false 0001615165 0001615165 2023-12-12 2023-12-12

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 12, 2023

 

 

Veritone, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38093   47-1161641
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 

(Commission

File Number)

  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

1615 Platte Street

2nd Floor

Denver, Colorado

    80202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)     (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (888) 507-1737

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   VERI   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

As previously reported, on November 7, 2023, Veritone, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a commitment letter with certain funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, LLC and with certain other lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”) pursuant to which the Lenders committed, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, to establish a senior secured term loan facility for the Company in an aggregate principal amount of $77.5 million, and the Company and the Lenders agreed to enter into certain other transactions.

Term Loan

On December 13, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with the Lenders and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as administrative agent and collateral agent. The Credit Agreement provides for a $77.5 million senior secured term loan (the “Term Loan”), which was fully drawn by the Company on the Closing Date and may not be reborrowed. A portion of the proceeds of the Term Loan were used to (i) repurchase $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s existing 1.75% convertible senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 Convertible Senior Notes”) held by the Lenders at a purchase price of $37.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest through the Closing Date and (ii) pay fees and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the Credit Agreement. The Company expects to use the remaining net proceeds of the Term Loan for general corporate purposes.

The Company is the borrower under the Credit Agreement and all indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement is guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct and indirect material subsidiaries (the Company and the guarantors, collectively, the “Credit Parties”). Pursuant to a Pledge and Security Agreement, dated December 13, 2023 (the “Pledge and Security Agreement”), the Term Loan is secured by a first-priority security interest in and lien on substantially all tangible and intangible property of the Credit Parties and a pledge of equity interests held by the Credit Parties. The Credit Agreement has certain customary default provisions, representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including a covenant to maintain unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of at least $15.0 million at all times.

The Term Loan accrues interest at a rate of Term SOFR plus 8.50% per annum, with a 3.00% floor for Term SOFR, payable quarterly. A default interest rate of an additional 3.00% per annum applies on all outstanding obligations after the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default.

The Credit Agreement has a term of four years from the Closing Date, with a scheduled maturity date of December 13, 2027, and requires quarterly amortization payments of 2.50% of the principal amount, commencing in June 2024, with the outstanding balance of the Term Loan payable on the scheduled maturity date.

The Credit Agreement requires mandatory prepayments from the net cash proceeds received by the Credit Parties for among other things (i) certain asset sales, but only to the extent net cash proceeds therefrom exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate, and (ii) insurance recoveries on loss of property that are not otherwise reinvested in other assets of the Credit Parties. The Credit Agreement also requires prepayment of the Term Loan in full if $30.0 million or more of aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes are outstanding on August 14, 2026. The Company may elect to prepay the Term Loan, in whole or in part, in cash, subject to a make-whole premium during the first year of the Term Loan, a 14.0% prepayment premium during the second year of the Term Loan, and a 7.0% premium during the third year of the Term Loan. The Term Loan is not repayable with the Company’s common stock, $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) as was initially set forth in the Commitment Letter.

Warrants

On the Closing Date, the Company issued warrants (the “Warrants”) to the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Warrant Holders”) to purchase up to 3,008,540 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). The Warrants are exercisable until December 12, 2028 at a price per share of $2.576. The number of shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and the exercise price may be adjusted for certain events, including stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations, and reclassifications. If the Company undergoes a fundamental transaction (as defined in the Warrant) that is within the control of the Company and approved by the Company’s board of directors, then holders of the Warrants may require the Company to repurchase for cash the remaining unexercised Warrants at a price determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 


Registration Rights Agreement

On the Closing Date, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Warrant Holders, pursuant to which the Company agreed to register for resale the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants (such shares, the “Warrant Shares”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to file a registration statement providing for the resale of the Warrant Shares (the “Resale Registration Statement”) within 30 days of the Closing Date and, subject to certain limitations, to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Resale Registration Statement effective at all times that Warrant Shares remain issuable or outstanding.

The foregoing descriptions of the Credit Agreement, the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Warrant and the Registration Rights Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of each, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, 10.2, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

On December 12, 2023, the Ledgered ABL Agreement, dated August 8, 2023 (the “Prior Credit Agreement”), by and among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Alterna Capital Solutions, LLC, and the related Commercial Guarantee, dated August 8, 2023 were terminated. Immediately prior to its termination, no amounts were outstanding under the Prior Credit Agreement. The Company did not incur any early termination penalties in connection with the termination of the Prior Credit Agreement and related agreements.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth above under Item 1.01 – Term Loan of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 2.03.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information set forth above under Item 1.01 – Warrants of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 3.02.

The offering of the Warrants and any shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise thereof has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), nor any state securities laws, and such Warrants or shares of Common Stock may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. The Company offered and sold the Warrants to the Warrant Holders in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. To the extent that any shares of Common Stock are issued upon exercise of the Warrants, they will be issued in transactions anticipated to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. Each of the Warrant Holders represented that they were acquiring the Warrants and, upon any exercise thereof, will acquire shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to distribution or resale in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law.

Neither this Current Report on Form 8-K, nor any exhibit attached hereto, is an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Warrants or shares of Common Stock.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

Repurchases of Convertible Notes

On the Closing Date, the Company repurchased through separate, privately negotiated agreements with the Lenders (collectively, the “Repurchases”) $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes for an aggregate cash repurchase price of $37.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest through the Closing Date. Following the closing of the Repurchases, the Company canceled the repurchased 2026 Convertible Senior Notes and, after such cancellation of the repurchased 2026 Convertible Senior Notes, approximately $91.25 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes remained outstanding. The Repurchases may affect the market price of the Common Stock.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

EXHIBIT
NO.
  

DESCRIPTION

4.1    Form of Warrant.
4.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 13, 2023, by and among Veritone, Inc. and the investors identified therein.
10.1†    Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated December 13, 2023, by and among Veritone, Inc., certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries and the other parties thereto.
10.2†    Pledge and Security Agreement, dated December 13, 2023, by and among Veritone, Inc., certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB as Collateral Agent.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

The exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

      Veritone, Inc.
Date: December 14, 2023     By:  

/s/ Michael L. Zemetra

     

Michael L. Zemetra

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

and Treasurer

Exhibit 4.1

NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES FOR WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

VERITONE, INC.

 

Warrant Shares: [●]    Initial Exercise Date: December 13, 2023
     Issue Date: December 13, 2023

THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, [●] or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on December 12, 2028 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from VERITONE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to [●] shares (subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock (as defined below). The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).

Section 1.    Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:00 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted on a Trading Market but is listed or quoted for trading on the OTCQB or OTCQX, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on

 

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OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

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

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

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

Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company, whether formed or acquired prior to, on or after the date hereof.

Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

 

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Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

Transfer Agent” means Computershare, Inc., the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 3366 Via Lido, Newport Beach, California 92663, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:00 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted on a Trading Market but is listed or quoted for trading on the OTCQB or OTCQX, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

Warrants” means this Warrant and all other warrants issued by the Company in connection with the Commitment Letter between the Company, the Holder and the other parties thereto, dated November 7, 2023, and the funding of the term loans under the Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Loans”), dated as of December 13, 2023, by and among the Company, certain Subsidiaries, various lenders and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as administrative agent and collateral agent.

Section 2.    Exercise.

a)    Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). The aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares shall be paid by the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c). No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company

 

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for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Trading Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

b)    Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $2.576, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

c)    Cashless Exercise. This Warrant may be exercised, in whole or in part, solely by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the result of the following formula:

 

LOGO

where:

 

  (A) =

as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

  (B) =

the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

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  (X) =

the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is being exercised as set forth in the applicable Notice of Exercise.

The parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

d)    Mechanics of Exercise.

i.    Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares have been sold by the Holder pursuant to Rule 144 or are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations and without regard to the public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, and otherwise by delivery of a uncertificated Warrant Shares or certificated Warrant Shares (in the Holder’s discretion), registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earlier of (A) two (2) Trading Days and (B) the number of days comprising the Standard Settlement Period, in each case after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”); provided, however, that in the event the Holder requires certificated Warrant Shares for such exercise, the Warrant Share Delivery Date for such certificated Warrant Shares will be extended to the seventh (7th) Trading Day after the Notice of Exercise is delivered or, in the event the Transfer Agent does not at such time have certificates in stock and available for the issuance of such Warrant Shares, the fifteenth (15th) Trading Day after the Notice of Exercise is delivered). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading

 

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Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.

ii.    Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

iii.    Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares on a timely basis pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

iv.    Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date (other than any such failure that is solely due to any action by the Holder with respect to such exercise), and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder

 

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purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

v.    No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

vi.    Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any issue or transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.

vii.    Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant pursuant to the terms hereof.

e)    Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder

 

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(together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties to the extent such exercise would result in Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties beneficially owning Common Stock in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Holder acknowledges that the Holder is solely responsible for its compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To avoid doubt, the calculation of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation shall take into account the concurrent exercise or conversion, as applicable, of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) beneficially owned by the Holder or its Affiliates or any Attribution Party, as applicable. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination (including any determination as to group status pursuant to the next sentence). In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (as applicable, the “Most Recent Outstanding Share Number”). Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two (2) Trading Days confirm in writing to the Holder that the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding is not less than

 

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the Most Recent Outstanding Share Number or, if the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding is less than the Most Recent Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall confirm in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 9.9% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.9% or is less than 4.9% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. Any decrease in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will be effective upon delivery to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

Section 3.    Certain Adjustments.

a)    Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

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b)    Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a), if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

c)    Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation; and provided, further, however, that Holder shall not be entitled to participate in any such Distribution to the extent that such Distribution constitutes a Fundamental Transaction and the provisions of Section 3(d) below are applicable to such Distribution).

d)    Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions

 

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effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock or more than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (including with respect to the election of directors), (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or more than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (including with respect to the election of directors) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction (other than a Fundamental Transaction in which the consideration paid to holders of Common Stock consists exclusively of equity securities of the Successor Entity (or its parent entity) that are listed or admitted for trading on a Trading Market) that is within the Company’s control, including approval by its Board of Directors, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the

 

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applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company’s control, including not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion) that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 30 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365-day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the highest VWAP during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on and including the earlier of (1) the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to this Section 3(d) and (2) the Trading Day immediately prior to the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within five (5) Trading Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction). The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the

 

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Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.

e)    Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest tenth of a cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

f)    Notice to Holder.

i.    Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

ii.    Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or

 

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winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 10 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

Section 4.    Transfer of Warrant.

a)    Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with (i) a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney, (ii) at the request of the Company, of an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that the transfer of such portion of this Warrant may be made pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iii) funds sufficient to pay any issue or transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

 

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b)    New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Issue Date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

c)    Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

d)    Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, to provide to the Company an opinion of counsel selected by the Holder or the transferee and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer does not require registration under the Securities Act.

e)    Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law.

Section 5.    Miscellaneous.

a)    No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting the rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares, and to receive the cash payments contemplated pursuant to Sections 2(d)(i) and 2(d)(iv), in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

 

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b)    Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

c)    Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Trading Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Trading Day.

d)    Authorized Shares.

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant, (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having

 

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jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant and (iv) not take any action that would result in the Exercise Price of this Warrant being less than the then-applicable par value of any Warrant Shares.

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

e)    Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

f)    Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant may have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

g)    Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies, notwithstanding the fact that the right to exercise this Warrant terminates on the Termination Date. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages

 

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to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

h)    Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 240 17th Street, Office 3002, Denver, CO 80202, Attention: Craig Gatarz, email address:    , with a copy to John-Paul Motley, Cooley LLP, 355 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90071, email address:    , or such other telephone number, email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the facsimile number, e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or via e-mail (provided that an automated response is not received indicating that such email was not delivered to the recipient) at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder (including any notice delivered in accordance with Section 3(f)) constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

i)    Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

j)    Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

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k)    Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

l)    Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder of this Warrant, on the other hand.

m)    Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

n)    Headings; Interpretation. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Warrant instead of just the provision in which they are found.

o)    Tax Treatment. The Company and the Holder hereby acknowledge and agree that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a) the Warrant is part of an investment unit within the meaning of Section 1273(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) that includes the Loans, and (b) the Company will determine the issue price (within the meaning of Section 1273(b) of the Internal Revenue Code) of the Investment Unit and the allocation of such issue price between the Loans and Warrant consistent with this Section 5(o) and Section 1.1273-2(h) of the Treasury Regulations, and the Company will inform the Holder of such determinations. The parties hereto agree to report all income tax matters with respect to the Warrants consistent with this Section 5(o) and shall not take any action or file any tax return, report or declaration inconsistent herewith unless required to do so by a change in applicable law or by a tax authority following an audit or examination.

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

VERITONE, INC.
By:  

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Warrant]


NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

TO:

VERITONE, INC.

The undersigned hereby elects to purchase                  Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Warrant (which is attached hereto if such Warrant is exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable issue or transfer taxes, if any.

Payment shall take the form of the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in Section 2(c) of the Warrant.

Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

  

 

  

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

  

 

  
  

 

  

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity:  

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:  

 

Name of Authorized Signatory:  

 

Title of Authorized Signatory:  

 

Date:  

 


ASSIGNMENT FORM

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to exercise the Warrant to purchase shares.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:    

 

        (Please Print)
Address:    

 

    (Please Print)
Phone Number:    

 

Email Address:    

 

Dated:                                  ,                 
Holder’s Signature:                                         
Holder’s Address:                                           

Exhibit 4.2

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 13, 2023, by and among Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and each investor identified in the signature pages hereto (individually, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).

This Agreement is being entered into concurrently and in connection with the Warrants and the Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2023 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, various lenders and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as administrative agent and collateral agent.

The Company and each Investor hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions. In addition to the other capitalized terms used and defined elsewhere herein, as used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

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

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

beneficially owns” (and related terms such as “beneficially owned” or “beneficial owner”) has the meaning as set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in the City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Commission Guidance” means any publicly-available written or oral guidance, comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff, including the Commission’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations and Manual of Publicly Available Telephone Interpretations.

Common Stock” means shares of common stock, par value 0.001 per share, of the Company.


Effectiveness Date” means the earlier of (i) sixty (60) days after the date of this Agreement and (ii) February 14, 2024, provided that if the Commission staff determines to review the Registration Statement, “Effectiveness Date” shall mean May 1, 2024.

Filing Date” means the thirtieth (30th) day following the date hereof.

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Holder” or “Holders” means an Investor or any transferee or assignee of any Registrable Securities or Warrants, as applicable, to whom an Investor assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee of any Registrable Securities or Warrants, as applicable, assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement.

Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition).

Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the 1933 Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

Registrable Securities” means (i) the shares of Common Stock issuable or issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrants and (ii) any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, stock dividend or similar event with respect thereto. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) the Commission has declared a Registration Statement covering such securities effective and such securities have been disposed of pursuant to such effective Registration Statement; (ii) such securities are sold under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act are met and the legend restricting further transfer has been removed from the certificate for such securities; or (iii) such securities have been previously issued and are no longer outstanding.

Registration Statement” means any registration statement filed pursuant to this Agreement under the 1933 Act covering the resale by any Holder of any Registrable Securities, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference (or deemed to be incorporated by reference) therein.

 

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Requisite Holders” means the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding (including for this purpose, the Warrants on an as exercised basis assuming the Warrants are exercised for the gross amount of shares without giving effect to cashless exercise).

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

Transfer Agent” means Computershare, Inc., the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 3366 Via Lido, Newport Beach, California 92663, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

Warrants” means the Warrants as defined in the Credit Agreement.

2. Registration.

(a) Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare and, as promptly as practicable but in no event later than the Filing Date, file with the Commission a Registration Statement covering the resale of all Registrable Securities in a resale offering to be made on a continuous basis. The Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Holders or required in order to address written comments to the Registration Statement received from the Commission upon review of such Registration Statement) the “Plan of Distribution” section in substantially the form attached as Annex A hereto, as the same may be amended in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that no Holder shall be named as an “underwriter” without such Holder’s express prior written consent. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective under the 1933 Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof, but in any event prior to the Effectiveness Date, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the initial Registration Statement continuously effective under the 1933 Act until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold by the Holders (the “Effectiveness Period”).

