Document:

Exhibit 4.2

 

Execution Version

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated July 23, 2014 (the “Agreement”), is entered into by and among Sinclair Television Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), the guarantors listed on Schedule 1 hereto (the “Guarantors”), and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”) as representative for RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., Moelis & Company LLC and LionTree Advisors LLC (collectively, with J.P. Morgan, the “Initial Purchasers”).

 

The Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers are parties to the Purchase Agreement, dated July 9, 2014 (the “Purchase Agreement”), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $550,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Securities”) which will be guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each of the Guarantors.  As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

 

In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.             Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Additional Guarantor” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company that executes a Guarantee under the Indenture after the date of this Agreement.

 

“Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

“Closing Date” shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement.

 

“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company’s successors.

 

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

 

“Exchange Dates” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof.

 

“Exchange Offer” shall mean the exchange offer by the Company and the Guarantors of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

 

 

“Exchange Offer Registration” shall mean a registration under the Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Exchange Securities” shall mean senior notes issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Guarantors under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

 

“FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or any successor entity thereto.

 

“Free Writing Prospectus” means each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities.

 

“Guarantees” shall mean the guarantees of the Securities and Exchange Securities by the Guarantors under the Indenture.

 

“Guarantors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include any Guarantor’s successors and any Additional Guarantors.

 

“Holders” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the term “Holders” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers.

 

“Indemnified Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

 

“Indemnifying Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

 

“Indenture” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities, dated as of July 23, 2014,  among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

“Initial Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Inspector” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(xiii) hereof.

 

“Issuer Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.

 

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“J.P. Morgan” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Majority Holders” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, any Registrable Securities owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its affiliates shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount; and provided, further, that if the Company shall issue any additional Securities under the Indenture prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, such additional Securities and the Registrable Securities to which this Agreement relates shall be treated together as one class for purposes of determining whether the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities has been obtained.

 

“Participating Broker-Dealers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

 

“Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in, or, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Act, deemed a part of, a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Registrable Securities” shall mean the Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) with respect to Securities eligible to be registered thereon, upon the expiration of the Exchange Offer period with respect to any Exchange Offer Registration Statement if all Securities validly tendered in connection with such Exchange Offer shall have been exchanged for Exchange Securities, (iii) when such Securities have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or any successor provision, (iv) the date that is two years from the Closing Date or (v) when such Securities cease to be outstanding.

 

“Registration Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws

 

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(including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any Underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements or other similar agreements and any other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and (viii) the fees and disbursements of the independent public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

 

“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement of the Company and the Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

“SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor entity thereto.

 

“Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

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

 

“Shelf Additional Interest Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.

 

“Shelf Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

“Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Company and the Guarantors that covers all or a portion of the Registrable Securities (but no other securities unless approved by a majority of the Holders whose Registrable Securities are to be covered by such Shelf Registration Statement) on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case

 

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including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Shelf Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

“Staff” shall mean the staff of the SEC.

 

“Target Registration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.

 

“Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

 

“Underwriter” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e) hereof.

 

“Underwritten Offering” shall mean an offering in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

2.             Registration Under the Securities Act.  (a)  To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to (i) cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities, (ii)  cause such Registration Statement to become effective and (iii) have such Registration Statement remain effective until 180 days after the last Exchange Date for use by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers.  The Company and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use their reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer not later than 60 days after such effective date.

 

The Company and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law, substantially the following:

 

(i)            that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn will be accepted for exchange;

 

(ii)           the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “Exchange Dates”);

 

(iii)          that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest but will not retain any rights under this Agreement, except as otherwise specified herein;

 

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(iv)          that any Holder electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to (A) surrender such Registrable Security, together with the appropriate letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) and in the manner specified in the notice, or (B) effect such exchange otherwise in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for such Registrable Security, in each case prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and

 

(v)           that any Holder will be entitled to withdraw its election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by (A) sending to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the notice, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Securities exchanged or (B) effecting such withdrawal in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for the Registrable Securities.

 

As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder will be required to represent to the Company and the Guarantors that (i) any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) it is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company or any Guarantor and (iv) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available a Prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

 

As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)            accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

 

(ii)           deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and deliver to each Holder, Exchange Securities equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities tendered by such Holder.

 

The Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer.  The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff.

 

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(b)           (i) In the event that the Company and the Guarantors determine that the Exchange Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is not available or may not be completed as soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, (ii) in the event that the Exchange Offer is not for any other reason completed on or before the date that is 270 days after the Closing Date or (iii) upon receipt of a written request (a “Shelf Request”) from any Initial Purchaser within 30 days after the consummation of the Exchange Offer representing that it holds Registrable Securities that are or were ineligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause to be filed as soon as practicable after such determination, date or Shelf Request, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and to have such Shelf Registration Statement become effective.

 

In the event that the Company and the Guarantors are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to file and have become effective both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer.

 

The Company and the Guarantors agree to use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the earlier of (i) one year after the initial effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the date when all the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (the “Shelf Effectiveness Period”).  The Company and the Guarantors further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder or if reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use their reasonable best efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective, if required, and such Shelf Registration Statement and Prospectus to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable.  The Company and the Guarantors agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.

 

(c)           The Company and the Guarantors shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof.  Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(d)           An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC.  A Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become

 

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effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC or is automatically effective upon filing with the SEC as provided by Rule 462 under the Securities Act.

 

In the event that either the Exchange Offer is not completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to Section 2(b)(i) or 2(b)(ii) hereof, has not become effective on or prior to the date that is 270 days after the Closing Date (the “Target Registration Date”), the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by (i) 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following the Target Registration Date and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, in each case until the Exchange Offer is completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, becomes effective or the second anniversary of the Closing Date, up to a maximum increase of 1.00% per annum.  In the event that the Company receives a Shelf Request pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii), and the Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed thereby has not become effective by the later of (x) 240 days after the Closing Date or (y) 90 days after delivery of such Shelf Request (such later date, the “Shelf Additional Interest Date”), then the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by (i) 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period payable commencing from the Shelf Additional Interest Date and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, in each case until the Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective or the second anniversary of the Closing Date, up to a maximum increase of 1.00% per annum.

 

If the Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, has become effective and thereafter either ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable, in each case whether or not permitted by this Agreement, at any time during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, and such failure to remain effective or usable exists for more than 30 days, or, solely with respect to any suspension in accordance with Section 3(d) hereof, for more than 60 days (in either case, whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period, then the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum commencing on the 31st day (or the 61st day with respect to any suspension in accordance with Section 3(d) hereof) in such 12-month period for the first 90-day period following such date and by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum, and ending on such date that the Shelf Registration Statement has again become effective or the Prospectus again becomes usable.

 

(e)           Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Company or the Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.

 

(f)            The Company represents, warrants and covenants that it (including its agents and representatives) will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any Free Writing Prospectus.

