ex_303347.htm


Exhibit 4.1


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


 


dated as of


 


November 2, 2021


 


between


 


OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION


 


and


 


AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC


 


as Rights Agent


 


 




 


 


 


 


 





 










 








 


Table of Contents


 


Page


 


	ARTICLE I	DEFINITIONS	2
	1.1	
			Definitions

				2
	ARTICLE II 	THE RIGHTS	11
	
			2.1

				
			Summary of Rights

				11
	
			2.2

				
			Legend on Common Stock Certificates

				12
	
			2.3

				
			Exercise of Rights; Separation of Rights

				13
	
			2.4

				
			Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights

				16
	
			2.5

				
			Date on Which Exercise is Effective

				18
	
			2.6

				
			Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates

				19
	
			2.7

				
			Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

				20
	
			2.8

				
			Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates

				21
	
			2.9

				
			Persons Deemed Owners

				22
	
			2.10

				
			Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates

				23
	
			2.11

				
			Agreement of Rights Holders

				23
	ARTICLE III  	ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS	24
	
			3.1

				
			Flip-in

				24
	
			3.2

				
			Flip-over

				29
	ARTICLE IV	THE RIGHTS AGENT	31
	
			4.1

				
			General

				31
	
			4.2

				
			Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent

				32
	
			4.3

				
			Duties of Rights Agent

				33
	
			4.4

				
			Change of Rights Agent

				38
	ARTICLE V	MISCELLANEOUS	39
	
			5.1

				
			Redemption

				39
	
			5.2

				
			Expiration

				39
	
			5.3

				
			Issuance of New Rights Certificates

				40
	
			5.4

				
			Supplements and Amendments

				41
	
			5.5

				
			Fractional Shares

				42
	
			5.6

				
			Rights of Action

				42
	
			5.7

				
			Holder of Rights Not Deemed a Stockholder

				43



 





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Table of Contents


(continued)


 


Page


 


	
			5.8

				
			Notice of Proposed Actions

				43
	
			5.9

				
			Notices

				44
	
			5.10

				
			Suspension of Exercisability or Exchangeability

				45
	
			5.11

				
			Costs of Enforcement

				45
	
			5.12

				
			Successors

				45
	
			5.13

				
			Benefits of this Agreement

				46
	
			5.14

				
			Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc

				46
	
			5.15

				
			Fiduciary Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

				47
	
			5.16

				
			Descriptive Headings; Section References

				47
	
			5.17

				
			GOVERNING LAW; EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION

				47
	
			5.18

				
			Counterparts

				48
	
			5.19

				
			Severability

				48
	
			5.20

				
			USA PATRIOT Act

				49



 





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AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


 


AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of November 2, 2021 (at 3:06 pm New York City time), between Optical Cable Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”), which term shall include any successor Rights Agent hereunder) and amended and replaces in its entirety the Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement dated as of October 28, 2011 between the Company and the Rights Agent (the “Original Agreement”).


WITNESSETH:


 


WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has (a) authorized and declared a dividend of one right (“Right”) in respect of each share of Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) held of record as of the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on November 2, 2011 payable in respect of each such share on November 2, 2011, and authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each share of Common Stock issued after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time and each share of Common Stock issued after the Separation Time;


 


WHEREAS, each Right entitles the holder thereof, after the Separation Time, to purchase securities or assets of the Company (or, in certain cases, securities of certain other entities) pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;


 


WHEREAS, the Rights under the Original Agreement are set to expire on November 2, 2021 and the Company desires to extend the Original Agreement until November 2, 2031.


 





 










 








 


WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has authorized this Amended and Restated Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement to continue to provide for (a) a dividend of one right in respect of each share of Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) held of record as of the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on November 2, 2021 (the “Record Time”) payable in respect of each such share on November 2, 2021, and (b) as provided in Section 2.4, authorized the issuance of one Right (as such number may hereinafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.11) in respect of each share of Common Stock issued after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time (as hereinafter defined) and, to the extent provided in Section 5.3, each share of Common Stock issued after the Separation Time;


 


WHEREAS, the Company desires to re-appoint the Rights Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Rights Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, transfer, exchange and replacement of Rights Certificates (as hereinafter defined), the exercise of Rights and other matters referred to herein.


 


NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective agreements set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:


 


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS


 


1.1    Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:


 


“Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person who, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that the term “Acquiring Person” shall not include any Person who, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, (i) is the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock prior to the first public announcement of the adoption of this Agreement, until such time thereafter as such Person shall become the Beneficial Owner (other than by means of a stock dividend or stock split) of any additional shares of Common Stock while such Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, is the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; (ii) becomes the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock but who (in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors) acquired Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock without any plan or intention to obtain, change or influence the control of the Company if such Person promptly divests, or promptly enters into an agreement with, and satisfactory to, the Board of Directors, in the Board of Director’s sole discretion, to divest, and subsequently divests in accordance with the terms of such agreement (without exercising or retaining any power, including, without limitation, voting power, with respect to such shares), sufficient shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock or otherwise deemed to be Beneficially Owned by such Person) so that such Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, ceases to be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; (iii) becomes the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock solely as a result of a reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding due to the repurchase of shares of Common Stock by the Company (or any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) unless and until such Person, after becoming aware that such Person has become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, acquires Beneficial Ownership (other than by means of a stock dividend or stock split) of any additional shares of Common Stock; or (iv) Beneficially Owns shares of Common Stock consisting solely of one or more of (A) shares of Common Stock that are Beneficially Owned pursuant to the grant or exercise of an option granted to such Person (an “Option Holder”) by the Company in connection with an agreement to merge with, or acquire, the Company entered into prior to a Flip-in Date, (B) shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock) Beneficially Owned by such Option Holder or its Affiliates or Associates at the time of grant of such option, and (C) shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock) acquired by Affiliates or Associates of such Option Holder after the time of such grant that, in the aggregate, amount to less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company and any employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company (or any Person, entity or trustee holding shares of Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company) shall not be an Acquiring Person.


 


 





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“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


 


“Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect on the date of this Agreement.


 


“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.


 


“Applicable Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.19.


 


A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner,” and to have “Beneficial Ownership” of, and to “Beneficially Own,” any securities (i) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is or may be deemed to be the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rules are in effect on the date of this Agreement; (ii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has the right to become the Beneficial Owner (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of conditions), directly or indirectly, pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; (iii) which are Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person or any of such other Person’s Affiliates or Associates with which such first Person or any of such first Person’s Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing, (x) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as described in clause (B) of the proviso to this sentence) or disposing of any voting securities of the Company, or (y) to cooperate in obtaining, changing or influencing the control of the Company; and (iv) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is determined to Constructively Own; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner,” or to have “Beneficial Ownership” of, or to “Beneficially Own,” any security (A) solely because such security has been tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered security is accepted for payment or exchange, or (B) solely because such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security pursuant to a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy solicitation made to more than ten holders of shares of a class of stock of the Company registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, except if such power (or the arrangements relating thereto (whether or not in writing)) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no officer or director of the Company shall be deemed to Beneficially Own any securities of any other Person solely by virtue of any actions that such officer or director takes in such capacity. For purposes of this Agreement, in determining the percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Person is the Beneficial Owner, all shares as to which such Person is deemed the Beneficial Owner shall be deemed to be outstanding.


