Document:

exv4w2

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

VECTOR GROUP LTD.

 

VGR HOLDING LLC

LIGGETT GROUP LLC

LIGGETT VECTOR BRANDS INC.

VECTOR RESEARCH LLC

LIGGETT & MYERS HOLDINGS INC.

LIGGETT & MYERS INC.

100 MAPLE LLC

V.T. AVIATION LLC

VGR AVIATION LLC

EVE HOLDINGS INC.

VECTOR TOBACCO INC.

 

And

 

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

 

 

Dated as of September 1, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

     This Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2009 (this “Agreement”),
is entered into by and among (i) Vector Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”),
(ii) VGR Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Liggett Group LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company, Liggett Vector Brands Inc., a Delaware corporation, Vector Research LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, Liggett & Myers Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, Liggett
& Myers Inc., a Delaware corporation, 100 Maple LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, V.T.
Aviation LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, VGR Aviation LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, Eve Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Vector Tobacco Inc., a Virginia corporation
and (iii) Jefferies & Company, Inc. (the “Initial Purchaser”), which has agreed to purchase
$85,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (the
“Series A Notes”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).

     This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2009 (the
“Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchaser.
In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to purchase the Series A Notes, the Issuer and the
Guarantors have agreed to provide, subject to the conditions in this Agreement, the registration
rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to
the obligations of the Initial Purchaser set forth in Section 9 of the Purchase Agreement.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned to them in
the Base Indenture, dated August 16, 2007, as supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture, dated
July 15, 2008, and a Second Supplemental Indenture to be dated the Closing Date (defined below)
among the Issuer, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the
“Trustee”) (the “Second Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base
Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), relating to the Series A
Notes and the Series B Notes (defined below).

     The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

     As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

     “Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder.

     “Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 144 of the Act.

     “Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

     “Broker-Dealer” means any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

     “Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which
banking institutions in the City of New York, or in the city of the corporate trust office of the
Trustee, are authorized or obligated by law or regulation to close.

     “Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement.

 

 

     “Consummate” means, and an Exchange Offer shall be deemed Consummated for purposes of
this Agreement upon, the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under the Act of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange
Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and
the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period required pursuant to
Section 3(b) and (c) the delivery by the Issuer to the Registrar under the Indenture of Series B
Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes
tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

     “Consummation Deadline” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

     “Exchange Offer Effectiveness Deadline” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

     “Exchange Offer Filing Deadline” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

     “Exchange Offer” means the exchange and issuance by the Issuer of a principal amount
of Series B Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement)
equal to the outstanding principal amount of Series A Notes that are validly tendered by Holders in
connection with such exchange and issuance.

     “Exchange Offer Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement relating to
the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

     “Free Writing Prospectus” means each offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy
the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (if the
offering of the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes was made pursuant to a registered offering
under the Act) as defined in Rule 405 under the Act, prepared by or on behalf of the Issuer or used
or referred to by the Issuer in connection with the sale of the Series A Notes or the Series B
Notes.

     “Guarantors” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

     “Holders” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.

     “Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(c).

     “Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(c).

     “Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

     “Initial Purchaser” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

     “Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

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

     “Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the time
such Registration Statement is declared effective (including without limitation, a prospectus that
discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective
Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430A under the Act), as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including (i) post-effective amendments
and (ii) any Free Writing Prospectus, and all material incorporated by reference into such
prospectus.

     “Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

     “Recommencement Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).

     “Registration Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.

     “Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Issuer and the
Guarantors relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the
registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement, in each case, (i) that is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (ii)
including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including
post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and materials incorporated by reference therein.

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

     “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     “Series A Notes” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

     “Series B Notes” means the Issuer’s 11% Series B Senior Secured Notes due 2015 to be
issued pursuant to the Indenture (a) in the Exchange Offer or (b) as contemplated by Section 4.

     “Shelf Effectiveness Deadline” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

     “Shelf Filing Deadline” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

     “Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

     “Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).

     “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in effect on the date of the Indenture.

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     “Transfer Restricted Securities” means each Series A Note until (i) the date on which
such Series A Note has been exchanged by a Person other than a Broker-Dealer for a Series B Note in
the Exchange Offer; (ii) following the exchange by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer of a
Series A Note for a Series B Note, the date on which the Series B Note is sold or
otherwise disposed of to a purchaser who receives from such Broker-Dealer on or prior to the
date of such sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement;
(iii) the date on which such Series A Note has been registered under the Act and disposed of in
accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement; or (iv) the date on which such Series A Note is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144, provided that on or prior to such date either (x)
the Exchange Offer has been consummated or (y) a Shelf Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC.

SECTION 2. HOLDERS

     A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (a “Holder”)
whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER

     (a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable law or SEC policy, the
Issuer and the Guarantors shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be filed
with the SEC not later than 240 days after the Closing Date (such 240th day being the “Exchange
Offer Filing Deadline”), (ii) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC not later than 330 days after the
Closing Date (such 330th day being the “Exchange Offer Effectiveness Deadline”), and (iii)
commence the Exchange Offer promptly following the declaration of effectiveness of such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement and use all commercially reasonable efforts to Consummate the Exchange
Offer on or prior to the date 30 Business Days (or longer if there is a change in the federal
securities laws that requires an issuer exchange offer for its debt securities to remain open for
more than 30 Business Days) after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective
(such date being the “Consummation Deadline”). The Exchange Offer shall be on the
appropriate form permitting (x) registration of the Series B Notes to be offered in exchange for
the Series A Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and (y) resales of Series B Notes by
Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer
acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities
(other than Series A Notes acquired directly from the Issuer or any of its Affiliates) as
contemplated by Section 3(c).