 

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(b) Rule 415; Cutback. In the event that the Commission does not permit the Company to register in any Registration Statement all of the Registrable Securities in a secondary offering, the Company shall promptly notify each of the Holders thereof, and amend such Registration Statement to register such maximum portion as permitted by Commission Guidance, including such guidance pertaining to Rule 415; provided that (i) the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the Commission Guidance that are not then registered on an effective Registration Statement and (ii) the Company shall not name any Holder as an “underwriter” without such Holder’s express prior written consent. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Commission Guidance sets forth a limitation on the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement in a secondary offering (and notwithstanding that the Company used commercially reasonable efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all or a greater portion of Registrable Securities), unless otherwise directed in writing by a Holder as to its Registrable Securities and unless any Commission Guidance requires otherwise, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced pro rata among all Holders. In the event of a cutback pursuant to this Section 2(b), the Company will offer to the Holders to file and cause to become effective with the Commission, as promptly as allowed by the Commission or Commission Guidance, one or more Registration Statements to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not previously registered for resale. No liquidated damages shall accrue as to any Registrable Securities subject to a cutback pursuant to this Section 2(b) if (i) the Holders decline the filing of a new Registration Statement or (ii) the Holders request the filing of a new Registration Statement, until such date as the Company is able to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities in accordance with Commission Guidance (the earlier such date, “Restriction Termination Date”); provided in respect of clause (ii), that the Filing Date for such Registrable Securities shall be thirty (30) days after the Restriction Termination Date and the Effectiveness Date for such Registrable Securities shall be sixty (60) days (or, if the Commission staff determines to review the new Registration Statement, ninety (90) days) after the Restriction Termination Date.

(c) Additional Cash Payment. The parties hereto agree that the Holders will suffer damages if the Company fails to fulfill its obligations under this Section 2 and that, in such case, it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, subject to Section 2(b), if:

(i) the Company does not file a Registration Statement covering all the Registrable Securities on or before the Filing Date;

(ii) such Registration Statement is not declared effective by the Commission on or before the Effectiveness Date;

(iii) the Company extends any Suspension Period (as defined below) beyond ninety (90) days during any consecutive three hundred sixty (360) day period; or

(iv) a Registration Statement is filed and declared effective but, during the applicable Effectiveness Period, a Registration Statement is not effective for any reason or the Prospectus contained therein is not available for use for any reason, in each case other than due to a Suspension Period as provided in Section 3(c), for its intended purpose without such disability being cured within ten (10) Business Days by an effective post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement, a supplement to the Prospectus, or a report filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act that cures such failure or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the requirements of Rule 144(c)(1) (or, if the Company has ever been or ever in the future becomes an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i), the conditions in Rule 144(i)(2)) as a result of which any of the Holders are unable to sell Registrable Securities without restriction under Rule 144 (including, without limitation, volume restrictions);

 

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(each such event referred to in foregoing clauses (i) through (iv), a “Registration Default”), then for so long as any Warrants or Registrable Securities are outstanding, in such event as partial relief for the damages to any Holder by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell any Registrable Securities and not as a penalty (which remedy will not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or equity), the Company hereby agrees to pay to each Holder an amount in cash equal to 2.00% per year (which amount shall be pro-rated for the number of days a Registration Default has occurred and is continuing based on a 360 day year) of the exercise price of the Warrants (and all the outstanding Common Stock issued upon exercise of such Warrants to the extent any Warrants have been exercised into Common Stock prior to the occurrence of the Registration Default and such Common Stock remains Registrable Securities) on the thirtieth (30th) day following the applicable Registration Default and on each thirty (30) day anniversary thereafter (and shall be pro-rated for any portion of any thirty (30) day period) until such Registration Default will cease, be remedied or be cured; provided that any payment on Common Stock will be calculated based on the exercise price of the Warrants upon the exercise of which such Common Stock has been issued.

(d) Piggyback Registration. Without limiting any obligation of the Company hereunder, if (i) there is not an effective Registration Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities, or if the Prospectus contained in any Registration Statement is not available for use, and (ii) the Company shall determine to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement or offering statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its equity securities (other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the 1933 Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business (or a business combination subject to Rule 145 under the 1933 Act) or equity securities issuable in connection with the Company’s stock option or other employee benefit plans), or a dividend reinvestment or similar plan or rights offering), then the Company shall deliver to each Holder a written notice of such determination and, if within five (5) Business Days after the date of the delivery of such notice, any such Holder shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such registration statement or offering statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities that such Holder requests to be registered; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to include any Registrable Securities to the extent that an underwriter advises the Company will materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to sell all of the securities which the Company intended to sell, and if the underwriters determine some but not all of the Registrable Securities may be included without materially adversely affecting the Company’s ability to sell all of the securities that the Company intended to sell (it being understood that the Company shall not be required to reduce any amount it intends to register to sell), then any such reduction in Registrable Securities included in such registration statement will be applied pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities to be included by each Holder in such registration statement. The Company may postpone or withdraw the filing or the effectiveness of a piggyback registration pursuant to this Section 2(d) at any time in its sole discretion. The Company shall not grant piggyback registration rights to any holders of its Common Stock or securities that are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for its Common Stock that are senior to the rights of the Holders set forth in this Section 2(d).

 

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(e) No Inclusion of Other Securities. The Company shall in no event include any securities other than Registrable Securities on any Registration Statement filed in accordance herewith (other than a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(d)) without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders.

3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder, the Company shall:

(a) Not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the filing of each Registration Statement and not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the filing of any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (other than those incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall furnish to each Holder copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such Holders. The Company shall not file a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (other than those incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference) to which the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities shall reasonably object in good faith; provided that the Company is notified of such objection in writing no later than five (5) Business Days after the Holders have been so furnished copies of a Registration Statement or two (2) Business Days after the Holders have been so furnished copies of any related Prospectus or amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus. Each Holder agrees to furnish to the Company a completed questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement as Annex B (a “Selling Stockholder Questionnaire”) on a date that is not less than the end of the fourth (4th) Business Day following the date on which the Company requests from such Holder in writing the delivery of a completed Selling Stockholder Questionnaire in accordance with this Section.

(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to a Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep a Registration Statement continuously effective (and the Prospectus used therein current and available for use) as to the applicable Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness Period, (ii) prepare and file with the Commission as promptly as practicable any additional Registration Statements as may be necessary in order to register for resale under the 1933 Act all of the Registrable Securities, (iii) cause any related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement (subject to the terms of this Agreement), and, as so supplemented or amended, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424, (iv) respond as promptly as reasonably possible to any comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, and (v) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance (subject to the terms of this Agreement) with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented.

 

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(c) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold (which notice shall, pursuant to clauses (iii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus (entirely or in a particular jurisdiction, as the case may be) until the requisite changes have been made) as promptly as reasonably possible (and, in the case of (i)(A) below, not less than two (2) Business Days prior to such filing) and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than one (1) Business Day following the day: (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment (other than any 1934 Act filing incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or any supplement that includes only the most recent filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q) to a Registration Statement is proposed to be filed, (B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on such Registration Statement, and (C) with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment (other than any 1934 Act filing incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), when the same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information (other than any 1934 Act filing incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference); (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such purpose; (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes the financial statements included in a Registration Statement ineligible for inclusion therein or any statement made in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of a Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (vi) of the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development with respect to the Company that the Company believes may be material and that, in the determination of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the Company to allow continued availability of a Registration Statement or Prospectus (a “Suspension Period”), provided that the Company shall excise any information contained in any notice of a Suspension Period to the extent that such information would constitute material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and provided further, that during any three hundred sixty (360) day period such Suspension Periods shall not exceed an aggregate of ninety (90) days.

(d) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal as soon as reasonably practicable of (i) any order stopping or suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction.

(e) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, consent to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, except after the giving of any notice pursuant to Section 3(c) until the delivery of the Advice contemplated by Section 7(b).

 

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(f) Cooperate with any broker-dealer through which a Holder proposes to resell its Registrable Securities in effecting a filing with the FINRA Corporate Financing Department pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110, as requested by any such Holder.

(g) Subject to Section 3(c), as promptly as reasonably possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to a Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered, neither a Registration Statement nor such Prospectus will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(h) When and as required for purposes of filing or updating any Registration Statement, require each selling Holder to furnish to the Company a certified statement as to the number of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and the natural persons thereof that have voting and dispositive control over the shares. In the event of the failure by such Holder to comply with the Company’s request within ten (10) days from the date of such request, the Company shall be permitted to exclude such Holder from such Registration Statement, without being subject to the payment of liquidated damages to such Holder. At such time that such Holder complies with the Company’s request, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include such Holder on such Registration Statement.

(i) In connection with the preparation and filing of each Registration Statement registering Registrable Securities under the 1933 Act (other than any 1934 Act filing incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or any supplement that includes only the most recent filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q), and before filing any such Registration Statement (other than any 1934 Act filing incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or any supplement that includes only the most recent filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q), give the participating Holders of Registrable Securities and their respective counsel, the opportunity to (i) review any such Registration Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission, each amendment thereof or supplement thereto (other than any 1934 Act filing incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or any supplement that includes only the most recent filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q) and the Company’s response to Commission comments, and (ii) provide comments to such documents if necessary to cause the description relating to such Holders to be accurate.

(j) Register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 if the Company is then eligible to register the Registrable Securities for resale on such form. In the event that Form S-3 is not available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable Securities on Form S-1 and (ii) undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of any Registration Statement then in effect until the earlier of (x) such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the Commission and (y) there are no Warrants or Registrable Securities then outstanding.

 

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(k) Furnish to each Holder, without charge, (i) at least one (1) conformed copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment thereto and all exhibits to the extent requested by such Holder (excluding those previously furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission, except if such documents are available on EDGAR; and (ii) as many copies of each Prospectus or Prospectuses (including without limitation each form of prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder may reasonably request.

(l) Cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing or evidence of uncertificated shares evidencing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which shall be free of all restrictive legends and issued in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holder may request.

(m) Provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement.

(n) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which identical securities issued by the Company are then listed.

(o) If necessary, use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities.

(p) If requested by a Holder, the Company shall as soon as practicable, file a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment containing such information as any Holder reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities by such Holder, including information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering.

(q) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of all jurisdictions within the United States that the selling Holders request in writing be covered, to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the applicable Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement; provided, that the Company will not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to become subject to any material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

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(r) If any Holder is required under applicable securities law to be described as an “underwriter” in a Registration Statement registering the resale of Registrable Securities by such Holder, use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to such Holder, on the date of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as such Holder may reasonably request, (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in form and substance as is customarily given by independent registered public accounting firm to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to such Holder, and (ii) an opinion, dated such date, of external counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to such Holder.

(s) If any Holders are required under applicable securities law to be described as an “underwriter” in a Registration Statement registering the resale of Registrable Securities by such Holders, in connection with such Holders’ due diligence requirements, if any, make available for inspection by (i) such Holders and one legal counsel retained by such Holders and (ii) one firm of accountants or other agents retained by such Holders (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by such Holders solely for the purpose of establishing a due diligence defense under underwriter liability under the 1933 Act, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information that any Inspector may reasonably request for the purpose of establishing a due diligence defense for such Holders under underwriter liability under the 1933 Act; provided, however, that each Inspector shall agree to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to such Holders) or use of any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement or material omission in any Registration Statement, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement. Each Holder agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement between the Company and any Holder) shall be deemed to limit the Holders’ ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

(t) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission in connection with any registration hereunder.

(u) If any Holders are required under applicable securities law to be described as an “underwriter” in a Registration Statement registering the resale of Registrable Securities by such Holders, the Company shall make generally available to its security holders (which may be satisfied by making such information available on EDGAR) as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 of the 1933 Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later that the first day of the Company’s fiscal quarter next following the applicable date when each Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC.

 

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4. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company (other than fees and expenses incurred by Holders, including any fees and disbursements of counsel selected by Holders other than as set forth in clause (iii) below) shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent registered public accounting firm) (A) with respect to filings made with the Commission, (B) with respect to filings required to be made with any trading market on which the Common Stock are then listed for trading, (C) related to compliance with applicable state securities and blue sky laws, and (D) incurred in connection with the submission of any filing with FINRA; (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing Prospectuses); (iii) fees and disbursements of King & Spalding LLP as counsel to the lead investor, which fees and disbursements shall not exceed $20,000 in the aggregate for the initial filing of the Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement and $7,500 for each post-effective amendment (other than any 1934 Act filing incorporated by referenced and deemed to be a post-effective amendment) to any Registration Statement or new Registration Statement filed to register additional Registrable Securities; and (iv) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In no event shall the Company be responsible for any broker or similar commissions or other expenses of any Holder.

5. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Securities, the directors, officers, partners, members, shareholders, agents and employees of each such Holder, each Person who controls any Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and Section 20 of the 1934 Act), and the directors and officers, of such controlling Persons (collectively, the “Indemnitees”), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all Proceedings, causes of action, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the Proceeding for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading or (ii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that (A) such untrue statements or omissions are based upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities or (B) the Holder used an outdated or defective Prospectus which the Company had previously notified such Holder was outdated or defective pursuant to Sections 3(c)(iii) through (vi) and for which the Company had not yet provided the Advice contemplated in Section 7(b), but only to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected. The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnitee and shall survive the transfer of any Registrable Securities by any of the Holders.

 

11


(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and Section 20 of the 1934 Act), and the directors and officers of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Indemnified Liabilities, as incurred, to the extent arising out of or based solely upon: (i) such Holder’s failure to comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act or (ii) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (A) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement or such Prospectus or (B) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such information relates to such Holder’s information provided in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or the proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities set forth in the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (C) the use by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 7(b), but only to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds actually received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.

(i) If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Indemnitee or the Company or any person entitled to indemnification under Section 5(b) (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have materially prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.

 

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(ii) An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (A) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (B) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding, or (C) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and counsel to the Indemnified Party shall reasonably believe that a conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one (1) separate counsel and one (1) local counsel (if necessary) shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement (i) involves only the payment of monetary settlement amounts, (ii) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding and (iii) does not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Indemnified Party.

(iii) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within thirty (30) Business Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided, that, the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) not to be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(d) Contribution.

(i) If the indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Indemnified Liabilities, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Indemnified Liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Indemnified Liabilities shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys’ or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to such party in accordance with its terms.

 

13


(ii) The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), no Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement or Prospectus giving rise to such contribution obligation exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. Each Holder’s obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5(d) are several and not joint. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) Remedies Not Exclusive. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties.

6. Public Information Requirement. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144, for so long as any Warrants or Registrable Securities remain outstanding the Company agrees to (i) make and keep adequate current public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, for so long as any Holder holds Warrants or Registrable Securities, and (ii) file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1934 Act so long as the filing of such reports and documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144 and (iii) furnish to each Holder of Warrants or Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, a written statement by the Company, if true, that the Company has complied with the applicable reporting, posting and submissions requirements of the 1934 Act necessary to permit resales pursuant to Rule 144, which for avoidance of doubt, shall not include the filing of a Form 144 by Holder, if applicable.

7. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate as to any Holder on the date such Holder beneficially owns Registrable Securities (including for this purpose, Warrants on an as exercised basis assuming the Warrants are exercised for the gross amount of shares without giving effect to cashless exercise) representing less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and all such securities held by or issuable to such Holder are eligible for sale by such Holder free of any volume or manner of sale limitations and without regard to the public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144. Upon such termination, such shares shall cease to be “Registrable Securities” for all purposes.

 

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8. Miscellaneous.

(a) Compliance. Each Holder acknowledges its obligation to comply with U.S. securities laws in respect of any resale of Registrable Securities, and covenants and agrees that any transfers of Registrable Securities (but not, to avoid doubt, transfers of Warrants) by such Holder, if not made pursuant to and in accordance with the Registration Statement or pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144, shall be made by first transferring such Registrable Securities to an account in the name of the Holder (or its transferee) at the Transfer Agent so that a customary restrictive legend reasonably satisfactory to the Holder may be associated with such Registrable Securities. Each Holder further covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act as applicable to it in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.

