Document:

Exhibit 102

		

			Exhibit 10.2

		

		
			MRC Global Inc.
		

		
			Non-U.S. Employee
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
		

		
			(March 2015)
		

		
			This Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), is made as of [Month Day, Year] (the “Grant Date”), between MRC Global Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [__________] (the “Participant”).
		

			
	
			
				 1.
			Grant of Restricted Stock Units.  The Company hereby grants to the Participant an award of _______ Restricted Stock Units (the “Award”).  Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right of the Participant to receive one share of the common stock of the Company (a “Share”), less applicable withholding, following vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit pursuant to Sections 3 and 4.  During the period of vesting, the Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by entries in a bookkeeping ledger account which reflect the number of Restricted Stock Units credited under the Plan for the Participant’s benefit.  The Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the execution and return of this Agreement by the Participant to the Company (including as Section 21 provides).   The Award is made under and pursuant to the MRC Global Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference, and the Award is subject to Section 9 of the Plan and all the provisions of the Plan. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition shall have the same meanings given such terms in the Plan.    

			
	
			
				 2.
			Forfeiture Restrictions; Rights of Participant

			
	
			
				 2.1.
			The Restricted Stock Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of, and may not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated (the “Forfeiture Restrictions”), until vested pursuant to Section 3 or 4.

			
	
			
				 2.2.
			A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units or any Shares corresponding to any Restricted Stock Units;  provided, that dividends or distributions declared or paid on the Shares corresponding to the Restricted Stock Units by the Company shall be deferred and paid to the Participant at the same time as the Restricted Stock Units in respect of which such dividends or distributions were made, become vested pursuant to this Agreement.  If the Restricted Stock Units are forfeited under this Agreement, the deferred dividends or distributions only with respect to the forfeited Restricted Stock Units shall also be forfeited.

			
	
			
				 3.
			Vesting Schedule.  So long as the Participant has remained an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries continuously from the Grant Date through the applicable vesting date, the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse and the Participant shall become vested in the Award in accordance with the following schedule, subject to Section 4:

		 

 

			
					
						Vesting Date

					
					
						Percentage of
Award Vested

				
	
					
						 

					
					
						 

				
	
					
						First anniversary of Grant Date

					
34% 
				
	
					
						Second anniversary of Grant Date

					
67% 
				
	
					
						Third anniversary of Grant Date

					
100% 
				

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 4.
			Accelerated Vesting.  Notwithstanding Section 3 above, the vesting of the Award shall change upon the occurrence of certain events as follows:

			
	
			
				 4.1.
			Death or Disability.   Upon the Participant’s Termination by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability at any time on or after the Grant Date and prior to the third anniversary of the Grant Date,  the Award will be deemed to be vested with respect to an additional 33% of the Restricted Stock Units.

			
	
			
				 4.2.
			Change in Control.   Upon a Change in Control, the Award shall become 100% vested and all Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse.    

			
	
			
				 4.3.
			Retirement.  If the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (the “Company Group”)  Terminates and either:

		
			(a)the Participant is at least 65 years of age, or 
		

		
			(b)the Participant’s age plus years of service equal to at least 80,  
		

		
			in each case, upon that Termination, the Award shall continue to vest and become exercisable in accordance with the vesting schedule in Section 3 as if the Participant remained employed with the Company and its Subsidiaries so long as the Participant does not engage in a “Prohibited Activity” as defined on Exhibit A. Any Termination described in this Section 4.3 shall in this Agreement be referred to as a “Retirement”.   Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 4.3, the Participant must remain employed with the Company on or after the first anniversary of the Grant Date for this Section 4.3 to have effect. 
		

			
	
			
				 5.
			Forfeiture

			
	
			
				 5.1.
			Termination of Employment.  Any portion of the Award that has not vested as of the day following the date of the Participant’s Termination for any reason other than Retirement, death or Disability shall be forfeited upon the Termination, and all Restricted Stock Units subject to the forfeited portion of the Award shall be cancelled and terminated without payment of consideration therefor, and the Participant shall cease to have any rights with respect to such forfeited Restricted Stock Units.

			
	
			
				 5.2.
			Retirement.   In the case of a Termination by reason of Retirement, if the Participant engages in any Prohibited Activity (as defined in Exhibit  A) following his 
		

		 

		

			2

		

 

			Retirement, the non-vested portion of the Award may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be immediately cancelled without payment of consideration therefor. If the Company receives an allegation of a Prohibited Activity, the Company, in its discretion, may suspend the vesting of the Award for up to three months to permit the investigation of the allegation. If the Company determines that the Participant did not engage in any Prohibited Activities, the Company shall settle the Restricted Stock Units as required under Section 6  with respect to Restricted Stock Units that would have otherwise vested but for the suspension of vesting.

			
	
			
				 6.
			Settlement of the Restricted Stock Units

			
	
			
				 6.1.
			Within 30 days following the earlier of (i) the date a  Restricted Stock Unit becomes vested pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4.1 or 4.2 or (ii) the date of the Participant’s Termination due to Retirement, the Company shall issue to the Participant one Share, less applicable withholding, in exchange for each vested Restricted Stock Unit, and thereafter the Participant shall have no further rights with respect to such Restricted Stock Unit.  The Company shall cause such Shares to be issued in book-entry form or to be delivered in the form of a stock certificate to the Participant (or the Participant’s executor, administrator, guardian or other legal representative) in exchange for the Restricted Stock Units awarded under this Agreement, and such Shares shall be transferable by the Participant (except as may be provided under Sections 13, 14 and 15).    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to income taxation in the United States and is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), no payments shall be made pursuant to this Award due to a “separation from service” (within the meaning of such Section 409A) for any reason before the date that is six months after the date on which the Participant incurs such separation from service.

			
	
			
				 6.2.
			Dividends.

			
	
			
				 1.
			

			
	
			
			If prior to the cancellation, termination or forfeiture of all of the Restricted Stock Units the Participant holds any Restricted Stock Units and the Company pays a dividend in cash with respect to its outstanding Shares (a “Cash Dividend”), then the Company will pay to the Participant in cash, an amount equal to the product of (a) the Restricted Stock Units that have not been cancelled, terminated, forfeited or exchanged and (b) the amount of the Cash Dividend paid per Share (the “Dividend Equivalent”).  Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same restrictions, limitations and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Unit for which such Dividend Equivalent was awarded and will be paid in cash at the same time and on the same basis as such Restricted Stock Unit.

			
	
			
				 2.
			

			
	
			
			If prior to the cancellation, termination or forfeiture of all of the Restricted Stock Units the Participant hold any Restricted Stock Units and the Company pays a dividend in Shares with respect to its outstanding Shares, then the Company will increase the Restricted Stock Units awarded under this Agreement by an amount equal to the product of (a) the Restricted Stock Units that have not been cancelled, terminated, forfeited or 
		

		 

		

			3

		

 

			exchanged and (b) the number of Shares paid by the Company per Share (collectively, the “Stock Dividend RSUs”).  Each Stock Dividend RSU will be subject to the same restrictions, limitations and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Unit for which such Stock Dividend RSU was awarded and will be exchanged for Shares at the same time and on the same basis as such Restricted Stock Unit.

			
	
			
				 7.
			Restrictive Covenant.  In consideration of the Award that the Company has granted to Participant in this Agreement, Participant agrees not to engage in Prohibited Activity during Participant’s employment with the Company Group and for a period of [SVPs: 12][all others: six] months after Participant’s Termination of employment with the Company Group (the “Restricted Period”).  If the Participant engages in a Prohibited Activity during the Restricted Period, the Company and/or its appropriate Subsidiaries may seek an injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent Participant from engaging in the Prohibited Activity during the Restricted Period without the necessity of posting bond or other security to obtain the injunction.  Both the Company and the Participant agree that monetary damages alone are an insufficient remedy for breach of the foregoing covenant.  The Company and/or its appropriate Subsidiaries may seek monetary damages in addition to an injunction, and the covenant in favor of the Company Group in this Agreement is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any similar covenants that Participant may have entered into in favor of any member of the Company Group in any employment or other agreement.  To the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction rules that the restrictions in the foregoing covenant are too broad, these restrictions shall be interpreted and construed in the broadest possible manner to provide the Company Group the broadest possible protection, including (without limitation) with respect to geographic coverage, activities of the Company Group’s businesses and time of applicability of the restrictions.