     (b) The Issuer and the Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and shall keep the Exchange
Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable securities
laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be
less than 20 Business Days. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply
with all applicable securities laws. No securities other than the Series B Notes shall be included
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

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     (c) The Issuer and the Guarantors shall include a “Plan of Distribution” section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate therein that any
Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that were acquired for the account of such
Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than
Series A Notes acquired directly from the Issuer or any of its Affiliates), may exchange such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such “Plan of Distribution”
section shall also contain all other information with respect to such sales by such Broker-Dealers
that the SEC may require in order to permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of
Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the SEC as a result of
a change in policy, rules or regulations after the date of this Agreement.

     Because any such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the
Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Act in connection
with the initial sale of any Series B Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer,
the Issuer and the Guarantors shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery requirement.
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is available for sales of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Issuer and the Guarantors
agree to use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the
provisions of Section 6(a) and (c) and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the
Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the SEC as announced from time to time, for a period
of 180 days from the Consummation Deadline or such shorter period as will terminate when all
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant
thereto. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of
such Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later than one day
after such request, at any time during such period.

SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION

     (a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law
or SEC policy (after the Issuer and the Guarantors have complied with the procedures set forth in
Section 6(a)(iii)(A)) or (ii) any Holder notifies the Issuer prior to the 20th Business Day
following the Consummation Deadline that (A) it is prohibited by law or SEC policy from
participating in the Exchange Offer, (B) it may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it in the
Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such
Holder or (C) it is a Broker-Dealer and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the Issuer or
any of its Affiliates, then the Issuer and the Guarantors will:

     (x) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed, not later
than 90 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the Issuer determines that
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause
(a)(i) of this Section 4 and (ii) the date on which the Issuer receives the notice
specified in clause (a)(ii) of this Section 4 (such earlier date, the “Shelf
Filing Deadline”), a shelf registration statement for an offering to be made on
a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an amendment to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) (the “Shelf Registration
Statement”) relating to all Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however,
that, notwithstanding this Section 4(a)(x), the Issuer and the Guarantors
shall not be required to file the Shelf Registration Statement prior to the
Exchange Offer Filing Deadline; and

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     (y) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration
Statement to become effective not later than 180 days after the earlier of (i) the
date on which the Issuer determines that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
cannot be filed as a result of clause (a)(i) of this Section 4 and (ii) the date on
which the Issuer receives the notice specified in clause (a)(ii) of this Section 4
(such 180th day the “Shelf Effectiveness Deadline”).

     If, after the Issuer has filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement that satisfies the
requirements of Section 3(a), the Issuer is required to file and make effective a Shelf
Registration Statement solely because the Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable law
(i.e., clause (a)(i) of this Section 4), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) of this Section 4(a); provided,
however, that in such event, the Issuer shall remain obligated to meet the Shelf Effectiveness
Deadline set forth in clause (y) of this Section 4(a).

     To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is available for sales
of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this Section
4(a) and the other securities required to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii), the
Issuer and the Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep any Shelf
Registration Statement required by this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented, amended
and current as required by and subject to the provisions of Section 6(b) and (c) and in conformity
with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the SEC
as announced from time to time, for a period of at least two years (as extended pursuant to Section
6(d)) following the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto.

     (b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration
Statement. No Holder may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf
Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the
Issuer in writing, within 10 days after receipt of a request therefor, the information specified in
Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of the Act for use in connection with any Shelf
Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary prospectus included therein. No Holder shall
be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to Section 5 unless and until such Holder shall have
provided all such information. Each selling Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional
information as requested by the SEC or as required to be disclosed in order to make the information
previously furnished to the Issuer by such Holder not materially misleading.

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SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

     If (a) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed with the SEC on or
prior to the applicable Exchange Offer Filing Deadline or Shelf Filing Deadline, (b) any such
Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the applicable
Exchange Offer Effectiveness Deadline or Shelf Effectiveness Deadline, (c) the Exchange Offer
has not been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline or (d) the Shelf
Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is filed and declared effective
but thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection with resales of Transfer Restricted
Securities during the periods specified in this Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses
(a) through (d) above, a “Registration Default”), then the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby
jointly and severally agree to pay to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities affected
thereby liquidated damages at a rate equal to 0.25% per annum on the outstanding principal amount
of Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder with respect to the first 90-day period
immediately following the occurrence of the first Registration Default. The amount of the
liquidated damages shall increase at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the outstanding principal amount
of Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder with respect to each subsequent 90-day period
until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum rate of liquidated damages of
1.00% per annum of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by such
Holder; provided, however, that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall in no event be required to pay
liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any given time. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) in the case of clause (a) of
this Section 5, (ii) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or,
if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) in the case of clause (b) of this Section 5, (iii)
upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer in the case of clause (c) of this Section 5 or (iv) upon
the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional
Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be declared effective or made usable in the
case of clause (d) of this Section 5, the liquidated damages payable with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities as a result of such clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 5, as
applicable, shall cease.

     All accrued liquidated damages will be paid by the Issuer and the Guarantors to the Holders
entitled thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on the next
scheduled Interest Payment Date (as such date is defined in the Indenture), as more fully set forth
in the Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any Notes for which liquidated
damages are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the Issuer and the
Guarantors to pay such accrued liquidated damages with respect to securities shall survive until
such time as such obligations with respect to the Notes have been satisfied in full. The
liquidated damages set forth above shall be the exclusive monetary remedy available to the Holders
for a Registration Default.

SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

     (a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange Offer, the
Issuer and the Guarantors shall (i) comply with all applicable provisions of Section 6(c), (ii) use
all commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the resale of Series B
Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer
acquired for its own account as a result of its market-making activities or other trading
activities (other than Series A Notes acquired directly from the Issuer or any of its Affiliates)
being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and (iii)
comply with all of the following provisions:

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     (A) If, following the date hereof, there has been announced a change in SEC
policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange Offer that, in the
reasonable opinion of counsel to the Issuer, raises a substantial question as to
whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable law, the Issuer and the
Guarantors hereby agree to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from
the SEC allowing the Issuer and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for
such Transfer Restricted Securities. The Issuer and the Guarantors hereby agree to
pursue the issuance of such a decision to the SEC staff level. In connection with
the foregoing, the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby agree to take all such other
commercially reasonable actions as may be requested by the SEC or otherwise required
in connection with the issuance of such decision, including without limitation (1)
participating in telephonic conferences with the SEC, (2) delivering to the SEC
staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Issuer setting forth the legal basis,
if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be
permitted and (3) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be favorable) by
the SEC staff.

     (B) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Holder who is a
Broker-Dealer) shall furnish, if requested by the Issuer, prior to the Consummation
of the Exchange Offer, a written representation to the Issuer and the Guarantors
(which shall be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or be deemed made by virtue of tendering into the
Exchange Offer pursuant to the provisions of the Exchange Offer Prospectus) to the
effect that (1) it is not an Affiliate of the Issuer, (2) it is not engaged in, and
does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any
Person to participate in, a distribution of the Series B Notes to be issued in the
Exchange Offer and (3) it is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of
business. As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each Holder
using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the Series B Notes
shall acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of Series B Notes obtained by
such Holder in exchange for Series A Notes acquired directly from the Issuer or an
Affiliate thereof, it (x) could not, under SEC policy as in effect on the date of
this Agreement, rely on the position of the SEC enunciated in Morgan Stanley and
Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings
Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the SEC’s letter to
Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters
(including, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause
(a)(iii)(A) of this Section 6) and (y) must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale
transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction must be covered by an
effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information
required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.

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     (C) To the extent required by SEC policies and procedures, prior to
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Issuer and the
Guarantors shall provide a supplemental letter to the SEC (1) stating that the
Issuer and the Guarantors are registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the
position of the SEC enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation
(available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5,
1991) as interpreted in the SEC’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July
2, 1993, and, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause
(a)(iii)(A) of this Section 6, (2) including a representation that neither the
Issuer nor any Guarantor has entered into any arrangement or understanding with any
Person to distribute the Series B Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and
that, to the best of the Issuer’s and each Guarantor’s information and belief, each
Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the Series B Notes in its
ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person
to participate in the distribution of the Series B Notes received in the Exchange
Offer and (3) any other undertaking or representation required by the SEC as set
forth in any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (a)(iii)(A) of this
Section 6, if applicable.

     (b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf Registration
Statement, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall:

     (i) comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) and use all commercially reasonable
efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities
being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof (as
indicated in the information furnished to the Issuer pursuant to Section 4(b)), and pursuant
thereto the Issuer and the Guarantors shall prepare and file with the SEC a Registration
Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Act, which form
shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in
accordance with the provisions hereof; and

     (ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Series A Notes covered by
any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, Series B Notes having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes sold
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and surrendered to the Issuer for cancellation;
the Issuer shall register the Series B Notes on the Shelf Registration Statement for this
purpose and issue the Series B Notes to the purchaser(s) of securities subject to the Shelf
Registration Statement in the names as such purchaser(s) shall designate.

     (c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and any related
Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall:

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     (i) use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for the period
specified in Sections 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any
event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein
(A) to contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of the
Prospectus or any supplement thereto, in the circumstances in which they were made) or
(B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the
period required by this Agreement, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall file promptly an
appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the relevant
Prospectus curing such defect, and, if SEC review is required, use all commercially
reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable;

     (ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to the
applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement
effective for the period specified in Sections 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable;
cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so
supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply fully with Rules
424, 430A, 430B and 462, as applicable, under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with
the provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method
or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement
or supplement to the Prospectus;

     (iii) advise the Initial Purchaser and, with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement,
the underwriter(s), if any, and the selling Holders and, if requested by such Persons, to
confirm such advice in writing (which notice shall not contain any material non-public
information, unless such Holder agrees to keep such information confidential) (A) when the
Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and,
with respect to any applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the SEC for amendments to
the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional
information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any
state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the
preceding purposes, or (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that
makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus,
any amendment or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein
untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration
Statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the
making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If
at any time the SEC shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority
shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the
Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Issuer and the
Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting
of such order at the earliest possible time;

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     (iv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event contemplated by Section
6(c)(iii)(D) shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment
to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by
reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus shall not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading;

     (v) furnish to the Initial Purchaser and with respect to a Shelf Registration
Statement, each Holder named in such Shelf Registration Statement, in connection with such
exchange or sale, if any, before filing with the SEC, copies of any Registration Statement
or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus (other than documents incorporated by reference after the initial
filing of such Registration Statement), which documents shall be subject to the review and
comment of such Holders in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five
Business Days, and the Issuer shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus
or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than
documents incorporated by reference) to which such Holders shall reasonably object within
five Business Days after such Holders’ receipt thereof. A Holder shall be deemed to have
reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or
supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading or fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the Act;