 

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3.             Registration Procedures.  (a) In connection with their obligations pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)            prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the Company and the Guarantors, (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use their reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

 

(ii)           prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period described in Section 4(a)(3) of and Rule 174 under the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;

 

(iii)          in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to the one counsel on behalf of all such Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus or preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such Holder, counsel or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities thereunder; and the Company and the Guarantors consent to the use of such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;

 

(iv)          use their reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement becomes effective; cooperate with such Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA; and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Holder to complete the disposition in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (2) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject;

 

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(v)           notify counsel for the Initial Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities and the one counsel on behalf of all such Holders promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (1) when a Registration Statement has become effective, when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective and when any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus has been filed, (2) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (3) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, including the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the SEC to the use of a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, (4) if, between the applicable effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement and the closing of any underwritten sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company or any Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such Registrable Securities cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if the Company or any Guarantor receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (5) of the happening of any event during the period a Registration Statement is effective that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (6) of any determination by the Company or any Guarantor that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus would be appropriate;

 

(vi)          use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or, in the case of a Shelf Registration, the resolution of any objection of the SEC pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2), including by filing an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement on the proper form, at the earliest possible moment and provide prompt notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order or such resolution;

 

(vii)         in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without any documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

 

(viii)        in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) as such Holders may reasonably request at least three Business Days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;

 

(ix)          in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, use their reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a

 

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supplement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available) to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Company and the Guarantors shall notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and such Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company and the Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;

 

(x)           a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or, to the extent practicable under the circumstances, of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus after initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, to the Holders of Registrable Securities and their one counsel on behalf of all such Holders) and make such of the representatives of the Company and the Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) available for discussion of such document; and the Company and the Guarantors shall not, at any time after initial filing of a Registration Statement, use or file any Prospectus, any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus, or, to the extent practicable under the circumstances, any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities and their one counsel on behalf of all such Holders) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their one counsel on behalf of all such Holders) shall reasonably object in writing reasonably prior to the anticipated time of filing of the applicable document;

 

(xi)          obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the initial effective date of a Registration Statement;

 

(xii)         cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be; cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and execute, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

 

(xiii)        in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities (an “Inspector”), any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, any attorneys and 

 

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accountants designated by a majority of the Holders of Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration and any attorneys and accountants designated by such Underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Company and the Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement; provided that if any such information is identified by the Company or any Guarantor as being confidential or proprietary, each Person receiving such information shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information;

 

(xiv)        if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as the Company has received notification of the matters to be so included in such filing;

 

(xv)         in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other reasonable actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (1) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (2) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Guarantors (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (3) obtain “comfort” letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (and, if necessary, any other certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any Guarantor, or of any business acquired by the Company or any Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder (to the extent permitted by applicable professional standards) and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, including but not limited to financial information contained in any preliminary prospectus or Prospectus and (4) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors made pursuant to clause (1) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement; and

 

12

 

(xvi)        so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, cause each Additional Guarantor upon the creation or acquisition by the Company of such Additional Guarantor, to execute a counterpart to this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A and to deliver such counterpart, together with an opinion of counsel as to the enforceability thereof against such entity, to the Initial Purchasers no later than five Business Days following the execution thereof.

 

(b)           In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the proposed disposition by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Company and the Guarantors may from time to time reasonably request in writing.  The Company may exclude from such Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities of any Holder who fails to furnish information within a reasonable time (not to exceed 15 Business Days) after receiving such request and shall be under no obligation to compensate any such Holder for any lost income, interest or other opportunity forgone, or any liability incurred and shall not be subject to any penalty interest pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof, as a result of the Company’s decision to exclude such Holder in accordance with this paragraph.

 

(c)           In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder of Registrable Securities covered in such Shelf Registration Statement agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company and the Guarantors of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(a)(v)(3) or 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(a)(ix) hereof and, if so directed by the Company and the Guarantors, such Holder will deliver to the Company and the Guarantors all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

(d)           If the Company and the Guarantors shall give any notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions. The Company and the Guarantors may give any such notice only twice during any 365-day period and any such suspensions shall not exceed 60 days for each suspension and there shall not be more than two suspensions in effect during any 365-day period.

 

(e)           The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering.  In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bank or investment banks and manager or managers (each an “Underwriter”) that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering after consultation with the Company.  In order to participate in an Underwritten Offering, each Holder 

 

13

 

of Registrable Securities must provide all required documents in accordance with the agreements and other arrangements in connection with such Underwritten Offering.

 

4.             Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer.  (a)  The Staff has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”) may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

 

The Company and the Guarantors understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available to purchasers) to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(b)           In light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors agree to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for a period of up to 120 days after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to Section 3(d) of this Agreement), in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited in Section 4(a) above; provided, however, if the Company has filed a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof and such Shelf Registration Statement is effective, the Company shall choose, in its sole and absolute discretion, to either (i) amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with this Section 4(b) or (ii) include any Participating Broker-Dealer as a selling securityholder and state the amount of Exchange Securities held by such Participating Broker-Dealer in such Shelf Registration Statement upon request by such Participating Broker-Dealer.  The Company and the Guarantors further agree that Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available) during such period in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4.

 

(c)           The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to the Company, any Guarantor or any Holder with respect to any request that they may make pursuant to Section 4(b) above.

 

5.             Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or 

 

14

 

proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus used in violation of this Agreement or any “issuer information” (“Issuer Information”) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser or information relating to any Holder furnished to the Company in writing through J.P. Morgan or any selling Holder, respectively expressly for use therein.  In connection with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will also indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their respective affiliates and each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any Issuer Information.

 

                (b)           Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and the other selling Holders, the directors of the Company and the Guarantors, each officer of the Company and the Guarantors who signed the applicable Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement and any Prospectus.

 

                (c)           If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve such Indemnifying Person from any liability that it may have under this paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under paragraph (a) or (b) above.  If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory 

 

15

 

to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred.  In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them.  It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred.  Any such separate firm (x) for any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control Persons of such Initial Purchaser shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan, (y) for any Holder, its directors and officers and any control Persons of such Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Company.  The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person that is an Initial Purchaser, or an affiliate, director or officer of an Initial Purchaser, or a Person who controls an Initial Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse such Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not either (A) have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement or (B) asserted a good faith rejection of such request and provided the basis for such rejection.  No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

 

                (d)           If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities 

 

16

 

referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors from the offering of the Securities and the Exchange Securities, on the one hand, and by the Holders from receiving Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors or by the Holders and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

                (e)           The Company, the Guarantors and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above.  The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, in no event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities or Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5 are several and not joint.

 

(f)            The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

 

(g)           The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder or any Person controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Company or the Guarantors or the officers or directors of or any Person controlling the Company or the Guarantors, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

17

 

6.             General.

 

(a)           No Inconsistent Agreements.   The Company and the Guarantors represent, warrant and agree that (i) the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any Guarantor under any other agreement and (ii) neither the Company nor any Guarantor has entered into, or on or after the date of this Agreement will enter into, any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

(b)           Amendments and Waivers.   The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent; provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder.  Any amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

(c)           Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; (ii) if to the Company and the Guarantors, initially at the Company’s address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c); and (iii) to such other persons at their respective addresses as provided in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c).  All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.  Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.

 

(d)           Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture.  If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by 

 

18

 

operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.  The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Company or the Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder (other than in its capacity as a Holder) to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

 

(e)           Third Party Beneficiaries.  Each Holder shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder.

 

(f)            Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(g)           Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not a part of this Agreement and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

(h)           Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

(i)            Entire Agreement; Severability.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect thereto.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.  The Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

19

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
SINCLAIR TELEVISION GROUP, INC., as Issuer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ David B. Amy
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
David Amy
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Secretary
    

 

 

	
 
    	
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ David B. Amy
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: David Amy
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   MEDIA I, INC.
    
	
 
    	
WSMH, INC.
    
	
 
    	
WGME, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   MEDIA III, INC.
    
	
 
    	
WYZZ   LICENSEE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
WSYX   LICENSEE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   ACQUISITION VII, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   ACQUISITION VIII, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   ACQUISITION IX, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   ACQUISITION X, INC.
    
	
 
    	
MONTECITO   BROADCASTING CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
CHANNEL   33, INC.
    
	
 
    	
NEW   YORK TELEVISION, INC.
    
	
 
    	
BIRMINGHAM   (WABM-TV) LICENSEE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
RALEIGH   (WRDC-TV) LICENSEE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SAN   ANTONIO (KRRT-TV) LICENSEE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
WVTV   LICENSEE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
CHESAPEAKE   TELEVISION, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION OF SEATTLE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
FISHER   PROPERTIES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   MEDIA SERVICES COMPANY
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION MEDIA, INC.
    
	
 
    	
FISHER   MILLS, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION OF WASHINGTON, INC.
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   PROPERTIES, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
KBSI   LICENSEE L.P.
    