			
	
			
				 8.
			No Right to Continued Employment.  Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or its Subsidiaries to Terminate the Participant’s employment, nor confer upon the Participant any right to continuance of employment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or continuance of service as a Board member.

			
	
			
				 9.
			Withholding of Taxes.  To the extent that the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units or a distribution under the Agreement results in income to the Participant for any income, employment or other tax purposes with respect to which the Company Group has a withholding obligation,  the Participant (or the Participant’s estate) shall be required to pay to the Company (or any Affiliate that employs the Participant) at such time required under applicable law, and the Company (or any Affiliate that employs the Participant) shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, any applicable withholding taxes in respect of such Award, or any payment or transfer under, or with respect to, such Award, and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee to satisfy all obligations for the payment or withholding of such withholding taxes.    The Participant may elect to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold from a Share payment the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the withholding is to be determined equal to the withholding amount.  The Participant shall be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes relating to the payment or provision of any amounts or benefits under this Agreement.  

		 

		

			4

		

 

			
	
			
				 10.
			Modification of Agreement.  This Agreement may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated, and any terms or conditions may be waived, but only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto, except as otherwise permitted under the Plan.

			
	
			
				 11.
			Severability.  Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by such holding and shall continue in full force in accordance with their terms.

			
	
			
				 12.
			Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction set forth in the Plan, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of such jurisdiction.

			
	
			
				 13.
			Securities Laws.   Upon the acquisition of any Shares pursuant to the lapse of restrictions provided for under this Agreement, the Participant will make written representations, warranties and agreements as the Committee may reasonably request to comply with applicable securities laws or with this Agreement.

			
	
			
				 14.
			Legend on Certificates.   The certificates representing any Shares acquired pursuant to this Award may be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee, in its discretion, may deem advisable under the Plan or under applicable state and federal securities or other laws, or under any ruling or regulation of any governmental body or national securities exchange unless an exemption to such registration or qualification is available and satisfied.  The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

			
	
			
				 15.
			Underwriter Lockup Agreement.In the event of any underwritten public offering of securities by the Company, the Participant agrees to the extent requested in writing by a managing underwriter, if any, not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Shares acquired pursuant to this Award (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, not to exceed 180 days or such shorter period as such managing underwriter may permit.

			
	
			
				 16.
			Successors in Interest.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Participant’s legal representatives.  All obligations imposed upon the Participant and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors.

			
	
			
				 17.
			Resolution of Disputes.  Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way relate to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee.  Any determination made under this Agreement shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Participant, the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors, and the Company and its Subsidiaries for all purposes.    By accepting the grant pursuant to this Agreement, the Participant confirms that Participant is subject to the policies of Participant’s employing company within the Company Group (except as may be specifically modified in an employment agreement), including (without limitation) 
		

		 

		

			5

		

 

			any policy requiring mandatory arbitration of employment disputes and the grant pursuant to this Agreement is further consideration of those policies.

			
	
			
				 18.
			Non-Transferability. Subject to the terms of the Plan, no rights under this Agreement shall be transferable otherwise than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, and, except to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement, the rights and the benefits of the Agreement may be exercised and received, respectively, during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or by the Participant’s executor, administrator, guardian or other legal representative. 

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 19.
			Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Participant and the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to the Award, and supersedes all other agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to the Award.

			
	
			
				 20.
			Headings; References.  The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.  Unless the contest clearly requires to the contrary, references in this Agreement to Sections mean the sections of this Agreement; references to the singular include the plural, and vice versa; and references to Awards, Shares and Restricted Stock Units mean the Awards, Shares and Restricted Stock Units subject to this Agreement.

		

		

		 

		

			6

		

 

		
		

			
	
			
				 21.
			Counterparts and Electronic Administration.  This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.    This Agreement may be signed by indicating assent to be bound by this Agreement through an electronic trading system that the Company establishes or sponsors rather than a physical signature.  

		
			MRC Global Inc.
		

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

		
			By:
		

		
			Name:
		

		
			Title:
		

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

		
			Participant
		

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

		
			By:
		

		
			Name:
		

		
			Title:
		

		

		

		 

		

			7

		

 

		
		

		
			Exhibit A
		

		
			 
		

		
			Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation
		

		
			 
		

		
			 A “Prohibited Activity” shall be deemed to have occurred, if the Participant: 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i) divulges any non-public, confidential or proprietary information of the Company or of its past or present subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company Group”), but excluding information that: 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(a) becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of the Participant’s public use, disclosure, or fault, 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(b) becomes available to the Participant on a non-confidential basis after the Participant’s employment termination date from a source other than a member of the Company Group prior to the public use or disclosure by the Participant; provided that the source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement or otherwise prohibited from transmitting the information by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation,
		

		
			 
		

		
			(c) is independently developed, discovered or arrived at by the Participant without using any of the information from the Company Group, or
		

		
			 
		

		
			(d) is disclosed by the Participant pursuant to a requirement of law, court order or legal, governmental, judicial, regulatory or similar process, or
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii) directly or indirectly, consults with, becomes a director, officer or partner of, conducts, participates or engages in, or becomes employed by, any business that is competitive with the business of any current member of the Company Group, wherever from time to time conducted throughout the world, including situations where the Participant solicits or participates in or assists in any way in the solicitation or recruitment, directly or indirectly, of any employees of any current member of the Company Group.  For the avoidance of doubt, businesses that compete with the Company’s business include (without limitation) the distribution business to the energy industry of NOV Wilson, Lockwood, Sunbelt, Oil States, Russell Metals, Ferguson and Edgen-Murray and their successors.
		

		
			 
		

		 

		

			8mm04-3015rights_agmt.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMVERSE, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

 

Dated as of April 29, 2015

 

  

  

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
Section 1

	 	
Certain Definitions

	 	
1

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 2

	 	
Appointment of Rights Agent

	 	
6

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 3

	 	
Issuance of Rights Certificates

	 	
7

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 4

	 	
Form of Rights Certificates

	 	
8

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 5

	 	
Countersignature and Registration

	 	
9

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 6

	 	
Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates

	 	
10

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 7

	 	
Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights

	 	
10

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 8

	 	
Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates

	 	
12

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 9

	 	
Company Covenants Concerning Securities and Rights

	 	
12

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 10

	 	
Record Date

	 	
14

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 11

	 	
Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Securities or Number of Rights

	 	
14

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 12

	 	
Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares

	 	
21

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 13

	 	
Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares

	 	
21

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 14

	 	
Rights of Action

	 	
23

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 15

	 	
Agreement of Rights Holders

	 	
23

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 16

	 	
Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder

	 	
24

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 17

	 	
Concerning the Rights Agent

	 	
24

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 18

	 	
Merger, Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent

	 	
25

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 19

	 	
Duties of Rights Agent

	 	
26

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 20

	 	
Change of Rights Agent

	 	
28

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 21

	 	
Issuance of New Rights Certificates

	 	
29

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 22

	 	
Redemption

	 	
29

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 23

	 	
Exchange

	 	
30

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 24

	 	
Notice of Certain Events

	 	
31

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 25

	 	
Notices

	 	
31

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 26

	 	
Supplements and Amendments

	 	
32

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 27

	 	
Successors

	 	
33

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 28

	 	
Determinations and Actions by the Board

	 	
33

	 	 	 	 	 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

	
Section 29

	 	
Benefits of this Agreement

	 	
33

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 30

	 	
Severability

	 	
34

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 31

	 	
Governing Law

	 	
34

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 32

	 	
Counterparts

	 	
34

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Section 33

	 	
Descriptive Headings

	 	
34

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A:                    Form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock

Exhibit B:                     Form of Rights Certificate

Exhibit C:                     Summary of Rights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of April 29, 2015 (the “Agreement”), between Comverse, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company (the “Rights Agent”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Board has authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one right (a “Right”) for each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) outstanding at the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on May 11, 2015 (the “Record Date”), each Right initially representing the right to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined) of the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, and further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right (subject to adjustment as provided herein) with respect to each share of Common Stock issued or delivered by the Company after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined) and the Expiration Date (as hereinafter defined) or as provided in Section 21.

