Indebtedness of the Issuer and any Guarantor under the Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000,000;
(2) the Notes and the Note Guarantees;
(3) Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness referred to in clause (1), (2) or (4)), including the Existing Notes and the Existing Note Guarantees;
(4) (x) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer and (y) guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Indebtedness being owed to any Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be deemed to have incurred Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (4);
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(5) Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds issued for the account of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);
(6) Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, and Refinancing Indebtedness thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding $100.0 million;
(7) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of incurrence;
(8) Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;
(9) Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception or clause (2) or (3) above or this clause (9);
(10) indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-out or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Equity Interests for the purpose of financing or in contemplation of any such acquisition; provided that (a) any amount of such obligations included on the face of the balance sheet of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be permitted under this clause (10) and (b) in the case of a disposition, the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such obligations outstanding under this clause (10) shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;
(11) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors if, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of such indebtedness does not exceed $425.0 million (less the amount of any Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted under clause (23) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” which Indebtedness is not incurred pursuant to this clause (11)); and
(12) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250.0 million at any time outstanding.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.06, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness and may divide and classify such Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described and may later reclassify any item of Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above (provided that at the time of reclassification it meets the criteria in such category or categories), except that Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have been incurred under clause (1) above. In addition, for purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this Section 4.06, guarantees, Liens or letter of credit obligations supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included so long as incurred by a Person that could have incurred such Indebtedness.
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For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.
SECTION 4.07. Limitations on Restricted Payments.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless at the time of such Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof; and
(2) after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of proceeds therefrom the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.
The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:
(1) the payment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if on the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests (provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer will be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement);
(3) the redemption of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests (provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer will be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement), (b) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent incurrence of, Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.06 and the other terms of this Indenture or (c) upon a Change of Control or in connection with a sale of assets to the extent required by the agreement governing such Subordinated Indebtedness but only if the Issuer shall have complied with Section 4.20 and purchased all Notes validly tendered pursuant to the relevant offer prior to redeeming such Subordinated Indebtedness;
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(4) (x) prior to the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to permit Parent, and which are used by Parent or (y) after the consummation of an initial public offering, payments used by the Issuer, to redeem Equity Interests of Parent or the Issuer, as the case may be, held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions shall not exceed $25.0 million during any twelve consecutive months;
(5) payments permitted pursuant to clause (3) of Section 4.09;
(6) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if the Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price thereof;
(7) [Reserved];
(8) payments by the Issuer to Parent or its subsidiaries to the extent necessary to pay principal and interest when due in respect of Indebtedness of Parent and its subsidiaries;
(9) Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for directors, management, employees or consultants of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; or
(10) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount from and after the Issue Date not to exceed $50.0 million;
provided that in the case of any Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (3), (8) or (10) above, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, (i) in the event that a proposed Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment (or a portion thereof) meets one or more of the clauses or subclauses of (1) through (10) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.07, one or more of the clauses or subclauses of the definition of “Permitted Investment” or is entitled to be made pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.07, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may allocate all or any portion of such Restricted Payment among one or more of the clauses or subclauses of (1) through (10) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.07, one or more of the clauses or subclauses in the definition of “Permitted Investment” or the first paragraph of this Section 4.07 and (ii) any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment (or a portion thereof) originally made pursuant to one or more of the clauses or subclauses (1) through (10) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.07, one or more of the clauses or subclauses of the definition of “Permitted Investment” or pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.07 may later be reclassified by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries such that it will be deemed as having been made pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.07, one or more of the clauses or subclauses of the definition of “Permitted Investment” or one or more of the clauses or subclauses of (1) through (10) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.07, as applicable, to the extent that such reclassified Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment could be made pursuant to such paragraph or clause or subclause at the time of such reclassification.
For purposes of this Section 4.07, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.
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SECTION 4.08. Limitations on Asset Sales.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:
(1) at the time of such transaction (or, if earlier, the date of the commitment to enter into such transaction) and after giving effect thereto and to the use of proceeds thereof, (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (b) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio is no greater than 3.50 to 1.00; and
(2) if such Asset Sale involves the disposition of Collateral, the Issuer or such Subsidiary has complied with the provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents.
SECTION 4.09. Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to, or purchase any assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $50.0 million, unless such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis by the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:
(1) transactions between or among the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate;
(2) reasonable director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including retirement, health, and Stock Compensation Plans) and indemnification arrangements and reasonable payments to Affiliates in consideration for securities issued in connection therewith;
(3) transactions pursuant to the Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement;
(4) loans and advances permitted by clause (3) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”;
(5) Restricted Payments of the type described in clause (1), (2) or (4) of the definition of “Restricted Payment” and which are made in accordance with Section 4.07;
(6) (x) any agreement in effect on the Issue Date and disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, as in effect on the Issue Date or as thereafter amended or replaced in any manner, that, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Holders or the Issuer in any material respect than such agreement as it was in effect on the Issue Date or (y) any transaction pursuant to any agreement referred to in the immediately preceding clause (x);
(7) any transaction with a joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such joint venture or similar entity; provided that no Affiliate of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have a beneficial interest in such joint venture or similar entity;
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(8) ordinary overhead arrangements in which any Subsidiary participates; and
(9) (a) any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary is Qualified Equity Interests or (b) the issuance or sale of any Qualified Equity Interests.
SECTION 4.10. Limitations on Liens.
(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) of any nature whatsoever against any assets (including Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, which Lien secures Indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or trade payables.
(b) The provisions in the preceding clause (a) shall not apply to Liens on Collateral to secure Indebtedness (“Permitted Parity Indebtedness”) in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $5,000,000,000 that is secured by a Lien that is equal and ratable with or junior to the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees; provided that, the Notes may be restricted from participating in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral; provided further that when there is no Credit Agreement outstanding, Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes may be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral ratably with the holders of any other such Indebtedness and the Holders of the Notes in proportion to the amount of obligations under such Indebtedness.
SECTION 4.11. Additional Note Guarantees.
If, after the Issue Date, (a) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) becomes a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (b) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) guarantees any Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement or any Permitted Parity Indebtedness or (c) the Issuer otherwise elects to have any Restricted Subsidiary become a Guarantor, then, in each such case, the Issuer shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary to:
(1) execute and deliver to the Trustee (a) a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture and (b) a notation of guarantee in respect of its Note Guarantee; and
(2) if requested by the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee one or more opinions of counsel that such supplemental indenture (a) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and (b) constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with its terms (subject to customary qualifications).