 





3










 








 


“Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.


 


“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.


 


“Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m. New York City time on such date or, if such date is not a Business Day, 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the next succeeding Business Day.


 


“Closing Price,” with respect to any security, shall mean the last sale price, regular way, on a specific Trading Day or, in case no such sale takes place on such Trading Day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or the Nasdaq Stock Market or, if such security is not then listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or the Nasdaq Stock Market, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such security is listed or admitted to trading or, if such security is not then listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. automated quotations system or such other system then in use, or, if on any such Trading Day such security is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such security selected by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that if on any such date the securities are not so listed or traded, the closing price per share of such securities on such date shall mean the fair value per share of such securities on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, after consultation with a nationally recognized investment banking firm, and set forth in a certificate delivered to the Rights Agent, which determination shall be binding on the Rights Agent, the holders of Rights and all other Persons.


 





4










 








 


“Common Stock” when used with reference to the Company, shall mean the shares of common stock, no par value, of the Company. “Common Stock” when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital stock of such other Person with the greatest voting power or, if such Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the equity securities or other equity interest having power to control or direct the management of such Person.


 


“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.


 


A Person shall be deemed to “Constructively Own” shares of Common Stock in respect of which such Person has a Synthetic Long Position, calculated in the manner set forth below. The number of shares of Common Stock in respect of a Synthetic Long Position that shall be deemed to be Constructively Owned is the notional or other number of shares of Common Stock in respect of such Synthetic Long Position that is specified in a filing by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in the documentation evidencing such Synthetic Long Position as the basis upon which the value or settlement amount of such right or derivative, or the opportunity of the holder of such right or derivative to profit or share in any profit, is to be calculated in whole or in part, and in any case (or if no such number of shares of Common Stock is specified in any filing or documentation), as determined by the Board of Directors or the Rights Plan Committee in good faith to be the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Synthetic Long Position relates.


 





5










 








 


“Customer Identification Program” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.20.


 


“Election to Exercise” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(d).


 


“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


 


“Exchange Ratio” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).


 


“Exchange Time” shall mean the time at which the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate pursuant to Section 3.1(c).


 





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“Exercise Price” shall mean, as of any date, the price at which a holder may purchase the securities issuable upon exercise of one whole Right. Until adjustment thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, the Exercise Price shall equal $25 per Right.


 


“Expansion Factor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).


 


“Expiration Time” shall mean the earliest of (i) the Exchange Time, (ii) the Redemption Time, (iii) the Close of Business on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Record Time and (iv) immediately prior to the effective time of a consolidation, merger or share exchange of the Company (A) into another corporation or (B) with another corporation pursuant to which the Company is the surviving corporation but Common Stock is converted into cash and/or securities of another corporation, in either case, pursuant to an agreement entered into by the Company prior to the Stock Acquisition Announcement Date.


 


“Flip-in Date” shall mean the date any Person becomes an Acquiring Person.


 


“Flip-over Entity,” for purposes of Section 3.2, shall mean (i) in the case of a Flip-over Transaction or Event described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, the Person issuing any securities into which shares of Common Stock are being converted or exchanged and, if no such securities are being issued, the other Person that is a party to such Flip-over Transaction or Event, and (ii) in the case of a Flip-over Transaction or Event referred to in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the Person receiving the greatest portion of the (A) assets or, if (A) is not readily determinable, (B) operating income or cash flow being transferred in such Flip-over Transaction or Event, provided in all cases that if such Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the ultimate parent entity of such Person shall be the Flip-over Entity.


 


“Flip-over Stock” shall mean the capital stock (or similar equity interest) with the greatest voting power in respect of the election of directors (or other Persons similarly responsible for the direction of the business and affairs) of the Flip-over Entity.


 





7










 








 


“Flip-over Transaction or Event” shall mean a transaction or series of transactions, on or after a Flip-in Date, in which, directly or indirectly, (i) the Company shall consolidate or merge or participate in a share exchange with any other Person if, at the time of consummation of the consolidation, merger or share exchange or at the time the Company enters into any agreement with respect to any such consolidation, merger or share exchange, the Acquiring Person is the Beneficial Owner of 90% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or controls the Board of Directors and either (A) any term of or arrangement concerning the treatment of shares of capital stock in such consolidation, merger or share exchange relating to the Acquiring Person is not identical to the terms and arrangements relating to other holders of the Common Stock, or (B) the Person with whom the transaction or series of transactions occurs is the Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of the Acquiring Person; or (ii) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer) assets (A) aggregating more than 50% of the assets (measured by either book value or fair market value) or (B) generating more than 50% of the operating income or cash flow, in each case of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries) or to two or more such Persons that are Affiliates or Associates or are otherwise acting in concert, if, at the time of the entry by the Company (or any such Subsidiary) into an agreement with respect to such sale or transfer of assets, the Acquiring Person is the Beneficial Owner of 90% of more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or controls the Board of Directors. For purposes of the foregoing definition, the term “Acquiring Person” shall include any Acquiring Person and its Affiliates and Associates, counted together as a single Person. An Acquiring Person shall be deemed to control the Board of Directors when, on or following a Stock Acquisition Announcement Date, the persons who were directors of the Company (or persons nominated and/or appointed as directors by vote of a majority of such persons) before the Stock Acquisition Announcement Date shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors.


 


“Market Price” of any security on any date shall mean the average of the daily Closing Prices of such security on each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days through and including the Trading Day immediately preceding, but not including, such date; provided, however, that if any event described in Section 2.4, or any analogous event, shall have caused the Closing Prices used to determine the Market Price on any Trading Days during such period of 20 Trading Days not to be fully comparable with the Closing Price on such date, each such Closing Price so used shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of Directors in order to make it fully comparable with the Closing Price on such date.


 





8










 








 


“NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.


 


“Option Holder” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Acquiring Person.


 


“Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, business trust, trust, an incorporated association, syndicate, group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect on the date of this Agreement) or other entity, including, in each case, any successor thereof.


 


“Preferred Stock” shall mean the Series A Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, of the Company.


 


“Record Time” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.


 


“Redemption Price” shall mean an amount equal to $0.0001 per Right, as such amount may be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date of this Agreement.


 


“Redemption Time” shall mean the time at which the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate pursuant to Section 5.1.


 


“Right” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.


 


“Rights Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.


 


“Rights Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c).


 


“Rights Plan Committee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.19.


 


“Rights Register” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a).


 





9










 








 


“Separation Time” shall mean the Close of Business on the earlier of (i) the tenth Business Day (or such later date as the Board of Directors may from time to time fix by resolution adopted prior to the Flip-in Date) after the date on which any Person commences a tender or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in such Person’s becoming an Acquiring Person, and (ii) the next Business Day after the Stock Acquisition Announcement Date; provided that if the foregoing would result in the Separation Time being prior to the Record Time, the Separation Time shall be the Record Time; provided, further that if any tender or exchange offer referred to in clause (i) of this paragraph is cancelled, terminated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the Separation Time without the purchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, such offer shall be deemed, for purposes of this paragraph, never to have been made.