(b) Discontinued Disposition. By its acquisition of Registrable Securities, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Sections 3(c)(iii) through (vi), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement and suspend the use of the applicable Prospectus until such Holder is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and to provide notice thereof, as promptly as is practicable thereafter.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may be given, and shall be in writing and signed by the Company and the Requisite Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of a Holder or some Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by such Holder or Holders of all of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the first sentence of this Section 7(c).

(d) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be delivered as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the Warrants, as applicable.

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders. The rights under this Agreement may be assigned by the Holder to any transferee of all or any portion of such Holder’s Warrants or Registrable Securities provided such transferee delivers to the Company a joinder substantially in the form attached as Annex C hereto agreeing in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Registration Default will be deemed to have occurred with regard to any Registrable Securities held by any transferee prior to the date that is fifteen (15) Business Days after such transferee notifies the Company of its acquisition of Registrable Securities and provides any information and documentation reasonably requested by the Company for the registration of such Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

 

15


(f) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflict with the provisions hereof.

(g) Execution and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

(h) Governing Law; Disputes.

(i) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Related Proceedings”) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a “Related Judgment”), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth below shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. With respect to any Related Proceeding, each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction, service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment) and execution to which it might otherwise be entitled in the Specified Courts, and with respect to any Related Judgment, each party waives any such immunity in the Specified Courts or any other court of competent jurisdiction, and will not raise or claim or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any such Related Proceeding or Related Judgment, including, without limitation, any immunity pursuant to the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended. THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDERS EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

 

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(ii) The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. No specific representation or warranty shall limit the generality or applicability of a more general representation or warranty. Each and every reference to share prices and any other numbers in this Agreement that relate to the Registrable Securities shall be automatically adjusted for any share splits, share dividends, share combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions that occur after the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty against, or a prohibition of, any actions with respect to the borrowing of, arrangement to borrow, identification of the availability of, and/or securing of, securities of the Company in order for such Investor (or its broker or other financial representative) to effect short sales or similar transactions in the future.

(iii) Any person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The remedies provided in this Agreement shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Agreement, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief).

(i) Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

(j) Headings; Interpretation. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of the Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.

(k) Independent Nature of Holders’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other matters, and the Company acknowledges that the Holders are not acting in concert or as a group. Each Holder shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement with respect to the obligations of the Company was done solely for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Holder.

 

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

 

VERITONE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

Name: Michael Zemetra
Title: Chief Financial Officer

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK; SIGNATURE PAGES FOR INVESTORS FOLLOW]

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


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

 

HIGHBRIDGE TACTICAL CREDIT MASTER FUND, L.P.
BY: HIGHBRIDGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, AS TRADING MANAGER AND NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY
By:  

/s/ Steve Ardovini

  Name: Steve Ardovini
 

Title:   Head of Operations

            Highbridge Capital Management, LLC

HIGHBRIDGE TACTICAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONAL FUND, LTD.
BY: HIGHBRIDGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, AS TRADING MANAGER AND NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY
By:  

/s/ Steve Ardovini

  Name: Steve Ardovini
 

Title:   Head of Operations

            Highbridge Capital Management, LLC

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


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

 

CONTEXT PARTNERS MASTER FUND, L.P.
By:  

/s/ Charles E. Carnegie

  Name: Charles E. Carnegie
 

Title:   Managing Member

            Context Capital Management, LLC

            General Partner

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


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

 

RIVERVIEW GROUP LLC
BY: INTEGRATED HOLDING GROUP LP, ITS MANAGING MEMBER
BY: MILLENNIUM MANAGEMENT LLC, ITS GENERAL PARTNER
By:  

/s/ Mark Meskin

  Name: Mark Meskin
  Title:   Chief Trading Officer

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


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

 

TENOR OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND LTD.
By:  

/s/ Daniel Kochav

  Name: Daniel Kochav
  Title:   Director

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


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

 

WHITEBOX ADVISORS VALUE PARTNERS, LP
BY: WHITEBOX ADVISORS LLC, ITS INVESTMENT MANAGER
By:  

/s/ Andrew Thau

  Name: Andrew Thau
  Title:   Senior Legal Analyst
WHITEBOX GT FUND, LP
BY: WHITEBOX ADVISORS LLC, ITS INVESTMENT MANAGER
By:  

/s/ Andrew Thau

  Name: Andrew Thau
  Title:   Senior Legal Analyst
WHITEBOX MULTI-STRATEGY PARTNERS, LP
BY: WHITEBOX ADVISORS LLC, ITS INVESTMENT MANAGER
By:  

/s/ Andrew Thau

  Name: Andrew Thau
  Title:   Senior Legal Analyst
PANDORA SELECT PARTNERS, LP
BY: WHITEBOX ADVISORS LLC, ITS INVESTMENT MANAGER
By:  

/s/ Andrew Thau

  Name: Andrew Thau
  Title:   Senior Legal Analyst

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


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

 

BLACKWELL PARTNERS, LLC_SERIES B
BY: SILVERBACK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC, ITS TRADING MANAGER
By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title:   CCO
SILVERBACK OPPORTUNISTIC CREDIT MASTER FUND LIMITED
BY: SILVERBACK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC, ITS TRADING MANAGER
By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title:   CCO
SILVERBACK CONVERTIBLE MASTER FUND LIMITED
BY: SILVERBACK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC, ITS TRADING MANAGER
By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title:   CCO
KASAD 2, LP
BY: SILVERBACK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC, ITS TRADING MANAGER
By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title:   CCO

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


Annex A

Plan of Distribution

The selling shareholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling common stock received after the date of this prospectus from a selling shareholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution, sale or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the common stock is traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.

The selling shareholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of their shares of common stock or any interests therein:

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

   

block trades in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell common stock as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

   

privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

in underwritten transactions;

 

   

short sales;

 

   

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

   

broker-dealers may agree with the selling shareholders to sell a specified number of shares of common stock at a stipulated price per share;

 

   

distribution to members, limited partners or stockholders of any of the selling stockholders;

 

   

any other method permitted by applicable law; and

 

   

a combination of any of the foregoing methods.

The selling shareholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b) or any other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), amending the list of selling shareholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling shareholders under this prospectus. The selling shareholders also may transfer their common stock in other circumstances, in which case the donees, transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

A-1


In connection with the sale of common stock or interests therein, the selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of our securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling shareholders may also sell common stock short and deliver the securities offered hereby to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge their common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities that require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of common stock offered by this prospectus, which common stock such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

The aggregate proceeds to the selling shareholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling shareholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from any offering by the selling shareholders.

The selling shareholders also may resell all or a portion of the common stock offered hereby in open market transactions in reliance on Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

The selling shareholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the common stock may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If any selling security holder is an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, then the selling security holder will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

To the extent required, the common stock to be sold, the names of the selling shareholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, and any applicable discounts, commissions, concessions or other compensation with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

 

A-2


We have agreed to maintain the effectiveness of this prospectus until all shares of common stock offered hereby have been sold under this prospectus or Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or have been issued and are no longer outstanding. In addition, we do not have to maintain the effectiveness of this prospectus once each selling shareholder beneficially owns shares of common stock (including shares of common stock underlying the warrants on an as exercised basis) of less than 1% of our outstanding shares of common stock and all such shares are eligible for sale by the selling shareholder free of any volume or manner of sale limitations and without regard to the public information requirements under Rule 144. We are required to pay all fees and expenses incident to the registration of the shares of common stock to be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus. The selling shareholders will bear all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to their sale of shares of common stock.

We have advised the selling shareholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, may apply to sales of common stock in the market and to the activities of the selling shareholders and their affiliates. In addition, to the extent applicable, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling shareholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling shareholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the common stock against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

A selling shareholder that is an entity may elect to make an in-kind distribution of common stock to its members, partners or stockholders pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part by delivering a prospectus.

We have agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities laws, relating to the registration of the common stock offered by this prospectus.

We have agreed with the selling shareholders to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part to become effective and to remain continuously effective, subject to certain exceptions, until such time as all of the common stock covered by this prospectus have been disposed of pursuant to and in accordance with such registration statement.

 

A-3


Annex B

Selling Stockholder Notice and Questionnaire

The undersigned beneficial owner of Common Stock (the “Registrable Securities”), par value 0.001 per share, of Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the Registrable Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) to which this document is annexed. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.

NOTICE

The undersigned beneficial owner (the “Selling Stockholder”) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities owned by it in the Registration Statement.

 

B-1


The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate:

QUESTIONNAIRE

 

1.

Name.

(a) Full Legal Name of Selling Stockholder

(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities are held:

(c) Full Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose of the securities covered by this Questionnaire):

 

2.

Address for Notices to Selling Stockholder:

Telephone:

Fax:

Contact Person:

 

3.

Broker-Dealer Status:

 

  (a)

Are you a broker-dealer?

Yes  ☐    No  ☐

 

  (b)

If “yes” to Section 3(a), did you receive your Registrable Securities as compensation for investment banking services to the Company?

Yes  ☐    No  ☐

 

B-2


Note: If “no” to Section 3(b), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.

 

  (c)

Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?

Yes  ☐    No  ☐

 

  (d)

If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you purchased the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities?

Yes  ☐    No  ☐

 

  Note:

If “no” to Section 3(d), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.

 

4.

Beneficial Ownership of Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Stockholder.

Except as set forth below in this Item 4, the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the securities issuable pursuant to the Credit Agreement or the Warrants.

 

  (a)

Type and Amount of other securities beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder:

 

5.

Relationships with the Company:

Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.

State any exceptions here:

The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any material inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Registration Statement remains effective; provided, that the undersigned shall not be required to notify the Company of any changes to the number of securities held or owned by the undersigned or its affiliates.

 

B-3


By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 5 and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.

 

    Beneficial Owner:
Date:     By:  

 

   

Name:

Title:

PLEASE EMAIL A .PDF COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE TO:

Logan Tiari

Partner

Cooley LLP

Craig Gatarz

Chief Legal Officer

Veritone, Inc.

 

B-4


Annex C

Registration Rights Joinder Agreement

[•], 20[•]

The undersigned is executing and delivering this joinder (this “Joinder”) pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2023 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among Veritone, Inc. (the “Company”) and the Holders party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder to the Company, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the Registration Rights Agreement as a Holder of Registrable Securities in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Registration Rights Agreement, and the undersigned’s (i) shares of Common Stock issuable or issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrants and (ii) any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, stock dividend or similar event with respect thereto shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent provided therein.

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder as of the date first listed above.

 

HOLDER:
[_____]
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

 

C-1

Exhibit 10.1

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

dated as of December 13, 2023

among

VERITONE, INC.

as Borrower,

and

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF BORROWER,

as Guarantors,

VARIOUS LENDERS,

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

$77,500,000 Senior Secured Credit Facilities

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     1  

1.1

  Definitions      1  

1.2

  Accounting Terms, Financials Statements, Calculations, Etc.      37  

1.3

  Interpretation, Etc.      38  

1.4

  Rates      39  

SECTION 2 LOANS

     39  

2.1

  Term Loans      39  

2.2

  Reserved      40  

2.3

  Reserved      40  

2.4

  Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds      40  

2.5

  Use of Proceeds      41  

2.6

  Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders’ Books and Records; Notes      41  

2.7

  Interest on Loans      42  

2.8

  Reserved      43  

2.9

  Default Interest      43  

2.10

  Prepayment Premium and Fees      43  

2.11

  Scheduled Payments      43  

2.12

  Voluntary Prepayments      43  

2.13

  Mandatory Prepayments      44  

2.14

  Application of Prepayments/Reductions      45  

2.15

  General Provisions Regarding Payments      46  

2.16

  Ratable Sharing      47  

2.17

  Making or Maintaining SOFR Loans.      48  

2.18

  Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy      51  

2.19

  Taxes; Withholding, Etc.      53  

2.20

  Obligation to Mitigate      57  

2.21

  Tax Treatment..      57  

SECTION 3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     57  

3.1

  Closing Date      57  

SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     61  

4.1

  Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification      61  

4.2

  Capital Stock and Ownership      61  

4.3

  Due Authorization      61  

4.4

  No Conflict      61  

4.5

  Governmental Consents      62  

4.6

  Binding Obligation      62  

4.7

  Historical Financial Statements      62  

 

i


4.8

  Reserved      62  

4.9

  No Material Adverse Change      62  

4.10

  Reserved      62  

4.11

  Adverse Proceedings, Etc      63  

4.12

  Payment of Taxes      63  

4.13

  Properties      63  

4.14

  Environmental Matters      64  

4.15

  No Defaults      64  

4.16

  Reserved      64  

4.17

  Governmental Regulation      65  

4.18

  Federal Reserve Regulations; Exchange Act      65  

4.19

  Employee Matters      65  

4.20

  Employee Benefit Plans      66  

4.21

  Reserved      66  

4.22

  Solvency      66  

4.23

  Related Agreements      66  

4.24

  Compliance with Statutes, Etc.      67  

4.25

  Disclosure      67  

4.26

  Sanctions; Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws; Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws; Etc.      67  

SECTION 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     68  

5.1

  Financial Statements and Other Reports      68  

5.2

  Existence      72  

5.3

  Payment of Taxes and Claims      72  

5.4

  Maintenance of Properties      72  

5.5

  Insurance      72  

5.6

  Books and Records; Inspections      73  

5.7

  Lenders Meetings      73  

5.8

  Compliance with Laws      73  

5.9

  Environmental      73  

5.10

  Additional Guarantors      75  

5.11

  Additional Locations and Real Estate Assets      75  

5.12

  Reserved      76  

5.13

  Further Assurances      76  

5.14

  Reserved      76  

5.15

  Post-Closing Matters      76  

SECTION 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     77  

6.1

  Indebtedness      77  

6.2

  Liens      78  

6.3

  Equitable Lien      80  

6.4

  No Further Negative Pledges      80  

6.5

  Restricted Junior Payments      81  

6.6

  Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions      82  

 

ii


6.7

  Investments      82  

6.8

  Minimum Consolidated Liquidity      83  

6.9

  Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets      83  

6.10

  Disposal of Subsidiary Interests      84  

6.11

  Sales and Lease-Backs      84  

6.12

  Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates      85  

6.13

  Conduct of Business      85  

6.14

  Reserved      85  

6.15

  Reserved      85  

6.16

  Amendments or Waivers with Respect to Certain Indebtedness      85  

6.17

  Fiscal Year; Accounting Policies      85  

6.18

  Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts      85  

6.19

  Amendments to Certain Documents and Agreements      86  

6.20

  Use of Proceeds      86  

SECTION 7 GUARANTY

     86  

7.1

  Guaranty of the Obligations      86  

7.2

  Contribution by Guarantors      86  

7.3

  Payment by Guarantors      87  

7.4

  Liability of Guarantors Absolute      87  

7.5

  Waivers by Guarantors      89  

7.6

  Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, Etc      90  

7.7

  Subordination of Other Obligations      90  

7.8

  Continuing Guaranty      90  

7.9

  Authority of Guarantors or Company      91  

7.10

  Financial Condition of Company      91  

7.11

  Bankruptcy, Etc.      91  

7.12

  Discharge of Guaranty Upon Sale of Guarantor      92  

7.13

  Keepwell      92  

SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     92  

8.1

  Events of Default      92  

SECTION 9 AGENTS

     95  

9.1

  Appointment of Agents      95  

9.2

  Powers and Duties      96  

9.3

  General Immunity      96  

9.4

  Agents Entitled to Act as Lender      98  

9.5

  Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment      99  

9.6

  Right to Indemnity      101  

9.7

  Successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent      101  

9.8

  Collateral Documents and Guaranty      103  

9.9

  Withholding Taxes      105  

9.10

  Administrative Agent May File Bankruptcy Disclosure and Proofs of Claim      105  

 

iii


9.11

  Erroneous Payments      106  

SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS

     108  

10.1

  Notices      108  

10.2

  Expenses      110  

10.3

  Indemnity and Related Reimbursement      111  

10.4

  Set-Off      112  

10.5

  Amendments and Waivers      113  

10.6

  Successors and Assigns; Participations      115  

10.7

  Independence of Covenants      118  

10.8

  Survival of Certain Agreements      118  

10.9

  No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative      118  

10.10

  Marshalling; Payments Set Aside      119  

10.11

  Severability      119  

10.12

  Obligations Several; Actions in Concert      119  

10.13

  Headings      119  

10.14

  APPLICABLE LAW      120  

10.15

  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION      120  

10.16

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      121  

10.17

  Confidentiality      121  

10.18

  Usury Savings Clause      123  

10.19

  Effectiveness; Counterparts      123  

10.20

  Entire Agreement      123  

10.21

  PATRIOT Act      123  

10.22

  Electronic Execution of Assignments and Credit Documents      124  

10.23

  No Fiduciary Duty      124  

10.24

  Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      124  

 