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SECTION 4.12. Limitations on Dividend and Other Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Equity Interests held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(b) make loans or advances or pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or
(c) transfer any of its assets to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; except for:
(1) encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of applicable law, regulation or order;
(2) encumbrances or restrictions existing under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents;
(3) non-assignment provisions of any contract or any lease entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(4) encumbrances or restrictions existing under agreements existing on the Issue Date (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes Indentures, the Existing Notes and the Existing Note Guarantees) as in effect on that date;
(5) restrictions relating to any Lien permitted under this Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien that limit the right of the relevant obligor to transfer assets that are subject to such Lien;
(6) restrictions imposed under any agreement to sell assets permitted under this Indenture to any Person pending the closing of such sale;
(7) encumbrances or restrictions imposed under any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person so acquired and encumbrances or restrictions imposed under any agreement of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary provided that such encumbrances or restrictions are not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;
(8) any other agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Issue Date that contains encumbrances and restrictions that are not materially more restrictive with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date;
(9) customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company organizational governance documents, joint venture agreements, shareholder agreements and other similar agreements that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or similar Person or assets of such entities;
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(10) Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred in compliance with Section 4.06 that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the assets acquired;
(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(12) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11) above; provided that such amendments, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment, replacement or refinancing; and
(13) any encumbrances or restrictions solely in favor of the Issuer and/or Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.13. Limitations on Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary) of the Issuer as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” under this Indenture (a “Designation”) only if:
(1) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or immediately after giving effect to such Designation; and
(2) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Designation, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.
No Subsidiary shall be Designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” unless such Subsidiary:
(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt and other obligations arising by operation of law, including joint and several liability for taxes, ERISA obligations and similar items, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07;
(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of the agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding comply with Section 4.09;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve the Person’s financial condition or to cause the Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07; and
(4) will not become a Subsidiary of the Issuer or its other Subsidiaries (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) where the Issuer or such other Subsidiary will become a general partner of any such Subsidiary.
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If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary fails to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture on the date that is 30 days after the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has obtained knowledge of such failure (unless such failure has been cured by such date), and any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary and any Liens on assets of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary at such time and, if the Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred under Section 4.06 or the Lien is not permitted under Section 4.10, the Issuer shall be in default of the applicable covenant.
The Issuer may redesignate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (a “Redesignation”) only if:
(1) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of and after giving effect to such Redesignation; and
(2) all Liens, Indebtedness and Investments of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such Redesignation would, if incurred or made at such time, have been permitted to be incurred or made for all purposes of this Indenture.
All Designations and Redesignations must be evidenced by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Issuer and an Officer’s Certificate certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions delivered to the Trustee.
SECTION 4.14. Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:
(1) such Sale and Leaseback Transaction involves a lease for a term of not more than three years;
(2) such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is between the Issuer and one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or between any of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have (a) incurred the Indebtedness attributable to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.06 and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to Section 4.10 or the lease in the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is not a capital lease and, upon its incurrence, such arrangements outstanding shall not be in excess of 25% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding; or
(4) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction within 365 days after such Sale and Leaseback Transaction to the retirement or other discharge of Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary.
SECTION 4.15. Conduct of Business.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, change its line of business conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date (other than businesses incidental, complementary, similar, related or ancillary thereto and reasonable extensions thereof).
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SECTION 4.16. [Reserved].
SECTION 4.17. [Reserved].
SECTION 4.18. [Reserved].
SECTION 4.19. Payments for Consent.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
SECTION 4.20. Change of Control Offer.
If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs with respect to the Notes, unless the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Notes, the Issuer will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the Holder’s option, any part (equal to $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer.
In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuer will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to, but not including, the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event with respect to the Notes, the Issuer shall deliver a notice to Holders of the Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Notes (a “Change of Control Offer”) on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 15 and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will be required, to the extent lawful, to:
(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased.
The Paying Agent will be required to promptly pay, to each Holder who properly tendered Notes, the purchase price for such Notes, and, upon receipt of written instruction from the Issuer, the Trustee will be required to promptly authenticate and deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each such Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
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The Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In the event that such third party terminates or defaults its offer, the Issuer will be required to make a Change of Control Offer treating the date of such termination or default as though it were the date of the Change of Control Triggering Event.
The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of applicable securities laws and regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions under this Section 4.20, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.20 by virtue of this compliance.
SECTION 4.21. Fall-Away Event.
If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, and the Issuer has delivered written notice of such Investment Grade Ratings to the Trustee, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day and continuing at all times thereafter regardless of any subsequent changes in the ratings of the Notes or the occurrence of any Default, the provisions in the following sections shall no longer be applicable to the Notes (collectively, the “Terminated Covenants”): Sections 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.12 and clause (3) of Section 5.01.
No Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture or the Notes with respect to the Terminated Covenants based on, and none of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring after the Notes attain Investment Grade Ratings, regardless of whether such actions or event would have been permitted if the applicable Terminated Covenants remained in effect.
ARTICLE Five
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
SECTION 5.01. Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations, etc.
The Issuer will not, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (a) consolidate or merge with or into another Person, or sell, lease, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of or assign all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) or (b) adopt a Plan of Liquidation unless, in either case:
(1) either:
(a) the Issuer will be the surviving or continuing Person; or
(b) the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall be made (or, in the case of a Plan of Liquidation, any Person to which assets are transferred) (collectively, the “Successor”) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of any State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia, and the Successor expressly assumes, by agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and this Indenture;
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(2) immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations as set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) immediately after and giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.
For purposes of this Section 5.01, any Indebtedness of the Successor which was not Indebtedness of the Issuer immediately prior to the transaction shall be deemed to have been incurred in connection with such transaction.
Except as provided in Section 10.04, no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, unless:
(1) either:
(a) such Guarantor will be the surviving or continuing Person; or
(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger is another Guarantor or assumes, by agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, this Indenture and the Security Documents; and
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, the Equity Interests of which constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer, will be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.
Upon any consolidation, combination or merger of the Issuer or a Guarantor, or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or Guarantor in accordance with the foregoing, in which the Issuer or such Guarantor is not the continuing obligor under the Notes or its Note Guarantee, the surviving entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer or such Guarantor is merged or the Person to which the conveyance, lease or transfer is made will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named therein as the Issuer or such Guarantor and, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, will be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes or in respect of its Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and all of the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s other obligations and covenants under the Notes, this Indenture and its Note Guarantee, if applicable.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor, that the surviving entity remains or becomes a Guarantor.
SECTION 5.02. Successor Person Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary herein, and thereafter the predecessor entity shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.
ARTICLE Six
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default.