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

Section 1                    Certain Definitions

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

(a) “Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person (other than the Company, any Related Person or any Exempt Person) that has become, in itself or, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, the Beneficial Owner of 4.9% or more of the shares of Common Stock then-outstanding, provided, however, that any Person who would otherwise qualify as an Acquiring Person as of the Close of Business on the Record Date will not be deemed to be an Acquiring Person for any purpose of this Agreement on and after such date unless and until such time as such stockholder no longer qualifies as an Exempt Person, and provided, further, that a Person will not be deemed to have become an Acquiring Person solely as a result of (i) a reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, (ii) the exercise of any options, warrants, rights or similar interests (including restricted stock) granted by the Company to its directors, officers and employees, (iii) any unilateral grant of any security by the Company, or (iv) an Exempt Transaction, unless and until such time as such stockholder acquires the beneficial ownership of one additional share of Common Stock. The Board shall not be required to make any determination with respect to a potential Acquiring Person, including whether the potential Acquiring Person is an Exempt Person, until five (5) Business Days after the date on which all Board members first received notice of the change of beneficial ownership at issue. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that any Person shall not be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person” for any purposes of this Agreement.

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

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

(c) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement, and to the extent not included within the foregoing clause of this Section 1(c), shall also include, with respect to any Person, any other Person (whether or not a Related Person or an Exempt Person) whose shares of Common Stock would be deemed constructively owned by such first Person, owned by a single “entity” as defined in Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations, or otherwise aggregated with shares owned by such first Person pursuant to the provisions of the Code, or any successor provision or replacement provision, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed to be the Affiliate or Associate of another Person solely because either or both Persons are or were directors of the Company.

(d) “Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

(e) “Authorized Officer” shall mean the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President of the Company.

(f) A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, and to “beneficially own” any securities:

(i) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants, options, or other rights (in each case, other than upon exercise or exchange of the Rights); provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to “beneficially own” securities (including rights, options or warrants) which are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock until such time as the convertible or exchangeable securities are exercised and converted or exchanged into Common Stock except to the extent the acquisition or transfer of such rights, options or warrants would be treated as exercised on the date of its acquisition or transfer under Section 1.382-4(d) of the Treasury Regulations; and, provided further, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange;

(ii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has or shares the right to vote or dispose of, or has “beneficial ownership” of (as defined under Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing), but only if the effect of such agreement, arrangement or understanding is to treat such Persons as an “entity” under Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations; or

 

 

 

  

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(iii) which any other person is the Beneficial Owner, if such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) with such other Person (or any of such other Person’s Affiliates or Associates) with respect to acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any securities of the Company, but only if the effect of such agreement, arrangement or understanding is to treat such Persons as an “entity” under Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to “beneficially own” any security (A) if such Person has the right to vote such security pursuant to an agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) which (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report), or (B) if such beneficial ownership arises solely as a result of such Person’s status as a “clearing agency,” as defined in Section 3(a)(23) of the Exchange Act; provided further, however, that nothing in this Section 1(f) shall cause a Person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities or member of a selling to group to be the Beneficial Owner of, or to “beneficially own,” any securities acquired through such Person’s participation in good faith in an underwriting syndicate until the expiration of 40 calendar days after the date of such acquisition, or such later date as the directors of the Company may determine in any specific case. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent not within the foregoing provisions of this Section 1(f), a Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of and shall be deemed to “beneficially own” or have “beneficial ownership” of, securities which such Person would be deemed to constructively own or which otherwise would be aggregated with shares owned by such pursuant to Section 382 of the Code, or any successor provision or replacement provision and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

(g) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(h) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the States of New York or New Jersey (or such other state in which the principal office of the Rights Agent may be located) are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

(i) “Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

(j) “Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

(k) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(l) “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

(m) “Company’s Certificate of Incorporation” shall mean the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 25, 2012, as the same may be amended and restated from time to time.

 

 

 

  

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(n) “Current Per Share Market Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)(i) or Section 11(d)(ii) hereof, as applicable.

(o) “Current Value” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(p) “Distribution Date” shall mean the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day after the Stock Acquisition Date or (ii) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (or, unless the Distribution Date shall have previously occurred, such later date as may be specified by the Board of Directors of the Company) after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the Company, any Related Person or any Exempt Person), if upon the consummation thereof such Person would be the Beneficial Owner of 4.9% or more of the then-outstanding Common Stock.

(q) “Equivalent Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) hereof.

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

(s) “Exchange Ratio” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a) hereof.

(t) “Exempt Person” shall mean (i) a Person whose Beneficial Ownership (together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person) of 4.9% or more of the then-outstanding Common Stock would not, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, jeopardize or endanger in any material respect the availability to the Company of its Tax Benefits and (ii) any Person that beneficially owns, as of the Record Date, 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, provided, however, that, with respect to clause (ii) of this paragraph, any such Person shall only be deemed to be an Exempt Person for so long as it does not acquire one additional share of Common Stock while it continues to own 4.9% or more of the shares of the then outstanding Common Stock; and provided, further, that, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph, any Person shall cease to be an Exempt Person as of the date that such Person ceases to beneficially own 4.9% or more of the shares of the then outstanding Common Stock. Additionally, a Person shall cease to be an Exempt Person if the Board, in its sole discretion, makes a contrary determination based on the potential effect of such Person’s Beneficial Ownership (together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person) with respect to the availability to the Company of its Tax Benefits.

(u) “Exempt Transaction” shall mean any transaction that the Board determines, in its sole discretion, is exempt, which determination shall be irrevocable.

(v) “Expiration Date” shall mean the earliest of (i) the Final Expiration Date, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 22 hereof, (iii) the time at which the Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 23 hereof, (iv) the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board determines that this Agreement is no longer necessary for the preservation of Tax Benefits, (v) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward and (vi) April 29, 2016 if Stockholder Approval has not been obtained.

 

 

 

  

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(w) “Final Expiration Date” shall be April 29, 2018.

 

(x)  "NASDAQ" shall mean The Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

(y)  “NYSE” means The New York Stock Exchange.

(z) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust or other legal entity, group of persons making a “coordinated acquisition” of shares or otherwise treated as an entity within the meaning of Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations or otherwise, and includes any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such individual or entity.

(aa) “Preferred Stock” shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company having the rights and preferences set forth in the form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A.

(bb) “Purchase Price” shall mean initially $100.00 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Agreement.

(cc) “Record Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

(dd) “Redemption Price” shall mean $0.01 per Right, subject to adjustment of the Company to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof.

(ee) “Related Person” shall mean (i) any Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) any employee benefit or stock ownership plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding shares of Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan.

(ff) “Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

(gg) “Rights Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

(hh) “Rights Certificates” shall mean certificates evidencing the Rights, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

(ii) “Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(jj) “Spread” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(kk) “Stock Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such or such earlier date as a majority of the Board shall determine the existence of an Acquiring Person.

 

 

 

  

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(ll) “Stockholder Approval” shall mean the approval of this Agreement by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present, at a meeting of stockholders of the Company duly held in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

(mm) “Subsidiary” shall mean, with reference to any Person, any corporation or other legal entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person, or otherwise controlled by such Person.

(nn) “Substitution Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(oo) “Summary of Rights” shall mean a copy of a summary of the terms of the Rights, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

(pp) “Tax Benefits” shall mean the net operating loss carry-overs, capital loss carry-overs, general business credit carry-overs, alternative minimum tax credit carry-overs and foreign tax credit carry-overs, as well as any “net unrealized built-in loss” within the meaning of Section 382, of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary thereof.

(qq) “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business.

(rr) “Treasury Regulations” shall mean final, temporary and proposed income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, including any amendments thereto.

Section 2                   Appointment of Rights Agent

The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such co-rights agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.  The Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and shall in no event be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such co-rights agent.

Section 3                   Issuance of Rights Certificates

(a)          Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights shall be evidenced (subject to Section 3(b)) by the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock in the names of the record holders thereof (which certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall also be deemed to be Rights Certificates), (ii) the Rights shall be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of Common Stock, and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates representing such shares of Common Stock in respect of which Rights have been issued shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock represented by such certificates.

 

 

 

 

  

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(b)          On or as promptly as practicable after the Record Date, the Company shall send by first class, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of shares of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company as of such date, a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock in substantially the form attached as Exhibit C. With respect to certificates for Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the holders thereof together with the Summary of Rights.