APPENDICES:   

A   Commitments

  

B    Notice Addresses

  

C    2026 Convertible Senior Notes Repurchase Schedule

 

SCHEDULES:   

4.1  Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification

  

4.2  Capital Stock and Ownership

  

4.13  Real Estate Assets

  

4.16  Material Contracts

  

6.1  Certain Indebtedness

  

6.2  Certain Liens

  

6.7  Certain Investments

  

6.12  Certain Affiliate Transactions

  

6.22  Schedule of Accounts

 

iv


EXHIBITS:   

A-1   Funding Notice

  

A-2   Form of Term Loan Note

  

B    Letter of Direction

  

C    Compliance Certificate

  

D   Assignment Agreement

  

E-1 U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

  

E-2 U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

  

E-3 U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

  

E-4 U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

  

F-1  Closing Date Certificate

  

F-2  Solvency Certificate

  

G   Counterpart Agreement

  

H   Landlord Collateral Access Agreement

  

I   Intercompany Note and Subordination

  

J   Pledge and Security Agreement

The exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

v


CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT, dated as of December 13, 2023, is entered into by and among Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), as borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries, as Guarantors, the Lenders party hereto from time to time, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB (“WSFS”), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”) and collateral agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, “Collateral Agent”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, Lenders have agreed to extend certain credit facilities to Company in the amounts and upon the terms and conditions more particularly set forth herein, the proceeds of which will be used, among other things, to repurchase a portion of the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes and for general corporate purposes, in each case to the extent permitted hereunder; and

WHEREAS, the Guarantors party hereto have agreed to guarantee the Obligations of the Company hereunder and to secure all such Persons’ respective Obligations by granting to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a First Priority Lien on substantially all of their respective assets, including a pledge of all of the Capital Stock issued by any Subsidiary of Company, subject to the limitations set forth herein and in the Collateral Documents.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1 Definitions. The following terms used herein, including in the preamble, recitals, exhibits and schedules hereto, shall have the following meanings:

“2026 Convertible Senior Notes” means the convertible senior notes of the Company issued pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of November 19, 2021, by and among the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

“Accounts” means all “accounts” (as defined in the UCC) of any Credit Party (or, if referring to another Person, of such Person), including accounts, accounts receivable, monies due or to become due and obligations in any form (whether arising in connection with contracts, contract rights, instruments, general intangibles, or chattel paper), in each case whether arising out of goods sold or services rendered or from any other transaction and whether or not earned by performance, now or hereafter in existence, and all documents of title or other documents representing any of the foregoing, and all collateral security and guaranties of any kind, now or hereafter in existence, given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Acquisition” means the acquisition of, by purchase or otherwise (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials and equipment and capital expenditures, in each case in the ordinary course of business), the business, all or substantially all of the property or assets of, or all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person, any division or line of business, or any other business unit of any Person.

 

1


“Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the Term SOFR Adjustment; provided, that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.

“Administrative Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Adverse Proceeding” means any action, suit, proceeding, hearing (in each case, whether administrative, judicial or otherwise), governmental investigation or arbitration (whether or not purportedly on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims), whether pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened in writing against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

“Affected Lender” as defined in Section 2.17(c).

“Affected Loans” as defined in Section 2.17(c).

“Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling (including any member of the senior management group of such Person), controlled by, or under common control with, that Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power (i) to vote 10% or more of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of members of the Board of Directors of such Person, or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, (i) no Lender nor any of their respective affiliates shall be considered an “Affiliate” of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, and (ii) each of Chad Steelberg and Ryan Steelberg shall be deemed Affiliates of the Credit Parties.

Agency Fee Letter” means that certain Fee Letter, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Administrative Agent and the Company.

“Agent” means each of Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and any other Person appointed as an agent, arranger, bookrunner or similar title or capacity under or otherwise in connection with the Credit Documents.

“Agent Affiliates” as defined in Section 10.1(b)(iii).

“Aggregate Amounts Due” as defined in Section 2.16.

“Aggregate Payments” as defined in Section 7.2.

 

2


“Agreement” means this Credit and Guaranty Agreement.

“Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws” means any and all requirements of law related to anti-bribery or anti-corruption matters, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.

“Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any and all requirements of law related to engaging in, financing, or facilitating terrorism or money laundering, including the PATRIOT Act, The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”, 31 U.S.C. §§5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959), Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. §1 et seq.), Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001) and each of the laws, regulations, and executive orders administered by OFAC (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V).

“Applicable Margin” means 8.50%.

“Approved Electronic Communications” means any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material that any Credit Party provides to Administrative Agent pursuant to any Credit Document or the transactions contemplated therein that is distributed to Agents, Lenders by means of electronic communications pursuant to Section 10.1(b).

“Asset Sale” means a sale, lease or sub lease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer (including through a plan of division), exclusive license (as licensor or sublicensor), or other disposition to, or any exchange of property with, any Person (other than to or with Company or any Credit Party that is a Wholly-Owned Guarantor), in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or any part of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses, assets or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, leased, or licensed, including the Capital Stock of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, other than (i) inventory sold to unaffiliated customers in the ordinary course of business, (ii) the write-off, discount, sale or other disposition of receivables or similar obligations in the ordinary course of business, (iii) the dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business made for purposes not prohibited hereby, (iv) Restricted Junior Payments permitted under Section 6.5 and Investments permitted under Section 6.7, and (v) the settlement, unwinding or other termination of any Capped Call Confirmations. For purposes of clarification, “Asset Sale” shall include the (x) sale or other disposition for value of any contracts and (y) the early termination or modification of any contract to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party that would have the effect of forgiving or otherwise reducing the future payment obligations of the counterparty thereto in any material respect, resulting in the receipt by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a cash payment or other consideration in exchange for such event in excess of $500,000 per contract (other than payments in the ordinary course for accrued and unpaid amounts that would have been due through the date of termination or modification without giving effect thereto).

“Assignment Agreement” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

 

3


“Assignment Effective Date” as defined in Section 10.6(b).

“Authorized Officer” means, as applied to any Person that is an entity, any duly authorized individual natural Person holding the position of chairman of the Board of Directors (if an officer), chief executive officer, president, vice president, Chief Financial Officer, or any other officer or representative (or individual holding a designated authorized office) specifically authorized by such Person’s Board of Directors; provided, that the secretary or assistant secretary of such Person, or another officer of such Person specifically authorized by such Person’s Board of Directors, shall have delivered an incumbency certificate to Administrative Agent verifying the authority of such Authorized Officer.

“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (x) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an interest period pursuant to this Agreement or (y) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of the term “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.17.

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

“Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time that is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

“Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 12 of 1.00%, (iii) Adjusted Term SOFR (after giving effect to the Floor) for a one-month tenor in effect on such day, and (iv) the Floor. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR shall be effective on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR, respectively.

“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

 

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“Benchmark” means, initially, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided, if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.17.

Benchmark Replacement” means with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:

(a) the sum of (i) Daily Simple SOFR and (ii) 0.10% (10 basis points); or

(b) the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and Company giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement to the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

provided that any such replacement shall be administratively feasible for Administrative Agent. If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a) or clause (b) above would be less than the interest rate specified in clause (a) of the definition of “Floor”, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the interest rate specified in clause (a) of the definition of “Floor” for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and Company giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.

Benchmark Replacement Date” means a date and time determined by the Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders), which date shall be no later than the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

 

  (a)

in the case of clause (a) or clause (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

 

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  (b)

in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or clause (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

 

  (a)

a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

  (b)

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

 

  (c)

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

 

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Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in accordance with Section 2.17 and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in accordance with Section 2.17.

“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

“Beneficiary” means each Agent, Lender and Secured Party.

“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

“Board of Directors” means, (a) with respect to any corporation or company, the board of directors of the corporation or company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (b) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the general partner of the partnership, (c) with respect to a limited liability company, the manager, the managing member or members or any controlling committee or board of managers (or equivalent governing body) of such company or the sole member or the managing member thereof, and (d) with respect to any other Person, the entity, individual, board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor Governmental Authority.

“Business Day” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in any such state are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

“Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or a combination thereof) or other arrangement conveying the right to use such property, by that Person as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, as applied to any Person that is a lessee under any Capital Lease, that portion of obligations under such Capital Lease that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP.

 

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“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, stock, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership or profits interests in a Person that is another type of entity, including partnership interests, membership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest, and profits interests, participations, or similar arrangements, and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase, or other arrangements or rights to acquire, subscribe, convert to or otherwise receive or participate in the economic or other rights associated with any of the foregoing, but shall not include any debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities otherwise constituting Capital Stock pursuant to this definition.

Capped Call Confirmations” means those certain (i) Base Call Option Transaction Confirmations, dated as of November 16, 2021, by and between the Company and each of Bank of America, N.A., Mizuho Markets Americas LLC (with Mizuho Securities USA LLC acting as agent) and UBS AG London Branch, and (ii) Additional Call Option Transaction Confirmation, dated as of November 18, 2021, by and between the Company and each of Bank of America, N.A., Mizuho Markets Americas LLC (with Mizuho Securities USA LLC acting as agent) and UBS AG London Branch.

“Cash” means money, currency or a credit balance in any demand or Deposit Account.

“Cash Equivalents” means, as at any date of determination, (i) marketable securities (a) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the U.S. Federal Government, or (b) issued by any agency of the U.S., in each case of sub-clauses (a) and (b), the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S., mature within one year after such date, and have, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P and at least P-1 from Moody’s; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the U.S. or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (iii) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within three months after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (a) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary federal banking regulator), and (b) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $1,000,000,000; (iv) investments in accordance with the Company’s investment policy provided to the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date, and (v) shares of any money market mutual fund that (a) has at least 95% of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, (b) has net assets of not less than $5,000,000,000, and (c) has the highest rating obtainable from both S&P and Moody’s.

Certain Funds Provision” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date hereof, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the U.S. or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

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Change of Control” means, at any time: any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) (a) shall have acquired beneficial ownership or control of 40% or more on a fully diluted basis of (1) the voting interests in the Capital Stock of the Company and/or (2) the economic interests in the Capital Stock of the Company, or (b) shall have obtained the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Chief Financial Officer” means, as applied to any Person that is an entity, any duly authorized individual natural Person holding the position of chief financial officer or any other officer position with similar financial responsibility specifically authorized by such Person’s Board of Directors; provided, that the secretary or assistant secretary of such Person, or another officer of such Person specifically authorized by such Person’s Board of Directors, shall have delivered an incumbency certificate to Administrative Agent verifying the authority of such Authorized Officer.

“Closing Date” means the date on which the initial Term Loans are made, which occurred on December 13, 2023.

“Closing Date Certificate” means a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1.

“Collateral” means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed property (including Capital Stock) in which Liens are granted and/or purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.

“Collateral Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Collateral Documents” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, any Intellectual Property Security Agreements, any Mortgages, any Deposit Account Control Agreements, any Securities Account Control Agreements, any Landlord Collateral Access Agreements, and all other instruments, documents and agreements that are expressly designated pursuant to their terms to be “Collateral Documents” or are otherwise executed and delivered by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any other Person pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents in order to grant to, or perfect in favor of, Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a Lien on any real, personal or mixed property of that Credit Party as security for the Obligations.

“Collateral Questionnaire” means a collateral questionnaire and/or perfection certificate substantially in the form delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 3.1(e)(ii) or otherwise in form satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders that provides information with respect to the personal or mixed property of each Credit Party and their respective Subsidiaries and Controlled Entities.

 

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“Commitment” means the commitment of a Lender to make or otherwise fund a Term Loan and “Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate. The amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Appendix A. The aggregate amount of the Commitments as of the Closing Date immediately prior to giving effect to the funding of Term Loans is $77,500,000.

“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1, et seq.), as amended.

“Company” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Competitor” means any person or party that is a bona fide direct operating company competitor of, and in the same industry (or an industry offering a substitute product or service) and market as, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, only to the extent the Company separately identified in writing such persons or parties to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders from time to time.

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

“Conforming Changes” means, with respect to either the use or administration of Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 2.17(d) and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents); provided that any such changes shall be administratively feasible for Administrative Agent.

“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

 

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“Consolidated Liquidity” means, at any time of determination, an amount determined for the Credit Parties on a consolidated basis equal to the sum of Qualified Cash of the Credit Parties.

“Contractual Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, any provision of any Security issued by that Person or of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it or any of its properties is subject.

“Contributing Guarantors” as defined in Section 7.2.

“Controlled Account” means (a) any Deposit Account of a Credit Party that is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement, and (b) any Securities Account of a Credit Party that is subject to a Securities Account Control Agreement.

“Controlled Entity” means any Credit Party’s Controlled Affiliates. As used in this definition, “Control” means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Counterpart Agreement” means a Counterpart Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G delivered by a Credit Party pursuant to Section 5.10.

“Credit Document” means any of this Agreement, the Collateral Documents, the Agency Fee Letter and all other documents, certificates, instruments, including any promissory notes issued from time to time hereunder to evidence the Loans, or agreements that are expressly designated pursuant to their terms to be “Credit Documents” or are otherwise executed and delivered by or on behalf of a Credit Party or any other Person for the benefit of any Agent, or any Lender in connection herewith, excluding the Warrants and any other documents relating to any investment by any Lender or its Affiliates in Capital Stock of any Credit Party.

“Credit Extension” means the making of a Loan.

“Credit Party” means the Company, as borrower, and each Guarantor.

“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by Administrative Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for syndicated business loans; provided, that if Administrative Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for Administrative Agent, then Administrative Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion.

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the U.S., any state or territory thereof, the District of Columbia or any other applicable jurisdictions.

 

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“Default” means a condition or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

“Default Rate” means any interest payable pursuant to Section 2.9.

“Deposit Account” means any “deposit account” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Deposit Account Control Agreement” means, with respect to a Deposit Account, an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Requisite Lenders that (i) is entered into among Collateral Agent, the financial institution or other Person at which such Deposit Account is maintained, and the Credit Party maintaining such Deposit Account, and (ii) is effective for Collateral Agent to obtain “control” (within the meaning of Articles 8 and 9 of the UCC) of such Deposit Account.

Direction of the Requisite Lenders” means a written direction or instruction from Lenders constituting the Requisite Lenders which may be in the form of an e-mail or other form of written communication and which may come from counsel acting with the consent of Lenders constituting the Requisite Lenders, it being understood and agreed that each Agent may conclusively rely on any such written direction or instruction from such counsel. For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to each reference herein to documents, agreements or other matters being “satisfactory,” “acceptable,” “reasonably satisfactory”, “reasonably acceptable,” “waived” or “requested” (or any expression of similar import) to or by the Requisite Lenders, such determination may be communicated by a Direction of the Requisite Lenders as contemplated above.

“Director” means any natural Person constituting the Board of Directors or an individual member thereof.

“Dispose” means, with respect to any Person, any conveyance, sale, lease (as lessor), license (as licensor), exchange, assignment, transfer or other disposition by such Person of any property or assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to any other Person, in each case, whether or not the consideration therefor consists of Cash, Cash Equivalents, Securities or any other property or assets. For purposes of clarification, “Dispose” shall include (a) the sale or other disposition for value of any contracts, or (b) the early termination or modification of any contract resulting in the receipt by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a cash payment or other consideration in exchange for such event in excess of $500,000 per contract (other than payments in the ordinary course for accrued and unpaid amounts that would have been due through the date of termination or modification without giving effect thereto), or (c) any sale of merchant accounts (or any rights thereto (including any rights to any residual payment stream with respect thereto)).