Each of the following shall be an “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes:
(1) failure by the Issuer to pay interest on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for 30 days;
(2) failure by the Issuer to pay the principal on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable, whether at stated maturity, upon redemption, upon purchase, upon acceleration or otherwise;
(3) failure by the Issuer to comply with Section 5.01 or in respect of its obligations to make a Change of Control Offer;
(4) failure by the Issuer to comply with any other agreement or covenant in this Indenture and continuance of this failure for 30 days after written notice of the failure has been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes;
(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or other instrument or agreement under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or is incurred after the Issue Date, which default:
(a) is caused by a failure to pay at final maturity principal on such Indebtedness within the applicable express grace period and any extensions thereof,
(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express final maturity, or
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(c) results in the commencement of judicial proceedings to foreclose upon, or to exercise remedies under applicable law or the applicable security documents to take ownership of, the assets securing such Indebtedness, and
in each case, the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with any other Indebtedness with respect to which an event described in clause (a), (b) or (c) has occurred and is continuing, aggregates $100.0 million or more (and provided that, for purposes of this clause (5) only, “Indebtedness” shall include any Hedging Obligations with the “principal amount” of any Hedging Obligations at any time being the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be required to pay if the agreement with respect to such Hedging Obligations terminated at such time);
(6) one or more judgments or orders that exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate (net of amounts covered by insurance or bonded) for the payment of money have been entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and such judgment or judgments have not been satisfied, stayed, annulled or rescinded within 60 days of being entered;
(7) the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(a) commences a voluntary case,
(b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(c) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its assets, or
(d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(a) is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary as debtor in an involuntary case,
(b) appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary, or
(c) orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary,
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
(9) any Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Note Guarantee and this Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or found to be invalid or any Guarantor denies its liability under its Note Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Note Guarantee);
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(10) (a) the security interest under the Security Documents, at any time, ceases to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Security Documents, (b) any security interest created thereunder or under this Indenture is declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction (other than by reason of release in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Security Documents) or (c) the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Parent Pledgor or any of their respective Affiliates asserts, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any such security interest is invalid or unenforceable; or
(11) the Parent Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in the Parent Pledge Agreement and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Collateral Agent to the Parent Pledgor.
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. If any other Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor), shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee, by written notice to the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration of acceleration, the aggregate principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding Notes shall immediately become due and payable; provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal and interest, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture.
The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes, give the Holders of such Notes written notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided, however, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.
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SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, this Indenture and, subject to the terms thereof, the Security Documents and may take any necessary action requested of it as Trustee to settle, compromise, adjust or otherwise conclude any proceedings to which it is a party.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative. Any costs associated with actions taken by the Trustee under this Section 6.03 shall be reimbursed to the Trustee by the Issuer.
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SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults and Events of Default.
Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.08 and 8.02, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding have the right to waive any existing Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. 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 thereto.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority.
Subject to the terms of the Security Documents, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may 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 by this Indenture. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder not taking part in such direction (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holder), and the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed may result in costs and expenses of the Trustee for which it has no source of payment or recovery or involve it in personal liability; provided that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder shall have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless the Trustee:
(1) has failed to act for a period of 60 days after receiving written notice of a continuing Event of Default by such Holder and a request to act by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes;
(2) has been offered indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it; and
(3) has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes a direction inconsistent with such request.
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of any Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of or interest on such Note on or after the due date therefor (after giving effect to the grace period specified in clause (1) of Section 6.01).
SECTION 6.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes or this Indenture or of any Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.
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SECTION 6.08. Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest of the Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
SECTION 6.09. Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor on the Notes) for the whole amount of unpaid principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate set forth in the Notes.
SECTION 6.10. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same after deduction of its charges and expenses to the extent that any such charges and expenses are not paid out of the estate in any such proceedings and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes 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 proceedings.
SECTION 6.11. Priorities.
Subject to the terms of the Security Documents and any intercreditor agreement with the holders of Permitted Party Indebtedness, if the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee and each Agent for amounts due under this Indenture, including, without limitation, under Section 7.07 hereof;
SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest as to each, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes; and
THIRD: to the Issuer or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount from any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.
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The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.11. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall deliver to each Holder and the Issuer a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.
SECTION 6.12. Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy hereunder or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.08 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.
ARTICLE Seven
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the same circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform on their face to the requirements hereof (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) this clause (c) does not limit the effect of clause (b) of this Section 7.01;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to the terms hereof; and
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(4) no provision hereof shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its rights, powers or duties if it shall have grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this Section 7.01 shall govern every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee.
(e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any loss, liability, expense or fee.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer or any Guarantor. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by the law.
(g) 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 7.01.
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee.
Subject to Section 7.01:
(1) The Trustee may rely on any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(2) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 11.05. The Trustee shall be protected and shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.
(3) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed by it with due care.
(4) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct (as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable decision).
(5) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(6) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except (i) any Event of Default occurring pursuant to clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 or (ii) any Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notification thereof at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and such notice references the Issuer, the Notes and this Indenture. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume there is no Default except as aforesaid.
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(7) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture, and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any such rights or powers, unless it shall have been offered security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against the cost, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it in connection with such exercise of its rights or powers.
(8) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate (including any Officer’s Certificate), statement, instrument, opinion (including any Opinion of Counsel), 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, upon reasonable notice to the Issuer, to examine the books, records, and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the investigation. Except with respect to Sections 4.01, 4.02 (subject to paragraph 12 below) and 4.04, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ covenants set forth herein.
(9) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
(10) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties hereunder.
(11) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(12) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, incidental, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(13) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on the Officer’s Certificate).
(14) The Trustee shall not have any responsibility with respect to any information, statement or recital in any Offering Memorandum or any other disclosure material prepared or distributed with respect to the Notes.
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform services for or otherwise deal with either of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any Affiliates thereof, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee, however, shall be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
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SECTION 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes or any Note Guarantee, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s use of the proceeds from the sale of Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or any Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and it shall not be responsible for the use or application of money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any statement in the Notes, Note Guarantee, this Indenture or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults.
The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes, give the Holders notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided, however, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is not opposed to the interest of the Holders.
SECTION 7.06. [Reserved].
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.
The Issuer and the Guarantors (on a joint and several basis) shall pay to the Trustee and Agents from time to time reasonable compensation for its services hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as agreed to from time to time by the Trustee and the Issuer. The Issuer and the Guarantors (on a joint and several basis) shall reimburse the Trustee and Agents upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, expenses and advances incurred or made by it in connection with its duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Issuer and the Guarantors (on a joint and several basis) shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including without limitation taxes (other than taxes based on, measured by or determined by the income (however denominated) of the Trustee or such Agent or any of their affiliates or any group of which the Trustee, such Agent or such affiliate is a member) and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by each of them in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties under this Indenture including the reasonable 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 (including, without limitation, settlement costs). The Trustee or Agent shall notify the Issuer and the Guarantors in writing promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee or Agent for which it may seek indemnity. The Issuer may defend the claim and, if it does, the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense and the Issuer and/or the Guarantor shall pay the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such counsel. However, the failure by the Trustee or Agent to so notify the Issuer and the Guarantors shall not relieve the Issuer and Guarantors of their obligations hereunder except to the extent the Issuer and the Guarantors are prejudiced thereby. The Issuer need not pay for any settlement made without its consent. Any settlement of a such a claim which affects the Trustee may not be entered into without the written consent of the Trustee unless the Trustee is given a full and unconditional release from liability with respect to the claims covered thereby and such settlement does not include a statement or admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Trustee. As used in this Section 7.07, the term “Trustee” shall also include each Agent, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, as applicable.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer and the Guarantors need not reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnify it against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through its gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable decision). To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee except such money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes. The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee, Agents and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee, Agents and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, discharge or other termination of this Indenture, including any termination or rejection hereof under any Bankruptcy Law.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
For purposes of this Section 7.07, the term “Trustee” shall include any trustee appointed pursuant to this Article Seven.
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.