	
 
    	
WMMP   LICENSEE L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Properties, LLC, General Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WKEF   LICENSEE L.P.
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Communications, LLC, General Partner
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member of Sinclair Communications, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WGME   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
WGME, Inc.,   Sole Member
    

 

 

	
 
    	
WICD   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WICS   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION OF ILLINOIS, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Illinois   Television, LLC, Member
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Communications LLC, Sole Member of Illinois Television, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member of Sinclair Communications, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WSMH   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
WSMH, Inc.,   Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WPGH   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KDNL   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WCWB   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Media I, Inc., Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
KLGT   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
WUCW,   LLC, Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Communications, LLC, Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WCGV   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Milwaukee   Television, LLC, Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Communications, LLC Sole Member of Milwaukee Television, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member of Sinclair Communications, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
KOKH   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:     KOKH, LLC, Sole Member of KOKH   Licensee, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:   Sinclair Communications, LLC, Sole Member   of KOKH, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:     Sinclair Television Group, Inc.,   Sole Member of Sinclair Communications, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WCHS   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WVAH   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Media III, Inc., Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
CHESAPEAKE   TELEVISION LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KABB   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WLOS   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SAN   ANTONIO TELEVISION, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KEYE   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KUTV   LICENSEE, LLC
    

 

 

	
 
    	
WTVX   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WPEC   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WWMT   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WRGB   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WCWN   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KTVL   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KFDM   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WUCW,   LLC
    
	
 
    	
WWHO   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WFGX   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KUPN   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WEAR   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
ILLINOIS   TELEVISION, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KGAN   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KFXA   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WUPN   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WUTV   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WXLV   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WMSN   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WUHF   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
MILWAUKEE   TELEVISION, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WTAT   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WRLH   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WRGT   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KSAS   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WHP   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WKRC   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WOAI   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WTTA   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KFOX   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KRXI   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WTOV   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WJAC   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WFXL   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KVII   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KXRM   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WACH   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KGBT   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KTVO   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WPDE   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KHQA   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WSTQ   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WPBN   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KRCG   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WLUC   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WHOI   LICENSEE, LLC
    

 

 

	
 
    	
WNWO   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KPTH   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WOLF   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WGFL   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WQMY   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION OF EL PASO, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WTVZ   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WLFL   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WRDC,   LLC
    
	
 
    	
WTTO   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WTWC   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KOCB   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WDKY   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KOKH,   LLC
    
	
 
    	
WZTV   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WNAB   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WTVC   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WUXP   LICENSE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
WGXA   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Communications, LLC, Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member of Sinclair Communications, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   PROGRAMMING COMPANY, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    
	
 
    	
CHESAPEAKE   MEDIA I, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION OF FRESNO, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION OF OMAHA, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   NETWORKS GROUP, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   DIGITAL GROUP, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
KDSM,   LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Broadcast Group, Inc., Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
KDSM   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
KDSM,   LLC, Sole Member of KDSM Licensee, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Broadcast Group, Inc., Sole Member of KDSM, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WDKA   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Properties, LLC, Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   BROADCASTING OF SEATTLE, LLC
    

 

 

	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION OF PORTLAND, LLC
   SINCLAIR RADIO OF SEATTLE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   MEDIA OF BOISE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   TELEVISION OF OREGON, LLC
   SINCLAIR MEDIA OF SEATTLE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   MEDIA OF WASHINGTON, LLC
   SINCLAIR INTERACTIVE MEDIA, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   SEATTLE LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   BAKERSFIELD LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   BOISE LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   YAKIMA LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   LEWISTON LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   PORTLAND LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   EUGENE LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   RADIO OF SEATTLE LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Media, Inc., Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   KENNEWICK LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
SINCLAIR   La GRANDE LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television of Washington, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
KFRE   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
KMPH   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television of Fresno, LLC, Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member of
   Sinclair Television of Fresno, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
KPTM   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television of Omaha, LLC, a Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member of
   Sinclair Television of Omaha, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
KDBC   LICENSEE, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television of El Paso, LLC, Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Communications, LLC, Sole Member of
   Sinclair Television of El Paso, LLC
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Sinclair   Television Group, Inc., Sole Member of
   Sinclair Communications, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ David B. Amy
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
David Amy, in his capacity as Executive Vice President, Secretary or   Manager, as the case may be
    

 

 

	
 
    	
Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
For   itself and on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/   Noah Roth
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Noah Roth
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Vice President
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Authorized Signatory
    	
 
    

 

 

Annex A

 

Counterpart to Registration Rights Agreement

 

The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees as a Guarantor (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 23, 2014, by and among the Company, a Maryland corporation, the guarantors party thereto and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, on behalf of itself and as representative of the other Initial Purchasers) to be bound by the terms and provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this counterpart as of                               .

 

	
 
    	
[NAME]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

1                                         Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation

2                                         Sinclair Media I, Inc., a Maryland corporation

3                                         WSMH, Inc., a Maryland corporation

4                                         WGME, Inc., a Maryland corporation

5                                         Sinclair Media III, Inc., a Maryland corporation

6                                         WYZZ Licensee, Inc., a Delaware corporation

7                                         WSYX Licensee, Inc., a Maryland corporation

8                                         Sinclair Acquisition VII, Inc., a Maryland corporation

9                                         Sinclair Acquisition VIII, Inc., a Maryland corporation

10                                  Sinclair Acquisition IX, Inc., a Maryland corporation

11                                  Sinclair Acquisition X, Inc., a Maryland corporation

12                                  Montecito Broadcasting Corporation, a Delaware corporation

13                                  Channel 33, Inc., a Nevada corporation

14                                  New York Television, Inc., a Maryland corporation

15                                  Sinclair Properties, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company

16                                  KBSI Licensee L.P., a Virginia limited partnership

17                                  WMMP Licensee L.P., a Virginia limited partnership

18                                  WKEF Licensee L.P., a Virginia limited partnership

19                                  WGME Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

20                                  WICD Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

21                                  WICS Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

22                                  KGAN Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

23                                  WSMH Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

24                                  WPGH Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

25                                  KDNL Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

26                                  WCWB Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

27                                  WTVZ Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

28                                  Chesapeake Television Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

29                                  KABB Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

30                                  WLOS Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

31                                  KLGT Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

32                                  WCGV Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

33                                  KUPN Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

34                                  WEAR Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

35                                  WLFL Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

36                                  WTTO Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

37                                  WTWC Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

38                                  KOCB Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

39                                  WDKY Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

40                                  KOKH Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

41                                  WUPN Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

42                                  WUXP Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

43                                  WCHS Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

44                                  Birmingham (WABM-TV) Licensee, Inc., a Maryland corporation

45                                  Raleigh (WRDC-TV) Licensee, Inc., a Maryland corporation

 

2-28

 

46                                  San Antonio (KRRT-TV) Licensee, Inc., a Maryland corporation

47                                  WVTV Licensee, Inc., a Maryland corporation

48                                  WUHF Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

49                                  WMSN Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

50                                  WRLH Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

51                                  WUTV Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

52                                  WXLV Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

53                                  WZTV Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

54                                  WVAH Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

55                                  WTAT Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

56                                  WRGT Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

57                                  KDSM Licensee, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

58                                  KDSM, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

59                                  KFXA Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

60                                  San Antonio Television, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

61                                  Sinclair Communications, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

62                                  Sinclair Programming Company, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

63                                  WDKA Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

64                                  WFGX Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

65                                  WNAB Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

66                                  KOKH, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

67                                  WRDC, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

68                                  Milwaukee Television, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company

69                                  KEYE Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

70                                  KUTV Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

71                                  WTVX Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

72                                  WPEC Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

73                                  WWMT Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

74                                  WRGB Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

75                                  WCWN Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

76                                  KTVL Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

77                                  KFDM Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

78                                  WTVC Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

79                                  WUCW, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

80                                  WWHO Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

81                                  Illinois Television, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

82                                  KSAS Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

83                                  WHP Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

84                                  WKRC Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

85                                  WOAI Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

86                                  WTTA Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

87                                  KFOX Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

88                                  KRXI Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

89                                  WTOV Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

90                                  WJAC Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

91                                  WFXL Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

 

2-29

 