     (vi) in connection with any underwritten offering, make available, during reasonable
business hours, for inspection by each Holder who would be an “underwriter” as a result of
either (A) the sale by such Holder of Series A Notes covered by such Shelf Registration
Statement or (B) the sale during the period referred to in Section 3(c) and any attorney or
accountant retained by any such Person (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents of the Issuer and the Guarantors
(collectively, “Records”) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to
exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the Issuer’s and the
Guarantor’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information in each case
reasonably requested by any such Inspector, in connection with such Registration Statement
or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its
effectiveness. Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and
any Records which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the
Inspectors unless (X) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a
material misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness, (Y) the
release of such Records is required by applicable law or SEC policy or ordered pursuant to a
subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction or (Z) the information in
such Records has been generally available to the public. Each selling Holder of such
Transfer Restricted Securities and each such Broker-Dealer will be required to agree that
information obtained by it as a result of such
inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for
any market transactions in securities unless and until such is made generally available to
the public. Each selling Holder of such Transfer Restricted Securities and each such
Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree that it will, upon learning that disclosure
of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Issuer
and allow the Issuer at its expense to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of
the Records deemed confidential;

11

 

     (vii) if requested by any Holders in connection with such exchange or sale, promptly
include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or
post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Holders may reasonably
request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the
“Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities; and make all required filings
of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the
Issuer is notified of the matters to be included in such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment;

     (viii) furnish to each Holder in connection with such exchange or sale without charge,
at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the SEC, and of each
amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by reference therein and all
exhibits, including exhibits incorporated therein by reference, if so requested by such
Holder;

     (ix) deliver to each Holder without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including
any preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons
reasonably may request; the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby consent to the use (in
accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each
selling Holder in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

     (x) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the
selling Holders and their counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of
the Transfer Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as the selling Holders may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or
things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided,
however, that neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall be required to register or qualify
as a foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would
subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and
transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now
so subject;

     (xi) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities that will result in
such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted Securities, (A) cooperate with the
Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and (B)
register such Transfer Restricted Securities in such denominations and
such names as the selling Holders may request at least two Business Days prior to such
sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;

12

 

     (xii) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the disposition of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or
approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable
the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted
Securities, subject to the proviso contained in clause (x) of this Section 6(c);

     (xiii) pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, issue, upon the request of any Holder of
Series A Notes covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, Series B Notes, having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes
surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder;
such Series B Notes to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the
purchaser(s) of such Notes, as the case may be; in return, the Series A Notes held by such
Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

     (xiv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities not later than the
effective date of a Registration Statement covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and
provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for the Transfer
Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust
Company;

     (xv) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and in the performance of any due
diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent
underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the FINRA;

     (xvi) otherwise use all commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the SEC, and make generally available to the Holders with regard to
any applicable Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings
statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) covering a
twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as
such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the Act); and

     (xvii) provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each document filed with the SEC
pursuant to the requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

13

 

     (d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer
Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in Section 6(c)(iii)(C) or any
notice from the Issuer of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D)
(in each case, a “Suspension Notice”), such Holder shall forthwith discontinue disposition
of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until (i) such
Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section
6(c)(iv), or (ii) such Holder is advised in writing by the Issuer that the use of the Prospectus
may be
resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the “Recommencement Date”).
Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it shall either (i) destroy any
Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s possession which have been
replaced by the Issuer with more recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to the Issuer (at the
Issuer’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s possession of
the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt
of the Suspension Notice. The time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration
Statement set forth in Sections 3 or 4 herein, as applicable, shall be extended by a number of days
equal to the number of days in the period from and including the date of delivery of the Suspension
Notice to the Recommencement Date.

     (e) Participation in Underwritten Registration. In the event of an offer and sale of
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to an underwriting agreement and Registration Statement
contemplated by this Agreement, no Holder may participate in such offer and sale unless such Holder
(i) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in the
underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled to approve such arrangements and (ii)
completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements, lock-up letters and other documents reasonably required under the terms of the
underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES

     (a) All expenses incident to the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance
with this Agreement shall be borne by the Issuer and the Guarantors, regardless of whether a
Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all registration and
filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and
state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates
for the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger
and delivery Service and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuer and
the Guarantors and, subject to the limitations in Section 7(b), the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in
connection with listing the Series B Notes on a national securities exchange or automated quotation
system pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent
certified public accountants of the Issuer and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any
special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

     The Issuer (or the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall, in any event, bear its and the
Guarantors’ internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of their
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and
the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Issuer or the
Guarantors.

14

 

     (b) In connection with any Registration Statement contemplated or required by this Agreement,
as applicable (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the
Shelf Registration Statement), the Issuer and the Guarantors shall reimburse
the Initial Purchaser and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who are tendering
Series A Notes into in the Exchange Offer and/or selling or reselling Series A Notes or Series B
Notes pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
or the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements in an
amount not to exceed $10,000 of not more than one counsel, who shall be Latham & Watkins LLP unless
another firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer
Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.

SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION

     (a) The Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless
each Holder, its directors, officers and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments (including without limitation, any reasonable
legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any matter,
including any action that could give rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, Prospectus, (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) or any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433 of the Act) provided by the Issuer to
any Holder or any prospective purchaser of Series B Notes or registered Series A Notes, or caused
by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by, arise out of, or are based on an untrue statement
or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission (i) made in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Issuer or Guarantors by or on behalf of such Holder or
any underwriter with respect to such Holder, expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or
any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or
(ii) contained in any preliminary prospectus if such Holder or such underwriter failed to send or
deliver a copy of the Prospectus (in the form it was first provided to such parties for
confirmation of sales) to the person asserting such losses, claims, damages or liabilities on or
prior to the delivery of such written confirmation of any sale of securities covered thereby to
such party in any case where the Issuer shall have previously furnished copies thereof to such
Holder or such underwriter, as the case may be, in accordance with this Agreement, at or prior to
the written confirmation of the sale of such securities to such party and the untrue statement
contained in or the omission from the preliminary prospectus was corrected in or the omission from
the preliminary prospectus was corrected in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto). Any amounts advanced by the Issuer to an indemnified party pursuant to this Section 8 as
a result of such losses shall be returned to the Issuer if it shall be finally determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment not subject to appeal or final review that such
indemnified party was not entitled to indemnification by the Issuer.

15

 

     (b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer
and the Guarantors, and their respective directors and officers, and each person, if any, who
controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the
Issuer, or the Guarantors to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuer and the
Guarantors set forth in Section 8(a), but only with reference to information relating to such
Holder furnished in writing to the Issuer by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use in
any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto). In no event shall any Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such
Holder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the total amount received by such
Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities giving rise to the
indemnification obligation.

     (c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in respect of which indemnity
may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the “Indemnified Party”), the Indemnified
Party shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the
“Indemnifying Party”) in writing and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense of
such action, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party
and the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that in the case of
any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a
Holder shall not be required to assume the defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c),
but may employ separate counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of the Holder). Any Indemnified
Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the
defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the
Indemnified Party unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized
in writing by the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay the
fees and expenses of such counsel, (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed to assume the
defense of such action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party or (iii)
the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified
Party and the Indemnifying Party, and the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by such counsel
that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional
to those available to the Indemnifying Party (in which case the Indemnifying Party shall not have
the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the Indemnified Party). In any such
case, the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but
substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general
allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one
separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Parties and all
such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in
writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified pursuant to Section
8(a), and by the Issuer, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The
Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement of any action
effected with its written consent, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. No
Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any
settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or
threatened action in respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and
indemnity or contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the Indemnified Party,
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the
Indemnified Party from all liability on claims arising out of such action and (ii) does not include
a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the
Indemnified Party.

16

 

     (d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an
Indemnified Party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to
therein, then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Issuer and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on
the other hand or (ii) if the allocation provided by Section 8(d)(i) is not permitted by applicable
law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in
Section 8(d)(i) but also the relative fault of the Issuer and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and
of the Holder, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Issuer and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the
Holder, on the other hand, 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 Issuer or such Guarantor, on the one hand,
or by the Holder, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

     The Issuer, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) 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 which
does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be
deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any
matter, including any action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, its
directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder shall be required to
contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discount
received by such Holder with respect to the Series A Notes exceeds the amount of any damages which
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 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 8(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities held by each Holder hereunder and not joint. No party shall be liable for
contribution with respect to any action or claim settled without its prior written consent;
provided, however, that such written consent was not unreasonably withheld.

SECTION 9. RULE 144A AND RULE 144

     The Issuer and the Guarantors agree with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted
Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the Issuer or the Guarantors (i) are
not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make available upon request of any
Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in
connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted
Securities designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule
144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant
to Rule 144A; and (ii) are subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make all filings
required thereby in a timely manner in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to Rule 144.

17

 

SECTION 10. JOINDER OF FUTURE GUARANTORS

     In order to facilitate the purposes of this Agreement, the Issuer and Guarantors agree that,
if at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, Issuer or any Guarantor (as defined in
the Indenture) creates or acquires any subsidiary that is required by the Indenture to become a
Guarantor thereunder, they shall cause such subsidiary to execute a joinder to, and thereby become
a party to and Guarantor under, this Agreement.

SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS

     (a) Remedies. The Issuer and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that any failure by
the Issuer and/or the Guarantors to comply with their respective obligations under Sections 3 and 4
may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchaser 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 Purchaser or any Holder may
obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’
obligations under Sections 3 and 4. The Issuer and the Guarantors further agree to waive the
defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

     (b) Free Writing Prospectus. The Issuer and the Guarantors represent, warrant and
covenant that they (including their agents and representatives) will not prepare, make, use,
authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) in connection with the issuance and sale of the Series A Notes and the Series B
Notes, other than (i) any communication pursuant to Rule 134, Rule 135 or Rule 135c under the
Securities Act, (ii) any document constituting an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy
the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes that falls within the exception from the definition of
prospectus in Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or (iii) a prospectus satisfying the
requirements of section 10(a) of the Act or of Rule 430, Rule 430A, Rule 430B, Rule 430C or Rule
431 under the Act.

     (c) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Issuer nor the Guarantors shall, on or
after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with
the provisions of this Agreement. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor is a party to any agreement
granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted
to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights
granted to the holders of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect
on the date hereof.