The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Issuer and the Guarantors in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by notifying the Issuer and the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Issuer’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Issuer may remove the Trustee at its election if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If a Trustee is removed with or without cause, all fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Trustee incurred in the administration of the trust or in performing the duties hereunder shall be paid to the Trustee.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee (at the expense of the Issuer).
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
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A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Immediately following such delivery, the retiring Trustee shall, subject to its rights under Section 7.07, transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall deliver notice of its succession to each Holder. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another entity, subject to Section 7.10, the successor entity without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided such entity shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Seven.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee (together with its corporate parent) shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in the most recent applicable published annual report of condition.
ARTICLE Eight
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION 8.01. Without Consent of Holders.
The Issuer and the Trustee (or in the case of the Security Documents, the Collateral Agent) may amend, waive or supplement this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Note Guarantees or the Notes without prior notice to or consent of any Holder:
(1) to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders pursuant to Section 5.01;
(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(3) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(4) to add Note Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure the Notes;
(5) to release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture (to the extent permitted by this Indenture);
(6) to qualify or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(7) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or a Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the Notes;
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(8) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture;
(9) to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant any other Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent or Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as additional security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the obligations under the Notes and this Indenture in any property or assets, including any which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a Lien is required to be granted to or for the benefit of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any of the Security Documents or otherwise;
(10) to add or remove Secured Parties (or any agent acting on their behalf) to or from any Security Documents or to release Collateral from the Lien of this Indenture and the Security Documents when permitted or required by the Security Documents or this Indenture;
(11) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Note Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of the New Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in the “Description of the New Notes” in the Offering Memorandum was intended to be a recitation of a provision in this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Note Guarantees or the Notes; or
(12) to make any other change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects its own rights, duties, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture.
SECTION 8.02. With Consent of Holders.
(a) Subject to clause (b) of this Section 8.02, this Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing Default under, or compliance with any provision of, this Indenture may be waived (other than any continuing Default in the payment of the principal or interest on the Notes) with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Furthermore, without the consent of each Holder affected, no amendment or waiver may:
(1) reduce, or change the maturity of, the principal of any Note;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;
(3) reduce any premium payable upon redemption of the Notes or change the date on, or the circumstances under, which any Notes are subject to redemption (other than provisions relating to the purchase of Notes described in Sections 4.20, except that if a Change of Control has occurred, no amendment or other modification of the obligation of the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer relating to such Change of Control shall be made without the consent of each Holder affected);
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(4) make any Note payable in money or currency other than that stated in the Notes;
(5) modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the related definitions to affect the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner that adversely affects the Holders;
(6) reduce the percentage of Holders necessary to consent to an amendment or waiver to this Indenture or the Notes;
(7) waive a default in the payment of principal of or premium or interest on any Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders thereof as provided in this Indenture and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(8) impair the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Notes on or after the due date therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the Notes;
(9) release any Guarantor that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except as permitted by this Indenture, or amend the definition of Material Domestic Subsidiary in a manner adverse to Holders; or
(10) make any change in this Section 8.02.
(b) In addition, without the consent of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment, supplement or waiver may modify any Security Document or the provisions of this Indenture dealing with the Security Documents or application of trust moneys, or otherwise release any Collateral, in each case in any manner that materially and adversely affects the rights of the Holders to equally and ratably share in the Liens provided for in the Security Documents in a manner that is materially disproportionate to the effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver on the holders of the other obligations secured by the Security Documents.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 8.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall deliver to the Holders a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver or result in a Default.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
SECTION 8.03. [Reserved].
SECTION 8.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Note or portion thereof, and of any Note issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Note.
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The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.
After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (10) of Section 8.02(a). In that case the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note.
SECTION 8.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
If an amendment, supplement, or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) shall request the Holder (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) to deliver it to the Trustee. In such case, the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue, the Guarantors shall endorse, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
SECTION 8.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Eight if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities, indemnities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.01, shall be fully protected in relying conclusively upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating, in addition to the matters required by Section 11.04, that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and all conditions precedent required hereunder to such amendment, supplement or waiver have been satisfied.
ARTICLE Nine
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
SECTION 9.01. Discharge of Indenture.
The Issuer may terminate its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Note Guarantees with respect to this Indenture, except the obligations referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 9.01, if
(1) all the Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from this trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or
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(2) (a) all Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation otherwise (i) have become due and payable, (ii) shall become due and payable, or may be called for redemption, within one year or (iii) have been called for redemption pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, and, in any case, the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of such Notes, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness (including all principal and accrued interest) on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,
(b) the Issuer has paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to the Notes, and
(c) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the date of redemption, as the case may be.
In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.
After such delivery, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture, except for those surviving obligations specified below.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer in Sections 7.07, 9.05 and 9.06 shall survive.
SECTION 9.02. Legal Defeasance.
The Issuer may at its option, by Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Notes and the Guarantors discharged from their obligations under the Note Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Notes and the Note Guarantees and to have satisfied all its other obligations under of the Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall, subject to Section 9.06, execute instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and Issuer acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder (a) the rights of Holders of the outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely from the trust funds described in Section 9.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 2.11, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07) and (d) this Article Nine. Subject to compliance with this Article Nine, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 9.02 with respect to Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.03 with respect to such Notes.
SECTION 9.03. Covenant Defeasance.
At the option of the Issuer, pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, with respect to the Notes (x) the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be released from their respective obligations under Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.06 through 4.15, inclusive, 4.20 and clause (3) of the first paragraph of Section 5.01 and (y) clauses (4), (5), (6) and (9) of Section 6.01 shall no longer apply with respect to the Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors 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 or portion thereof, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes shall be unaffected thereby.
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SECTION 9.04. Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 to the outstanding Notes:
(1) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuer, to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the stated date for payment or on the Redemption Date of the principal or installment of principal of or interest on the Notes,
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States confirming that:
(a) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling, or
(b) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Legal Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred,
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the beneficial owners of outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Covenant Defeasance had not occurred,
(4) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),
(5) the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute (a) a Default under this Indenture or (b) a default under any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound (other than any such Default or default resulting solely from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),
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(6) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by it with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Notes over any other of its creditors or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other of its creditors or others, and
(7) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the conditions provided for in, in the case of the Officer’s Certificate, clauses (1) through (6) and, in the case of the Opinion of Counsel, clauses (2) and/or (3) and (5) of this paragraph have been complied with.
If the funds deposited with the Trustee to effect Covenant Defeasance are insufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes when due, then the obligations of the Issuer and the obligations of Guarantors under this Indenture shall be revived and no such defeasance shall be deemed to have occurred.
SECTION 9.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
All money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent, to the Holders of such Notes, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuer and the Guarantors shall (on a joint and several basis) pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.04 or the principal, premium, if any, 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 the outstanding Notes.
Anything in this Article Nine to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 9.04 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 an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
SECTION 9.06. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and each Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Nine until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01; provided that if the Issuer or the Guarantors have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or accrued interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
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SECTION 9.07. Moneys Held by Paying Agent.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon written demand of the Issuer, be paid to the Trustee, or if sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.04, to the Issuer (or, if such moneys had been deposited by the Guarantors, to such Guarantors), and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
SECTION 9.08. Moneys Held by Trustee.