92                                  KVII Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

93                                  KXRM Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

94                                  WACH Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

95                                  KGBT Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

96                                  KTVO Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

97                                  WPDE Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

98                                  KHQA Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

99                                  WSTQ Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

100                           WPBN Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

101                           KRCG Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

102                           WLUC Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

103                           WHOI Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

104                           WNWO Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

105                           Chesapeake Television, Inc., a Maryland corporation

106                           Sinclair Television of Illinois, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

107                           Chesapeake Media I, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

108                           Fisher Mills, Inc., a Washington corporation

109                           Fisher Properties, Inc., a Washington corporation

110                           KPTH Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

111                           Sinclair Bakersfield Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

112                           Sinclair Boise Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

113                           Sinclair Broadcasting of Seattle, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

114                           Sinclair Eugene Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

115                           Sinclair Interactive Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

116                           Sinclair Kennewick Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

117                           Sinclair La Grande Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

118                           Sinclair Lewiston Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

119                           Sinclair Media of Boise, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

120                           Sinclair Media of Seattle, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

121                           Sinclair Media of Washington, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

122                           Sinclair Media Services Company, a Washington corporation

123                           Sinclair Portland Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

124                           Sinclair Radio of Seattle, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

125                           Sinclair Radio of Seattle Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

126                           Sinclair Seattle Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

127                           Sinclair Television Media, Inc., a Washington corporation

128                           Sinclair Television of Oregon, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

129                           Sinclair Television of Portland, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

130                           Sinclair Television of Seattle, Inc., a Washington corporation

131                           Sinclair Television of Washington, Inc., a Washington corporation

132                           Sinclair Yakima Licensee LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

133                           WOLF Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

134                           WGFL Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

135                           WQMY Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

136                           Sinclair Television of Omaha, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

137                           Sinclair Television of Fresno, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

2-30

 

138                           Sinclair Television of El Paso, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

139                           KFRE Licensee, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

140                           KMPH Licensee, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

141                           KPTM Licensee, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

142                           KDBC Licensee, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

143                           WGXA Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company

144                           Sinclair Digital Group, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

145                           Sinclair Networks Group, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company

 

2-31ex4-1.htm

Exhibit 4.1

 

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

2013 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

ARTICLE I -- PREAMBLE

1.1           This 2013 Stock Incentive Plan of Vertex Energy, Inc. (the "Company") is intended to secure for the Company and its Affiliates the benefits arising from ownership of the Company's Common Stock by the Employees, Officers, Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Affiliates, all of whom are and will be responsible for the Company's future growth.  The Plan is designed to help attract and retain for the Company and its Affiliates personnel of superior ability for positions of exceptional responsibility, to reward Employees, Officers, Directors and Consultants for their services and to motivate such individuals through added incentives to further contribute to the success of the Company and its Affiliates. With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Act, transactions under this Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 of the Act.

1.2           Awards under the Plan may be made to an Eligible Person in the form of (i) Incentive Stock Options (to Eligible Employees only); (ii) Nonqualified Stock Options; (iii) Restricted Stock; (iv) Stock Awards; (v) Performance Shares; or (vi) any combination of the foregoing.

1.3           The Company’s board of directors adopted the Plan effective on April 25, 2013  (the "Effective Date"), subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company to the extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of the Code, the Act, or other applicable federal or state law.  Unless sooner terminated as provided elsewhere in this Plan, this Plan shall terminate upon the close of business on the day next preceding the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.  Award Agreements outstanding on such date shall continue to have force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof.

1.4           The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas (except its choice-of-law provisions).

1.5           Capitalized terms shall have the meaning provided in Article II unless otherwise provided in this Plan or any related Award Agreement.

ARTICLE II -- DEFINITIONS

DEFINITIONS.  Except where the context otherwise indicates, the following definitions apply:

2.1           "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

2.2           "Affiliate" means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, whether now or hereinafter existing, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.

 

2.3           "Award" means an award granted to a Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, including, but not limited to, Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Stock Awards, Performance Shares, or any combination of the foregoing.

2.4           "Award Agreement" means the separate written agreement evidencing each Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

2.5           "Board of Directors" or "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

2.6           “Bylaws” means the Company’s bylaws as amended from time to time.

 

 

  

1

  

 

2.7           "Change of Control" means (i) the adoption of a plan of merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or association as a result of which the holders of the voting capital stock of the Company as a group would receive less than 50% of the voting capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation; (ii) the approval by the Board of Directors of an agreement providing for the sale or transfer (other than as security for obligations of the Company) of substantially all the assets of the Company; or (iii) in the absence of a prior expression of approval by the Board of Directors, the acquisition of more than 20% of the Company's voting capital stock by any person within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Act (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company).

2.8           "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder.

2.9           "Committee" means a committee of two or more members of the Board appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Plan.

2.10           "Common Stock" means the Company’s common stock.

2.11           "Company" means Vertex Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation.

2.12           "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render bona fide consulting or advisory services to the Company or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee, Director or Non-Employee Director.

2.13           "Director" means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.14           "Disability" means the permanent and total disability of a person within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

2.15           "Effective Date" shall be the date set forth in Section 1.3 of the Plan.

2.16           "Eligible Employee" means an Eligible Person who is an Employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

2.17           "Eligible Person" means any Employee, Officer, Director, Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate, except for instances where services are in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, or they directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities, subject to any other limitations as may be provided by the Code, the Act, or the Board.  In making such determinations, the Board may take into account the nature of the services rendered by such person, his or her present and potential contribution to the Company’s success, and such other factors as the Board in its discretion shall deem relevant.

2.19           “Employee” means an individual who is a common-law employee of the Company or an Affiliate including employment as an Officer.  Mere service as a Director or payment of a director's fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company or an Affiliate.

2.20           "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.

2.21           "Fair Market Value" means:

(a) for purposes of an Incentive Stock Option, if there is a market for the Company’s stock, on a stock exchange or in an over-the-counter market, or otherwise, the Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the highest and lowest quoted selling prices on the valuation date of the Incentive Stock Option, or if there were no sales of the Company’s Common Stock on the valuation date, the Fair Market Value shall be the weighted average of the means between the highest and lowest sales on the nearest date before and the nearest date after the valuation date.  If a valuation pursuant to this paragraph is not available, the appropriate method described in Section 20.2031-2 of the Treasury Regulations adopted under the Code shall be used for the Fair Market Value, and

 

  

2

  

 

(b) for all other purposes, the mean between the highest and lowest quoted selling prices of the Common Stock (if actual sales price information on such trading day is not available, the mean between the bona fide bid and asked prices on such trading day shall be used) on the trading day immediately prior to the date on which a determination is being made pursuant to this Section 2.21 (the “Mean Selling Price”), as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”), or if the Common Stock is not traded on NASDAQ, the Mean Selling Price in the over-the-counter market; provided, however, that if the Common Stock is listed on a stock exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the Mean Selling Price on such exchange; and, provided further, that if the Common Stock is not quoted or listed by any organization, the fair value of the Common Stock, as determined by the Board, whose determination shall be conclusive, shall be used.  In no event shall the Fair Market Value of any share of Common Stock be less than its par value.

2.22           "Grant Date" means, as to any Award, the latest of:

(a) the date on which the Board authorizes the grant of the Award; or

 

(b) the date the Participant receiving the Award becomes an Employee or a Director of the Company or its Affiliate, to the extent employment status is a condition of the grant or a requirement of the Code or the Act; or

 

(c) such other date (later than the dates described in (a) and (b) above) as the Board may designate and as set forth in the Participant's Award Agreement.

2.23           "Immediate Family" means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law and shall include adoptive relationships.

2.24           "Incentive Stock Option" means a Stock Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and is granted under Article IV of the Plan and designated as an Incentive Stock Option in a Participant's Award Agreement.

2.25           "Non-Employee Director" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Act.

2.26           "Nonqualified Stock Option" means a Stock Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and is not so designated in the Participant's Award Agreement.

2.27           “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Act.

2.28           "Option Period" means the period during which a Stock Option may be exercised from time to time, as established by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement for each Participant who is granted a Stock Option.

2.29           "Option Price" means the purchase price for a share of Common Stock subject to purchase pursuant to a Stock Option, as established by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement for each Participant who is granted a Stock Option.