18

 

     (d) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended,
modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions of this
Agreement may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5 and this Section 11(d)(i), the
Issuer has obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted
Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions of this Agreement, the Issuer has obtained
the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Issuer or its
Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to or departure from the
provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose Transfer Restricted
Securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or
indirectly the rights of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered
pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to such Exchange Offer.

     (e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder
shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return
receipt requested), fax, telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

     (i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the
Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture.

     (ii) if to the Initial Purchaser:

			
	               	 	Jefferies & Company, Inc.

11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, 10th Floor

Los Angeles, California 90025

Attention: Brian Wolfe

Fax: (310) 575-5166

with a copy to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

355 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90071

Attn: Mary Ellen Kanoff and Cynthia A. Rotell

Fax: (213) 891-8763

     (iii) if to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

			
	               	 	Vector Group Ltd.

100 S. E. 2nd Street, 32nd Floor

Miami, Florida 33131

Attention: Richard J. Lampen and Marc N. Bell, Esq.

Fax: (305) 579-8009

19

 

			
	               	 	with a copy to: 

Goodwin Procter LLP

Exchange Place

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Attention: Eric R Reimer & James P.C. Barri

Fax: (617) 523-1231

     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 receipt acknowledged, if sent by fax, and on the next Business
Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

     Any party, by notice to the other parties may designate additional or different addresses for
notices hereunder.

     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.

     (f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including without limitation and
without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, however, that nothing
herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer
Restricted Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the
Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any
manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held
subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted
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, including the restrictions on resale set forth
in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled to
receive the benefits hereof.

     (g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     (h) Headings; Section References. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of this Agreement. Unless
otherwise indicated, references in this agreement to Sections are to the sections of this
Agreement.

     (i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

     (j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained
herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the
remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

20

 

     (k) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party beneficiaries to the
agreements made hereunder between the Issuer and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial
Purchaser, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the
extent they may deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of
Holders hereunder.

     (l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression
of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and
understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are
no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to
herein with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer Restricted
Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties
with respect to such subject matter.

(signature pages follow)

21

 

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

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Very truly yours,

Issuer:

VECTOR GROUP LTD.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Richard J. Lampen
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Richard J. Lampen 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Guarantors:

VGR HOLDING LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Marc N. Bell
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Marc N. Bell 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Manager 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	LIGGETT GROUP LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Ronald J. Bernstein
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Ronald J. Bernstein 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Manager/President and

Chief Executive Officer 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	LIGGETT VECTOR BRANDS INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Ronald J. Bernstein
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Ronald J. Bernstein 	 
	 	 	Title:  	President and Chief Executive Officer 	 

22

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	VECTOR RESEARCH LLC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Francis G. Wall
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Francis G. Wall 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	VECTOR TOBACCO INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Francis G. Wall
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Francis G. Wall 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President - Finance 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	LIGGETT & MYERS HOLDINGS INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Marc N. Bell
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Marc N. Bell 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	LIGGETT & MYERS INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	 /s/ Ronald J. Bernstein
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Ronald J. Bernstein 	 
	 	 	Title:  	President 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	100 MAPLE LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Ronald J. Bernstein
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Ronald J. Bernstein 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Manager 	 

23

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	V.T. AVIATION LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Francis G. Wall
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Francis G. Wall 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President - Finance 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	VGR AVIATION LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Francis G. Wall
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Francis G. Wall 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President - Finance 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	EVE HOLDINGS INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Marc N. Bell
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Marc N. Bell 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President 	 

24

 

	 	 	 	 	 

Accepted and Agreed to:

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 
	By:  	                       /s/ David Losito
 	 
	 	Name:  	David Losito 	 
	 	Title:  	Managing Director 	 
	 

25Exhibit 10.11

Exhibit 10.11

PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION

Option Award Agreement

for [2005 / 2008] Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan

THIS OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Award Agreement”) is entered into as of [Date] by
and between Pike Electric Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and
[Employee] (“Recipient”) pursuant to the Pike Electric Corporation [2005 / 2008] Omnibus
Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).

Statement of Purpose

Recipient has a relationship with the Company or an Affiliate as an employee, officer,
director or consultant thereof (as applicable, the “Relationship”). This Award Agreement
sets forth the terms and conditions of the award of an option to purchase shares of the Company’s
Common Stock, $0.001 par value (“Share”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants hereinafter set forth, the
Company and Recipient agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to Recipient the right
(the “Option”) to purchase up to a maximum of [Number] Shares, at an exercise price of
$[        .        ] per Share (the “Exercise Price”). The Option and the right to purchase all or any
portion of the Shares covered by the Option are subject to the terms and conditions stated in this
Award Agreement and the Plan, which are incorporated into this Award Agreement. In the event of
any conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Award Agreement, the terms of this
Award Agreement shall govern. Unless otherwise stated herein, in the event of any conflict between
the terms of this Award Agreement and the terms of any employment or other agreement between
Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate, the terms of such employment or other agreement will
govern. The Option is not intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

SECTION 2. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan. The following terms have the meanings set forth below:

“Business Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.

“Cause” has the meaning set forth in the employment or other agreement between
Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate or, in the absence thereof, shall mean
(i) Recipient’s fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation with respect to the Company or its
Affiliates, (ii) Recipient’s material breach of this Agreement or any other agreement
between recipient and the Company or an Affiliate which is not cured within 15 days (or any
shorter cure period in such other agreement) after Recipient’s receipt of written notice
thereof from the Company or an Affiliate, (iii) Recipient’s breach of fiduciary duties to
the Company, its Affiliates or their stockholders, (iv) Recipient’s conviction or plea of
nolo contendere in respect of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, (v)
alcohol or substance abuse by Recipient, or (vi) Recipient’s willful or
negligent misconduct that has a material adverse effect on the property or business of
the Company or an Affiliate.