 


“Stock Acquisition Announcement Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company (by any means) or by an Acquiring Person (including by means of filing a Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report or schedule) or an amendment thereto) that a Person has become an Acquiring Person.


 


“Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the equity securities or a majority of the equity or ownership interests is Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.


 


“Synthetic Long Position” shall mean any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, swap agreement or other security, contract right or derivative position, whether or not presently exercisable, that has an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to the value of Common Stock or a value determined in whole or part with reference to, or derived in whole or in part from, the value of Common Stock and that increases in value as the value of Common Stock increases or that provides to the holder an opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase in the value of Common Stock, in any case without regard to whether (i) such derivative conveys any voting rights in such securities to such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, (ii) such derivative is required to be, or capable of being, settled through delivery of such securities, or (iii) such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates may have entered into other transactions that hedge the economic effect of such derivative. A Synthetic Long Position shall not include any interests, rights, options or other securities set forth in Rule 16a-1(c)(1)-(5) or (7) under the Exchange Act.


 





10










 








 


“Trading Day,” when used with respect to any securities, shall mean a day on which the Nasdaq Stock Market is open for the transaction of business or, if such securities are not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.


 


“Trading Regulation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c).


 


“Trust” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).


 


“Trust Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).


 


ARTICLE II

THE RIGHTS


 


2.1    Summary of Rights. As soon as practicable after the Record Time, the Company will make a summary of the terms of the Rights available to any holder of Rights who may so request from time to time prior to the Expiration Time.


 





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2.2    Legend on Common Stock Certificates. Certificates for the Common Stock issued (whether originally issued or from the Company’s treasury) on or after the Record Time but prior to the Separation Time shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby and shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them substantially the following legend:


 


Until the Separation Time (as defined in the Rights Agreement referred to below), this certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in an Amended and Restated Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2021 (as such may be amended from time to time, the “Rights Agreement”), between Optical Cable Corporation (the “Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights may be redeemed, may become exercisable for securities or assets of the Company or securities of another entity, may be exchanged for shares of Common Stock or other securities or assets of the Company, may expire, may become null and void (including, if they are “Beneficially Owned” by an “Acquiring Person” or an “Affiliate” or “Associate” thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement, or by any transferee of any of the foregoing)) or may be evidenced by separate certificates and may no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Company will mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of the Rights Agreement to the holder of this certificate without charge after the receipt of a written request therefor.


 


Certificates representing shares of Common Stock that are issued and outstanding at the Record Time shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock evidenced thereby notwithstanding the absence of the foregoing legend. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the omission of a legend nor the inclusion of a legend that makes reference to a rights agreement other than the Agreement shall affect the enforceability of any part of this Agreement or the rights of any holder of Rights.


 


If the Common Stock issued after the Record Time but prior to the Separation Time shall be uncertificated, the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby. The Company shall mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of this Agreement to any Person that holds Common Stock, as evidenced by the registration of the Common Stock in the name of such Person on the stock transfer books of the Company, without charge after the receipt of a written request therefor, and the Company shall cause the transfer agent for the Common Stock to include on each direct registration account statement with respect to the Common Stock issued prior to the Separation Time an appropriate notation to the reflect the issuance of the Rights.


 





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2.3   Exercise of Rights; Separation of Rights.


 


(a)    Subject to Sections 3.1, 5.1 and 5.10 and subject to adjustment as herein set forth, each Right will entitle the holder thereof, at or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, to purchase, for the Exercise Price, one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock.


 


(b)    Until the Separation Time, (i) no Right may be exercised and (ii) each Right will be evidenced by the certificate for the associated share of Common Stock (or, if the Common Stock shall be uncertificated, by the registration of the associated Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company and the confirmation thereof provided for in Section 2.2), and will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer (whether with or without such letter or confirmation) of, such associated share.


 


(c)    Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, the Rights (i) may be exercised pursuant to Section 2.3(d) below and (ii) may be transferred independent of shares of Common Stock. Promptly following the Separation Time (provided that the Board of Directors has not elected to exchange all of the then outstanding Rights pursuant to Section 3.1(c)), the Rights Agent or the transfer agent for the Common Stock, if requested by the Company and provided with the necessary information, will mail to each holder of record of Common Stock as of the Separation Time (other than any Person whose Rights have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)), at such holder’s address as shown by the records of the Company (and the Company hereby agrees to furnish copies of such records to the Rights Agent for this purpose), (x) a certificate (a “Rights Certificate”) in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto appropriately completed, representing the number of Rights held by such holder at the Separation Time and having such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement and as do not affect the rights, liabilities, responsibilities or duties of the Rights Agent, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock or the Rights may from time to time be listed or traded (“Trading Regulation”), or to conform to usage, and (y) a disclosure statement describing the Rights; provided, however, that the Company shall have no obligation to distribute Rights Certificates to any Acquiring Person or Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any transferee of any of the foregoing. Receipt of a Rights Certificate by any Person shall not preclude a later determination that such Rights are null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b). To the extent applicable, the Company may implement such procedures as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, to minimize the possibility that Rights are received by Persons with respect to whom Rights would be null and void under Section 3.1(b).


 





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(d)    Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Rights may be exercised on any Business Day at or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time by submitting to the Rights Agent the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights with an Election to Exercise (an “Election to Exercise”) substantially in the form attached to the Rights Certificate duly executed and properly completed, accompanied by payment in cash, or by certified or official bank check or money order payable to the order of the Company, of a sum equal to the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Rights being exercised and a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates (or, if uncertificated, the registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) for shares or depositary receipts (or both) in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being exercised.


 


(e)    Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate, with a duly executed and properly completed Election to Exercise accompanied by payment as set forth in Section 2.3(d), and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Rights Agent will thereupon promptly (i)(A) requisition from the transfer agent for the Common Stock certificates evidencing such number of shares or other securities to be purchased or, in the case of uncertificated shares or other securities, requisition from the transfer agent a notice setting forth such number of shares or other securities to be purchased for which registration will be made on the stock transfer books of the Company (the Company hereby irrevocably authorizing the transfer agent to comply with all such requisitions), and (B) if the Company elects pursuant to Section 5.5 not to issue certificates (or effect registrations on the stock transfer books of the Company) representing fractional shares, requisition from the depositary selected by the Company depositary receipts representing the fractional shares to be purchased (the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes each depositary to comply with all such requisitions); (ii) when necessary to comply with this Agreement, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 5.5; (iii) after receipt of such certificates, depositary receipts and/or notices, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder; and (iv) when necessary to comply with this Agreement, after receipt, promptly deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate.


 





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(f)    In case the holder of any Rights shall exercise less than all of the Rights evidenced by such holder’s Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate evidencing the Rights remaining unexercised will be issued by the Rights Agent to such holder or to such holder’s duly authorized assigns.


 


(g)    The Company covenants and agrees that it will (i) take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all shares delivered (or evidenced by registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery (or registration) of such shares (subject to payment of the Exercise Price), be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered (or registered) and fully paid and nonassessable; (ii) take all such action as may be necessary to comply with any applicable requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and any other applicable law, rule or regulation, in connection with the issuance of any shares upon exercise of Rights; and (iii) pay when due and payable any and all taxes and charges that may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates or of any shares issued upon the exercise of Rights, provided that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or charge that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery (or registration) of shares in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being transferred or exercised.