2.30           “Outside Director” means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" receiving compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax qualified pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" at any time and is not currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in any capacity other than as a Director or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

 

 

  

3

  

 

2.31           "Participant" means an Eligible Person to whom an Award has been granted and who has entered into an Award Agreement evidencing the Award or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.

2.32           "Performance Objectives" shall have the meaning set forth in Article IX of the Plan.

2.33           "Performance Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Article IX of the Plan.

2.34           "Performance Share" means an Award under Article IX of the Plan of a unit valued by reference to the Common Stock, the payout of which is subject to achievement of such Performance Objectives, measured during one or more Performance Periods, as the Board, in its sole discretion, shall establish at the time of such Award and set forth in a Participant's Award Agreement.

2.35           "Plan" means this Vertex Energy, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

2.36           “Reporting Person” means a person required to file reports under Section 16(a) of the Act.

2.37           "Restricted Stock" means an Award under Article VII of the Plan of shares of Common Stock that are at the time of the Award subject to restrictions or limitations as to the Participant's ability to sell, transfer, pledge or assign such shares, which restrictions or limitations may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Board, in its sole discretion, shall determine at the time of such Award and set forth in a Participant's Award Agreement.

2.38           "Restriction Period" means the period commencing on the Grant Date with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock and ending on such date as the Board, in its sole discretion, shall establish and set forth in a Participant's Award Agreement.

2.39           "Retirement" means retirement as determined under procedures established by the Board or in any Award, as set forth in a Participant's Award Agreement.

2.40           “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.  Those provisions of the Plan which make express reference to Rule 16b-3, or which are required in order for certain option transactions to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3, shall apply only to a Reporting Person.

2.41           "Stock Award" means an Award of shares of Common Stock under Article VIII of the Plan.

2.42           "Stock Option" means an Award under Article IV or Article V of the Plan of an option to purchase Common Stock. A Stock Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

2.43           "Ten Percent Stockholder" means an individual who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code), at the time of grant, stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

2.44           "Termination of Service" means (i) in the case of an Eligible Employee, the discontinuance of employment of such Participant with the Company or its Subsidiaries for any reason other than a transfer to another member of the group consisting of the Company and its Affiliates and (ii) in the case of a Director who is not an Employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the date such Participant ceases to serve as a Director. The determination of whether a Participant has discontinued service shall be made by the Board in its sole discretion. In determining whether a Termination of Service has occurred, the Board may provide that service as a Consultant or service with a business enterprise in which the Company has a significant ownership interest shall be treated as employment with the Company.

 

 

  

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ARTICLE III – ADMINISTRATION

3.1           The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company.  The Board shall have the exclusive right to interpret and construe the Plan, to select the Eligible Persons who shall receive an Award, and to act in all matters pertaining to the grant of an Award and the determination and interpretation of the provisions of the related Award Agreement, including, without limitation, the determination of the number of shares subject to Stock Options and the Option Period(s) and Option Price(s) thereof, the number of shares of Restricted Stock or shares subject to Stock Awards or Performance Shares subject to an Award, the vesting periods (if any) and the form, terms, conditions and duration of each Award, and any amendment thereof consistent with the provisions of the Plan.  The Board may adopt, establish, amend and rescind such rules, regulations and procedures as it may deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan, make all other determinations which are, in the Board’s judgment, necessary or desirable for the proper administration of the Plan, amend the Plan or a Stock Award as provided in Article XI, and terminate or suspend the Plan as provided in Article XI.  All acts, determinations and decisions of the Board made or taken pursuant to the Plan or with respect to any questions arising in connection with the administration and interpretation of the Plan or any Award Agreement, including the severability of any and all of the provisions thereof, shall be conclusive, final and binding upon all persons.

3.2           The Board may, to the full extent permitted by and consistent with applicable law and the Company’s Bylaws, and subject to Subparagraph 3.2(b) hereinbelow, delegate any or all of its powers with respect to the administration of the Plan to a Committee consisting of not fewer than two members of the Board each of whom shall qualify (at the time of appointment to the Committee and during all periods of service on the Committee) in all respects as a Non-Employee Director and as an Outside Director.

(a)           If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in the Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not consistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board.

(b)           The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and reassume all powers and authority previously delegated to the Committee.

(c)           In addition to, and not in limitation of, the right of any Committee so designated by the Board to administer this Plan to grant Awards to Eligible Persons under this Plan, the full Board of Directors may from time to time grant Awards to Eligible Persons pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Plan, subject to the requirements of the Code, Rule 16b-3 under the Act or any other applicable law, rule or regulation. In connection with any such grants, the Board of Directors shall have all of the power and authority of the Committee to determine the Eligible Persons to whom such Awards shall be granted and the other terms and conditions of such Awards.

3.3           Without limiting the provisions of this Article III, and subject to the provisions of Article X, the Board is authorized to take such action as it determines to be necessary or advisable, and fair and equitable to Participants and to the Company, with respect to an outstanding Award in the event of a Change of Control as described in Article X or other similar event. Such action may include, but shall not be limited to, establishing, amending or waiving the form, terms, conditions and duration of an Award and the related Award Agreement, so as to provide for earlier, later, extended or additional times for exercise or payments, differing methods for calculating payments, alternate forms and amounts of payment, an accelerated release of restrictions or other modifications. The Board may take such actions pursuant to this Section 3.3 by adopting rules and regulations of general applicability to all Participants or to certain categories of Participants, by including, amending or waiving terms and conditions in an Award and the related Award Agreement, or by taking action with respect to individual Participants from time to time.

 

 

 

  

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3.4           Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 1,575,000 shares. Such shares of Common Stock shall be made available from authorized and unissued shares of the Company.

(a)           For all purposes under the Plan, each Performance Share awarded shall be counted as one share of Common Stock subject to an Award.

(b)           If, for any reason, any shares of Common Stock (including shares of Common Stock subject to Performance Shares) that have been awarded or are subject to issuance or purchase pursuant to Awards outstanding under the Plan are not delivered or purchased, or are reacquired by the Company, for any reason, including but not limited to a forfeiture of Restricted Stock or failure to earn Performance Shares or the termination, expiration or cancellation of a Stock Option, or any other termination of an Award without payment being made in the form of shares of Common Stock (whether or not Restricted Stock), such shares of Common Stock shall not be charged against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Award under the Plan and shall again be available for Awards under the Plan. In no event, however, may Common Stock that is surrendered or withheld to pay the exercise price of a Stock Option or to satisfy tax withholding requirements be available for future grants under the Plan.

(c)           The foregoing subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 3.4 shall be subject to any limitations provided by the Code or by Rule 16b-3 under the Act or by any other applicable law, rule or regulation.

3.5           Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement, which shall be subject to and shall incorporate (by reference or otherwise) the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and shall include any other terms and conditions (not inconsistent with the Plan) required by the Board.

3.6           The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates for shares of Common Stock under the Plan prior to:

(a)           any required approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company; and

(b)            the completion of any registration or qualification of such shares of Common Stock under any federal or state law, or any ruling or regulation of any governmental body that the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable.

3.7           The Board may require any Participant acquiring shares of Common Stock pursuant to any Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares of Common Stock for investment purposes and without a view to resale or distribution thereof.  Shares of Common Stock issued and delivered under the Plan shall also be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be placed on the certificate or certificates representing any such shares to make appropriate reference to any such restrictions. In making such determination, the Board may rely upon an opinion of counsel for the Company.

3.8           Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an Award Agreement with respect to an Award, no Participant shall have any right as a shareholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to such Participant's Award except to the extent that, and until, one or more certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall have been delivered to the Participant. No shares shall be required to be issued, and no certificates shall be required to be delivered, under the Plan unless and until all of the terms and conditions applicable to such Award shall have, in the sole discretion of the Board, been satisfied in full and any restrictions shall have lapsed in full, and unless and until all of the requirements of law and of all regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over the offer and sale, or issuance and delivery, of the shares shall have been fully complied with.