(c)          Rights shall be issued by the Company in respect of all shares of Common Stock (other than any shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise or exchange of any Right) issued or delivered by the Company after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration Date, except as specially provided in Section 21 hereof, after the Distribution Date. Certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall have stamped on, impressed on, printed on, written on, or otherwise affixed to them a legend in substantially the following form or such similar legend as the Company may deem appropriate and is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement and as do not affect the rights, duties or responsibilities of the Rights Agent, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or transaction reporting system on which the shares of Common Stock may from time to time be listed or quoted:

This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between COMVERSE, INC. and AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, dated as of April 29, 2015 and as amended from time to time (the “Rights Agreement”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of Comverse, Inc. The Rights are not exercisable prior to the occurrence of certain events specified in the Rights Agreement. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights may be redeemed, may be exchanged, may expire, may be amended, or may be evidenced by separate certificates and no longer be evidenced by this certificate. Comverse, Inc. shall mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing, without charge promptly after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances as set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) may become null and void.

(d)          Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 3 or Section 21 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or any of its Associates or Affiliates and any Rights Certificate issued at any time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person or any of its Associates or Affiliates or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate and any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall be subject to and contain a legend in substantially the following form or such similar legend as the Company may deem appropriate and is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or 

 

 

  

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with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to time be listed:

The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were beneficially owned by a Person who was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or an Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). This Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby may become null and void in the circumstances specified in Section 11(a)(ii) of the Rights Agreement.

(e)          As promptly as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company shall prepare and execute, the Rights Agent shall countersign and the Company shall send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, and if provided with all necessary information, send), by first class, insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of shares of Common Stock, as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date (other than an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person), at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Rights Certificate representing one Right for each share of Common Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights shall be represented solely by such Rights Certificates. The Company shall promptly notify the Rights Agent in writing upon the occurrence of the Distribution Date and, if such notification is given orally, the Company shall confirm same in writing on or prior to the next Business Day. Until such notice is received by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent may presume conclusively that the Distribution Date has not occurred.

(f)          In the event that the Company purchases or otherwise acquires any shares after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such shares of Common Stock shall be deemed canceled and retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock so purchased or acquired.

Section 4                   Form of Rights Certificates

The Rights Certificates (and the form of election to purchase and the form of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall each be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B with such changes and marks of identification or designation, and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or transaction reporting system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or quoted, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever distributed shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as is set forth therein at the Purchase Price; provided, however, that the Purchase Price, the number and kind of securities issuable upon exercise of each Right and the number of Rights outstanding shall be subject to adjustments as provided in this Agreement.

 

 

 

  

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Section 5                   Countersignature and Registration

(a)          The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any Authorized Officer, either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall have affixed thereto the Company’s seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights Certificates shall be countersigned by the Rights Agent, either manually or by facsimile signature and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Rights Certificates may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

(b)          Following the Distribution Date, upon receipt by the Rights Agent of written notice of the occurrence of the Distribution Date pursuant to Section 3(e) hereof, a stockholder list and all other relevant information referred to in Section 3(e) or as reasonably requested by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall keep, books for registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates issued hereunder or cause to be kept, at its office or offices designated for such purposes and at such other offices as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or any transaction reporting system on which the rights may from time to time be listed or quoted. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights Certificates and the date of each of the Rights Certificates.

 

Section 6                   Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates

 

(a)          Subject to the provisions of Section 7(d) and Section 13 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and prior to the Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate(s) (other than Rights Certificates representing Rights that may have been exchanged pursuant to Section 23 hereof) representing exercisable Rights may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Rights Certificate(s), entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or other securities, as the case may be) as the Rights Certificate(s) surrendered then entitled such holder (or former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any such Rights Certificate(s) must make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and must surrender the Rights Certificate(s) to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged, with the forms of assignment and certificate contained therein duly executed, at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. The Rights Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights Certificate until the registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Rights Certificate, (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial 

 

 

  

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Owner (or former Beneficial Owner and the Affiliates and Associates of such Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request and (iii) paid a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange or Rights Certificates as required by Section 9(d) hereof. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested registered in such name or names as may be designated by the surrendering registered holder. The Rights Agent shall promptly forward any such sum collected by it to the Company or to such Person or Persons as the Company shall specify by written notice. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation unless and until it is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

(b)          Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate, if mutilated, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent will countersign and deliver such new Rights Certificate to the registered holder in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

Section 7                   Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights

(a)          Except as otherwise provided herein, the Rights shall become exercisable on the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, and thereafter the registered holder of any Rights Certificate may, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 23 hereof, exercise the Rights evidenced thereby in whole or in part upon surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment of the Purchase Price (including any applicable tax or charge required to be paid by the holder of such Rights Certificate in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(d)) hereof for each one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or other securities, cash or assets, as the case may be) as to which the Rights are exercised.

(b)          Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable Rights with the form of election to purchase and the certificate properly completed and duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the shares to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable tax or charge required to be paid under Section 9(d) hereof by certified check, cashier’s check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall, thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the shares of Preferred Stock (or make available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for such shares) certificates representing the total number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock to be purchased (and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs its transfer agent to comply with all such requests) or (B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit any shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as are to be purchased (and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs such depositary agent to comply with all such requests), 

 

 

  

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(ii) after receipt of such certificates (or depositary receipts, as the case may be) cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder, (iii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company or any transfer agent therefor of certificates representing the number of equivalent shares to be issued in lieu of the issuance of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 11(a)(iii), (iv) when appropriate, after receipt of such certificates, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder, (v) when appropriate, requisition from the Company of the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 hereof, and (vi) when appropriate, after receipt, deliver such cash to the registered holder of such Rights Certificate.

(c)          In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, the Rights Agent shall prepare, execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised to the registered holder of such Rights Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof.

(d)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to any purported transfer, split up, combination or exchange of any Rights Certificate pursuant to Section 6 or exercise or assignment of a Rights Certificate as set forth in this Section 7 unless the registered holder of such Rights Certificate shall have (i) duly and properly completed and signed the certificate following the form of assignment or the form of election to purchase, as applicable, set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such transfer, split up, combination, exchange, exercise or assignment and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby and Affiliates and Associates thereof as the Company or the Rights Agent may reasonably request.

Section 8                  Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates

All Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split-up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Rights Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all cancelled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such cancelled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

 

 

 

  

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Section 9                  Company Covenants Concerning Securities and Rights

(a)          The Company covenants and agrees that it shall cause to be reserved, authorized for issuance and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock, and/or other securities, a number of shares of Preferred Stock (or any other security of the Company as may be applicable at the time of exercise) that shall be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights in accordance with Section 7.

(b)          The Company covenants and agrees so long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of any Person becoming an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and/or other securities) issuable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national securities exchange, it shall endeavor to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all securities reserved for issuance upon the exercise of Rights to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.

(c)          The Company covenants and agrees it will take all such actions as may be necessary to ensure that all shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of any Person becoming an acquiring Person shares of Common Stock and/or other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such securities, shall be (subject to payment of the Purchase Price) duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable securities.

(d)          The Company covenants and agrees it will pay when due and payable any and all federal or state taxes and charges that may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates and of any certificates representing securities issued upon the exercise of Rights; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts representing securities issued upon the exercise of Rights in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise, or to issue or deliver any certificates or depositary receipts representing securities issued upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax or charge has been paid (any such tax or charge being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax or charge is due.

(e)          If the Company determines that registration under the Act is required, then the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to file, as soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, on an appropriate form, a registration statement under the Act with respect to the securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights, (ii) to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and (iii) to cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities and (B) the Expiration Date. The Company shall also take such action as may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not exceed 90 days, the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such registration statement and to permit it to become effective or to qualify the rights, the exercise thereof or the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock, Common Stock, or other securities upon the exercise thereof under state securities or “blue sky” laws. Upon any such 

 

 

  

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suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. The Company shall notify the Rights Agent in writing whenever it makes a public announcement pursuant to this Section 9(e) and give the Rights Agent a copy of such announcement. In addition, if the Company determines that a registration statement or other document should be filed under the Act or any state securities laws following the Distribution Date, the Company may temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days, in each relevant jurisdiction until such time as a registration statement has been declared effective or any such other document filed and, if required, approved, and, upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the requisite registration or qualification in such jurisdiction has not been effected or the exercise of the Rights is not permitted under applicable law.