Subject to applicable law, any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such Note for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Note shall have respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Issuer (or, if appropriate, the Guarantors), or if such moneys are then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust, such moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Note entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, either deliver to each Holder affected, at the address shown in the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.04, or cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of New York, New York, a 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 delivery or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining shall be repaid to the Issuer. After payment to the Issuer or the Guarantors or the release of any money held in trust by the Issuer or any Guarantors, as the case may be, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
ARTICLE Ten
GUARANTEE OF NOTES
SECTION 10.01. Guarantee.
Subject to the provisions of this Article Ten, each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees (each, a “Note Guarantee” and collectively, the “Note Guarantees”) to each Holder (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual payment of all obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of such Note and this Indenture, and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
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Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article Six, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.
SECTION 10.02. Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.
To further evidence the Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit B hereto, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and such Note Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer or an Officer of a general partner, as the case may be, of each Guarantor. The validity and enforceability of any Note Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.
Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.
If an officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee of such Note shall be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantor.
SECTION 10.03. Limitation of Guarantee.
The obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor (including, without limitation, any guarantees under the Credit Agreement and the Existing Note Guarantees) and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Note Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the adjusted net assets of each Guarantor.
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SECTION 10.04. Release of Guarantor.
A Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and its obligations under this Indenture:
(1) in the event of dissolution of such Guarantor;
(2) if such Guarantor is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or otherwise ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, upon effectiveness of such designation or when it first ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, respectively; or
(3) upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of the Credit Agreement or such other Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such other guarantee,
and in each such case, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder.
The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Issuer or a Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article Ten.
SECTION 10.05. Waiver of Subrogation.
Until the Notes have been paid in full, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Issuer that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Issuer, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Issuer, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or Note on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 10.05 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
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ARTICLE Eleven
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.01. [Reserved].
SECTION 11.02. Notices.
Except for notice or communications to Holders, any notice or communication shall be given in writing and delivered in person, sent by facsimile or electronic transmission, delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:
QVC, Inc.
Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with copies to (which shall not constitute notice):
QVC, Inc.
Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
Attention: General Counsel
and
Qurate Retail, Inc.
12300 Liberty Boulevard
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
and
Qurate
Retail, Inc.
12300 Liberty Boulevard
Englewood, CO 80112
Attention: Treasurer
and
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
1301
Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1700
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Robert Wann
If to the Trustee:
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Global Corporate Trust
50 Liberty Place
50 S. 16th Street, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Attention: Michael Judge
E-mail: michael.judge@usbank.com
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Such notices or communications shall be effective when received and shall be sufficiently given if so given within the time prescribed in this Indenture.
The Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee by written notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to such Holder by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.
Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication to a Holder is delivered in the manner provided above, it shall be deemed duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise) such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Note (or its designee), pursuant to the applicable rules and procedures of such Depository, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice.
The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent in the form of a manually signed document by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Issuer shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing designated persons with the authority to provide such instructions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Issuer elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee's reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee's reasonable reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding that such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Issuer agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic signatures and electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.
All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications to the Trustee hereunder must be in writing in English and must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of an electronic signature (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other electronic signature provider acceptable to the Trustee). Electronic signatures believed in good faith by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN ACT of 2000 or other applicable law shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may in any instance and in its sole discretion require that an original document bearing a manual signature be delivered to the Trustee in lieu of, or in addition to, any document signed via electronic signature.
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SECTION 11.03. [Reserved].
SECTION 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture (other than with respect to the authentication and delivery of the Initial Notes under this Indenture), the Issuer or such Guarantor shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion.
Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Guarantor with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the Officer’s Certificate required by Sections 3.01 or 4.04) shall include:
(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, it or he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable it or him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(3) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to such matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificate of public officials, and provided, further, that an Opinion of Counsel may have customary qualifications for opinions of the type required.
SECTION 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or meetings of Holders. The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
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SECTION 11.07. Business Days.
If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
SECTION 11.08. Governing Law.
This Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York.
SECTION 11.09. Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 11.10. Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.
SECTION 11.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan, security or debt agreement of the Issuer or any Subsidiary. No such indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture.
SECTION 11.12. No Recourse Against Others.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, on any of the Notes, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or of any successor corporation or against the property or assets of any such stockholder, officer, employee or director, either directly or through the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any successor corporation thereof, 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 this Indenture and the Notes are solely obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, any stockholder, officer, employee or director of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any successor corporation thereof, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or the Notes or implied there from, and that any and all such personal liability of, and any and all claims against every stockholder, officer, employee and director, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Notes. It is understood that this limitation on recourse is made expressly for the benefit of any such shareholder, employee, officer or director and may be enforced by any of them.
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SECTION 11.13. Successors.
All agreements of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
SECTION 11.14. Multiple Counterparts.
The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture. Each signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent one and the same agreement.
SECTION 11.15. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 11.16. Separability.
Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the basic purpose of this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 11.17. USA Patriot Act
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee and Agents, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this agreement agree that they shall provide the Trustee and the Agents with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.
ARTICLE Twelve
COLLATERAL AND SECURITY
SECTION 12.01. Security Documents.
(a) The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when due, whether on an interest payment date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise and whether by the Issuer pursuant to the Notes or by any Guarantor pursuant to its Note Guarantees, the payment of all secured obligations under the Security Documents, and the performance of all other obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents are secured by Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders prior to all other Liens except for Permitted Liens, as provided in the Security Documents, and shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents hereafter delivered as required or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee, the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent holds the Collateral in trust for the ratable benefit of the Trustee and the Holders and the other secured parties under the Security Document as provided therein and enforcing their rights (in their capacity as such) with respect to the Collateral, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents. Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and the applicable Security Documents, and authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith. The Issuer shall deliver to the Collateral Agent all documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Security Documents, and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required by the next sentence of this Section 12.01(a), to assure and confirm to the Collateral Agent the security interest in the Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Security Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured thereby, according to the intent and purposes therein expressed. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each Guarantor to, and each Guarantor shall, make all filings (including filings of continuation statements and amendments to Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) and take all other actions as are required by the Security Documents to maintain (at the sole cost and expense of the Issuer and Guarantors) the security interest created by the Security Documents in the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders as a valid and enforceable first priority perfected lien and security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens.
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(b) Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall take or omit to take any action that would materially adversely affect or impair the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Collateral. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall enter into any agreement that requires the proceeds received from any sale of Collateral to be applied to repay, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire any Indebtedness of any Person, other than as permitted by this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents.
SECTION 12.02. Collateral Agent.
(a) The Collateral Agent shall determine the time and method by which the security interests in the Collateral shall be enforced and shall have the sole and exclusive right to manage, perform and enforce the terms of the Security Documents relating to the Collateral and to exercise and enforce all privileges, rights and remedies thereunder, including to take or retake control or possession of such Collateral and to hold, prepare for sale, marshal, process, sell, lease, dispose of or liquidate such Collateral, including, without limitation, following the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture.