“Disqualified Lender” means each bank, financial institution, other institutional lenders and investors, and other entities identified on a list made available to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

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“Disqualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock, other than the Warrants, that, by its terms (or by the terms of any other instrument, agreement or Capital Stock into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the occurrence of any event or condition (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Capital Stock that is not otherwise Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is redeemable at the option of the holder or beneficial owner thereof (other than solely for Capital Stock that is not otherwise Disqualified Capital Stock), in whole or in part, (iii) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends, distributions or other Restricted Junior Payments in cash, or (iv) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other obligation, instrument, agreement, or Capital Stock that would meet any of the conditions in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) of this definition, in each case, prior to the date that is one hundred eighty days after the latest maturity date or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), if as a result of a change of control or asset sale, so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of such a change of control or asset sale event are subject to the prior Payment in Full of all Obligations.

“Distribution” as defined in Section 7.7.

“Dollars” and the sign “$” mean the lawful money of the U.S.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country that is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country that is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country that is a subsidiary of an institution described in clause (a) or clause (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any other Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Eligible Assignee” means any (a) Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender and any Related Fund (any two or more Related Funds being treated as a single Eligible Assignee for all purposes hereof) and (b) any “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act), in each case other than a Competitor or a Disqualified Lender.

“Employee Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA that is or was sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed by, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

“Environmental Claim” means any investigation, notice, notice of violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any Governmental Authority or any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or in connection with any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) in connection with any Hazardous Material or any actual or alleged Hazardous Materials Activity; or (iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to health, safety, natural resources or the environment.

 

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“Environmental Laws” means any and all current or future foreign or domestic, federal or state (or any subdivision of either of them), statutes, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, judgments, Governmental Authorizations, or any other requirements of Governmental Authorities relating to (i) environmental matters, including those relating to any Hazardous Materials Activity; (ii) the generation, use, storage, transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials; or (iii) occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, land use or the protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare (with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials), in any manner applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Facility.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

“ERISA Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, (i) any corporation that is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; (ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is a member of a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; and (iii) any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in clause (ii) above is a member. Any former ERISA Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of the Company or any such Subsidiary within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of the Company or such Subsidiary and with respect to liabilities arising after such period for which the Company or such Subsidiary could be liable under the Internal Revenue code or ERISA.

“ERISA Event” means (i) a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for thirty day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation); (ii) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Internal Revenue Code) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (iii) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the withdrawal by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (v) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition that might constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (vi) the imposition of liability on the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (vii) the withdrawal of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the receipt by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is insolvent pursuant to Section 4245 of ERISA, or that it intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (viii) the occurrence of an act or omission that could give rise to the imposition on the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan; (ix) the assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits) against any Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof, or against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan; (x) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; or (xi) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to Section 303(k) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

 

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“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person).

“Event of Default” means each of the conditions or events set forth in Section 8.1.

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

“Excluded Accounts” means (a) payroll, employee benefits, trust, escrow and other fiduciary accounts, or zero balance accounts maintained by the Credit Parties, as long as (i) in the case of payroll accounts, the total amount on deposit at any time does not exceed the current amount of payroll obligations of the Credit Parties, and (ii) in the case of zero balance accounts, any deposits or funds in any such accounts are transferred at least once each Business Day into a Controlled Account (including, for the avoidance of doubt, at any time following the exercise of exclusive control by any Agent under the applicable control agreement with respect to such Controlled Account), (b) accounts holding cash collateral securing Liens permitted by Section 6.2, and (c) any other Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts that do not have, in the aggregate, an average daily balance of more than $500,000.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor at any time, any obligation (a “Swap Obligation”) of such Guarantor to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act, if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is illegal at such time under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act at the time such guarantee or grant of a security interest becomes effective with respect to such related Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

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“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.19, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.19(c) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

“Facility” means any real property (including all buildings, fixtures or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter or heretofore owned, leased, operated or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates.

“Fair Share” as defined in Section 7.2.

“Fair Share Contribution Amount” as defined in Section 7.2.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations promulgated thereunder or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules, or official practices adopted pursuant to any such agreements.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means for any day, the rate per annum (expressed, as a decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System on such day, as published by the NYFRB on the next Business Day; provided, (i) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the preceding Business Day as so published on the next Business Day, and (ii) if no such rate is so published on such next Business Day (or preceding Business Day), the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by Administrative Agent from three (3) Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by Administrative Agent.

 

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“Financial Officer Certification” means, with respect to the financial statements for which such certification is required, the certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company that, as of the date of such certification, such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

“First Priority” means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that such Lien is the highest priority Lien to which such Collateral is subject, other than any non-consensual Permitted Liens for Taxes, statutory obligations, or other obligations that arise and have higher priority by operation of law.

“Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

“Flood Certificate” means a “Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form” of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and any successor Governmental Authority performing a similar function.

“Flood Hazard Property” means any Real Estate Asset subject to a mortgage in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, and located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mud slide hazards.

“Flood Program” means the National Flood Insurance Program created by the U.S. Congress pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004.

“Flood Zone” means areas having special flood hazards as described in the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.

“Floor” means with respect to Adjusted Term SOFR and any Benchmark Replacement, 3.00% per annum.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Fund” means any Person (other than a Natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

“Funding Guarantor” as defined in Section 7.2.

“Funding Notice” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

“GAAP” means, subject to Section 1.2, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the date of determination thereof.

 

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“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, municipal, national or other government, governmental department, licensing authority, self-regulatory organization or other regulatory authority, commission, board, bureau, court, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or any entity or officer exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government or any court, in each case whether associated with a state of the U.S., the U.S., or a foreign entity or government.

“Governmental Authorization” means any permit, license, authorization, plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any Governmental Authority.

“Grantor” as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

“Guaranteed Obligations” as defined in Section 7.1.

“Guarantor” means (a) the Company, to the extent that the Company is not already the primary obligor in respect of any Obligations, (b) each Subsidiary of the Company that executes this Agreement on the Closing Date, and (c) each other Person that guarantees, pursuant to Section 5.10, Section 7.1 or otherwise, all or any part of the Obligations.

“Guaranty” means (a) the guaranty of each Guarantor set forth in Section 7, and (b) each other guaranty of the Obligations that is made by any other Guarantor in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties.

“Hazardous Materials” means any chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority or that may give rise to liability under any Environmental Laws.

“Hazardous Materials Activity” means any past, current, proposed or threatened activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials, including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence, existence, location, Release, threatened Release, discharge, placement, generation, transportation, processing, construction, treatment, abatement, removal, remediation, disposal, disposition or handling of any Hazardous Materials, and any corrective action or response action with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Hedge Agreement” means any Interest Rate Agreement and any other derivative or hedging contract, agreement, confirmation, or other similar transaction or arrangement that is entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including any commodity or equity exchange, swap, collar, cap, floor, adjustable strike cap, adjustable strike corridor, cross-currency swap or forward rate agreement, spot or forward foreign currency or commodity purchase or sale, listed or over-the-counter option or similar derivative right related to any of the foregoing, non-deliverable forward or option, foreign currency swap agreement, currency exchange rate price hedging arrangement, or other arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates, commodity, currency, or Securities values, or any combination of the foregoing agreements or arrangements; provided that, the term “Hedge Agreement” shall not include the Capped Call Confirmations.

 

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“Highest Lawful Rate” means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the laws applicable to any Lender.

“Historical Financial Statements” means as of the Closing Date, (i) the audited financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for the Fiscal Years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022 consisting of balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, and (ii) for the interim period from January 1, 2023 to the Closing Date, the unaudited financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, consisting of a balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each quarterly period completed prior to forty-six days before the Closing Date and for each monthly period completed prior to thirty-one days prior to the Closing Date, in each case, certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company that they fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject, if applicable, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

“Immaterial Fee-Owned Properties” means, as of any date of determination, any fee-owned Real Estate Asset having a fair market value less than $1,000,000, individually, and less than $2,500,000 in the aggregate for all such fee-owned Real Estate Assets.

“Indebtedness” as applied to any Person, means, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness for borrowed money; (ii) Capital Lease Obligations; (iii) notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money; (iv) any obligation owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding any such obligations incurred under ERISA, payroll liabilities, or any trade payable incurred in the ordinary course of business unless (a) due more than 120 days from the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof and more than 30 days past due, or (b) such obligations are evidenced by a note or a similar written instrument), including any earn out obligations to the extent such earnout is required to be included as a liability on such Person’s balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP and seller financing indebtedness; (v) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the credit of that Person; (vi) the face amount of any letter of credit or similar instrument issued for the account of (or similar credit transaction entered into for the benefit of) that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings or is otherwise an obligor; (vii) obligations in respect of Disqualified Capital Stock, with the amount of Indebtedness represented by such Disqualified Capital Stock being equal to the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price (for purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Capital Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Capital Stock as if such Disqualified Capital Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Agreement, and as if such price were based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Capital Stock); (viii) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such Person of the Indebtedness of another; (ix) any obligation of such Person the primary purpose or intent of which is to provide assurance to an obligee that the Indebtedness of the obligor thereof will be paid or discharged, or any agreement relating thereto will be complied with, or the holders thereof will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof; (x) any liability of such Person for Indebtedness of another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness or provide any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such Indebtedness (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise) or (b) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under subclauses (a) or (b) of this clause (x), the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in clause (ix) above; and (xi) all obligations of such Person in respect of any exchange traded or over the counter derivative transaction, including under any Hedge Agreement, in each case whether entered into for hedging or speculative purposes or otherwise, provided, the “principal” amount of obligations under any Hedge Agreement that has not been terminated shall be deemed to be the Net Mark-to-Market Exposure of Company and its subsidiaries thereunder.

 

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“Indemnified Liabilities” means, collectively, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties, actual or prospective claims (including Environmental Claims), actions, judgments, suits, costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any Hazardous Materials Activity), Taxes, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees and any fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether direct, indirect, special, or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or foreign laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee (whether asserted by a third party or by any Credit Party or any of its Affiliates), in any manner relating to or arising out of (i) this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Lenders’ agreement to make Credit Extensions or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Credit Documents (including any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty)); (ii) the statements contained in the commitment letter dated November 7, 2023 delivered by the Company to the Lenders with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (iii) any Environmental Claim or Hazardous Materials Activity relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership, or practice of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of Company under any Credit Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

“Indemnitee” means, each Agent and Lender, each of their respective Affiliates and each of their and their Affiliates’ respective officers, partners, members, directors, trustees, employees, managers, advisors, consultants, administrators, agents, sub-agents and representatives.

 

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“Indemnitee Agent Party” as defined in Section 9.6.

“Installment” as defined in Section 2.11.

“Installment Payment Date” as defined in Section 2.11.

Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestment Amounts” as defined in Section 2.13(b).

Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestment Period” as defined in Section 2.13(b).

“Intellectual Property” as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

“Intellectual Property Security Agreement” as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

“Intercompany Note and Subordination” means a “global” intercompany promissory note and subordination that evidences and subordinates certain Indebtedness and other monetary liabilities owed among Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and certain other controlled Affiliates, as applicable, substantially in the form of Exhibit I.

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) the applicable Maturity Date.

“Interest Period” means (i) initially, the period commencing on the Closing Date (including the Closing Date) and ending on (and including) the next following Interest Payment Date and (ii) thereafter, the period commencing on (and including) the first day immediately following such Interest Payment Date and ending on the earlier of the next following Interest Payment Date and the applicable Maturity Date; provided, that (a) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next Business Day unless no further Business Day occurs in such month, in which case such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day and (b) for purposes of determining Adjusted Term SOFR or other applicable Benchmark, each Interest Period shall be deemed to be a period of three (3) months.

“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, each of which is for the purpose of hedging or managing the interest rate exposure associated with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations.

“Interest Rate Determination Date” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

“Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

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“Investment” means (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Securities of any other Person, including the establishment or other creation of a Subsidiary or any other interest in the Securities of any Person; (ii) any direct or indirect redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition for value, by any Subsidiary of the Company from any Person, of any Capital Stock of such Person; and (iii) any direct or indirect loan, advance (other than advances to employees for customary moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice) or capital contributions by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any other Person, including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales of inventory to that other Person in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

“Joint Venture” means a joint venture, partnership or other similar arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form; provided, in no event shall any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of any Person be considered to be a “Joint Venture” to which such Person is a party.

“Landlord Collateral Access Agreement” means a Landlord Waiver and Consent Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H.

“Leasehold Property” means any leasehold interest of any Credit Party as lessee under any lease of real property, other than any such leasehold interest designated from time to time by the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion as not being required to be included in the Collateral.

“Lender” means each financial institution listed on the signature pages hereto as a Lender, and any other Person that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment Agreement.

“Lien” means (i) any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease in the nature thereof) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing, and (ii) in the case of Securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such Securities.

“Loan” means the Term Loan.

“Make-Whole Premium” means with respect to any prepayment on any date, the present value (which shall not be less than zero) of an amount equal to: (a) 14.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan subject to such prepayment, replacement or acceleration (as applicable); plus (b) any required remaining scheduled interest that would have accrued on such Term Loan from such date of prepayment, replacement or acceleration (as applicable) to and excluding the first anniversary of the Closing Date, calculated using the then-applicable Applicable Margin (but excluding the Default Rate, if applicable), discounted at a rate equal to the sum of (i) the Treasury Rate plus (ii) 50 basis points.

“Margin Stock” as defined in Regulation U.

 

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“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to the Credit Parties, (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, the operations, business, properties or financial condition of such Persons, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of such persons, taken as a whole, to perform their respective payment obligations under the Credit Documents, (c) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any Lender under the Credit Documents, or (d) a material impairment of the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Credit Party of any material Credit Document to which it is a party.

“Material Contract” means any and all contracts or other arrangements to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (other than the Credit Documents) for which breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Material Contracts as of the Closing Date are listed on Schedule 4.16.

“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries with an individual principal amount (or the Net Mark-to-Market Exposure) of $500,000 or more or, solely for purposes of Section 8.1(b), that, collectively with any other Indebtedness in respect of which any relevant default or other specified event has occurred, has an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or more.

Material Non-Public Information” means any information which is (a) not publicly available and (b) material for purposes of the United States federal and state securities laws with respect to (x) the Company and its Subsidiaries, (y) any of their Affiliates or (z) any of their respective securities.

Material Subsidiary means, at any date of determination, a Subsidiary of a Credit Party (a) whose total assets are greater than 3.5% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such date or (b) whose revenues are greater than 3.5% of the consolidated revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that if, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries have, in the aggregate, (x) total assets greater than 7.5% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such date or (y) revenues greater than 7.5% of the consolidated revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP, then the Company shall, designate in writing to the Administrative Agent one or more of such Subsidiaries as “Material Subsidiaries” and comply with Sections 5.10 with respect to such Subsidiary within the time periods set forth therein.

“Maturity Date” means the earlier of (i) December 13, 2027 and (ii) the date that all Term Loans shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

MNPI Opt-Out Election” has the meaning setting forth in Section 10.17(b).

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

“Mortgage” means a mortgage, deed of trust, or similar instrument in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Requisite Lenders.