(f)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, after the later of the Stock Acquisition Date and the Distribution Date, the Company shall not take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action shall eliminate or otherwise diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

(g)          In the event that the Company is obligated to issue other securities of the Company and/or pay cash pursuant to Sections 7, 11, 13 or 23 it shall make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities and/or cash are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when necessary to comply with this Agreement.

Section 10                 Record Date

Each Person in whose name any certificate for a number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate representing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and all applicable taxes and charges) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the transfer books of the Company for shares of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such securities on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of any security of the Company with respect to shares for which the Rights are or may be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

 

 

 

 

  

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Section 11                 Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Securities or Number of Rights

The Purchase Price, the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or property purchasable upon exercise of each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.

(a)          (i)           In the event the Company shall at any time after the Record Date (A) declare a dividend on the shares of Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, (C) combine the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares of Preferred Stock or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the shares of Preferred Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, as the case may be, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the transfer books of the Company for the shares of Preferred Stock were open, the holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right.

(ii)         Subject to Section 23 of this Agreement and except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 11(a)(iii), in the event that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the then-current Purchase Price, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of shares of Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock (or at the option of the Company, such number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock) as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then-current Purchase Price by the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is then exercisable and dividing that product by (y) 50% of the Current Per Share Market Price of the Company’s Common Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of the occurrence of such event; provided, however, that the Purchase Price (as so adjusted) and the number of shares of Common Stock so receivable upon exercise of a Right shall thereafter be subject to further adjustment as appropriate in accordance with Section 11(f) hereof.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, however, from and after the time (the “invalidation time”) when any Person first becomes an Acquiring Person, any Rights that are beneficially owned by (A) any Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate or Associate of any Acquiring Person), (B) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee after the invalidation time or (C) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who became a transferee prior to or concurrently with the invalidation time pursuant to either (1) a transfer from the Acquiring 

 

 

  

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Person to holders of its equity securities or to any Person with whom it has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding, written or otherwise, regarding the transferred Rights or (2) a transfer that the Board has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding, written or otherwise, which has the purpose or effect of avoiding the provisions of this paragraph, and subsequent transferees of such Persons, shall be void without any further action and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights under any provision of this Agreement. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the provisions of this Section 11(a)(ii) are complied with, but shall have no liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as a result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder. From and after the invalidation time, no Rights Certificates shall be issued pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6 hereof that represents Rights that are or have become void pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, and any Rights Certificates delivered to the Rights Agent that represents Rights that are or have become void pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be cancelled.

(iii)         The Company may at its option substitute for a share of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) such number or fractions of shares of Preferred Stock having an aggregate current market value equal to the Current Per Share Market Price of a share of Common Stock, as the case may be. In the event that there shall be an insufficient number of Common Stock authorized but unissued (and unreserved) to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii), the Board shall, with respect to such deficiency, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any material agreements then in effect to which the Company is a party (A) determine the excess of (x) the value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) (the “Current Value”) over (y) the then-current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths of shares of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the time that the Acquiring Person became such (such excess, the “Spread”), and (B) with respect to each Right (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)), make adequate provision to substitute for the shares of Common Stock issuable in accordance with subparagraph (ii) upon exercise of the Right and payment of the applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in such Purchase Price, (3) shares of Preferred Stock or other equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock which, by virtue of having dividend, voting and liquidation rights substantially comparable to those of the shares of Common Stock, are deemed in good faith by the Board to have substantially the same value as the shares of Common Stock (such shares of preferred stock and shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock are hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock equivalents”) (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other assets or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having a value which, when added to the value of the shares of Common Stock actually issued upon exercise of such Right, shall have an aggregate value equal to the Current Value (less the amount of any reduction in such Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board (upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board in good faith); provided, however, if the Company shall not make adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the date that the Acquiring Person became such (the “Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date”), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any 

 

 

  

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material agreements then in effect to which the Company is a party, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to the extent available), and then, if necessary, such number or fractions of shares of Preferred Stock (to the extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If within the thirty (30) day period referred to above the Board shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional shares of Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, then, if the Board so elects, such thirty (30) day period may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder approval for the authorization of such additional shares (such thirty (30) day period, as it may be extended, is hereinafter called the “Substitution Period”). To the extent that the Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the second and/or third sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and the last sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such second sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.

(b)          If the Company fixes a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of shares of Preferred Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Preferred Stock (or securities having equivalent rights, privileges and preferences as the shares of Preferred Stock (for purposes of this Section 11(b), “Equivalent Preferred Stock”)) or securities convertible into shares of Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock at a price per share of Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into shares of Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock) less than the Current Per Share Market Price of the shares of Preferred Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)) on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such Current Per Share Market Price and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which is in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a written statement filed with the Rights Agent. Shares of Preferred Stock owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed 

 

 

  

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outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(c)          If the Company fixes a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of shares of Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a regular periodic cash dividend), assets, stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Preferred Stock) or subscription rights, options or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b)), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Current Per Share Market Price of the shares of Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)) on such record date or, if earlier, the date on which shares of Preferred Stock begin to trade on an ex-dividend or when issued basis for such distribution, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a written statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness, cash, assets or stock so to be distributed or of such subscription rights, options or warrants applicable to one share of Preferred Stock, and the denominator of which is such Current Per Share Market Price of the shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right but less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(d)          (i)           For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “Current Per Share Market Price” of any security (a “Security” for purposes of this Section 11(d)(i) only) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of a share of the Common Stock for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to, but not including, such date; provided, however, that in the event that the Current Per Share Market Price of the Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares (other than the Rights) or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security, and prior to the expiration of thirty (30) Trading Days after, but not including, the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the Current Per Share Market Price shall be appropriately adjusted to take into account ex-dividend trading or to reflect the current per share market price per share equivalent of such Security. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or NASDAQ or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or NASDAQ, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Security is not listed or 

 

 

  

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admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market as reported by any system then in use, or, if on any such date Security is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board. If the Security is not publicly held or not so listed or traded, or is not the subject of available bid and asked quotes, the Current Per Share Market Price of such Security shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

(ii)         For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “Current Per Share Market Price” of shares of the Preferred Stock shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth above in Section 11(d)(i) other than the last sentence thereof. If the Current Per Share Market Price of Preferred Stock cannot be determined in the manner provided above, it shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount equal to the current per share market price of the shares of Common Stock multiplied by one thousand (as such number may be appropriately adjusted to reflect events such as stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions relating to the shares of Common Stock occurring after the date of this Agreement). If neither the Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock are publicly held or so listed or traded, or the subject of available bid and asked quotes, “Current Per Share Market Price” of the Preferred Stock shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent. For all purposes of this Agreement, the current per share market price of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share will be equal to the current per share market price of one Preferred Share divided by one thousand.

(e)          Except as set forth below, no adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or one one-thousandth of a share of a Common Stock or other security, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment and (ii) the Expiration Date.

(f)          If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a), the holder of any Right thereafter exercised becomes entitled to receive any securities of the Company other than shares of Preferred Stock, thereafter the number and/or kind of such other securities so receivable upon exercise of any Right (and/or the Purchase Price in respect thereof) shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares of Preferred Stock (and the Purchase Price in respect thereof) contained in this Section 11, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10 and 13 with respect to the shares of Preferred Stock (and the Purchase Price in respect thereof) shall apply on like terms to any such other securities (and the Purchase Price in respect thereof).

(g)          All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase 

 

 

  

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Price, the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

(h)          Unless the Company has exercised its election as provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 11(b) or Section 11(c), each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of a Right immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.

(i)          The Company may elect, on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price, to adjust the number of Rights in substitution for any adjustment in the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. The Company shall also, as promptly as practicable, notify the Rights Agent in writing of same pursuant to Section 9(e) hereof and give the Rights Agent a copy of such announcement. Such record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but if the Rights Certificates have been issued, such record date shall be at least 10 calendar days later than the date of the public announcement. If Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to the provision of Section 13, the additional Rights to which such holders are entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof if required by the Company, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders are entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed, and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

(j)          Without respect to any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and/or the number and/or kind of securities issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number and kind of securities which were expressed in the initial Rights Certificate issued hereunder.

 

 

 

  

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(k)          Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below one one-thousandth of the then par value, if any, of the shares of Preferred Stock or below the then par value, if any, of any other securities of the Company issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Preferred Stock or such other securities, as the case may be, at such adjusted Purchase Price.