 

 

  

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3.9           The total amount of shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan and rights of outstanding Awards (both as to the number of shares subject to the outstanding Awards and the Option Price(s) or other purchase price(s) of such shares, as applicable) shall be appropriately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company resulting from payment of a stock dividend on the Common Stock, a stock split or subdivision or combination of shares of the Common Stock, or a reorganization or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other change in the structure of shares of the Common Stock. The foregoing adjustments and the manner of application of the foregoing provisions shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. Any such adjustment may provide for the elimination of any fractional shares which might otherwise become subject to an Award. All adjustments made as the result of the foregoing in respect of each Incentive Stock Option shall be made so that such Incentive Stock Option shall continue to be an Incentive Stock Option, as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

3.10           No director or person acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Board shall be liable for any action or determination under the Plan made in good faith.  The members of the Board shall be entitled to indemnification by the Company in the manner and to the extent set forth in the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended, Bylaws or as otherwise provided from time to time regarding indemnification of Directors.

3.11           The Board shall be authorized to make adjustments in any performance based criteria or in the other terms and conditions of outstanding Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company (or any Affiliate, if applicable) or its financial statements or changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles. The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or desirable to reflect any such adjustment. In the event the Company (or any Affiliate, if applicable) shall assume outstanding employee benefit awards or the right or obligation to make future such awards in connection with the acquisition of another corporation or business entity, the Board may, in its sole discretion, make such adjustments in the terms of outstanding Awards under the Plan as it shall deem appropriate.

3.12           Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have full power and authority to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any outstanding Award shall be terminated, canceled, forfeited or suspended. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement, all Awards to any Participant that are subject to any restriction or have not been earned or exercised in full by the Participant shall be terminated and canceled if the Participant is terminated for cause, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE IV -- INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

4.1           The Board, in its sole discretion, may from time to time on or after the Effective Date grant Incentive Stock Options to Eligible Employees, subject to the provisions of this Article IV and Articles III and VI and subject to the following conditions:

(a)           Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Eligible Employees, each of whom may be granted one or more of such Incentive Stock Options at such time or times determined by the Board.

 

(b)           The Option Price per share of Common Stock for an Incentive Stock Option shall be set in the Award Agreement, but shall not be less than (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Grant Date, or (ii) in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Grant Date.

 

 

  

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(c)           An Incentive Stock Option may be exercised in full or in part from time to time within ten (10) years from the Grant Date, or such shorter period as may be specified by the Board as the Option Period and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, such period shall not exceed five (5) years from the Grant Date; and further, provided that, in any event, the Incentive Stock Option shall lapse and cease to be exercisable upon a Termination of Service or within such period following a Termination of Service as shall have been determined by the Board and set forth in the related Award Agreement; and provided, further, that such period shall not exceed the period of time ending on the date three (3) months following a Termination of Service, unless employment shall have terminated:

(i)           as a result of Disability, in which event such period shall not exceed the period of time ending on the date twelve (12) months following a Termination of Service; or

(ii)           as a result of death, or if death shall have occurred following a Termination of Service (other than as a result of Disability) and during the period that the Incentive Stock Option was still exercisable, in which event such period may not exceed the period of time ending on the earlier of the date twelve (12) months after the date of death;

and provided, further, that such period following a Termination of Service or death shall in no event extend beyond the original Option Period of the Incentive Stock Option.

(d)           The aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which any Incentive Stock Options (whether under this Plan or any other plan established by the Company) are first exercisable during any calendar year by any Eligible Employee shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), determined based on the Fair Market Value(s) of such shares as of their respective Grant Dates; provided, however, that to the extent permitted under Section 422 of the Code, if the aggregate Fair Market Values of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Stock Options intended to be Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by any Eligible Employee during any calendar year (whether such Stock Options are granted under this Plan or any other plan established by the Company) exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Stock Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as  Nonqualified Stock Options.

(e)           No Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than ten (10) years from the Effective Date.

(f)            The Award Agreement for each Incentive Stock Option shall provide that the Participant shall notify the Company if such Participant sells or otherwise transfers any shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Incentive Stock Option within two (2) years of the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one (1) year of the date such shares were acquired upon the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option.

4.2           Subject to the limitations of Section 3.4, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to Incentive Stock Option Awards shall be the maximum aggregate number of shares available for Awards under the Plan.

4.3           The Board may provide for any other terms and conditions which it determines should be imposed for an Incentive Stock Option to qualify under Section 422 of the Code, as well as any other terms and conditions not inconsistent with this Article IV or Articles III or VI, as determined in its sole discretion and set forth in the Award Agreement for such Incentive Stock Option.

 

 

  

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4.4           Each provision of this Article IV and of each Incentive Stock Option granted hereunder shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, and any provision hereof that cannot be so construed shall be disregarded.

 

ARTICLE V -- NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS

5.1           The Board, in its sole discretion, may from time to time on or after the Effective Date grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible Persons, subject to the provisions of this Article V and Articles III and VI and subject to the following conditions:

(a)           Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted to any Eligible Person, each of whom may be granted one or more of such Nonqualified Stock Options, at such time or times determined by the Board.

(b)           The Option Price per share of Common Stock for a Nonqualified Stock Option shall be set in the Award Agreement and may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Grant Date; provided, however, that the exercise price of each Nonqualified Stock Option granted under the Plan shall in no event be less than the par value per share of the Company’s Common Stock.

(c)           A Nonqualified Stock Option may be exercised in full or in part from time to time within the Option Period specified by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that, in any event, the Nonqualified Stock Option shall lapse and cease to be exercisable upon a Termination of Service or within such period following a Termination of Service as shall have been determined by the Board and set forth in the related Award Agreement.

5.2           The Board may provide for any other terms and conditions for a Nonqualified Stock Option not inconsistent with this Article V or Articles III or VI, as determined in its sole discretion and set forth in the Award Agreement for such Nonqualified Stock Option.

ARTICLE VI -- INCIDENTS OF STOCK OPTIONS

6.1           Each Stock Option shall be granted subject to such terms and conditions, if any, not inconsistent with this Plan, as shall be determined by the Board and set forth in the related Award Agreement, including any provisions as to continued employment as consideration for the grant or exercise of such Stock Option and any provisions which may be advisable to comply with applicable laws, regulations or rulings of any governmental authority.

6.2           Except as hereinafter described, a Stock Option shall not be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant's guardian or legal representative.  In the event of the death of a Participant, any unexercised Stock Options may be exercised to the extent otherwise provided herein or in such Participant's Award Agreement by the executor or personal representative of such Participant's estate or by any person who acquired the right to exercise such Stock Options by bequest under the Participant's will or by inheritance. The Board, in its sole discretion, may at any time permit a Participant to transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option for no consideration to or for the benefit of one or more members of the Participant's Immediate Family (including, without limitation, to a trust for the benefit of the Participant and/or one or more members of such Participant's Immediate Family or a corporation, partnership or limited liability company established and controlled by the Participant and/or one or more members of such Participant's Immediate Family), subject to such limits as the Board may establish. The transferee of such Nonqualified Stock Option shall remain subject to all terms and conditions applicable to such Nonqualified Stock Option prior to such transfer. The foregoing right to transfer the Nonqualified Stock Option, if granted by the Board shall apply to the right to consent to amendments to the Award Agreement.

 

 

  

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6.3           Shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of a Stock Option shall be paid for in such amounts, at such times and upon such terms as shall be determined by the Board, subject to limitations set forth in the Stock Option Award Agreement. The Board may, in its sole discretion, permit the exercise of a Stock Option by payment in cash or by tendering shares of Common Stock (either by actual delivery of such shares or by attestation), or any combination thereof, as determined by the Board. In the sole discretion of the Board, payment in shares of Common Stock also may be made with shares received upon the exercise or partial exercise of the Stock Option, whether or not involving a series of exercises or partial exercises and whether or not share certificates for such shares surrendered have been delivered to the Participant. The Board also may, in its sole discretion, permit the payment of the exercise price of a Stock Option by the voluntary surrender of all or a portion of the Stock Option. Shares of Common Stock previously held by the Participant and surrendered in payment of the Option Price of a Stock Option shall be valued for such purpose at the Fair Market Value thereof on the date the Stock Option is exercised.  