(b) Prior to the repayment in full in cash of all obligations under the Credit Agreement, neither the Trustee nor the Holders shall be entitled to exercise or be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent, including the right to enforce the actions pursuant to the Security Documents, request any action, institute proceedings, give any instructions or notices, make any election, make collections, sell or otherwise foreclose on any portion of the Collateral or receive any payment (except for the right to receive payments as expressly set forth under the Security Documents).
(c) None of the Collateral Agent, any lender or agent of the secured obligations under the Security Documents shall be liable to the Trustee or the Holders for any actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of the security interests on the Collateral, actions with respect to the occurrence of a default or an event of default, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release, or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral, actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the obligations under the Notes from any debtor, guarantor or any other party or the valuation, use or protection of the Collateral.
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SECTION 12.03. Release of Collateral.
(a) The Issuer and the Guarantors shall be entitled to the release of the following property and other assets constituting Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees under any one or more of the following circumstances:
(1) in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Note Guarantee pursuant to the terms hereof, the property and assets of such Guarantor;
(2) concurrently with any release of such Collateral under the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes, and all then outstanding Permitted Parity Indebtedness;
(3) any Collateral that is sold (other than any such sale to another grantor of Collateral) in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement;
(4) as described under Section 8.02(b); or
(5) upon (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, are paid or (ii) a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance hereunder made in accordance with Section 9.04 or a discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 9.01.
(b) Upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying that all conditions precedent hereunder and under the Security Documents, if any, to such release have been met and any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Issuer, the Trustee shall, to the extent it may do so under the applicable Security Documents, or shall cause the Collateral Agent to, execute, deliver or acknowledge (at the Issuer’s expense) such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Security Documents. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any such release undertaken in good faith in reliance upon any such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, and notwithstanding any term hereof or in any Security Document to the contrary, the Trustee and Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to release any such Lien and security interest, or execute and deliver any such instrument of release, satisfaction or termination, unless and until it receives such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.
SECTION 12.04. Filing, Recording and Opinions.
(a) [Reserved].
(b) Any release of Collateral permitted by Section 12.03 hereof shall be deemed not to impair the Liens under this Indenture and the Security Documents in contravention hereof and thereof.
-83-
(c) The Issuer and the Guarantors may, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, among other things, without any release or consent by the Collateral Agent, conduct ordinary course activities with respect to the Collateral, including, without limitation, (i) selling or otherwise disposing of, in any transaction or series of related transactions, any property subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that has become worn out, defective, obsolete or not used or useful in the business; (ii) abandoning, terminating, canceling, releasing or making alterations in or substitutions of any leases or contracts subject to the Lien of this Indenture or any of the Security Documents; (iii) surrendering or modifying any franchise, license or permit subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that it may own or under which it may be operating; (iv) altering, repairing, replacing, changing the location or position of and adding to its structures, machinery, systems, equipment, fixtures and appurtenances; (v) granting a license of any intellectual property; (vi) selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of inventory in the ordinary course of business; (vii) collecting accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business; (viii) making cash payments (including for the repayment of Indebtedness or interest) from cash that is at any time part of the Collateral in the ordinary course of business that are not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and the Security Documents; and (ix) abandoning any intellectual property that is no longer used or useful in the Issuer’s business.
SECTION 12.05. Possession and Use of Collateral.
Subject to the provisions of the Security Documents, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall have the right to remain in possession and retain exclusive control of and to exercise all rights with respect to the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents and herein), to operate, manage, develop, lease, use, consume and enjoy the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents and herein), to alter or repair any Collateral so long as such alterations and repairs do not impair the Lien of the Security Documents thereon, and to collect, receive, use, invest and dispose of the reversions, remainders, interest, rents, lease payments, issues, profits, revenues, proceeds and other income thereof. Subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement, the Parent Pledgor will have the right to receive dividends paid in respect of the shares constituting the Collateral and to exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares constituting the Collateral.
SECTION 12.06. Authorization of Actions to Be Taken by the Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents.
(a) The Holders agree that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities and benefits provided to the Collateral Agent by the Security Documents. Furthermore, each Holder, by accepting such Note and the Trustee hereby appoints JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (and any of its successors) as collateral agent under the Security Documents and consents to the terms of and authorizes and directs the Trustee (in each of its capacities) and the Collateral Agent to enter into and perform the Security Documents in each of its capacities thereunder.
(b) The Collateral Agent is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions hereof and thereof.
(c) The Issuer and the Holders each acknowledge that the Trustee may, but is not required to, act as collateral agent under any of the Security Documents.
SECTION 12.07. Purchase Protected.
In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Collateral Agent to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article Twelve to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.
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SECTION 12.08. Reinstatement; Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee.
(a) To the extent the Trustee or any Holder is required in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay any amount, including with respect to the Obligations or proceeds of any Collateral, to the estate of the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar person therefor) because the payment of such amount was subsequently invalidated, set aside, declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason, any such amount (a “Recovery”), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise, then as among the parties hereto, the Obligations owing to such party shall be deemed to be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and to be outstanding as if such payment had not been received. Such Secured Party and the Trustee shall be entitled to a reinstatement of the Obligations, the Liens and security interests with respect to all such recovered amounts and shall have all rights, powers and remedies as a Secured Party under this Indenture and the Security Documents which shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, this Indenture shall be automatically reinstated and each of the Issuer and the Guarantors shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee to effect such reinstatement.
(b) In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article Twelve upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Issuer or a Guarantor or of any officer or officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article Twelve; and if the Trustee shall be in the possession of the Collateral under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the date and year first written above.
| QVC, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Bill Wafford | ||
| Name: | Bill Wafford | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| Guarantors: |
| AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Robert D. Smith | ||
| Name: | Robert D. Smith | ||
| Title: | President and Secretary | ||
| AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Robert D. Smith | ||
| Name: | Robert D. Smith | ||
| Title: | President and Secretary | ||
| AMI 2, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Robert D. Smith | ||
| Name: | Robert D. Smith | ||
| Title: | President and Secretary | ||
| ER MARKS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Robert D. Smith | ||
| Name: | Robert D. Smith | ||
| Title: | President and Secretary | ||
| QVC GLOBAL HOLDINGS I, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Bill Wafford | ||
| Name: | Bill Wafford | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Treasurer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Bill Wafford | ||
| Name: | Bill Wafford | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Treasurer | ||
| QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC | |||
| By: | /s/ Bill Wafford | ||
| Name: | Bill Wafford | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Treasurer | ||
| HSN, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Bill Wafford | ||
| Name: | Bill Wafford | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Finance | ||
| HSNi, LLC | |||
| By: | /s/ Bill Wafford | ||
| Name: | Bill Wafford | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Finance | ||
| HSN HOLDING LLC | |||
| By: | /s/ Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Name: | Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| HOME SHOPPING NETWORK EN ESPANOL, L.L.C. | |||
| By: | /s/ Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Name: | Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary | ||
| HOME SHOPPING NETWORK EN ESPANOL, L.P. | |||
| By: HOME SHOPPING NETWORK EN ESPANOL, L.L.C., its general partner | |||
| By: | /s/ Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Name: | Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary | ||
| INGENIOUS DESIGNS LLC | |||
| By: | /s/ Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Name: | Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary | ||
| NLG MERGER CORP. | |||
| By: | /s/ Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Name: | Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary | ||
| VENTANA TELEVISION, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Name: | Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| VENTANA TELEVISION HOLDINGS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Name: | Eve DelSoldo | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary | ||
| QVC GLOBAL CORPORATE HOLDINGS, LLC | |||
| By: | /s/Bill Wafford | ||
| Name: | Bill Wafford | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Treasurer | ||
| QVC GCH COMPANY, LLC | |||
| By: | /s/Bill Wafford | ||
| Name: | Bill Wafford | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Treasurer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee | |||
| By: | /s/ Michael Judge. | ||
| Name: | Michael Judge | ||
| Title: | Vice President | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF GLOBAL NOTE]
[Global Notes Legend]
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered
Otherwise than in Reliance on Regulation S]
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS (1) A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (2) NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING ITS NOTE IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
A-1
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF QVC, INC. THAT (A) PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (III) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR,” FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (VI) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (A)(VI) ABOVE OR REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION.