 

 

 

“Disability” has the meaning set forth in any long-term disability plan of the
Company or an Affiliate in which Recipient participates or, in the absence thereof, shall
mean the inability of Recipient, due to the condition of Recipient’s physical, mental or
emotional health, effectively to perform Recipient’s duties with the Company or an Affiliate
consistent with Recipient’s Relationship with or without reasonable accommodation for a
continuous period of more than 90 days or for 90 days in any period of 180 consecutive days,
as determined by a physician retained by the Company (and Recipient hereby authorizes the
disclosure and release to the Company of such determination and all supporting medical
records).

“Retirement” means termination of employment with the Company and its
Affiliates, other than for Cause or due to the Recipient’s death or Disability, after the
attainment of age 591/2 and completion of at least 10 years of service (as determined under
the Pike Electric, Inc. 401(k) Plan).

“Vesting Date” means the date on which Recipient’s rights with respect to all
or a portion of the Option subject to this Award Agreement may become fully vested as
provided in Section 4(a) of this Award Agreement.

SECTION 3. Term of Option. The Option, and Recipient’s right to exercise the Option,
shall terminate when the first of the following occurs:

(a) the termination of this Agreement and the Option pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan;

(b) the expiration of ten years from the date hereof;

(c) the date of termination of Recipient’s Relationship for Cause;

(d) one year after the date of termination of Recipient’s Relationship due to Recipient’s
Retirement; or

(e) 90 days after the date of termination of Recipient’s Relationship for any reason other
than Cause or Retirement, unless (i) such termination results from Recipient’s death or Disability
or (ii) Recipient dies within 90 days after the date of termination of Recipient’s Relationship
with the Company, in which case this Award Agreement and the Option shall terminate at the
expiration of ten years from the date hereof.

 

 

 

SECTION 4. Vesting and Exercise.

(a) Vesting. On each Vesting Date set forth below, Recipient’s rights with respect
to the number of Shares subject to the Option that corresponds to such Vesting Date, as specified
in the chart below, shall become vested and may be exercised, provided that Recipient must
continue to have its Relationship with the Company or an Affiliate on the relevant Vesting Date,
except as otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion or as otherwise
provided in Section 5 below or in an employment or other agreement between Recipient and the
Company or an Affiliate.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	Number of Shares	 
	 	 	Percentage of Award	 	 	Subject to Option	 
	 	 	Vested on Vesting Date	 	 	Vesting on Vesting Date	 
	Vesting Date	 	(%)	 	 	(#)	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Grant Date
	 	 	0	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	First Anniversary of
Grant Date
	 	 	33	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Second Anniversary of
Grant Date
	 	 	33	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Third Anniversary of
Grant Date
	 	 	34	 	 	 	 	 

(b) Exercise of Option. An Option, to the extent vested, may be exercised, in whole
or in part (but for the purchase of whole Shares only), by delivery to the Company (i) of a written
or electronic notice, complying with the applicable procedures established by the Committee or the
Company, stating the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is thereby exercised and
(ii) full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the Shares with respect to which the Option
is thereby exercised in accordance with Section 6(b) of the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of
the Option shall be issued solely in the name of the person exercising the Option. The notice
shall be signed by Recipient or any other person then entitled to exercise the Option. In the
event the Option is exercised by any person other than the Recipient, such notice shall be
accompanied by appropriate proof of the right of such person to exercise the Option. Upon exercise
and full payment of the Exercise Price for Shares with respect to which the Option is thereby
exercised, the Company shall deliver to Recipient or Recipient’s legal representative such Shares
for which Recipient has exercised and paid.

SECTION 5. Termination of Relationship. Unless the Committee determines otherwise,
and except as otherwise provided in an employment or other agreement between Recipient and the
Company or an Affiliate, Recipient’s rights with respect to any unvested Shares subject to an
Option awarded under this Award Agreement, including any payments or benefits related thereto,
shall terminate upon the termination of Recipient’s Relationship; provided,
however, that for termination of Recipient’s Relationship due to Recipient’s Retirement,
death or Disability, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the date of such
Retirement, death or Disability. The Option, to the extent vested, shall remain exercisable until
the first to occur of the events set forth in Section 3 above.

SECTION 6. No Rights as a Stockholder. Prior to the Vesting Date of Shares covered by
the Option and Recipient’s exercise of the Option and tender of the full purchase price for the
Shares being purchased pursuant to such exercise, Recipient shall not be entitled to exercise any
voting rights with respect to such Shares and shall not be entitled to receive dividends or other
distributions with respect thereto.

 

 

 

SECTION 7. Non-Transferability of Option. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee
in its discretion, all or any portion of an Option may not be sold, assigned, alienated,
transferred, pledged, attached or otherwise encumbered except as provided in Section 9(a) of the
Plan. Any purported sale, assignment, alienation, transfer, pledge, attachment or other
encumbrance of an Option in violation of the provisions of this Section 7 and Section 9(a) of the
Plan shall be void.

SECTION 8. Withholding, Consents and Legends.