6.4           The holder of a Stock Option shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by the Stock Option (including, without limitation, any voting rights, the right to inspect or receive the Company’s balance sheets or financial statements or any rights to receive dividends or non-cash distributions with respect to such shares) until such time as the holder has exercised the Stock Option and then only with respect to the number of shares which are the subject of the exercise.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.

6.5           The Board may permit the voluntary surrender of all or a portion of any Stock Option granted under the Plan to be conditioned upon the granting to the Participant of a new Stock Option for the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock as the Stock Option surrendered, or may require such voluntary surrender as a condition precedent to a grant of a new Stock Option to such Participant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, such new Stock Option shall be exercisable at such Option Price, during such Option Period and on such other terms and conditions as are specified by the Board at the time the new Stock Option is granted. Upon surrender, the Stock Options surrendered shall be canceled and the shares of Common Stock previously subject to them shall be available for the grant of other Stock Options.

6.6           The Board may at any time offer to purchase a Participant's outstanding Stock Option for a payment equal to the value of such Stock Option payable in cash, shares of Common Stock or Restricted Stock or other property upon surrender of the Participant's Stock Option, based on such terms and conditions as the Board shall establish and communicate to the Participant at the time that such offer is made.

6.7           The Board shall have the discretion, exercisable either at the time the Award is granted or at the time the Participant discontinues employment, to establish as a provision applicable to the exercise of one or more Stock Options that, during a limited period of exercisability following a Termination of Service, the Stock Option may be exercised not only with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock for which it is exercisable at the time of the Termination of Service but also with respect to one or more subsequent installments for which the Stock Option would have become exercisable had the Termination of Service not occurred.

ARTICLE VII -- RESTRICTED STOCK

7.1           The Board, in its sole discretion, may from time to time on or after the Effective Date award shares of Restricted Stock to Eligible Persons as a reward for past service and an incentive for the performance of future services that will contribute materially to the successful operation of the Company an its Affiliates, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Article VII.

7.2           The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of any Award of Restricted Stock, which shall be set forth in the related Award Agreement, including without limitation:

(a)           the purchase price, if any, to be paid for such Restricted Stock, which may be zero, subject to such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law;

 

 

  

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(b)           the duration of the Restriction Period or Restriction Periods with respect to such Restricted Stock and whether any events may accelerate or delay the end of such Restriction Period(s);

(c)           the circumstances upon which the restrictions or limitations shall lapse, and whether such restrictions or limitations shall lapse as to all shares of Restricted Stock at the end of the Restriction Period or as to a portion of the shares of Restricted Stock in installments during the Restriction Period by means of one or more vesting schedules;

(d)           whether such Restricted Stock is subject to repurchase by the Company or to a right of first refusal at a predetermined price or if the Restricted Stock may be forfeited entirely under certain conditions;

(e)            whether any performance goals may apply to a Restriction Period to shorten or lengthen such period; and

(f)            whether dividends and other distributions with respect to such Restricted Stock are to be paid currently to the Participant or withheld by the Company for the account of the Participant.

7.3           Awards of Restricted Stock must be accepted within a period of thirty (30) days after the Grant Date (or such shorter or longer period as the Board may specify at such time) by executing an Award Agreement with respect to such Restricted Stock and tendering the purchase price, if any. A prospective recipient of an Award of Restricted Stock shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless such recipient has executed an Award Agreement with respect to such Restricted Stock, has delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Board and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award.

7.4           In the sole discretion of the Board and as set forth in the Award Agreement for an Award of Restricted Stock, all shares of Restricted Stock held by a Participant and still subject to restrictions shall be forfeited by the Participant upon the Participant's Termination of Service and shall be reacquired, canceled and retired by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock, in the event of the death, Disability or Retirement of a Participant during the Restriction Period, or in other cases of special circumstances (including hardship or other special circumstances of a Participant whose employment is involuntarily terminated), the Board may elect to waive in whole or in part any remaining restrictions with respect to all or any part of such Participant's Restricted Stock, if it finds that a waiver would be appropriate.

7.5           Except as otherwise provided in this Article VII, no shares of Restricted Stock received by a Participant shall be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of during the Restriction Period.

7.6           Upon an Award of Restricted Stock to a Participant, a certificate or certificates representing the shares of such Restricted Stock will be issued to and registered in the name of the Participant. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, such certificate or certificates will be held in custody by the Company until (i) the Restriction Period expires and the restrictions or limitations lapse, in which case one or more certificates representing such shares of Restricted Stock that do not bear a restrictive legend (other than any legend as required under applicable federal or state securities laws) shall be delivered to the Participant, or (ii) a prior forfeiture by the Participant of the shares of Restricted Stock subject to such Restriction Period, in which case the Company shall cause such certificate or certificates to be canceled and the shares represented thereby to be retired, all as set forth in the Participant's Award Agreement.  It shall be a condition of an Award of Restricted Stock that the Participant deliver to the Company a stock power endorsed in blank relating to the shares of Restricted Stock to be held in custody by the Company.

7.7           Except as provided in this Article VII or in the related Award Agreement, a Participant receiving an Award of shares of Restricted Stock Award shall have, with respect to such shares, all rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any distributions, unless and until such shares are otherwise forfeited by such Participant; provided, however, the Board may require that any cash dividends with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Award, or may require that cash dividends and other distributions on Restricted Stock be withheld by the Company or its Affiliates for the account of the Participant. The Board shall determine whether interest shall be paid on amounts withheld, the rate of any such interest, and the other terms applicable to such withheld amounts.

 

  

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ARTICLE VIII -- STOCK AWARDS

8.1           The Board, in its sole discretion, may from time to time on or after the Effective Date grant Stock Awards to Eligible Persons in payment of compensation that has been earned or as compensation to be earned, including without limitation compensation awarded or earned concurrently with or prior to the grant of the Stock Award, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Article VIII.

8.2           For the purposes of this Plan, in determining the value of a Stock Award, all shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Award shall be set in the Award Agreement and may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Grant Date.

8.3           Unless otherwise determined by the Board and set forth in the related Award Agreement, shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award will be issued, and one or more certificates representing such shares will be delivered, to the Participant as soon as practicable following the Grant Date of such Stock Award. Upon the issuance of such shares and the delivery of one or more certificates representing such shares to the Participant, such Participant shall be and become a shareholder of the Company fully entitled to receive dividends, to vote and to exercise all other rights of a shareholder of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, unless the Board expressly provides otherwise with respect to a Stock Award, as set forth in the related Award Agreement, no Stock Award shall be deemed to be an outstanding Award for purposes of the Plan.

ARTICLE IX -- PERFORMANCE SHARES

9.1           The Board, in its sole discretion, may from time to time on or after the Effective Date award Performance Shares to Eligible Persons as an incentive for the performance of future services that will contribute materially to the successful operation of the Company and its Affiliates, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IX.

9.2           The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of any Award of Performance Shares, which shall be set forth in the related Award Agreement, including without limitation:

(a)            the purchase price, if any, to be paid for such Performance Shares, which may be zero, subject to such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law;

(b)            the performance period (the "Performance Period") and/or performance objectives (the "Performance Objectives") applicable to such Awards;

(c)            the number of Performance Shares that shall be paid to the Participant if the applicable Performance Objectives are exceeded or met in whole or in part; and

(d)            the form of settlement of a Performance Share.

9.3           At any date, each Performance Share shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.

9.4           Performance Periods may overlap, and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Performance Shares for which different Performance Periods are prescribed.

 

  

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9.5           Performance Objectives may vary from Participant to Participant and between Awards and shall be based upon such performance criteria or combination of factors as the Board may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, minimum earnings per share or return on equity. If during the course of a Performance Period there shall occur significant events which the Board expects to have a substantial effect on the applicable Performance Objectives during such period, the Board may revise such Performance Objectives.