[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS (1) A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (2) NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING ITS NOTE IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
A-2
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF QVC, INC. THAT (A) PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (III) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR,” FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (VI) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (A)(VI) ABOVE OR REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION.
UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
[Temporary Regulation S Global Note Legend]
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE SHALL NOT BE EXCHANGEABLE FOR INTERESTS IN THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY OTHER NOTE REPRESENTING AN INTEREST IN THE NOTES REPRESENTED HEREBY WHICH DO NOT CONTAIN A LEGEND CONTAINING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE “40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 903(b)(2) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THEN ONLY UPON CERTIFICATION IN FORM REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE THAT SUCH BENEFICIAL INTERESTS ARE OWNED EITHER BY NON-U.S. PERSONS OR U.S. PERSONS WHO PURCHASED SUCH INTERESTS IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. DURING SUCH 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY ONLY BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. HOLDERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE SHALL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE, IF THEN APPLICABLE.
A-3
AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE NOTES IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO A PERSON WHO THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A, (B) TO A PERSON WHO IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, AND (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A PERSON WHO TAKES DELIVERY IN THE FORM OF AN INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, ONLY IF THE TRANSFEROR FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S OR RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE).
[Definitive Notes Legend]
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER SHALL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
[Tax Legend for all Notes]
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS NOTE MAY BE ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. A HOLDER MAY OBTAIN THE ISSUE PRICE, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (IF ANY), THE ISSUE DATE, AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY RELATING TO THE NOTES BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO QVC, INC. AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: STUDIO PARK, 1200 WILSON DRIVE, MC 203, WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA 19380, ATTENTION: GENERAL COUNSEL.
A-4
FORM OF GLOBAL NOTE
[CUSIP for Notes Offered Otherwise than in Reliance on Regulation S]
| CUSIP No.: 747262 BA0 | |
| ISIN No.: US747262BA06 |
[CUSIP for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]
| CUSIP No.: U74900 AM0 | |
| ISIN No.: USU74900AM03 |
QVC, INC.
| No. | $ |
6.875% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE 2029
QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns the principal sum of dollars on April 15, 2029.
Interest Rate: 6.875% per annum
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15.
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
A-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.
| QVC, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
Dated:
A-6
Certificate of Authentication
This is one of the 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
Dated:
A-7
[FORM OF REVERSE OF GLOBAL NOTE]
QVC, INC.
6.875% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE 2029
1. Interest.
QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, interest on the principal amount set forth on the face hereof at a rate of 6.875% per annum. Interest hereon shall accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including September 25, 2024 to but excluding the date on which interest is paid. Interest shall be payable in arrears on each April 15 and October 15 of each year commencing on April 15, 2025. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and on overdue interest (to the full extent permitted by law) at a rate of 6.875% per annum.
[Until this Temporary Regulation S Global Note is exchanged for one or more Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Holder hereof shall not be entitled to receive payments of interest hereon; until so exchanged in full, this Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall in all other respects be entitled to the same benefits as other Notes under the Indenture.]
2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest hereon (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company (through the Paying Agent) shall pay principal and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. If the Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company at least ten Business Days prior to the payment date, the Company (through the Paying Agent) shall make all payments on this Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on this Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Payment Agent unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association (the “Trustee”), shall act as a Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
4. Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of September 25, 2024 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture, as amended from time to time. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of them. Capitalized and certain other terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.
5. Mandatory Redemption. Except as set forth in paragraph 8 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.
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6. Optional Redemption. (a) The Notes are redeemable at the Company’s election, in whole or in part at any time upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ notice. The redemption price for the Notes that are redeemed before the date that is three months prior to maturity will be equal to the greater of:
(i) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, or
(ii) as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, the sum of the present values of (i) the remaining scheduled payments of principal and (ii) all required interest on the Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) to the date this is three months prior to maturity discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points,
plus, in either of the above cases, accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The redemption price for the Notes that are redeemed on or after January 15, 2029 will be equal to 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, and will not include a “make whole” premium. Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portion thereof called for redemption. The Trustee shall have no obligation to calculate or verify the calculation of the redemption price. The Issuer’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(b) In the event of a redemption of fewer than all of the Notes, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. On and after any Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption unless the Company shall fail to redeem any such Note.
7. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be delivered at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder to be redeemed at his registered address, except that redemption notices may be delivered more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. On and after the Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. Notice of any redemption of Notes may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice of redemption shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all of such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the redemption date as stated in such notice, or by the redemption date as so delayed.
8. Offers To Purchase. The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Company shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.
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9. Collateral. These Notes are secured initially by a security interest in the Collateral pursuant to certain Security Documents. Reference is made to the Indenture for events causing release of the security interest in the Collateral.
10. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay to it any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any Notes or a portion of a Note selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before delivery of a notice of redemption.
[This Temporary Regulation S Global Note is exchangeable in whole or in part for one or more Global Notes only (i) on or after the expiration of the Restricted Period and (ii) upon presentation of certificates (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, if applicable) required by Article Two of the Indenture. Upon exchange of this Temporary Regulation S Global Note for one or more Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel this Temporary Regulation S Global Note.]
11. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of this Note for all purposes.
12. Unclaimed Money. If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee shall pay the money back to the Company at its written request. After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an “abandoned property” law designates another Person.
13. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver, Etc. The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee (if a party thereto) may, without the consent of the Holders of any outstanding Notes, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture or the Notes for certain specified purposes set forth in the Indenture, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies and making any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder. Other amendments and modifications of the Indenture or the Notes may be made by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, subject to certain exceptions requiring the consent of the Holders of the particular Notes to be affected.
14. Successor Corporation. When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture and the transaction complies with the terms of Article Five of the Indenture, the predecessor corporation shall, except as provided in Article Five of the Indenture, be released from those obligations.