 


(h)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to the exercise or assignment of a Rights Certificate unless the registered holder of such Rights Certificate shall have (i) duly executed and properly completed the certificate following the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Exercise, as applicable, set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such exercise or assignment; (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby, and the Affiliates and Associates of such Beneficial Owner or former Beneficial Owner, as the Company or the Rights Agent may reasonably request; and (iii) paid a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates as required under Section 2.3(d).


 





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2.4   Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights.


 


(a)    In the event that the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time (i) declare or pay a dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, (x) the Exercise Price in effect after such event will be equal to the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such event divided by the number of shares of Common Stock, including any fractional shares in lieu of which such holder received cash (the “Expansion Factor”), that a holder of one share of Common Stock immediately prior to such dividend, subdivision or combination would hold thereafter as a result thereof, (y) each Right held prior to such event will become that number of Rights equal to the Expansion Factor, and the adjusted number of Rights will be deemed to be distributed among the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the original Rights were associated (if they remain outstanding) and the shares issued in respect of such dividend, subdivision or combination, so that each such share of Common Stock will have exactly one Right associated with it and (z) the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable after such event upon proper exercise of each Right will be equal to the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock so purchasable immediately prior to such event divided by the Expansion Factor. Each adjustment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made as of the payment or effective date for the applicable dividend, subdivision or combination.


 


In the event that the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue any shares of Common Stock otherwise than in a transaction referred to in the preceding paragraph, each such share of Common Stock so issued shall automatically have one new Right associated with it, which Right shall be evidenced by the certificate representing such share (or, if the Common Stock shall be uncertificated, such Right shall be evidenced by the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company and the confirmation thereof provided for in Section 2.2). Rights shall be issued by the Company in respect of shares of Common Stock that are issued or sold by the Company after the Separation Time only to the extent provided in Section 5.3.


 


(b)    In the event that the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue or distribute any securities or assets in respect of, in lieu of or in exchange for the Common Stock (other than pursuant to any non-extraordinary periodic cash dividend or a dividend paid solely in Common Stock), whether by dividend, in a reclassification or recapitalization (including, without limitation, any such transaction involving a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange), or otherwise, the Company shall make such adjustments, if any, in the Exercise Price, number of Rights and/or securities or other property purchasable upon exercise of Rights as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may deem to be appropriate under the circumstances in order to adequately protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally, and the Company and the Rights Agent shall amend this Agreement as necessary to provide for such adjustments.


 





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(c)    In the event that the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the shares of Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, (C) combine the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares of Preferred Stock or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification or recapitalization of the shares of Preferred Stock (including, without limitation, any such transaction in connection with a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange) the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination, reclassification or recapitalization and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock that, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination, reclassification or recapitalization.


 


(d)    In the event that the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement issue or distribute any securities or assets in respect of, in lieu of or in exchange for the Preferred Stock (other than pursuant to any non-extraordinary periodic cash dividend or a transaction described in Section 2.4(c)), whether by dividend or otherwise, the Company shall make such adjustments, if any, in the Exercise Price, number of Rights and/or securities or other property purchasable upon exercise of Rights as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may deem to be appropriate under the circumstances in order to adequately protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally, and the Company and the Rights Agent shall amend the Agreement as necessary to provide for such adjustments.


 





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(e)    Each adjustment to the Exercise Price made pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be calculated to the nearest cent. Whenever an adjustment to the Exercise Price is made pursuant to this Section 2.4, the Company shall (i) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, and (ii) promptly file with the Rights Agent and with the transfer agent for the Common Stock a copy of such certificate. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment or statement therein contained and shall have no duty or liability with respect to, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of, any adjustment or any such event unless and until it shall have received such a certificate.


 


(f)    Rights Certificates shall represent the right to purchase the securities purchasable under the terms of this Agreement, including any adjustment or change in the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, even though such certificates may continue to express the securities purchasable at the time of issuance of the initial Rights Certificates.


 


2.5   Date on Which Exercise is Effective. Each Person in whose name any certificate for shares is issued (or registration on the stock transfer books is effected) upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares represented thereby on the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Exercise Price for such Rights (and any applicable taxes and other governmental charges payable by the exercising holder hereunder) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate (or registration) shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the stock transfer books of the Company are open.


 





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2.6    Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates.


 


(a)    The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer and by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Rights Certificates may be manual or facsimile. Rights Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the countersignature and delivery of such Rights Certificates.


 


(b)    Promptly after the Separation Time, the Company will notify in writing the Rights Agent of such Separation Time (and if such notification is given orally, the Company shall confirm same in writing on or prior to the Business Day next following) and will deliver Rights Certificates executed by the Company to the Rights Agent for countersignature, and, subject to Section 3.1(b), the Rights Agent shall countersign (either manually or by facsimile) and deliver such Rights Certificates to the holders of the Rights pursuant to Section 2.3(c). Until the written notice provided for in this Section 2.6 is received by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent may presume conclusively for all purposes that the Separation Time has not occurred. No Rights Certificate shall be valid for any purpose unless countersigned (either manually or by facsimile) by the Rights Agent.


 





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(c)    Each Rights Certificate shall be dated the date of countersignature thereof.


 


2.7   Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.


 


(a)    After the Separation Time, the Company will cause to be kept a register (the “Rights Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company will provide for the registration and transfer of Rights. The Rights Agent is hereby appointed “Rights Registrar” for the purpose of maintaining the Rights Register for the Company and registering Rights and transfers of Rights after the Separation Time as herein provided. In the event that the Rights Agent shall cease to be the Rights Registrar, the Rights Agent will have the right to examine the Rights Register at all reasonable times after the Separation Time. The Rights Certificates are transferable only on the Rights Register maintained by the Rights Registrar.


 


After the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, upon surrender for registration of transfer or exchange of any Rights Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Sections 2.7(c) and (d), the Company will execute, and the Rights Agent will countersign and, if requested and provided with all necessary information, deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Rights Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.


 


(b)    Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(b), all Rights issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Rights Certificates shall be the valid obligations of the Company, and such Rights shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Rights surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.


 





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(c)    Every Rights Certificate 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 Company or the Rights Agent, as the case may be, duly executed by the holder thereof or such holder’s attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing. As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.7, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation under any section of this Agreement that requires the payment of taxes or charges unless and until it is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.


 


(d)    The Company shall not register the transfer or exchange of any Rights that have become null and void under Section 3.1(b), been exchanged under Section 3.1(c) or been redeemed under Section 5.1.


 


2.8    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates.


 


(a)    If any mutilated Rights Certificate is surrendered to the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time, then, subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 5.1, the Company shall execute and the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor a new Rights Certificate evidencing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.


 


(b)    If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Rights Certificate, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to hold each of them and any of their agents harmless, then, subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 5.1 and in the absence of written notice to the Company or the Rights Agent that such Rights Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its written request the Rights Agent shall countersign and, if requested and provided with all necessary information, deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate evidencing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so destroyed, lost or stolen.


 





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(c)    As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.8, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Rights Agent) connected therewith.


 


(d)    Every new Rights Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 2.8 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall evidence an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and, subject to Section 3.1(b) shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Rights duly issued hereunder.