 

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“Mortgaged Real Estate Documents” means, with respect to each Real Estate Asset that is required to be subject to a Mortgage pursuant to this Agreement:

(i) one or more fully executed and notarized Mortgages encumbering such Real Estate Asset, in each case in proper form for recording in all appropriate places in all applicable jurisdictions;

(ii) (a) ALTA mortgagee title insurance policies or, solely to the extent that the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion waive the requirement for a policy to be issued, unconditional commitments therefor, in each case issued by one or more title companies reasonably satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders with respect to each Real Estate Asset (each, a “Title Policy”), each such Title Policy to be in amounts not less than the fair market value of each Real Estate Asset, together with a title report issued by a title company with respect thereto and dated not more than thirty days prior to the date of the applicable Mortgage, (b) copies of all documents listed as exceptions to title or otherwise referred to therein, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders, and (c) evidence satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders that such Credit Party has paid to the title company or to the appropriate Governmental Authorities all expenses and premiums of the title company and all other sums required in connection with the issuance of each Title Policy and all recording and stamp taxes (including mortgage recording and intangible taxes) payable in connection with recording the Mortgages for each such Real Estate Asset in the appropriate real estate records;

(iii) If any such parcel is determined to be in a “Special Flood Hazard Area” (A) a completed Flood Certificate with respect to each such Real Estate Asset, which Flood Certificate shall (x) be addressed to Collateral Agent and (y) otherwise comply with the Flood Program and be in form and substance satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion; (B) if the Flood Certificate indicates that such Real Estate Asset is located in a Flood Zone, Company’s written acknowledgment of receipt of written notification from Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) (x) as to the existence of such Real Estate Asset in a Flood Zone and (y) as to whether the community in which such Real Estate Asset is located is participating in the Flood Program; and (C) if such Real Estate Asset is located in a Flood Zone and is located in a community that participates in the Flood Program, evidence that Company has obtained a policy of flood insurance that is in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Flood Program or, solely to the extent agreed to by Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion), excluded any structures existing in such Flood Zone from any such Mortgage in a manner satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion;

(iv) ALTA surveys of such Real Estate Asset (other than any Leasehold Property, unless reasonably requested by Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders)), certified to Collateral Agent and dated not more than thirty days prior to the date of the applicable Mortgage and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion;

(v) an opinion of counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Requisite Lenders) in the state in which such Real Estate Asset is located with respect to the enforceability of the form(s) of Mortgage to be recorded in such state and such other matters as Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) may reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Requisite Lenders; and

 

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(vi) reports and other information, in each case in form, scope and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion, regarding environmental matters relating to such Real Estate Asset, including any Phase I Report requested by Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) with respect to such Real Estate Asset.

“Multiemployer Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

“NAIC” means The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and any successor thereto.

“Natural Person” means a natural Person or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person.

“Net Asset Sale Proceeds” means, with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (i) Cash payments received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale (including any Cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise (including by way of a milestone payment, as applicable), but only as and when so received), minus (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including (a) Taxes payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale during the tax period in which the sale occurs (or in which a deferred payment described in clause (i) above is made), (b) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, fees, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured by a Permitted Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, and (c) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Sale; provided that upon release of any such reserve, the amount released shall be considered Net Asset Sale Proceeds.

“Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds” means an amount equal to: (i) any Cash payments or proceeds received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a) under any casualty, business interruption or “key man” insurance policies in respect of any covered loss thereunder, or (b) as a result of the taking of any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (ii) (a) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the adjustment or settlement of any claims of the Company or such Subsidiary in respect thereof, and (b) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in clause (i)(b) of this definition to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including income or gains taxes payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith during the tax period the Cash payments or proceeds are received.

 

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“Net Mark-to-Market Exposure” of a Person means, as of any time of determination, the excess (if any) of all unrealized losses over all unrealized profits of such Person arising from Hedge Agreements or other Indebtedness of the type described in clause (xi) of the definition thereof. As used in this definition, “unrealized losses” means the fair market value of the cost to such Person of replacing such Hedge Agreement or such other Indebtedness as of the date of determination (assuming the Hedge Agreement or such other Indebtedness were to be terminated as of that date), and “unrealized profits” means the fair market value of the gain to such Person of replacing such Hedge Agreement or such other Indebtedness as of the time of determination (assuming such Hedge Agreement or such other Indebtedness were to be terminated as of that time).

“Non-Consenting Lender” as defined in Section 2.22.

“Non-U.S. Lender” as defined in Section 2.19(c).

“Note Purchase Agreements” means the several Note Purchase Agreements, dated December 13, 2023, between the Company and each of the Lenders.

“NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

“Obligations” means all obligations (whether now existing or hereafter arising, absolute or contingent, joint, several, or independent) of every nature of each Credit Party from time to time owed to any Person under any Credit Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights), whether for principal, interest (including interest that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to such Credit Party, would have accrued on any Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against such Credit Party for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding), obligations to pay fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise, in each case excluding, with respect to any Guarantor, Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor.

“Obligee Guarantor” as defined in Section 7.7.

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and any successor Governmental Authority.

“Organizational Documents” means (i) with respect to any corporation or company, its certificate, memorandum, or articles of incorporation or organization, and its by-laws, (ii) with respect to any limited partnership, its certificate or declaration of limited partnership and its partnership agreement, (iii) with respect to any general partnership, its partnership agreement, and (iv) with respect to any limited liability company, its articles of organization or certificate of formation, as applicable and its operating agreement or limited liability company agreement, as applicable. In the event any term or condition of this Agreement or any other Credit Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a secretary of state or similar governmental official, the reference to any such “Organizational Document” shall only be to a document of a type customarily certified by such governmental official.

 

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“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Credit Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Credit Document).

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp, court, intangible, recording, filing or documentary, excise, property, or similar Taxes (and interest, fines, penalties and additions related thereto) arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

“Paid in Full” and “Payment in Full” mean, with respect to any or all of the Obligations or Guaranteed Obligations, as the context requires, that each of the following events has occurred, as applicable: (a) the indefeasible payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of all outstanding Loans, (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest, fees, premiums or other charges owing in respect of any Loan or Commitment or otherwise under any Credit Document, and (iii) all accrued and unpaid costs and expenses payable by any Credit Party to any Person pursuant to any Credit Document, whether or not demand has been made therefor, including any and all indemnification and reimbursement claims that have been asserted by any such Person prior to such time, (b) the indefeasible payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other outstanding Obligations or Guaranteed Obligations other than unasserted contingent indemnification and contingent reimbursement obligations, (c) the receipt by Agents of cash collateral to secure any contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time (or in respect of matters or circumstances known to any Agent or any Lender at such time) that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), and (d) the termination in writing of all of the Commitments, in each case, subject to Section 7.11(c).

“Participant Register” as defined in Section 10.6(h)(i).

“PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

“Pension Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.

 

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“Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day” as defined in the definition of the term “Term SOFR”.

“Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by Company or any Wholly-Owned Guarantor, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise; provided,

(i) immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;

(ii) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law and in conformity with all applicable Governmental Authorizations;

(iii) in the case of the Acquisition of Capital Stock, all of the Capital Stock (except for any such Capital Stock in the nature of directors’ qualifying shares required pursuant to applicable law) acquired or otherwise issued by such Person or any newly formed Guarantor of Company in connection with such Acquisition shall be owned 100% by Company or a Wholly-Owned Guarantor thereof, and Company shall have taken, or caused to be taken, as of the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Company, each of the actions set forth in Sections 5.10, 5.11 and/or 5.13, as applicable;

(iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.8 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Acquisition as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended;

(v) Company shall have delivered to Administrative Agent (A) at least ten (10) Business Days prior to such proposed Acquisition (or such shorter period as may be agreed by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion)), (1) a Compliance Certificate evidencing compliance with Section 6.8 as required under clause (iv) above, and (2) all available relevant financial information with respect to such acquired assets, including the aggregate consideration for such Acquisition and any other information required to demonstrate compliance with Section 6.8, and (B) promptly upon request by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and in any event at least ten (10) Business Days prior to closing such Acquisition (or such shorter period as may be agreed by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion)) (1) a copy of the then-current draft of the purchase agreement related to the proposed Acquisition (and any related documents reasonably requested by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders)), (2) to the extent available, quarterly and annual financial statements of the Person whose Capital Stock or assets are being acquired for the most recent twelve month period ending immediately prior to such Acquisition, including any audited financial statements that are available, (3) if the purchase price of such Acquisition exceeds $5,000,000, a quality of earnings report (including cash proof analysis) with respect to the Person or assets or division to be acquired in accordance herewith and (4) any other due diligence materials related to such Acquisition prepared by the Company and/or its advisors;

(vi) any Person or assets or division as acquired in accordance herewith (x) shall be located in the United States or such other jurisdiction in which any Credit Party is organized and (y) shall be in same business, lines of business or any ancillary business substantially related to the business in which Company and/or its Subsidiaries are engaged as of the Closing Date;

 

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(vii) the Acquisition shall be non-hostile and shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Person acquired or the Person from whom such assets or division is acquired, as applicable; and

(viii) the Company and its Subsidiaries comply with Sections 5.10 and 5.11 with respect to such Acquisition.

“Permitted Junior Debt” means Indebtedness that is unsecured or secured on a junior lien basis to the Term Loans, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed an amount equal to 50% of the market capitalization of the Company at the time of incurrence, which shall be used solely to repurchase 2026 Convertible Senior Notes, and that (i) matures after, and does not require any schedule amortization or other scheduled payments of principal prior to, the date that is 91 days after the latest Maturity Date hereunder, (ii) has a weighted average life to maturity no shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of any Term Loans, (iii) is incurred by one or more Credit Parties and is not guaranteed by any other obligors, (iv) if secured, is not secured by any property or assets other than the Collateral, and (vi) to the extent such Indebtedness is secured, is lien subordinated pursuant to a Subordination Agreement reasonably satisfactory to the to the Requisite Lenders.

“Permitted Liens” means each of the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.2.

“Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint Ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

“Phase I Report” means, with respect to any Facility, a report that (i) conforms to the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, E 1527, (ii) was conducted no more than six months prior to the date such report is required to be delivered hereunder, by one or more environmental consulting firms reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders, (iii) includes an assessment of asbestos-containing materials at such Facility, (iv) is accompanied by (a) an estimate of the reasonable worst-case cost of investigating and remediating any Hazardous Materials Activity identified in the Phase I Report as giving rise to an actual or potential material violation of any Environmental Law or as presenting a material risk of giving rise to a material Environmental Claim, and (b) a current compliance audit setting forth an assessment of the Company’s, its Subsidiaries’ and such Facility’s current and past compliance with Environmental Laws and an estimate of the cost of rectifying any non-compliance with current Environmental Laws identified therein and the cost of compliance with reasonably anticipated future Environmental Laws identified therein.

“Platform” as defined in Section 10.1(b).

“Pledge and Security Agreement” means the Pledge and Security Agreement to be executed as of the Closing Date by the Company and each Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Requisite Lenders. For the avoidance of doubt, the form of Pledge and Security Agreement attached as Exhibit J hereto is acceptable to the Requisite Lenders.

 

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Prepayment Premium” means the amount set forth in chart below, determined by reference to the date of prepayment:

 

Date of Prepayment

  

Prepayment Premium

Closing Date through and including December 13, 2024    Make-Whole Premium
December 14, 2024 through and including December 13, 2025    14.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan subject to such prepayment
December 14, 2025 through and including December 13, 2026    7.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan subject to such prepayment
December 14, 2026 and thereafter    0.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan subject to such prepayment

“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest quoted in the print edition of The Wall Street Journal, Money Rates Section as the Prime Rate, as in effect from time to time, or, if such source or rate is unavailable, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by Administrative Agent).

“Principal Office” means, for Administrative Agent, such Person’s “Principal Office” as set forth on Appendix B, or such other office or office of a third party or sub-agent, as appropriate, as such Person may from time to time designate in writing to Company, Administrative Agent and each Lender; provided, however, that for the purpose of making any payment on the Obligations or any other amount due hereunder or any other Credit Document, the Principal Office of Administrative Agent shall be 500 Delaware Avenue, 11th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801, (or such other location as Administrative Agent may from time to time designate in writing to Company and each Lender); provided further that all wires to Administrative Agent shall be made to the wiring instructions provided by Administrative Agent in writing from time to time.

“Pro Rata Share” means with respect to all payments, computations, other matters relating to the Term Loan of any Lender, and all other purposes, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender, by (b) the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

 

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“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

“Qualified Cash” means, at any time of determination, the aggregate balance sheet amount of unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents included in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such time that (i) is free and clear of all Liens other than Liens in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties and non-consensual Permitted Liens, (ii) may be applied to payment of the Obligations without violating any law, contract, or other agreement, and (iii) is in Controlled Accounts.

“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Credit Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time such Swap Obligation is incurred or such other Person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

“Real Estate Asset” means, at any time of determination, any fee interest then owned by any Credit Party in any real property.

“Recipient” means (a) any Agent or (b) any Lender, as applicable.

“Register” as defined in Section 2.6(b).

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 13, 2023, between the Company and the parties thereto.

“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation T” means Regulation T of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Related Agreements” means, collectively, the Warrants, the Note Purchase Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Related Fund” means any Fund, investor, entity or account that is managed, sponsored, advised, or administered by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, or (c) an entity or affiliate of an entity that manages, administers, or advises a Lender, including any limited partner or investor in any of the foregoing persons or entities described in clauses (a) or (b).

 

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“Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of any Hazardous Material into the indoor or outdoor environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material), including the movement of any Hazardous Material through the air, soil, surface water or groundwater.

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors or the NYFRB, or any successor thereto.

“Requirements of Law” shall mean, collectively, any and all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority including any and all treaties, laws, judgments, orders, executive orders, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, other binding administrative pronouncements, persuasive guidance, statutes, common law, case law or treaties.

“Requisite Lenders” means one or more Lenders having or holding Term Loan Exposure representing more than 50% of the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

“Restricted Junior Payment” means (i) any dividend, other distribution, or liquidation preference, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in shares of Capital Stock (other than any Disqualified Capital Stock) to the holders of that class; (ii) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) now or hereafter outstanding; (iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) now or hereafter outstanding; (iv) [reserved]; and (v) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated Indebtedness or any earn out obligations or seller financing indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, conversion of any convertible Securities into Capital Stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares shall not be a Restricted Junior Payment.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., or any successor to its rating agency business.

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, territory or region that is, or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions, including, as of the Closing Date, the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria.

 

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“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person with whom dealings are restricted or prohibited under Sanctions, including (i) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the U.S. (including by OFAC, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or the U.S. Department of State), or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any EU member state, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or any other relevant sanctions authority, (ii) any Person located, operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (iii) any Person owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any such Person described in clause (i) or (ii) of this definition.

“Sanctions” means sanctions or trade embargoes enacted, imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (i) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC, U.S. Department of State, or U.S. Department of Commerce, (ii) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any of its member states, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or (iii) any other relevant sanctions authority.

“Secured Parties” as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

“Securities” means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing, including any Capital Stock and any Hedge Agreements or other derivatives.

“Securities Account” means any “securities account” as defined in Article 8 of the UCC and any “commodity account” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Securities Account Control Agreement” means, with respect to a Securities Account, an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent and the Requisite Lenders that (i) is entered into among Collateral Agent, the Securities Intermediary at which the applicable Securities Account is maintained, and the Credit Party having rights in or to the underlying financial assets credited to or maintained in such Securities Account, and (ii) is effective for Collateral Agent to obtain “control” (within the meaning of Articles 8 and 9 of the UCC) of such Securities Account.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

“Securities Intermediary” means any “securities intermediary” or “commodity intermediary” as such terms are defined in the UCC.

“SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.

“SOFR Administrator” means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

“SOFR Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to Adjusted Term SOFR other than pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition of “Base Rate”.

 

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“Solvency Certificate” means a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2.

“Solvent” means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date of determination, (a) the sum of such Person’s debt (including contingent liabilities) does not exceed the present fair saleable value of such Person’s present assets; (b) such Person’s capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business as contemplated on such date of determination; and (c) such Person has not incurred and does not intend to incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become absolute and matured. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450-20).

Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries contained in Section 4.1(a) (solely as it related to existence of the Credit Parties), 4.1(b) (solely as it relates to power and authority of the Credit Parties as to execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents), 4.3, 4.4(a) (limited to the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents by the Credit Parties, incurrence of the Loans hereunder and the granting of the guarantees and the security interests in connection therewith) 4.6, 4.17, 4.18, 4.22, 4.26 and Section 4.1 of the Pledge and Security Agreement.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Permitted Junior Debt and any other Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated in right of payment or lien ranking (as applicable) to the Obligations or related Liens.