15. Defaults and Remedies. Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 of the Indenture with respect to the Company or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. If any other Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 of the Indenture with respect to the Company or any Guarantor) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, by written notice to the Trustee and the Company, and the Trustee upon the request of the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, declare all principal of and accrued interest on all Notes to be immediately due and payable and such amounts shall become immediately due and payable. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or a default in the observance or performance of any of the obligations of the Company under Article Five of the Indenture) if it determines that withholding notice is in their best interests.
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16. Trustee Dealings with Company. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.
17. Discharge. The Company’s obligations pursuant to the Indenture shall be discharged, except for obligations pursuant to certain sections thereof, subject to the terms of the Indenture, upon the payment of all the Notes or upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee of United States dollars or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay when due principal of and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be.
18. Guarantees. The Note shall be entitled to the benefits of certain Note Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders, and for events causing release of the Guarantors from the Note Guarantees.
19. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
20. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York. The Trustee, the Company, the Guarantor and the Holders agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture or the Notes.
21. CUSIP/ISIN Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP/ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP/ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
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ASSIGNMENT
I or we assign and transfer this Note to:
(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)
| (Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee) |
| and irrevocably appoint: |
Agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The Agent may substitute another to act for itself.
| Date: | Your Signature: | ||||
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note) | |||||
| Signature Guarantee: | |||||
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
| (1) | ¨ | to the Issuer; or |
| (2) | ¨ | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or |
| (3) | ¨ | inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or |
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| (4) | ¨ | outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or |
| (5) | ¨ | pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933; or |
| (6) | ¨ | to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements. |
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee shall refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4), (5) or (6) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Issuer has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
| Signature | ||
| Signature Guarantee: | ||
| Signature must be guaranteed | Signature |
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
| Dated: | ||||
| Notice: | To be executed by an executive officer | |||
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have all or any part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.20 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box:
¨ Section 4.20
If you want to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.20 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
| $ | |||
| ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) | |||
| Date: | |||
| Your Signature: | ||
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) | ||
| Signature Guaranteed |
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal amount of this Global Note |
Principal amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase |
Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Notes Custodian | ||||
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FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION
QVC, Inc.
Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Global Corporate Trust
50 S. 16th St. Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Attention: Global Corporate Trust – QVC, Inc.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of US$ principal amount of the 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”) of QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), all as described in the confidential offering memorandum (the “offering memorandum”) relating to the offering.
Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:
| Name: |
| Address: |
| Taxpayer ID Number: |
The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:
1. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor” at least US$250,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.
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2. We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes, to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is two years after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which the Company or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) only (a) to the Company, (b) pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act, (c) in a transaction complying with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) to a person we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A (a “QIB”) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act that is purchasing for its own account or the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” in each case in a minimum principal amount of Notes of US$250,000, or (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirements of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale shall not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in form of this letter to the Company and the trustee which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and that the transferee is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act.
| (Name of Transferee) | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Address: |
| Date: |
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EXHIBIT B
NOTATION OF GUARANTEE
Each of the undersigned (the “Guarantors”) hereby jointly and severally unconditionally guarantees, to the extent set forth in the Indenture dated as of September 25, 2024 by and among QVC, Inc., as issuer, the Guarantors, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”), and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, and premium and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms and limitations of this Guarantee. Each Holder of the Note to which this Guarantee is endorsed, by accepting such Note, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions.
[Signatures on Following Pages]
B-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Guarantors has caused this Notation of Guarantee to be signed by a duly authorized officer.
| AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| AMI 2, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| ER MARKS, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
B-2
| QVC GLOBAL HOLDINGS I, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| HSN, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| HSNi, LLC | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| HSN HOLDING LLC | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
B-3
| HOME SHOPPING NETWORK EN ESPANOL, L.L.C. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| HOME SHOPPING NETWORK EN ESPANOL, L.P. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| INGENIOUS DESIGNS LLC | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| NLG MERGER CORP. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| VENTANA TELEVISION, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| VENTANA TELEVISION HOLDINGS, INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
B-4
| QVC GLOBAL CORPORATE HOLDINGS, LLC | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| QVC GCH COMPANY, LLC | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
B-5
Exhibit 99.1
QVC, INC. CLOSES PRIVATE EXCHANGE OFFERS FOR OUTSTANDING 2027 AND 2028 NOTES
Approximately 89% principal amount of 2027 and 2028 notes successfully tendered and cancelled
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (September 25, 2024) — QVC, Inc. (“QVC”) announced today the consummation of its previously announced exchange offers (each, an “Exchange Offer,” and collectively, the “Exchange Offers”) for any and all of the outstanding notes listed in the table below (collectively, the “Old Notes”) for its newly-issued 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due April 2029 (the “New Notes”) and, as applicable, cash.
The table below provides the aggregate principal amount of each series of Old Notes that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the expiration date of the Exchange Offers (the “Expiration Date”). The completion of the Exchange Offers improves QVC’s credit profile with a reduced debt balance and extended maturity profile, supporting a potential future extension of QVC and its affiliates’ existing senior secured credit facility.
| Title of Series of Old Notes Tendered | CUSIP* | Principal Amount Tendered(1) | Percentage Tendered and Cancelled(1) | |||||||
| 4.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”) | 747262 AY9 | $531 million | 92.4% | |||||||
| 4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) | 747262 AZ6 | $428 million | 85.5% | |||||||
| * | No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number either as printed on the Old Notes or as contained in this press release, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification printed on the Old Notes. The CUSIP number is included herein solely for the convenience of the registered owners of the Old Notes. |
| (1) | The principal amounts and percentage tendered as reflected in the table above include Old Notes that were validly tendered to QVC at or prior to the Expiration Date in its offers to purchase Old Notes from holders who were not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offers. Additional Old Notes may be tendered in QVC’s offers to holders who were not eligible participate in the Exchange Offers as such offers expire at a later date. |
On September 25, 2024 (the “Settlement Date”), QVC issued an aggregate principal amount of approximately $605 million in New Notes in exchange for the Old Notes and approximately $352 million in cash in exchange for the Old Notes validly tendered and accepted by QVC in the Exchange Offers and its offers to purchase Old Notes from holders who were not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offers, plus accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date to, but excluding, the Settlement Date, without giving effect to any Old Notes that may still be tendered in QVC’s offers to holders who were not Eligible Holders after the Expiration Date. Liberty Interactive LLC (“LI LLC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qurate Retail, Inc., which is the indirect parent of QVC, through its subsidiaries, contributed approximately $277 million in cash to fund a portion of the cash consideration to be paid in all the offers.
This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a notice of redemption under the optional redemption provisions of the indenture governing the Old Notes, nor does it constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, nor does it constitute a solicitation for an offer to purchase any security, including the Old Notes or the New Notes.
The New Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be re-offered or re-sold except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, statements about the offers to purchase and their expected completion. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, the ability to satisfy the conditions to the Exchange Offers. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and QVC expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of QVC, including the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, for additional information about QVC and about the risks and uncertainties related to the business of QVC which may affect the statements made in this press release.
Contacts:
Shane Kleinstein
720-875-5432
QVC Media Relations
484-701-1647
Source: QVC, Inc.
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