 


2.9   Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or notice of transfer, if uncertificated) for registration of transfer, the Company, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Company or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, such Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby for all purposes whatsoever, including the payment of the Redemption Price, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. As used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the term “holder” of any Rights shall mean the registered holder of such Rights (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated shares of Common Stock).


 





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2.10    Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates. All Rights Certificates surrendered upon exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Rights Agent, be delivered to the Rights Agent and, in any case, shall be promptly cancelled by the Rights Agent. The Company may at any time deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation any Rights Certificates previously countersigned and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Rights Certificates so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Rights Agent. No Rights Certificates shall be countersigned in lieu of or in exchange for any Rights Certificates cancelled as provided in this Section 2.10, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. The Rights Agent shall destroy all cancelled Rights Certificates and deliver to the Company a certificate attesting to such destruction.


 


2.11    Agreement of Rights Holders. Every holder of Rights by accepting the Rights consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of Rights that:


 


(a)    prior to the Separation Time, each Right will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer of, the associated share of Common Stock;


 


(b)    as of and after the Separation Time, the Rights Certificates will be transferable only on the Rights Register as provided herein;


 


(c)    prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) for registration of transfer, the Company, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Company or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary;


 





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(d)    Rights that are Beneficially Owned by certain Persons will, under the circumstances set forth in Section 3.1(b), become null and void;


 


(e)    this Agreement may be supplemented or amended from time to time in accordance with its terms;


 


(f)    the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof, to the extent delegated any such power and authority by the Board of Directors) shall have the exclusive power and authority delegated to it pursuant to Section 5.14; and


 


(g)    notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided, however, that the Company shall use its best efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.


 


ARTICLE III

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN

THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS


 


3.1       Flip-in.


 


(a)    In the event that prior to the Expiration Time a Flip-in Date shall occur, except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.1, each Right shall constitute the right to purchase from the Company, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof (but subject to Section 5.10), that number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Market Price on the Stock Acquisition Announcement Date equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally in the event that on or after the Separation Time any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the Common Stock). The foregoing notwithstanding, Rights shall not be exercisable pursuant to this Section 3.1 until the Separation Time shall have occurred. 


 





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(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Rights that are or were Beneficially Owned on or after the Flip-in Date by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing, regarding the transferred Rights, or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 3.1(b), shall become null and void and any holder of such Rights (including transferees, whether direct or indirect, of any such Persons) shall thereafter have no right to exercise or transfer such Rights under any provision of this Agreement. If any Rights Certificate is presented for assignment or exercise and the Person presenting the same will not complete the certification set forth at the end of the Form of Assignment or Form of Notice of Election to Exercise or, if requested, will not provide such additional evidence, including, without limitation, the identity of the Beneficial Owners and their Affiliates and Associates (or former Beneficial Owners and their Affiliates and Associates) as the Company shall reasonably request in order to determine if such Rights are null and void, then the Company shall be entitled conclusively to deem the Rights to be Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced thereby to be null and void and not transferable, exercisable or exchangeable. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of this Section 3.1(b) are complied with, but shall have no liability to any holder of Rights or any other Person as a result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or any of its Affiliates, Associates or their respective transferees hereunder.


 





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(c)    The Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time after a Flip-in Date and prior to the time that an Acquiring Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, elect to exchange all (but not less than all) of the then outstanding Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1(b)) for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of holders of Rights generally in the event that on or after the Separation Time any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the Common Stock (such exchange ratio, as adjusted from time to time, being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Ratio”). Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors electing to exchange the Rights, without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and each Right (other than Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)), whether or not previously exercised, will thereafter represent only the right to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio. The exchange of the Rights by the Board of Directors may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors electing to exchange the Rights, the Company shall give written notice thereof (specifying the steps to be taken to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange for Rights) to the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights (other than Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)) outstanding immediately prior thereto by mailing such notice in accordance with Section 5.9; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. Following the action of the Board of Directors ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to this Section 3.1(c), the Company may implement such procedures as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, for the purpose of ensuring that the Common Stock (or such other consideration) issuable upon an exchange pursuant to this Section 3.1(c) is not received by holders of Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b).


 





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Before effecting an exchange pursuant to this Section 3.1(c), the Board of Directors may direct the Company to enter into a Trust Agreement in such form and with such terms as the Board of Directors shall then approve (the “Trust Agreement”). If the Board of Directors so directs, the Company shall enter into the Trust Agreement and shall issue to the trust created by such agreement (the “Trust”) all or a portion (as designated by the Board of Directors) of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities) issuable pursuant to the exchange, and all holders of Rights entitled to receive such shares or securities pursuant to the exchange shall be entitled to receive such shares or securities (and any dividends paid or distributions made thereon after the date on which such shares are deposited in the Trust) only from the Trust and solely upon compliance with the relevant terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement.


 


Prior to effecting an exchange and registering shares of Common Stock (or other such securities) in any Person’s name, including any nominee or transferee of a Person, the Company may require (or cause the trustee of the Trust to require), as a condition thereof, that any holder of Rights provide evidence, including, without limitation, the identity of the Beneficial Owners thereof and their Affiliates and Associates (or former Beneficial Owners thereof and their Affiliates and Associates) as the Company shall reasonably request in order to determine if such Rights are null and void. If any Person shall fail to comply with such request, the Company shall be entitled conclusively to deem the Rights formerly held by such Person to be null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b) and not transferable or exercisable or exchangeable in connection herewith.


 


Any shares of Common Stock or other securities issued at the direction of the Board of Directors in connection herewith shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock or of such other securities (as the case may be).


 


Each Person in whose name any certificate for such shares is issued (or for whom any registration on the stock transfer books of the Company is made) upon the exchange of Rights pursuant to Section 3.1(c) or (d) shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares represented thereby on, and such certificate (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) shall be dated (or registered) as of, the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly exchanged (or deemed exchanged by the Company) and payment of any applicable taxes and other governmental charges payable by the holder was made; provided, however, that if the date of such exchange and payment is a date upon which the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) shall be dated (or registered) as of the next succeeding Business Day on which the stock transfer books of the Company are open.


 





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(d)    Whenever the Company shall become obligated under Section 3.1(a) or (c) to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise of or in exchange for Rights, the Company, as determined by the Board of Directors, may substitute therefor shares of Preferred Stock, at a ratio of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock for each share of Common Stock so issuable, subject to equitable adjustment as appropriate (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors).


 


(e)    In the event that there shall not be sufficient authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with Section 3.1(a) (or, if the Company so elects to make the exchange referred to in Section 3.1(c), to permit the issuance of all shares pursuant to the exchange), the Company shall either (i) call a meeting of stockholders seeking approval to cause sufficient additional shares to be authorized (provided that if such approval is not obtained the Company will take the action specified in clause (ii) of this sentence) or (ii) take such action as shall be necessary to ensure and provide, as and when and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and any agreements or instruments in effect on the Flip-in Date (and remaining in effect) to which it is a party, that each Right shall thereafter constitute the right to receive (x) in the case of any exercise in accordance with Section 3.1(a), at the Company’s option as determined by the Board of Directors, either (A) in return for the Exercise Price, debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to twice the Exercise Price, or (B) without payment of consideration (except as may be required for the valid issuance of securities or otherwise required by applicable law), debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to the Exercise Price, or (y) in the case of an exchange of Rights in accordance with Section 3.1(c), debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to the product of the Market Price of a share of Common Stock on the Stock Acquisition Announcement Date multiplied by the Exchange Ratio in effect on the Flip-in Date, where in any case set forth in (x) or (y) above the fair value of such debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors after consultation with a nationally recognized investment banking firm.