“Subordination Agreement” means, with respect to any Subordinated Indebtedness, the corresponding subordination or intercreditor agreement, if any, among Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, on the one hand, and the creditor or creditors (or their respective agents) in respect of such Subordinated Indebtedness, on the other hand, which shall be in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders; provided that in the case of Permitted Junior Debt, subordination in right of payment shall not be required.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity (a) the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of such Person in such Person’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP or (b) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election or appointment of the Person or Persons (whether Directors, trustees, or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided, in determining the percentage of ownership interests of any Person controlled by another Person, no ownership interest in the nature of a “qualifying share” of the former Person shall be deemed to be outstanding.

 

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“Swap Obligation” as defined in “Excluded Swap Obligation”.

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, assessment, charge, fee, deduction or withholding (together with interest, penalties and other additions thereto), imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority.

“Term Loan” means a Term Loan made by a Lender to Company pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

“Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any time of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans of such Lender; provided, at any time prior to the making of the Term Loans, the Term Loan Exposure of any Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Commitment.

Term SOFR” means:

(i) for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day; and

(ii) for any calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a one month tenor on the day (such day, the “Base Rate SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day.

“Term SOFR Adjustment” means 0.10% (10 basis points):

 

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Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.

“Title Policy” as defined in the definition of Mortgaged Real Estate Documents.

“Transaction Costs” means the fees, costs and expenses payable by the Company, any of Company’s Subsidiaries to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates on or before the Closing Date in connection with the Transactions, in each case to the extent acceptable to the Requisite Lenders.

Transactions” means transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents or the Related Agreements to occur on or prior to the Closing Date.

Treasury Rate” means with respect to any date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such date to the first anniversary of the Closing Date; provided that if the period from such date to the first anniversary of the Closing Date is not within one month of a constant maturity of the United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be determined by using the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent statute or law) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

“UK Financial Institutions” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

“U.S.” means the United States of America.

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

“U.S. Lender” as defined in Section 2.19(c).

 

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“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of one of Exhibits E-1, E-2, E-3 or E-4, as applicable.

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

“WARN” as defined in Section 4.19.

“Warrants” means, collectively, those certain Warrants, each dated as of the Closing Date, issued by the Company to each of the Lenders.

“Weighted Average Yield” means, with respect to any Loan on any date of determination, the weighted average yield to maturity, in each case, based on the interest rate applicable to such Loan on such date and giving effect to all upfront or similar fees or original issue discount payable with respect to such Loan.

“Wholly-Owned” means, in reference to any Subsidiary of a specified Person, that 100% of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (other than (x) Directors’ qualifying shares and (y) shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Law) is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and/or one or more of such specified Person’s other Subsidiaries that also qualify as Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries under this definition.

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

1.2 Accounting Terms, Financials Statements, Calculations, Etc. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in conformity with GAAP. Financial statements and other information required to be delivered by the Company to Lenders pursuant to Section 5.1(a), 5.1(b) and 5.1(c) shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the time of such preparation. Subject to the foregoing, calculations in connection with the definitions, covenants and other provisions hereof shall utilize accounting principles and policies in conformity with those used to prepare the Historical Financial Statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for purposes of determining compliance with the financial covenants contained in this Agreement, any election by any Credit Party to measure an item of Indebtedness using fair value (as permitted by Accounting Standards Codification Section 825-10 or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made and (ii) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made without giving effect to any change in accounting treatment of “operating” and “capital” leases scheduled to become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 as set forth in the Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases, (Topic 842), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in February 2016, or any similar publication issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in connection therewith, in each case if such change would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) was not required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect prior to December 15, 2018. For purposes of determining pro forma compliance with any financial covenant as of any date prior to the initial test date on which such financial covenant is to be tested hereunder, the level of any such financial covenant shall be deemed to be the covenant level for such initial test date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for purposes of determining compliance with any basket, accordion or incremental feature, test, or condition under any provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, no Credit Party may retroactively divide, classify, re-classify or deem or otherwise treat a historical transaction as having occurred in reliance on a basket or exception that was not available at the time of such historical transaction or if and to the extent that such basket or exception was relied upon for any later transaction. When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall be construed to include all notes and schedules thereto. Except as otherwise provided therein, this Section 1.2 shall apply equally to each other Credit Document as if fully set forth therein, mutatis mutandis.

 

 

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1.3 Interpretation, Etc. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. References herein to any Section, Appendix, Schedule or Exhibit shall be to a Section, an Appendix, a Schedule or an Exhibit, as the case may be, hereof unless otherwise specifically provided. Any requirement for a referenced agreement, instrument, certificate or other document to be in “substantially” the form of an Appendix, Schedule, or Exhibit hereto means that such referenced document shall be in the form of such Appendix, Schedule, or Exhibit with such modifications to such form as are approved by Administrative Agent, and, in the case of any Collateral Document, Collateral Agent, in each case in such Agent’s sole discretion. The words “hereof”, “hereunder”, “hereby”, and words of similar import used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The use herein of the words “include” or “including,” when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. The word “will” shall be construed as having the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The words “assets” and “property” shall be construed as having the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties of any relevant Person or Persons. In the computation of periods of time in any Credit Document from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including”. The terms lease and license shall be construed to include sub-lease and sub-license. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall be construed to include the corresponding masculine, feminine, and neuter forms. References to Persons include their respective permitted successors and assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, references to statutes, legislative acts, laws, regulations, and rules shall be deemed to refer to such statutes, acts, laws, regulations, and rules as in effect from time to time, including any amendments of the same and any successor statutes, acts, laws, regulations, and rules, unless any such reference is expressly limited to refer to any statute, act, law, regulation, or rule “as in effect on” a specified date. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in or to this Agreement (including any Appendix, Schedule, or Exhibit hereto), any other Credit Document, or any other agreement, instrument, or other document shall be construed to refer to the referenced agreement, instrument, or document as assigned, amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, in each case in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement and any other relevant Credit Document unless such reference is expressly limited to refer to such agreement, instrument, or other document “as in effect on” a specified date. Except as otherwise provided therein, this Section 1.3 shall apply equally to each other Credit Document as if fully set forth therein, mutatis mutandis.

 

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1.4 Rates. Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR or Term SOFR, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, the Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. Administrative Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of the Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to Company. Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain the Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to Company, any Lender or any other Person for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

SECTION 2 LOANS

2.1 Term Loans.

(a) Loan Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make, on the Closing Date, a Term Loan to Company in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment.

Company may make only one borrowing under the Commitment, which borrowing may only occur on the Closing Date. Any amount borrowed under this Section 2.1(a) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Subject to Sections 2.12 and 2.13, all amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Term Loans shall be Paid in Full no later than the Maturity Date. Each Lender’s Commitment shall terminate immediately and fully without further action by any Person upon the funding of such Lender’s Commitment on the Closing Date.

 

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(b) Borrowing Mechanics for Term Loans.

(i) Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent a fully executed Funding Notice no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date with respect to Term Loans made on the Closing Date. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Funding Notice for a Term Loan shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and Company shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance therewith. Promptly upon receipt by Administrative Agent of any such Funding Notice, Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed borrowing.

(ii) Each Lender shall make its Term Loan available to Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date, by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at Administrative Agent’s Principal Office. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the Term Loans available to Company on the Closing Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Loans received by Administrative Agent from Lenders to be credited to the account as designated in writing to Administrative Agent on Funding Notice by Company.

2.2 Reserved.

2.3 Reserved.

2.4 Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds.

(a) Pro Rata Shares. All Loans shall be made, and all participations purchased, by Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder or purchase a participation required hereby nor shall any Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of a default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder or purchase a participation required hereby.

(b) Availability of Funds. Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the Closing Date that such Lender does not intend to make available to Administrative Agent the amount of such Lender’s Loan requested on the Closing Date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to Administrative Agent on the Closing Date and Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, but shall not be obligated to, make available to Company a corresponding amount on the Closing Date. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by such Lender, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from the Closing Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the customary rate set by Administrative Agent for the correction of errors among banks. In the event that (i) Administrative Agent declines to make a requested amount available to Company until such time as all applicable Lenders have made payment to Administrative Agent, (ii) a Lender fails to fund to Administrative Agent all or any portion of the Loans required to be funded by such Lender hereunder prior to the time specified in this Agreement, and (iii) such Lender’s failure results in Administrative Agent failing to make a corresponding amount available to Company on the Closing Date, at Administrative Agent’s option, such Lender shall not receive interest hereunder with respect to the requested amount of such Lender’s Loans for the period commencing with the time specified in this Agreement for receipt of payment by Company through and including the time of Company’s receipt of the requested amount. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Company and Company shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent together with interest thereon, for each day from the Closing Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the rate payable for such Loans. Nothing in this Section 2.4(b) shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that Company may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

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2.5 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans made on the Closing Date shall be applied by Company to (i) repurchase an aggregate $50,000,000 principal amount of 2026 Convertible Senior Notes as more fully described on Appendix C, (ii) for general corporate purposes, and (iii) to pay Transaction Costs. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Credit Extension or proceeds thereof may be used in any manner that conflicts with Section 4.18(b) or Section 4.26(a).

2.6 Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders Books and Records; Notes.

(a) Lenders’ Evidence of Debt. Each Lender shall maintain on its internal records an account or accounts evidencing the Obligations of Company to such Lender, including the amounts of the Loans made by it and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on Company, absent manifest error; provided, that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect Company’s Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans; and provided further, in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.

(b) Register. Administrative Agent (or an agent or sub-agent appointed by it), acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Company, shall maintain at its Principal Office in the United States a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The Register shall be available for inspection by Company or any Lender (with respect to (i) any entry relating to such Lender’s Loans, and (ii) the identity of the other Lenders (but not any information with respect to such other Lenders’ Loans)) at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Administrative Agent shall record, or shall cause to be recorded, in the Register the Loans in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6, and each repayment or prepayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans, and any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on Company and each Lender, absent manifest error; provided, failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect Company’s Obligations in respect of any Loan. Company hereby designates Administrative Agent to serve as Company’s non-fiduciary agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in this Section 2.6.

 

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(c) Promissory Notes. If so requested by any Lender by written notice to Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, or at any time thereafter, Company shall execute and deliver to such Lender (and/or, if applicable and if so specified in such notice, to any Person who is an assignee of such Lender pursuant to Section 10.6) on the Closing Date (or, if such notice is delivered after the Closing Date, promptly after Company’s receipt of such notice) a promissory note or notes, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-2, to evidence such Lender’s Term Loan.

2.7 Interest on Loans.

(a) Except as otherwise set forth herein, each Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date made through repayment (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at the Adjusted Term SOFR for the Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin.

(b) The basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Loan, and the Interest Period with respect to any SOFR Loan, shall be selected by Company and notified to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Funding Notice.

(c) There shall be no more than one Interest Period outstanding at any time. As soon as practicable after 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date, Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the SOFR Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Interest Period and will promptly give notice thereof to Company and each Lender.

(d) Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.7(a) shall be computed on the basis of a three hundred sixty-day year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues. In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan shall be included, and the date of payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan shall be excluded; provided, if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid on that Loan.

(e) Except as otherwise set forth herein, interest on each Loan (i) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with respect to interest accrued on and to each such Interest Payment Date; (ii) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears upon any prepayment of that Loan, whether voluntary or mandatory, to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid; and (iii) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears at maturity of the Loans, including final maturity of the Loans.

 

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2.8 Reserved.

2.9 Default Interest. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all Obligations shall thereafter bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws) payable on demand at a rate that is three percent (3.00%) per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder with respect to the applicable Loans pursuant to Section 2.7(a). Payment or acceptance of (i) the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.9 or (ii) any amount of interest that is less than the amount due, in each case is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of any Agent or any Lender.

2.10 Prepayment Premium and Fees.

(a) In the event that all or any portion of the Term Loans is voluntarily prepaid in cash pursuant to Section 2.12 or mandatorily prepaid pursuant to Section 2.13(d), such prepayment shall be accompanied by an amount equal to the applicable Prepayment Premium.

(b) In the event that all or any portion of the Term Loans is repaid (or prepaid) pursuant to Section 2.13 (other than pursuant to clause (d) thereof) or accelerated prior to the Maturity Date for any reason (including, without limitation, automatic acceleration upon an Event of Default under Section 8.1(f) and 8.1(g) or upon any redemption or buyback (including upon any Change of Control)), such repayment shall be accompanied by an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the Prepayment Premium that would be applicable pursuant to clause (a) above if such repayment, prepayment, redemption or buyback were a voluntary prepayment on such date in the equivalent amount and (y) 10.00% of the amount of the Term Loans so repaid, prepaid, accelerated or otherwise redeemed.

(c) In addition to any of the foregoing fees, Company agrees to pay to Agents such other fees in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon, including the fees set forth in the Agency Fee Letter.

2.11 Scheduled Payments. The principal amounts of the Term Loans shall be repaid in consecutive quarterly installments (each such payment, an “Installment”) on the tenth day of each March, June, September and December commencing on June 10, 2024 (each such date, an “Installment Payment Date”), an amount equal to the product of (x) 2.50% multiplied by (y) the aggregate original stated principal amount of all Term Loans made under this Agreement prior to such Installment Date (without reducing any such Installment to reflect payments of the outstanding principal of any Term Loan after the initial funding thereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Term Loans, together with all other amounts owed hereunder with respect thereto, shall, in any event, be Paid in Full on the Maturity Date.

2.12 Voluntary Prepayments. Any time and from time to time Company may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part (together with any amounts due pursuant to Section 2.10(a)) in cash in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 (or, if less, the entire principal amount outstanding) and integral multiples of $1,000,000 (or, if less, the entire principal amount outstanding) in excess of that amount. All such prepayments shall be made upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice (including a calculation of amounts due under Section 2.10(a)), in each case given to Administrative Agent by 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date required (and Administrative Agent will promptly transmit such written notice for Term Loans to each Lender). Upon the giving of any such notice, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date specified therein subject to any conditions set forth in such notice. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as specified in Section 2.14(b).

 

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2.13 Mandatory Prepayments.

(a) Asset Sales. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds (it being understood that such Net Asset Sale Proceeds shall be deposited into a Controlled Account on the same Business Day as receipt thereof), the Company shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in an aggregate amount equal to sixty percent (60%) of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds plus any amount due pursuant to Sections 2.10(b); provided, that no such prepayment shall be required under this Section 2.13(a) to the extent the aggregate Net Asset Sale Proceeds received by any Credit Party and/or any of its Subsidiaries from the Closing Date through the applicable date of determination does not exceed $10,000,000 (and then, only the amount in excess thereof shall be required to be paid).

(b) Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. No later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date of receipt by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or Administrative Agent as lender loss payee, of any Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds (it being understood that such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds received by a Credit Party shall be deposited by such Credit Party into a Controlled Account on the same Business Day as receipt thereof), Company shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds plus any amounts due pursuant to Sections 2.10(b); provided, that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (such amounts, the “Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestments Amounts”), Company shall have the option, directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries to invest such Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestment Amounts within two hundred seventy (270) days of receipt thereof (the “Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestment Period”) in long term assets of the general type used in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as of the Closing Date), which investment may include the repair, restoration or replacement of the relevant assets in respect of which such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds were received. In the event that such Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestment Amounts are not reinvested by Company prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the applicable Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestment Period, and (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default, then, at such time, an Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred and be continuing under this Section 2.13(b) until a prepayment is made (or any such escrow is applied by Administrative Agent as a prepayment) in an amount equal to such Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestment Amounts that have not been so reinvested.

(c) Reserved.

(d) Issuance of Debt. On the date of receipt by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Cash proceeds (it being understood that any such Cash proceeds shall be deposited into a Controlled Account on the same Business Day as receipt thereof) from the incurrence of any Indebtedness of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, excluding any Cash proceeds received with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.1, Company shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such proceeds plus all amounts due under Section 2.10(a), net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, in each case, paid to non-Affiliates, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

 

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(e) Reserved.

(f) 2026 Convertible Senior Notes Trigger. To the extent $30,000,000 or more of aggregate principal amount of 2026 Convertible Senior Notes are outstanding on August 14, 2026, the Company shall immediately prepay the outstanding amount of all of the Loans together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon plus all amounts due under Section 2.10(b) plus all other Obligations due and owing.