(l)          In any case in which this Section 11 otherwise requires that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock or other securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock or other securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company delivers to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares of Preferred Stock or other securities upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

(m)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that in its good faith judgment the Board determines to be necessary or advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or subdivision of the shares of Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of shares of Preferred Stock at less than the Current Per Share Market Price therefor, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred Stock, (iv) stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its shares of Preferred Stock is not taxable to such stockholders.

(n)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company at any time after the Record Date and prior to the Distribution Date (i) pays a dividend on the outstanding shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivides the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iii) combines the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), the number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter associated with each share of Common Stock following any such event equals the result obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a fraction the numerator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event. The adjustments provided for in this Section 11(n) shall be made 

 

 

  

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successively whenever such a dividend is paid or such a subdivision, combination or reclassification is effected.

Section 12                 Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares

Whenever an adjustment is made or any event affecting the Rights or their exercisability (including without limitation an event which causes Rights to become null and void) occurs as provided in Section 11, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts and calculations accounting for such adjustment or describing such event, (b) file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer agent for the shares of Preferred Stock and the shares of Common Stock, a copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment unless and until it shall have received such certificate, provided, however, that the Rights Agent will not be entitled to such protection in cases of bad faith or willful misconduct.

Section 13                 Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares

(a)          The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Rights Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one Right. For purposes of this Section 13(a), the current market value of one Right is the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price for any Trading Day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or NASDAQ or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or NASDAQ, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market as reported by any system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board. If the Rights are not publicly held or are not so listed or traded, or are not the subject of available bid and asked quotes, the current market value of one Right shall mean the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

(b)          The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock). Fractions of Preferred Stock in integral multiples of one one-

 

 

  

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thousandth of such Preferred Stock may, in the sole discretion of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it, provided that such agreement provides that the holders of such depositary receipts have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Stock represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are not integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock. For purposes of this Section 13(b), the current market value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock shall be one one-thousandth of the closing price of a share of Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise; provided, however, that if the closing price of the shares of the Preferred Stock cannot be so determined, the closing price of the shares of the Preferred Stock for such Trading Day shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount equal to the closing price of the shares of Common Stock for such Trading Day multiplied by one thousand (as such number may be appropriately adjusted to reflect events such as stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions relating to the Common Stock shares occurring after the date of this Agreement).

(c)          Following the occurrence of any Person becoming an Acquiring Person, the Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, upon exercise or exchange of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock, as the case may be. In lieu of issuing any such fractional securities, the Company may pay to any Person to whom or which such fractional securities would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one such security. For purposes of this Section 13(c), the current market value of one share of Common Stock, or other security issuable upon the exercise or exchange of Rights shall be the closing price thereof (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise or exchange.

(d)          The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Rights expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right, except as permitted by this Section 13.

Section 14                 Rights of Action

(a)          All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent hereunder, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of shares of Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the shares of Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the shares of Common Stock), may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have 

 

 

  

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an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations hereunder and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement.

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

Section 15                 Agreement of Rights Holders

Every holder of a Right consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:

(a)          prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights shall be transferable only in connection with the transfer of shares of Common Stock;

(b)          after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purposes, duly endorsed and accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed;

(c)          the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Stock share certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Rights Certificates or the associated Common Stock share certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and

(d)          such holder expressly waives any right to receive any fractional Rights and any fractional securities upon exercise or exchange of a Right, except as otherwise provided in Section 13.

Section 16                 Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder

No holder, of any Rights Certificate, by means of such possession, shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any 

 

 

  

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Rights Certificate, by means of such possession, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company including any right to vote on any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, including the election of directors, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 24 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate have been exercised in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 17                 Concerning the Rights Agent

(a)          The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder, and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the preparation, administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, cost or expense incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent (which gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction), for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement and the performance of its duties and responsibilities and the exercise of its rights hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly. The costs and expenses of enforcing this right of indemnification will also be paid by the Company. The provisions of this Section 17 shall survive the exercise, exchange, redemption or expiration of the Rights, the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent and the termination of this Agreement.

(b)          The Rights Agent may conclusively rely on, and will be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with, its acceptance or administration of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties and responsibilities and the exercise of its rights hereunder, in reliance upon any Rights Certificate or certificate evidencing shares of Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or any instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 19.

(c)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

Section 18                 Merger, Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent

(a)          Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or 

 

 

  

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consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent is a party, will be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 20 hereof. If at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and if at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.

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

Section 19                 Duties of Rights Agent

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

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

(b)          Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and the determination of the Current Per Share Market Price) be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any Authorized Officer and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate, pursuant to its terms, shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

(c)          The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (which gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

 

 

  

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

(e)          The Rights Agent will have no liability in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of Sections 11, 12, 22 or 23 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Rights Certificates after actual notice of any such adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock shall, when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

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

 

(g)          The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties and the exercise of the rights hereunder from any person reasonably believed by the Rights Agent to be one of the Authorized Officers, and to apply to such Authorized Officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such Authorized Officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions. Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Rights Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after the date any Authorized Officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such Authorized Officer shall have consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Rights Agent shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

(h)          The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract 

 

 

  

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with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.

(i)          The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself (through its directors, officers or employees) or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, omission, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company or any other Person resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.

(j)          If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate contained in the form of assignment or the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse thereof, as the case may be, has not been completed to certify the holder is not an Acquiring Person (or an Affiliate or Associate thereof) or a transferee thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company.

(k)          No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(l)          The Rights Agent will not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice of any fact, event or determination (including, without limitation, any dates or events defined in this Agreement or the designation of any Person as an Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate) under this Agreement unless and until the Rights Agent is specifically notified in writing by the Company of such fact, event or determination.

(m)          The provisions of this Section 19 shall survive the exercise, exchange, redemption or expiration of the Rights, the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 20                 Change of Rights Agent

The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock by registered or certified mail, and, following the Distribution Date, to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail.  The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock by registered or certified mail, and, following the Distribution Date, to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail.  If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.  If the Company shall fail to 

 

 

  

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make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent.  Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.  After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose.  Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock, and, following the Distribution Date, mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates.  Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 20, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

Section 21                 Issuance of New Rights Certificates

Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by the Board to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale by the Company of shares of Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, the Company (a) shall, with respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities (other than Rights) issued prior to the Distribution Date which are exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, shares of Common Stock and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board, issue Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights as would have been issued in respect of such shares of Common Stock if they had been issued or sold prior to the Distribution Date, as appropriately adjusted as provided herein as if they had been so issued or sold; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, in its good faith judgment the Board determines that the issuance of such Rights Certificate could have a material adverse tax consequence to the Company or to the Person to whom or which such Rights Certificate otherwise would be issued, and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

 

 

 

 

  

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Section 22                 Redemption

(a)          The Board may, at any time prior to such time as any Person first becomes an Acquiring Person and has not been determined to be an Exempt Person by the Board, redeem all but not less than all the then-outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price. The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board in its sole discretion may establish. The Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, securities or any other form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board.

(b)          Immediately upon the effectiveness of the redemption of the Rights, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price for each Right so held without interest thereon. Promptly after the effectiveness of the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at each holder’s last address as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice will not affect the validity of the Redemption of the Rights. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption shall state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price shall be made.

Section 23                 Exchange

(a)          The Board may, at its option, at any time after any Person first becomes an Acquiring Person and has not been determined to be an Exempt Person by the Board, exchange all or part of the then-outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have not become effective or that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, as the case may be, (or one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such amount per Right being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Ratio”. The exchange of the Rights by the Board may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board in its sole discretion may establish.

(b)          Immediately upon the effectiveness of the action of the Board ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 23 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company shall promptly mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of the Rights so exchanged at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the shares of Common Stock, for 

 

 

  

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Rights shall be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

(c)          The Company may at its option substitute and, in the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued (and unreserved) to permit an exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 23, the Company shall substitute to the extent of such insufficiency, for each share of Common Stock that would otherwise be issuable upon exchange of a Right, a number of shares of Preferred Stock or fraction thereof (or equivalent preferred shares as such term is defined in Section 11(b)) such that the Current Per Share Market Price of one share of Preferred Stock (or equivalent preferred share) multiplied by such number or fraction is equal to the Current Per Share Market Price as of the date of such exchange.