(a) Withholding. The delivery of Shares pursuant to Section 4(b) of this Award
Agreement is conditioned on satisfaction of any applicable withholding taxes in accordance with
Section 9(d) of the Plan. If the Company does not withhold or deduct any amounts for taxes,
Recipient shall be solely responsible for the payment of any Federal, state, local or other
applicable taxes in respect of the amounts payable to Recipient under this Agreement.

(b) Consents. Recipient’s rights in respect of an Option are conditioned on the
receipt to the full satisfaction of the Committee of any required consents that the Committee may
determine to be necessary or advisable. Such consents may include, without limitation,
Recipient’s (i) consenting to the Company’s supplying to any third-party recordkeeper of the Plan
such personal information as the Committee deems advisable to administer the Plan, (ii) consenting
to the waiver of any data privacy rights Recipient may have with respect to such information, and
(iii) authorizing the Company and any Affiliate to store and transmit such information in
electronic form.

(c) Legends. The Company may affix to certificates for Shares issued pursuant to
this Award Agreement any legend that the Committee determines to be necessary or advisable
(including to reflect any restrictions to which Recipient may be subject under any applicable
securities laws). The Company may advise the transfer agent to place a stop order against any
legended Shares.

SECTION 9. Successors and Assigns of the Company. The terms and conditions of this
Award Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its
successors and assigns.

SECTION 10. Committee Discretion. The Committee shall have full and plenary
discretion with respect to any actions to be taken or determinations to be made in connection with
this Award Agreement, and its determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

 

 

SECTION 11. Dispute Resolution.

(a) Jurisdiction and Venue. Notwithstanding any provision in an employment or other
agreement between Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate, Recipient and the Company irrevocably
submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of (i) the United States District Court for the District of
Delaware and (ii) the courts of the State of Delaware for the purposes of any suit, action or
other proceeding arising out of this Award Agreement or the Plan. Recipient and the Company agree
to commence any such action, suit or proceeding either in the United States District Court for the
District of Delaware or, if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such court
for jurisdictional reasons, in the courts of the State of Delaware.
Recipient and the Company further agree that service of any process, summons, notice or
document by U.S. registered mail to the other party’s address set forth below shall be effective
service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to
which Recipient has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 11(a). Recipient and the Company
irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or
proceeding arising out of this Award Agreement or the Plan in (A) the United States District Court
for the District of Delaware or (B) the courts of the State of Delaware, and hereby and thereby
further irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court
that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an
inconvenient forum.

(b) Waiver of Jury Trial. Recipient and the Company hereby waive, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, any right either may have to a trial by jury in respect to any
litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Award Agreement
or the Plan.

(c) Confidentiality. Recipient hereby agrees to keep confidential the existence of,
and any information concerning, a dispute described in this Section 11, except that Recipient may
disclose information concerning such dispute to the court that is considering such dispute or to
Recipient’s legal counsel (provided that such counsel agrees not to disclose any such information
other than as necessary to the prosecution or defense of the dispute).

SECTION 12. Notice.

(a) Written Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Award Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand or overnight courier or three
Business Days after they have been mailed by U.S. registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed to the other party as set forth below:

	 	 	 	 	 
	If to the Company:

	 	Pike Electric Corporation	 	 
	 

	 	100 Pike Way	 	 
	 

	 	Mt. Airy, NC 27030	 	 
	 

	 	Attn: General Counsel	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	If to Recipient:
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 

The parties may change the address to which notices under this Award Agreement shall be sent by
providing written notice to the other in the manner specified above.

 

 

 

(b) Electronic Notices. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 12, the
Committee may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to this Option
grant or future Awards that may be granted under the Plan by electronic means or
request Recipient’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Recipient hereby
consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, agrees to participate
in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by the Committee or
another third party designated by the Committee.

SECTION 13. Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of this
Award Agreement solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed
in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Award Agreement or
any provision thereof.

SECTION 14. No Employment. Nothing contained in this Award Agreement confers, intends
to confer or implies any rights to an employment or other relationship or rights to a continued
employment or other relationship with the Company or its Affiliates in favor of Recipient or limit
the ability of the Company or its Affiliates to terminate, with or without cause, in its sole and
absolute discretion, the Relationship with Recipient, subject to the terms of any written
employment or other agreement between Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate.

SECTION 15. Amendment of this Award Agreement. The Committee may waive any conditions
or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate this Award
Agreement prospectively or retroactively; provided, however, that any such waiver,
amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would
materially and adversely impair Recipient’s rights under this Award Agreement shall not to that
extent be effective without Recipient’s consent. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, this
Award Agreement and the Option shall be subject to the provisions of Section 7 of the Plan,
including being subject to amendment by the Company by action of the Board or the Committee without
the consent of Recipient for purposes of maintaining compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

SECTION 16. Severability. In the event any provision of this Award Agreement shall be
held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining
parts of the Award Agreement, and the Award Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the
illegal or invalid provision had not been included. This Award Agreement, together with the Plan,
constitutes the final understanding between Recipient and the Company regarding the Award. Any
prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning the Award are superseded. No statement,
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement not expressly set forth in this Award Agreement
shall affect or be used to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and provisions of this
Award Agreement; provided, however, that in any event this Award Agreement shall be subject to and
governed by the Plan. The terms and provisions of this Award Agreement may be modified or amended
as provided in the Plan.

SECTION 17. Counterparts. This Award Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon
the same instrument.

 

 

 

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

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	
RECIPIENT:

 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:

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