 





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3.2       Flip-over.


 


(a)    Prior to the Expiration Time, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to, consummate or permit to occur any Flip-over Transaction or Event unless and until it shall have entered into a supplemental agreement with the Flip-over Entity, for the benefit of the holders of the Rights (the terms of which shall be reflected in an amendment to this Agreement entered into with the Rights Agent), providing that, upon consummation or occurrence of the Flip-over Transaction or Event, (i) each Right shall thereafter constitute the right to purchase from the Flip-over Entity, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, that number of shares of Flip-over Stock of the Flip-over Entity having an aggregate Market Price on the date of consummation or occurrence of such Flip-over Transaction or Event equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally in the event that after such date of consummation or occurrence any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the Flip-over Stock), and (ii) the Flip-over Entity shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Flip-over Transaction or Event and such supplemental agreement, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement.


 





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(b)    Prior to the Expiration Time, unless the Rights are redeemed by the Company pursuant to Section 5.1 pursuant to an election made by the Company prior to a Flip-in Date, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to, consummate or permit to occur any Flip-over Transaction or Event if (i) at the time thereof there are any rights, warrants or securities outstanding or any other arrangements, agreements or instruments that would eliminate or otherwise diminish in any material respect the benefits intended to be afforded by this Rights Agreement to the holders of Rights upon consummation of such transaction; (ii) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such Flip-over Transaction or Event, the stockholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the Flip-over Entity shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates; or (iii) the form or nature of organization of the Flip-over Entity would preclude or limit the exercisability of the Rights.


 


(c)    The provisions of this Section 3.2 shall apply to successive Flip-over Transactions or Events.


 





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ARTICLE IV

THE RIGHTS AGENT


 


4.1       General.


 


(a)    The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the express terms and conditions hereof (and no implied terms or conditions), and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, including but not limited to reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and other disbursements incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, delivery, amendment, administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, or in the exercise or performance of its duties hereunder, including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability. The costs and expenses of enforcing this right of indemnification shall also be paid by the Company. The provisions of this Section 4.1 and Section 4.3 (including the provisions relating to indemnification of the Rights Agent) shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the exercise or expiration of the Rights and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable costs and expenses of defending against a claim of liability hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any references in this Agreement to the Rights Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct shall be deemed to be as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.


 





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(b)    The Rights Agent may conclusively rely upon and shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in connection with its acceptance and administration of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder in reliance upon any certificate for securities (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) purchasable upon exercise of Rights, Rights Certificate, certificate for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 4.3. The Rights Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any event of which it was supposed to receive notice thereof hereunder, and the Rights Agent shall be fully protected and shall incur no liability for failing to take any action in connection therewith, unless and until it has received such notice.


 


4.2       Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.


 


(a)    Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or converted, or any Person resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent is a party, or any Person succeeding to the stockholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, will be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 4.4. If at the time such successor Rights Agent succeeds to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Rights Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and if at that time any of the Rights Certificates have not been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent, and in all such cases such Rights Certificates will have the full force and effect provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.


 





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(b)    If at any time the name of the Rights Agent is changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned, and if at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name, and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force and effect provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.


 


4.3      Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes to perform only the duties and obligations expressly imposed by this Agreement (and no implied duties or obligations) upon the following terms and conditions, all of which the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:


 


(a)    The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company and/or an employee of the Rights Agent), and the advice or opinion of such counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with such advice or opinion.


 





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(b)    Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent deems it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by a person believed by the Rights Agent to be the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent, and such certificate will be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.


 


(c)    The Rights Agent will be liable hereunder to the Company and any other Person only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of the action.  


 


(d)    The Rights Agent will not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the certificates, if any, for securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or the Rights Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, and all such statements and recitals are and will be deemed to have been made by the Company only.


 





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(e)    The Rights Agent shall not have any liability for or be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any certificate, if any, for securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor will it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or failure by the Company to satisfy conditions contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor will it be responsible for any change in the exercisability or exchangeability of the Rights (including, without limitation, the Rights becoming null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)) or any change or adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including, without limitation, any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 2.4, 3.1 or 3.2) or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after receipt of a certificate furnished pursuant to Section 2.4, describing any such change or adjustment, upon which the Rights Agent may rely); nor will it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights will, when issued, be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered and fully paid and nonassessable.


 


(f)    The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of its duties under this Agreement.


 





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(g)    The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any person believed by the Rights Agent to be the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company, and to apply to such persons for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and such instructions shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with instructions of any such person. The Rights Agent shall be fully authorized and protected in relying upon the most recent instructions received by any such officer. Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by the Rights Agent under this Agreement and the date on or after which such action shall be taken, suffered or such omission shall be effective. The Rights Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than ten Business Days after, but not including, the date that any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Rights Agent shall have received, in response to such application, written instructions with respect to the proposed action or omission specifying a different action to be taken, suffered or omitted to be taken.


 


(h)    The Rights Agent and any stockholder, Affiliate, director, officer, agent or employee of the Rights Agent (in each case, other than an Acquiring Person) may buy, sell or deal in Common Stock, Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent or any such stockholder, Affiliate, director, officer, agent or employee from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.


 





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(i)    The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent will not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company or any other Person resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in the selection and continued employment thereof.


 


(j)    If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has not been completed, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company.


 


(k)    No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if it reasonably believes, after consultation with counsel, that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not assured to it.


 





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4.4    Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 60 days’ notice (or such lesser notice as is acceptable to the Company) in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of Common Stock known to the Rights Agent by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.9. The Company may remove the Rights Agent upon 30 days’ notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.9. If the Rights Agent should resign or be removed or otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company will appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company fails to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights (which holder shall, with such notice, submit such holder’s Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Rights or the Rights Agent may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (A) a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise the powers of the Rights Agent contemplated by this Agreement and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority or (B) an Affiliate of a Person described in clause (A) of this sentence. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent will be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed, and the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company will file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 4.4, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.


 





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ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS


 


5.1       Redemption.


 


(a)    The Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time prior to a Flip-in Date, elect to redeem all (but not less than all) of the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price and the Company, at its option, may pay the Redemption Price either in cash or shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company deemed by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, to be at least equivalent in value to the Redemption Price.


 


(b)    Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors electing to redeem the Rights pursuant to Section 5.1(a) (or, if the resolution of the Board of Directors electing to redeem the Rights states that the redemption will not be effective until the occurrence of a specified future time or event, upon the occurrence of such future time or event), without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and each Right, whether or not previously exercised, will thereafter represent only the right to receive the Redemption Price in cash or securities, as determined by the Board of Directors. Promptly after the Rights are redeemed, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice in accordance with Section 5.9.