Section 24                 Notice of Certain Events

(a)          If the Company proposes to (i) pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock (other than a regular periodic cash dividend), (ii) offer to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock rights, options, warrants or any similar instrument to subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares of Preferred Stock or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) effect any reclassification of its Preferred Stock (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock), (iv) effect any consolidation, merger or statutory share exchange into or with any other Person, (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or (vi) declare or pay any dividend on the shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, respectively, or to effect a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock as the case may be, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to the Rights Agent and, to the extent possible, to each holder of a Rights Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution or offering of rights, warrants, options or any similar instrument or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least ten (10) days prior to the record date for determining holders of the shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, whichever is the earlier.

(b)          If a Stock Acquisition Date occurs, then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to the Rights Agent and each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights.

 

 

 

 

  

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Section 25                 Notices

(a)          Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made (a) immediately, if made by personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) on the fifth (5th) day if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, (c) the next Business Day if by nationally recognized overnight courier or (d) upon confirmation, if transmission by facsimile combined with a phone call to the Company notifying it of such transmission, all addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Rights) as follows:

Comverse, Inc.

200 Quannapowitt Parkway

Wakefield, MA 01880

Attention:

Facsimile:

Phone:

(b)          Subject to the provisions of Section 20, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made (a) immediately, if made by personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) on the fifth (5th) day if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, (c) the next Business Day if by nationally recognized overnight courier or (d) upon confirmation, if transmission by facsimile combined with a phone call to the Rights Agent notifying it of such transmission, all addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Rights Agent with the Company) as follows:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Attention:  Relationship Management

Facsimile:

Phone:

(c)          Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing shares of Common Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.

Section 26                   Supplements and Amendments

Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company may in its sole and absolute discretion, and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement in any respect without the approval of any holders of Rights, any such supplement or 

 

 

  

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amendment to be evidenced by writing signed by the Company and the Rights Agent. From and after the time at which the Rights cease to be redeemable pursuant to Section 22, the Company may and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder or (iv) to amend or supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that no such supplement or amendment shall adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person), and no such amendment may cause the Rights again to become redeemable or cause this Rights Agreement again to become amendable other than in accordance with this sentence. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 26, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Rights Agent shall not be obligated to enter into any supplement or amendment that affects the Rights Agent’s own right, duties, obligations or immunities under this Agreement.

Section 27                 Successors

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

Section 28                 Determinations and Actions by the Board

(a)          For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act or the provisions of Section 382 of the Code or any successor or replacement provision.

(b)          The Board shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations and calculations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement (including without limitation a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or amend this Agreement).

(c)          All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not subject the Board, or any of the directors on the Board to any liability to any person, including without limitation the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights. Unless otherwise notified, the Rights Agent shall 

 

 

  

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always be entitled to assume that the Board acted in good faith and the Rights Agent shall be fully protected and shall incur no liability in reliance thereon.

Section 29                 Benefits of this Agreement

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, registered holders of shares of Common Stock) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, registered holders of shares of Common Stock).

Section 30                 Severability

If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 30 will affect the ability of the Company under the provisions of Section 26 to supplement or amend this Agreement to replace such invalid, void or unenforceable term, provision, covenant or restriction with a legal, valid and enforceable term, provision, covenant or restriction.

Section 31                 Governing Law

This Agreement, each Right and each Rights Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State.

Section 32                 Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 33                 Descriptive Headings

Descriptive headings of the several sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

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

 

 

	
 

	
COMVERSE, INC.

	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	
 

	
By: 

	/s/ Roy S. Luria	 
	 	 	

Name: Roy Luria

	 
	 	 	

Title:Senior Vice President, General Counsel

	 
	 

 

 

	
 

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

	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	
 

	
By: 

	

/s/ Paula Caroppoli

	 
	 	 	

Name: Paula Caroppoli

	 
	 	 	

Title: Senior Vice President

	 
	 

 

Signature Page to Rights Agreement

  

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Exhibit A

FORM OF

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

 

of

 

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

 

of

 

COMVERSE, INC.

 

 

Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation

Law of the State of Delaware

 

COMVERSE, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

That pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors") in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the said Corporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), the said Board of Directors on April 29, 2015 adopted the following resolution creating a series of 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock":

 

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation be and hereby is created, and that the designation and number of shares thereof and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as follows:

 

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock

 

1. Designation and Amount.  There shall be a series of Preferred Stock that shall be designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock," and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 100,000.  Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock to less than the 

 

 

  

A - 1

  

 

 

number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

 

2. Dividends and Distributions.

 

(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in respect thereof, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the 15th day of March, June, September and December, in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $10.00 or (b) the Adjustment Number (as defined below) times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and the Adjustment Number times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock"), or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.  The "Adjustment Number" shall initially be 1,000.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time after May 11, 2015 (i) declare and pay any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

 

(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock).

 

(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date; in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A 

 

 

 

  

A - 2

  

 

 

Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.  Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest.  Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding.  The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

 

3. Voting Rights.  The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

(A) Each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to a number of votes equal to the Adjustment Number on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

(B) Except as required by law, by Section 3(C) and by Section 10 hereof, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

 

(C) If, at the time of any annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the equivalent of six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on any share or shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are in default, the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be increased by two.  In addition to voting together with the holders of Common Stock for the election of other directors of the Corporation, the holders of record of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class to the exclusion of the holders of Common Stock, shall be entitled at said meeting of stockholders (and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders), unless all dividends in arrears on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock have been paid or declared and set apart for payment prior thereto, to vote for the election of two directors of the Corporation, the holders of any Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock being entitled to cast a number of votes per share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as is specified in paragraph (A) of this Section 3.  Each such additional director shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, or until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify, or until his right to hold such office terminates pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3(C).  Until the default in payments of all dividends which permitted the election of said directors shall cease to exist, any director who shall have been so elected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3(C) may be removed at any time, without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at the time entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of any such director at a special meeting of such holders called for that purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may be filled by the vote of such holders.  If and when such default shall cease to exist, the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be divested of the foregoing special voting rights, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent 

 

 

  

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like default in payments of dividends.  Upon the termination of the foregoing special voting rights, the terms of office of all persons who may have been elected directors pursuant to said special voting rights shall forthwith terminate, and the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be reduced by two.  The voting rights granted by this Section 3(C) shall be in addition to any other voting rights granted to the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in this Section 3.

 

4. Certain Restrictions.

 

(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

 

declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock;

 

declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled; or

 

purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or to such holders and holders of any such shares ranking on a parity therewith, upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

 

(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

 

5. Reacquired Shares.  Any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired promptly after the acquisition thereof.  All such shares shall upon their retirement become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new 

 

 

  

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series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to any conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein.

 

6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.  (A) Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, voluntary or otherwise, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have received an amount per share (the "Series A Liquidation Preference") equal to the greater of (i) $1,000 plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, or (ii) the Adjustment Number times the per share amount of all cash and other property to be distributed in respect of the Common Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

(B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the liquidation preferences of all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation, if any, that rank on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in respect thereof, then the assets available for such distribution shall be distributed ratably to the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences.

 

(C) Neither the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another entity nor the merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with the Corporation shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 6.

 

7. Consolidation, Merger, Etc.  In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share equal to the Adjustment Number times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.

 

8. No Redemption.  Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation.

 

9. Ranking.  The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, unless the terms of any such series shall provide otherwise, and shall rank senior to the Common Stock as to such matters.

 

10. Amendment.  At any time that any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be amended, by merger, consolidation or otherwise, which would materially alter or 

 

 

  

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change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.

 

11. Fractional Shares.  Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share that shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate this __ day of _________________, 2015.

 

COMVERSE, INC.

By:________________________

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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Exhibit B

FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE

Certificate No. R-___________ Rights

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER APRIL 29, 2018 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED, EXCHANGED OR AMENDED. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, EXCHANGE AND AMENDMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS THAT ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR AN ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR A TRANSFEREE THEREOF SHALL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND NO LONGER TRANSFERABLE.

 

RIGHTS CERTIFICATE

COMVERSE, INC.

This certifies that ____________________________ or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2015, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"), between COMVERSE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on April 29, 2018 at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), of the Company at a purchase price of $100.00 per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed.  The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of April 29, 2015, based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date.