9.6           In the sole discretion of the Board and as set forth in the Award Agreement for an Award of Performance Shares, all Performance Shares held by a Participant and not earned shall be forfeited by the Participant upon the Participant's Termination of Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement with respect to an Award of Performance Shares, in the event of the death, Disability or Retirement of a Participant during the applicable Performance Period, or in other cases of special circumstances (including hardship or other special circumstances of a Participant whose employment is involuntarily terminated), the Board may determine to make a payment in settlement of such Performance Shares at the end of the Performance Period, based upon the extent to which the Performance Objectives were satisfied at the end of such period and pro rated for the portion of the Performance Period during which the Participant was employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that the Board may provide for an earlier payment in settlement of such Performance Shares in such amount and under such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate or desirable.

9.7           The settlement of a Performance Share shall be made in cash, whole shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof and shall be made as soon as practicable after the end of the applicable Performance Period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board in its sole discretion may allow a Participant to defer payment in settlement of Performance Shares on terms and conditions approved by the Board and set forth in the related Award Agreement entered into in advance of the time of receipt or constructive receipt of payment by the Participant.

9.8           Performance Shares shall not be transferable by the Participant. The Board shall have the authority to place additional restrictions on the Performance Shares including, but not limited to, restrictions on transfer of any shares of Common Stock that are delivered to a Participant in settlement of any Performance Shares.

ARTICLE X -- CHANGES OF CONTROL OR OTHER FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES

10.1          Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement with respect to a particular Award:

(a)            all outstanding Stock Options shall become immediately exercisable in full, subject to any appropriate adjustments in the number of shares subject to the Stock Option and the Option Price, and shall remain exercisable for the remaining Option Period, regardless of any provision in the related Award Agreement limiting the exercisability of such Stock Option or any portion thereof for any length of time;

(b)            all outstanding Performance Shares with respect to which the applicable Performance Period has not been completed shall be paid out as soon as practicable as follows:

(i)            all Performance Objectives applicable to the Award of Performance Shares shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent necessary to earn one hundred percent (100%) of the Performance Shares covered by the Award;

(ii)            the applicable Performance Period shall be deemed to have been completed upon occurrence of the Change of Control;

(iii)            the payment to the Participant in settlement of the Performance Shares shall be the amount determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, or in the manner stated in the Award Agreement, as multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months of the applicable Performance Period that have elapsed prior to occurrence of the Change of Control, and the denominator of which is the total number of months in the original Performance Period; and

 

  

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(iv)            upon the making of any such payment, the Award Agreement as to which it relates shall be deemed terminated and of no further force and effect.

(c)            all outstanding shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which the restrictions have not lapsed shall be deemed vested, and all such restrictions shall be deemed lapsed and the Restriction Period ended.

 

10.2          Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, each Award granted under the Plan and then outstanding shall terminate; provided, however, that following the adoption of a plan of dissolution or liquidation, and in any event prior to the effective date of such dissolution or liquidation, each such outstanding Award granted hereunder shall be exercisable in full and all restrictions shall lapse, to the extent set forth in Section 10.1(a), (b) and (c) above.

10.3          After the merger of one or more corporations into the Company or any Affiliate, any merger of the Company into another corporation, any consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company and one or more corporations, or any other corporate reorganization of any form involving the Company as a party thereto and involving any exchange, conversion, adjustment or other modification of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock, each Participant shall, at no additional cost, be entitled, upon any exercise of such Participant's Stock Option, to receive, in lieu of the number of shares as to which such Stock Option shall then be so exercised, the number and class of shares of stock or other securities or such other property to which such Participant would have been entitled to pursuant to the terms of the agreement of merger or consolidation or reorganization, if at the time of such merger or consolidation or reorganization, such Participant had been a holder of record of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares as to which such Stock Option shall then be so exercised. Comparable rights shall accrue to each Participant in the event of successive mergers, consolidations or reorganizations of the character described above. The Board may, in its sole discretion, provide for similar adjustments upon the occurrence of such events with regard to other outstanding Awards under this Plan. The foregoing adjustments and the manner of application of the foregoing provisions shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. Any such adjustment may provide for the elimination of any fractional shares which might otherwise become subject to an Award. All adjustments made as the result of the foregoing in respect of each Incentive Stock Option shall be made so that such Incentive Stock Option shall continue to be an Incentive Stock Option, as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

ARTICLE XI -- AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

11.1          Subject to the provisions of Section 11.2, the Board of Directors at any time and from time to time may amend or terminate the Plan as may be necessary or desirable to implement or discontinue the Plan or any provision hereof.  To the extent required by the Act or the Code, however, no amendment, without approval by the Company's shareholders, shall:

(a)           materially alter the group of persons eligible to participate in the Plan;

(b)            except as provided in Section 3.4, change the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that are available for Awards under the Plan;

(c)           alter the class of individuals eligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option or increase the limit on Incentive Stock Options set forth in Section 4.1(d) or the value of shares of Common Stock for which an Eligible Employee may be granted an Incentive Stock Option.

11.2           No amendment to or discontinuance of the Plan or any provision hereof by the Board of Directors or the shareholders of the Company shall, without the written consent of the Participant, adversely affect (in the sole discretion of the Board) any Award theretofore granted to such Participant under this Plan; provided, however, that the Board retains the right and power to:

 

 

  

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(a)           annul any Award if the Participant is terminated for cause as determined by the Board; and

(b)           convert any outstanding Incentive Stock Option to a Nonqualified Stock Option.

11.3           If a Change of Control has occurred, no amendment or termination shall impair the rights of any person with respect to an outstanding Award as provided in Article X.

ARTICLE XII -- MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

12.1          Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted hereunder shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or its Affiliates or to serve as a Director or shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates or the shareholders of the Company, as applicable, to terminate the employment of a Participant or to release or remove a Director at any time.  Unless specifically provided otherwise, no Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed salary or compensation for the purpose of computing benefits under any employee benefit plan or other arrangement of the Company or its Affiliates for the benefit of their respective employees unless the Company shall determine otherwise.  No Participant shall have any claim to an Award until it is actually granted under the Plan and an Award Agreement has been executed and delivered to the Company.  To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall, except as otherwise provided by the Board, be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company, and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts, except as provided in Article VII with respect to Restricted Stock and except as otherwise provided by the Board.

 

12.2          The Plan and the grant of Awards shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required. Any provision herein relating to compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Act shall not be applicable with respect to participation in the Plan by Participants who are not subject to Section 16 of the Act.

12.3          The terms of the Plan shall be binding upon the Company, its successors and assigns.

12.4          Neither a Stock Option nor any other type of equity-based compensation provided for hereunder shall be transferable except as provided for in Section 6.2. In addition to the transfer restrictions otherwise contained herein, additional transfer restrictions shall apply to the extent required by federal or state securities laws.  If any Participant makes such a transfer in violation hereof, any obligation hereunder of the Company to such Participant shall terminate immediately.

12.5          This Plan and all actions taken hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

12.6          Each Participant exercising an Award hereunder agrees to give the Board prompt written notice of any election made by such Participant under Section 83(b) of the Code, or any similar provision thereof.

12.7          If any provision of this Plan or an Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award Agreement under any law deemed applicable by the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Board, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award Agreement, it shall be stricken, and the remainder of the Plan or the Award Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

12.8          The grant of an Award pursuant to this Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or any of its Affiliates to make adjustments, reclassification, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or to dissolve, liquidate or sell, or to transfer all or part of its business or assets.

 

  

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12.9          The Plan is not subject to the provisions of ERISA or qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

12.10        If a Participant is required to pay to the Company an amount with respect to income and employment tax withholding obligations in connection with (i) the exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option, (ii) certain dispositions of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, or (iii) the receipt of Common Stock pursuant to any other Award, then the issuance of Common Stock to such Participant shall not be made (or the transfer of shares by such Participant shall not be required to be effected, as applicable) unless such withholding tax or other withholding liabilities shall have been satisfied in a manner acceptable to the Company.  To the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company's right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (i) tendering a cash payment; (ii) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award, provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; or (iii) delivering to the Company owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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