 


5.2      Expiration. The Rights and this Agreement shall expire at the Expiration Time and no Person shall have any rights pursuant to this Agreement or any Right after the Expiration Time, except, if the Rights have been exchanged or redeemed, as provided in Section 3.1 or 5.1 respectively.


 





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5.3      Issuance of New Rights Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the number or kind or class of shares of stock purchasable upon exercise of Rights made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock by the Company following the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time pursuant to the terms of securities convertible or redeemable into shares of Common Stock (other than any securities issued or issuable in connection with the exercise or exchange of Rights) or to options, in each case issued or granted prior to, and outstanding at, the Separation Time, the Company shall issue to the holders of such shares of Common Stock, Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with the issuance or sale of such shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that in each case, (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or to the Person to whom such Rights Certificates would be issued, (ii) no such Rights Certificates shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall have otherwise been made in lieu of the issuance thereof, and (iii) the Company shall have no obligation to distribute Rights Certificates to any Acquiring Person or Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any transferee of any of the foregoing.


 





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5.4      Supplements and Amendments. The Company and the Rights Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights (i) prior to the Flip-in Date, in any respect, and (ii) from and after the Flip-in Date, to make any changes that the Company may deem necessary or desirable (x) that shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights generally (other than the Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof or certain of their transferees), (y) in order to cure any ambiguity; or (z) to correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be inconsistent with any other provisions herein or otherwise defective, including, without limitation, any change in order to satisfy any applicable law, rule or regulation, including, without limitation, any Trading Regulation on any applicable exchange so as to allow trading of the Company’s securities thereon; provided, however, that no supplement or amendment pursuant to clause (ii) of this sentence may cause the Rights again to become redeemable or cause this Agreement again to become amendable other than in accordance with this sentence. Any supplement or amendment authorized by this Section 5.4 will be evidenced by a writing signed by the Company and the Rights Agent. The Rights Agent will duly execute and deliver any supplement or amendment hereto requested by the Company in writing, provided that the Company has delivered to the Rights Agent a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company that states that the proposed supplement or amendment complies with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights Agent may, but shall not be obligated to enter into any supplement or amendment that affects the Rights Agent’s own rights, duties, immunities or obligations under this Agreement.


 





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5.5      Fractional Shares. If the Company elects not to issue certificates representing (or register on the stock transfer books of the Company) fractional shares upon exercise, redemption or exchange of Rights, the Company shall, in lieu thereof, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, either (a) evidence such fractional shares by depositary receipts issued pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it providing that each holder of a depositary receipt shall have all of the rights, privileges and preferences to which such holder would be entitled as a beneficial owner of such fractional share, or (b) pay to the registered holder of such Rights the appropriate fraction of the Market Price per share in cash. Whenever a payment for fractional Rights or fractional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock is to be made by the Rights Agent, the Company shall promptly prepare and deliver to the Rights Agent a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the facts related to such payments and the prices and/or formulas utilized in calculating such payments, and provide sufficient monies to the Rights Agent in the form of fully collected funds to make such payments. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying upon such certificate and shall have no duty with respect to, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any payment for fractional Rights or fractional shares or Common Stock or Preferred Stock under any section of this Agreement relating to the payment of fractional Rights or fractional shares of Common Shares or Preferred Shares unless and until the Rights Agent shall have received such a certificate and sufficient monies.


 


5.6      Rights of Action. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, rights of action in respect of this Agreement, other than rights of action vested solely in the Rights Agent, the Board of Directors or the Company, are vested in the respective holders of the Rights; and any holder of any Rights, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights, may, on such holder’s own behalf and for such holder’s own benefit and the benefit of other holders of Rights, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holder’s right to exercise such holder’s Rights in the manner provided in such holder’s Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement.


 





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5.7      Holder of Rights Not Deemed a Stockholder. No holder, as such, of any Rights shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose to be the holder of shares or any other securities that may at any time be issuable on the exercise of such Rights, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 5.8), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until such Rights shall have been exercised or exchanged in accordance with the provisions hereof.


 


5.8      Notice of Proposed Actions. In case the Company shall propose on or after the Flip-in Date and prior to the Expiration Time (i) to effect or permit a Flip-over Transaction or Event or (ii) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right, in accordance with Section 5.9, and to the Rights Agent a written a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the date on which such Flip-over Transaction or Event, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place, and such notice shall be so given at least 20 Business Days prior to, but not including, the date of the taking of such proposed action.


 





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5.9    Notices. Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by recognized national overnight delivery service or first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:


 


Optical Cable Corporation


5290 Concourse Drive


Roanoke, Virginia 24019


Attention: Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.


 


Subject to the provisions of Section 4.4, any notice or demand authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by recognized national overnight delivery service or first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:


 


American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC


6201 15th Avenue


Brooklyn, NY 11219


Attention: Corporate Trust Department

                  


with a copy to:         


 


American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC


6201 15th Avenue


Brooklyn, NY 11219


Attention: General Counsel


 


Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to or on the holder of any Rights shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Separation Time, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Stock. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.


 





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5.10    Suspension of Exercisability or Exchangeability. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the Board of Directors determines in good faith that some action will or need be taken pursuant to, or in order to properly give effect to, Sections 2.3, 3.1, 4.4 or to comply with federal or state securities laws or applicable Trading Regulations, the Company may suspend the exercisability or exchangeability of the Rights for a reasonable period sufficient to allow it to take such action or comply with such laws or Trading Regulations. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue as promptly as practicable a public announcement (with prompt written notice to the Rights Agent) stating that the exercisability or exchangeability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended. Notice thereof pursuant to Section 5.9 shall not be required. Upon such suspension, any rights of action vested in a holder of Rights shall be similarly suspended.


 


Failure to give a notice pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any action taken hereunder.


 


5.11    Costs of Enforcement. The Company agrees that if the Company or any other Person the securities of which are purchasable upon exercise of Rights fails to fulfill any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, then the Company or such Person will reimburse the holder of any Rights for the costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by such holder in actions to enforce such holder’s rights pursuant to any Rights or this Agreement.


 


5.12    Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.


 





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5.13   Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement and this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.


 


5.14    Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc. For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock outstanding at any particular time, including, without limitation, for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors (or any committee thereof, to the extent delegated such power and authority by the Board of Directors) shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board, or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) make all determinations and calculations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration or implementation of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right to determine the Rights to be null and voided pursuant to Section 3.1, after taking into account the purpose of this Agreement and the Company’s interest in maintaining an orderly trading market in the outstanding shares of Common Stock. All such actions, interpretations, calculations and determinations done or made by the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other Persons, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors or any of the directors to any liability to the holders of the Rights.


 





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5.15    Fiduciary Responsibilities of the Board of Directors. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall, or shall be deemed or construed to, be in derogation of the obligations of the Board of Directors to exercise its fiduciary duties. Without limiting the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall be deemed or construed to suggest or imply that the Board of Directors shall not be entitled to reject any offer to acquire the Company or to recommend that stockholders of the Company reject any offer, or to take any other action, with respect to any offer or any proposal to acquire the Company that the Board of Directors believes is necessary or appropriate in the exercise of such fiduciary duties.


 


5.16   Descriptive Headings; Section References. Descriptive headings appear herein for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.