 

As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and/or the number and/or kind of shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities, as the case may be) which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by 

 

 

  

B - 1

  

 

 

reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates.  Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and the above-mentioned office or agency of the Rights Agent.  The Company will mail to the holder of this Rights Certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor.

 

Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, from and after the occurrence of any Person becoming an Acquiring Person, any Rights that are Beneficially Owned by (i) any Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate or Associate of any Acquiring Person), (ii) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee after the occurrence of any Person becoming an Acquiring Person or (iii) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who became a transferee prior to or concurrently with any Person becoming an Acquiring Person pursuant to either (a) a transfer from an Acquiring Person to holders of its equity securities or to any Person with whom it has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (b) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has the purpose or effect of avoiding certain provisions of the Rights Agreement, and subsequent transferees of any of such Persons, will be void without any further action and any holder of such Rights will thereafter have no rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights under any provision of the Rights Agreement. From and after the occurrence of any Person becoming an Acquiring Person, no Rights Certificate will be issued that represents Rights that are or have become void pursuant to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, and any Rights Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent that represents Rights that are or have become void pursuant to the provisions of the Rights Agreement will be canceled.

 

This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon surrender at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase.  If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of $0.01 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, or shares of Preferred Stock.

 

The Company is not required to issue fractions of Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the option of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) or other securities issuable, as the case may be, upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby. In lieu of issuing such fractional Preferred Shares or other Securities, the Company may make a cash payment, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

 

 

  

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No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise or exchange hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement) or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised or exchanged as provided in the Rights Agreement.

 

This Rights Certificate will not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal.  Dated as of _________ __, 20__.

 

COMVERSE, INC.

By:__________________________________

[Title]

ATTEST:

____________________________________

[Title]

Countersigned:

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

By__________________________________

[Title]

  

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Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder if such

holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED __________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto ________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

 

(Please print name and address of transferee)

 

_______ Rights represented by this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ______________________________ Attorney, to transfer said Rights on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.

Dated:  ____________________________

____________________________________

Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a bank, trust company, broker, dealer or other eligible institution participating in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program.

 

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

(To be completed)

The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are not beneficially owned by, were not acquired by the undersigned from, and are not being assigned to an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

 

____________________________________

Signature

  

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Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate - continued

FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

(To be executed if holder desires to exercise

Rights represented by the Rights Certificate)

To COMVERSE, INC.:

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ________ Rights represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities or property) issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such shares of Preferred Stock (or such other securities) be issued in the name of:

 

_________________________________________________________________________

(Please print name and address)

_________________________________________________________________________

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

Please insert social security

or other identifying number

_________________________________________________________________________

(Please print name and address)

_________________________________________________________________________

Dated:________________________

____________________________________

Signature

(Signature must conform to holder specified on Rights Certificate)

Signature Guaranteed:

Signature must be guaranteed by a bank, trust company, broker, dealer or other eligible institution participating in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program.

 

  

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Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate - continued

_________________________________________________________________________

(To be completed)

The undersigned certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are not beneficially owned by, and were not acquired by the undersigned from, an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

 

____________________________________

Signature

_________________________________________________________________________

NOTICE

The signature in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.

 

  

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Exhibit C

 

UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO IS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.

 

SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE

SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK OF

COMVERSE, INC.

Effective April 29, 2015, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Comverse, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), adopted a rights plan and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock. The dividend is payable to our stockholders of record as of May 11, 2015.  The terms of the rights and the rights plan are set forth in a Rights Agreement, by and between us and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, dated as of April 29, 2015 (the “Rights Plan”).

This summary of rights provides only a general description of the Rights Plan, and thus, should be read together with the entire Rights Plan, which is incorporated into this summary by reference. All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Rights Plan. Upon written request, the Company will provide a copy of the Rights Plan free of charge to any of its stockholders.

Our Board of Directors adopted the Rights Plan in an effort to protect stockholder value by attempting to diminish the risk that our ability to use our net operating losses and unrealized losses (collectively, the “NOLs”) to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations may become substantially limited. We have experienced and continue to experience substantial operating losses, including realized losses for tax purposes from sales of inventory and land previously written down for financial statement purposes, which would produce NOLs.  Under the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, we may “carry forward” these NOLs in certain circumstances to offset any current and future taxable income and thus reduce our federal income tax liability, subject to certain requirements and restrictions. To the extent that the NOLs do not otherwise become limited, we believe that we will be able to carry forward a significant amount of NOLs, and therefore these NOLs could be a substantial asset to us. However, if we experience an “Ownership Change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, our ability to use the NOLs, including NOLs later arising from sales of land and inventory previously written down, will be substantially limited, and the timing of the usage of the NOLs could be substantially delayed, which could therefore significantly impair the value of that asset.

 

 

  

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The Rights Plan is intended to act as a deterrent to any person or group acquiring 4.9% or more of our outstanding common stock (an “Acquiring Person”) without the approval of our Board of Directors. Stockholders who own 4.9% or more of our outstanding common stock as of the close of business on May 11, 2015 will not trigger the Rights Plan so long as they do not (i) acquire any additional shares of common stock or (ii) fall under 4.9% ownership of common stock and then re-acquire 4.9% or more of the common stock of the Company. The Rights Plan does not exempt any future acquisitions of common stock by such persons. Any rights held by an Acquiring Person are void and may not be exercised. Our Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, exempt any person or group from being deemed an Acquiring Person for purposes of the Rights Plan.

The Rights. Our Board authorized the issuance of one right per each outstanding share of our common stock payable to our stockholders of record as of May 11, 2015. Subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Plan, if the rights become exercisable, each right would initially represent the right to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) for a purchase price of $100.00 (the “Purchase Price”). If issued, each fractional share of preferred stock would give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as does one share of our common stock. However, prior to exercise, a right does not give its holder any rights as a stockholder of the Company, including without limitation any dividend, voting or liquidation rights.

Exercisability. The rights will not be exercisable until the earlier of (i) 10 business days after a public announcement by us that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person and (ii) 10 business days after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by a person or group for 4.9% or more of our common stock.

We refer to the date that the rights become exercisable as the “Distribution Date.” Until the Distribution Date, our common stock certificates will evidence the rights and will contain a notation to that effect. Any transfer of shares of common stock prior to the Distribution Date will constitute a transfer of the associated rights. After the Distribution Date, the rights may be transferred other than in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of common stock unless and until our Board has determined not to affect an exchange pursuant to the Rights Plan (as described below).

After the Distribution Date, each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right and payment of the Purchase Price, that number of shares of common stock having a market value of two times the Purchase Price.

Exchange. After the Distribution Date, the Board may exchange the Rights (other than rights owned by an Acquiring Person which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock, or a fractional share of Series A Preferred Stock (or of a share of a similar class or series of the Company’s preferred stock having similar rights, preferences and privileges) of equivalent value, per Right (subject to adjustment).

 

 

  

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Stockholder Approval.  The Company intends to submit the Rights Plan for stockholder approval (“Stockholder Approval”) at a meeting of stockholders of the Company.

Expiration. The rights and the Rights Plan will expire on the earliest of (i) April 29, 2018, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed pursuant to the Rights Agreement, (iii) the time at which the Rights are exchanged pursuant to the Rights Agreement, (iv) the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board determines that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary for the preservation of Tax Benefits, (v) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward and (vi) April 29, 2016 if Stockholder Approval has not been obtained.

Redemption. At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the Board may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Right (the “Redemption Price”). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.

Anti-Dilution Provisions. Our Board may adjust the purchase price of the preferred shares, the number of preferred shares issuable and the number of outstanding rights to prevent dilution that may occur as a result of certain events, including among others, a stock dividend, a stock split or a reclassification of the preferred shares or our common stock. No adjustments to the purchase price of less than 1% will be made.

Amendments. Before the Distribution Date, our Board may amend or supplement the Rights Plan without the consent of the holders of the Rights. After the Distribution Date, our Board may amend or supplement the Rights Plan only to cure an ambiguity, to alter time period provisions, to correct inconsistent provisions, or to make any additional changes to the Rights Plan, but only to the extent that those changes do not impair or adversely affect any rights holder and do not result in the rights again becoming redeemable, and no such amendment may cause the Rights again to become redeemable or cause this Rights Agreement again to become amendable other than in accordance with this sentence.

 

 

 

 

C - 3

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