 


5.17    GOVERNING LAW; EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION.


 


(a)    THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH RIGHT ISSUED HEREUNDER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS TO BE MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ALL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE RIGHTS, DUTIES, OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES OF THE RIGHTS AGENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.


 





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(b)    (i) THE COMPANY AND EACH HOLDER OF RIGHTS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, OR, IF SUCH COURT SHALL LACK JURISDICTION, THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA, OVER ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. The Company and each holder of Rights acknowledge that the forum designated by this paragraph (b) has a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to such Persons’ relationship with one another.


 


(ii) The Company and each holder of Rights hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in paragraph (b)(i). The Company and each holder of Rights undertake not to commence any action subject to this Agreement in any forum other than the forum described in this paragraph (b). The Company and each holder of Rights agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment in any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon such Persons.


 


5.18    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by facsimile and .pdf) and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.


 


5.19    Severability. If any term, covenant, restriction or provision hereof or the application thereof to any circumstance shall, in any jurisdiction and to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, such term, covenant, restriction or provision shall be ineffective as to such jurisdiction to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining terms, covenants, restrictions and provisions hereof or the application of such term, covenant, restriction or provision to circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable; provided, however, that if any such excluded term, covenant, restriction or provision shall adversely affect the rights, immunities, duties or obligations of the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately.


 





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5.20    USA PATRIOT Act. Each Person that is a party hereto acknowledges that the Rights Agent is subject to the customer identification program (“Customer Identification Program”) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, and that the Rights Agent must obtain, verify and record information that allows the Rights Agent to identify each such person or entity. Accordingly, prior to accepting an appointment hereunder, the Rights Agent may request information from any such person or entity that will help the Rights Agent to identify such person or entity, including, without limitation, as applicable, such person or entity’s physical address, tax identification number, organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or any other information that the Rights Agent deems necessary. Each Person that is a party hereto acknowledges that the Rights Agent cannot accept an appointment hereunder unless and until the Rights Agent verifies each such person or entity’s identity in accordance with the Customer Identification Program requirements.


 


[Execution page follows.]


 



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


 


OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION


 


 


	
			By:

				
			/s/ Tracy G. Smith

				 
	
			Name:

				
			Tracy G. Smith

				 
	
			Title:

				
			Senior VP and CFO

				 



 


 


AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC


 


 


	
			By:

				
			/s/ Michael A. Nespoli

				 
	
			Name:

				
			Michael A. Nespoli

				 
	
			Title:

				
			Executive Director, Relationship Management

				 



 


 


[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement]


 





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EXHIBIT A


 


[Form of Rights Certificate]


 


 


Certificate No. W-_______ Rights


 


THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION OR MANDATORY EXCHANGE, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. RIGHTS “BENEFICIALLY OWNED” BY “ACQUIRING PERSONS” OR “AFFILIATES” OR “ASSOCIATES” THEREOF (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR TRANSFEREES OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING WILL BE NULL AND VOID.


 


Rights Certificate


 


Optical Cable Corporation


 


This certifies that _________________________, or registered assigns, is the registered holder of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the registered holder thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Amended and Restated Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Rights Agreement”), between Optical Cable Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”, which term shall include any successor Rights Agent under the Rights Agreement), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Separation Time (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to the Expiration Time (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement), one one-thousandth of a fully paid share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, no par value (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Company (subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement) at the Exercise Price referred to below, upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Exercise duly executed and properly completed at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. The Exercise Price shall initially be $25 per Right and shall be subject to adjustment in certain events as provided in the Rights Agreement.


 





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In certain circumstances described in the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced hereby may entitle the registered holder thereof to purchase securities of an entity other than the Company or securities of the Company other than Preferred Stock or assets of the Company, all as provided in the Rights Agreement. This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal office of the Company and are available without cost upon written request.


 


This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor evidencing an aggregate number of Rights equal to the aggregate number of Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates so surrendered. If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the registered holder shall be entitled to receive, upon surrender hereof, another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised. Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, each Right evidenced by this Certificate may be (a) redeemed by the Company under certain circumstances, at its option, at a redemption price of $0.0001 per Right, or (b) exchanged by the Company under certain circumstances, at its option, for one share of Common Stock or one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock per Right (or, in certain cases, other securities or assets of the Company), subject in each case to adjustment in certain events as provided in the Rights Agreement. No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of any securities that may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised or exchanged as provided in the Rights Agreement. This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned (either manually or by facsimile) by the Rights Agent.


 


WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal.


 


Date: ________________________


 


ATTEST:


 


OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION


 


By:              _____________________________


Name:         _____________________________


Title:           _____________________________


Countersigned:


 


AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Rights Agent


 


 


By:              _____________________________


Name:         _____________________________


Title:           _____________________________


 


 


[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]


 





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FORM OF ASSIGNMENT


 


(To be executed by the registered holder if such


holder desires to transfer this Rights Certificate.)


 


 


FOR VALUE RECEIVED __________________________________ hereby sells,


 


	assigns and transfers unto	 



 




(Please print name


 




and address of transferee)


 


this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ________________________________ as Attorney-in-fact, to transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.


 


Dated: __________________, ______


 


Signature Guaranteed:         ______________________________________________________________________                   


Signature


(Signature must correspond to name


as written upon the face of this


Rights Certificate in every particular,


without alteration or enlargement or


any change whatsoever)


 


Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s Rights Agent.


 


.......................................


 



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(To be completed if true)


 


The undersigned hereby represents, for the benefit of the Company and all holders of Rights and shares of Common Stock, that the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are not, and, to the knowledge of the undersigned, have never been, Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as each such term is defined in the Rights Agreement).


 


 


_________________________________________


Signature


 ..............................


 


NOTICE


 


In the event the certification set forth above is not completed in connection with a purported assignment, the Company will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by the enclosed Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as each such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate to be null and void and not transferable or exercisable.


 



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[To be attached to each Rights Certificate]


 


FORM OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE


 


 


(To be executed if holder desires to


exercise the Rights.)


 


TO: Optical Cable Corporation


 


The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise _______________________ whole Rights represented by the attached Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock or such other securities or assets as may then be issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of:


 


                                                                                                            


 


Address:                                                          


                                                                           


Social Security or Other Taxpayer


Identification Number:                                   


 


If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:


 


                                                                           


Address:                                                          


                                                                           


Social Security or Other Taxpayer


Identification Number:                                   


Dated: _________, __


 


Signature Guaranteed:                                    ________________________________________


Signature


(Signature must correspond to name as written


upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every


particular, without alteration or enlargement or


any change whatsoever)


 


Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee Program at a guarantee level acceptable to the Company’s Rights Agent.


 


............................


 



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(To be completed if true)


 


The undersigned hereby represents, for the benefit of the Company and all holders of Rights and shares of Common Stock, that the Rights evidenced by the attached Rights Certificate are not, and, to the knowledge of the undersigned, have never been, Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as each such term is defined in the Rights Agreement).


 


_____________________________________________________


Signature


 ..............................


 


NOTICE


 


In the event the certification set forth above is not completed in connection with a purported exercise, the Company will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by the attached Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate to be null and void and not transferable or exercisable.


 





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