(g) Change of Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall prepay the outstanding amount of all of the Loans together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon plus all amounts due under Section 2.10(b) plus all other Obligations due and owing (it being understood and agreed the payment pursuant to this clause (g) shall be in addition to any other right and remedy that the Agents or any other Secured Party has as a result of an Event of Default arising from the occurrence of such Change of Control.

(h) Reserved.

(i) Prepayment Certificate. Concurrently with any prepayment of the Loans pursuant to Sections 2.13(a) through 2.13(f), Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of a Chief Financial Officer demonstrating the calculation of the amount of the applicable net proceeds and compensation owing to Lenders under any of the Credit Documents, if any (including a calculation of amounts due under Section 2.10(a) or 2,10(b), as applicable). In the event that Company shall subsequently determine that the actual amount received exceeded the amount set forth in such certificate, Company shall promptly make an additional prepayment of the Loans in an amount equal to such excess plus all applicable fees payable under Section 2.10(a) and 2.10(b), and Company shall concurrently therewith deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of a Chief Financial Officer demonstrating the derivation of such excess.

2.14 Application of Prepayments/Reductions.

(a) Reserved.

(b) Application of Prepayments. Any voluntary prepayments of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.12 and any mandatory prepayment of any Loan pursuant to Section 2.13 shall include any prepayment fee set forth in Section 2.10 and shall be applied as follows:

first, to the payment of all fees other than any premium, and all expenses and indemnities specified in Sections 10.2 and 10.3, in each case to the full extent thereof;

 

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second, to the payment of any accrued interest at the Default Rate, if any;

third, to the payment of any accrued interest (other than Default Rate interest);

fourth, to the payment of the applicable premium, if any, on any Loan or Commitment;

fifth, to prepay Term Loans on a pro rata basis (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof) and shall be further applied in inverse order of maturity to reduce the remaining scheduled Installments of principal of the Term Loans; and

sixth, to payment of any remaining Obligations then due and payable.

2.15 General Provisions Regarding Payments.

(a) All payments by Company of principal, interest, fees and other Obligations shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds, without defense, recoupment, setoff or counterclaim, free of any restriction or condition, and delivered to Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date due by wire transfer to an account designated by Administrative Agent from time to time. For purposes of computing interest and fees, funds received by Administrative Agent after that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by Company on the next Business Day.

(b) All payments in respect of the principal amount of any Loan shall be accompanied by payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid or prepaid, and all such payments (and, in any event, any payment received in respect of any Loan on a date when interest or premium is due and payable with respect to such Loan) shall be applied to the payment of interest and premium then due and payable before application to principal.

(c) Administrative Agent (or an agent or sub-agent appointed by it) shall promptly distribute to each Lender at such address as such Lender shall indicate in writing, such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share of all payments and prepayments of principal and interest due hereunder, together with all other amounts due thereto, including all fees payable with respect thereto, to the extent received by Administrative Agent.

(d) [reserved].

(e) Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest hereunder.

(f) [reserved].

 

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(g) Administrative Agent shall deem any payment by or on behalf of Company hereunder that is not made in same day funds prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) to be a non-conforming payment. Any such payment shall not be deemed to have been received by Administrative Agent until the later of (i) the time such funds become available funds, and (ii) the applicable next Business Day. Administrative Agent shall give prompt telephonic notice to Company and each applicable Lender (confirmed in writing) if any payment is non-conforming. Any non-conforming payment may constitute or become a Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of Section 8.1(a). Interest shall continue to accrue on any principal as to which a non-conforming payment is made until such funds become available funds (but in no event less than the period from the date of such payment to the next Business Day) at the Default Rate from the date such amount was due and payable until the date such amount is Paid in Full.

(h) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and not otherwise been waived, and the Obligations have become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration, maturity or otherwise, all payments or proceeds received by any Agent hereunder or under any Collateral Document in respect of any of the Obligations, including all proceeds received by any Agent in respect of any sale, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral, shall be applied in full or in part as follows: first, to the payment of all costs and expenses of such sale, collection or other realization, including reasonable compensation to each Agent and its agents and counsel, and all other expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by any Agent in connection therewith, and all amounts for which any Agent is entitled to indemnification hereunder or under any Collateral Document (in its capacity as an Agent and not as a Lender) and all advances made by any Agent under any Collateral Document for the account of the applicable Grantor, and to the payment of all costs and expenses paid or incurred by any Agent in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any Collateral Document, all in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; second, to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment of all other Obligations for the ratable benefit of the Lenders; and third, to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment to or upon the order of such Grantor or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

2.16 Ratable Sharing. Lenders hereby agree among themselves that if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of Loans made and applied in accordance with the terms of Section 2.14), through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker’s lien, by counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any right under the Credit Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, amounts payable in respect fees and other amounts then due and owing to such Lender hereunder or under the other Credit Documents (collectively, the Aggregate Amounts Due to such Lender) that is greater than the proportion received by any other Lender in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender, then the Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall (a) notify Administrative Agent and each other Lender of the receipt of such payment and (b) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Lenders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided, if all or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of Company or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Company expressly consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, consolidation, set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by Company to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder. The provisions of this Section 2.16 shall not be construed to apply to (a) any payment made by any Credit Party pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of any Credit Document (including amounts received by a Lender pursuant to Sections 2.18 or 2.19) or any Related Agreement or (b) any payment obtained by any Lender as consideration for the assignment or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or other Obligations owed to it.

 

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2.17 Making or Maintaining SOFR Loans.

(a) Changed Circumstances/Temporary Adjusted Term SOFR Unavailability. Subject to clause (b) below, if, on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any SOFR Loan:

(i) Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Adjusted Term SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof, or

(ii) the Requisite Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a SOFR Loan or a conversion thereto or a continuation thereof that Adjusted Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed SOFR Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making and maintaining such Loan, and the Requisite Lenders have provided notice of such determination to Administrative Agent,

Administrative Agent will promptly so notify Company and each Lender.

Upon notice thereof by Administrative Agent to Company, any obligation of the Lenders to make SOFR Loans, and any right of the Companies to continue SOFR shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or affected Interest Periods) until Administrative Agent (with respect to clause (ii), at the instruction of the Requisite Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) Company may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or affected Interest Periods) or, failing that, the Companies will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein and (ii) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted into Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. Upon any such conversion, the Credit Parties shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to this Section 2.17. Subject to clause (b), if Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Adjusted Term SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof on any given day, the interest rate on Base Rate Loans shall be determined by Administrative Agent without reference to clause (iii) of the definition of “Base Rate” until Administrative Agent revokes such determination.

(b) Benchmark Replacement.

 

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(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document so long as Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Requisite Lenders. If the Benchmark Replacement is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a quarterly basis.

(ii) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

(iii) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. Administrative Agent will promptly notify Company and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (ii) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement. Administrative Agent will notify Company of (x) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to this Section 2.17 and (y) the commencement of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.17, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Credit Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.17.

 

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(iv) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative, then Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

(v) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon Company’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, Company may revoke any pending request for a SOFR Loan of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Companies will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Base Rate Loan or a conversion to a Base Rate Loan. During a Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Base Rate.

(c) Illegality or Impracticability of SOFR Loans. In the event that on any date any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be made only after consultation with Administrative Agent) that the making, maintaining, converting to, or continuation of its SOFR Loans (i) has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict with any such treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful), or (ii) has become impracticable, as a result of contingencies occurring after the date hereof that materially and adversely affect the ability of such Lender to make, maintain, convert to, or continue its SOFR Loans, then, and in any such event, such Lender shall be an Affected Lender and such Affected Lender shall on that day give written or telephonic (promptly confirmed in writing) notice to Company and Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Thereafter (1) the obligation of the Affected Lender to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to, SOFR Loans shall be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected Lender, (2) to the extent such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a SOFR Loan then being requested by Company pursuant to a Funding Notice, the Affected Lender shall make such Loan as (or continue such Loan as or convert such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan, (3) the Affected Lender’s obligation to maintain its outstanding SOFR Loans (the “Affected Loans”) shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the Affected Loans or when required by law, and (4) the Affected Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination by an Affected Lender as described above relates to a SOFR Loan then being requested by Company pursuant to a Funding Notice, Company shall have the option, subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(d), to rescind such Funding Notice as to all Lenders by giving written or telephonic (promptly confirmed in writing) notice to Administrative Agent of such rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice of its determination as described above (which notice of rescission Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). For the avoidance of doubt, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by Administrative Agent without reference to clause (iii) of the definition of “Base Rate”, in each case, until such Affected Lender notifies Administrative Agent and Company that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.

 

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(d) Compensation for Breakage or Non-Commencement of Interest Periods. Company shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by such Lender (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such amounts), for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid or calculated to be due and payable by such Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its SOFR Loans and any loss, expense or liability sustained by such Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds but excluding loss of anticipated profits) which such Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Lender) a borrowing of any SOFR Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Funding Notice or a telephonic request for borrowing; (ii) if any prepayment or other principal payment of, or any conversion of, any of its SOFR Loans occurs on any day other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable to that Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or (iii) if any prepayment of any of its SOFR Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by Company.

(e) Booking of SOFR Loans. Any Lender may make, carry or transfer SOFR Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or the office of an Affiliate of such Lender.

2.18 Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy.

 

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(a) Compensation For Increased Costs and Taxes. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 (which shall be controlling with respect to the matters covered thereby), in the event that any Lender or Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that any Change in Law: (i) subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office), or the Agent to any additional Tax (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) with respect to this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, any payments to such Lender (or its applicable lending office) of principal, interest, fees or any other amount payable hereunder, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; (ii) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special deposit, liquidity, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender or any company controlling such Lender; or (iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax matter) on or affecting such Lender (or its applicable lending office) or any company controlling such Lender or such Lender’s obligations hereunder or the ability of such Lender to make, maintain, covert to, or continue its SOFR Loans; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of agreeing to make, making or maintaining Loans hereunder or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) or Agent with respect thereto; then, in any such case, Company shall promptly pay to such Lender or Agent, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such additional amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Person in its reasonable discretion shall determine) as may be necessary to compensate such Person for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder. Such Lender or Agent shall deliver to Company (in the case of a Lender, with a copy to Administrative Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Person under this Section 2.18(a), which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

(b) Capital Adequacy and Liquidity Adjustment. In the event that any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that (A) any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity, or (B) compliance by any Lender (or its applicable lending office) or any company controlling such Lender with any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any company controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with reference to, such Lender’s Loans or participations therein or other obligations hereunder with respect to the Loans to a level below that which such Lender or such controlling company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration the policies of such Lender or such controlling company with regard to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time, within five Business Days after receipt by Company from such Lender of the statement referred to in the next sentence, Company shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction. Such Lender shall deliver to Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to Lender under this Section 2.18(b), which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

(c) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.18 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that Company shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section 2.18 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies Company of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

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2.19 Taxes; Withholding, Etc.

(a) Payments to Be Free and Clear. All sums payable by or on behalf of any Credit Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents shall be paid free and clear of, and without any deduction or withholding on account of, any Tax, unless required by applicable Requirements of Law.

(b) Withholding of Taxes. If any Credit Party, Administrative Agent, or any other Person (acting as a withholding agent) is (in such withholding agent’s reasonable good faith discretion) required by applicable Requirements of Law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any Tax from any sum paid or payable by any Credit Party to any Agent or any Lender under any of the Credit Documents: (i) such withholding agent shall notify Administrative Agent and the Company of any such requirement or any change in any such requirement promptly after becoming aware of it; (ii) Company, Administrative Agent, or any other Person (acting as a withholding agent) shall be entitled to make any such deduction or withholding in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law; and (iii) if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, the sum payable by such Credit Party in respect of which the relevant deduction, withholding or payment is required shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that deduction, withholding or payment (including for any Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.19), the applicable Recipient receives on the due date a net sum equal to what it would have received had no such deduction, withholding or payment for Indemnified Taxes been required or made.

(c) Evidence of Exemption From U.S. Withholding Tax.

(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Credit Document shall deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law or reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Company or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.19(c)(ii) or Section 2.19(d)) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

 

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(1) each Lender that is not a “United States person” (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code) (a “Non-U.S. Lender”) shall, to the extent such Lender is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Company and Administrative Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof on the Closing Date) or on or prior to the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it becomes a Lender (in the case of each other Lender), and at such other times as may be necessary in the determination of Company or Administrative Agent (each in the reasonable exercise of its discretion), the following:

(A) two copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, W-8EXP and/or W-8IMY (or, in each case, any successor forms), properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, and such other documentation required under the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations, or other applicable Requirements of Law or reasonably requested by Company or the Administrative Agent to establish that such Lender (and/or such Lender’s direct or indirect owners, if the Lender is not the beneficial owner of the Loans) is not subject to (or is subject to a reduced rate of) deduction or withholding of U.S. federal income tax with respect to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable under any of the Credit Documents, or

(B) if such Lender is not a “bank” or other Person described in Section 881(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate together with two copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8IMY (or, in each case, any successor form), properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, and such other documentation required under the Internal Revenue Code and reasonably requested by Company or the Administrative Agent to establish that such Lender (and/or such Lender’s direct or indirect owners, if the Lender is not the beneficial owner of the Loans) is not subject to (or is subject to a reduced rate of) deduction or withholding of U.S. federal income tax with respect to any payments to such Lender of interest payable under any of the Credit Documents.

(2) each Lender that is a “United States person” (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code) (a “U.S. Lender”) shall deliver to Administrative Agent and Company on or prior to the Closing Date (or, if later, on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) two copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or any successor form), properly completed and duly executed by such U.S. Lender, certifying that such U.S. Lender is entitled to an exemption from U.S. backup withholding tax, or otherwise prove that it is entitled to such an exemption.

 

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(3) Each Lender required to deliver any forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to U.S. federal income tax withholding matters pursuant to this Section 2.19(c) hereby agrees, from time to time after the initial delivery by such Lender of such forms, certificates or other evidence, whenever a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders such forms, certificates or other evidence obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, that such Lender shall promptly deliver to Administrative Agent for transmission to Company two new copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, W-8EXP, W-8IMY, and/or W-9 (or, in any case, any successor form), or a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate and two copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, or W-8IMY (or, in each case, any successor form), as the case may be, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, and such other documentation required under the Internal Revenue Code and reasonably requested by Company or the Administrative Agent to confirm or establish that such Lender is not subject to deduction or withholding of U.S. federal income tax with respect to payments to such Lender under the Credit Documents, or notify Administrative Agent and Company of its inability to deliver any such forms, certificates or other evidence.

(iii) Each Agent shall deliver to the Company, on or prior to the Closing Date, a duly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or applicable Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, as appropriate.

(d) FATCA. If a payment made to a Recipient under any Credit Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Recipient were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Recipient shall deliver to Company and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for Company and Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Recipient has complied with such Recipient’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of the preceding sentence of this clause (d), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date hereof.

(e) Payment of Other Taxes by Company. Without limiting the provisions of Section 2.19(b), Company shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authorities in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law or, at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, all Other Taxes.

(f) Indemnification by Credit Parties. Credit Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify any Agent and any Lender for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including any Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.19) paid or payable by Agent or Lender or any of their respective Affiliates and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Credit Party shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Such payment shall be due within ten days of such Credit Party’s receipt of such certificate.

 

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(g) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify each Agent for (i) Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that Company has not already indemnified such Agent therefor and without limiting the obligation of Company to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.6(h)(i) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by such Agent in connection with any Credit Document and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Such payment shall be due within ten days of such Lender’s receipt of such certificate. Each Lender hereby authorizes each Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Credit Document or otherwise payable by any Agent to such Lender from any other source against any amount due to such Agent under this paragraph (g).

(h) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Credit Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.19, such Credit Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent a copy of any receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

(i) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.19 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.19 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (i) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (i), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (i) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(j) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.19 shall survive the resignation or replacement of any Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Credit Document.

 

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(k) For purposes of this Section 2.19, the term “applicable Requirements of Law” includes FATCA.

2.20 Obligation to Mitigate. Each Lender agrees that, if such Lender requests payment under Section 2.17, 2.18 or 2.19, then such Lender will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal policies of such Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions, use reasonable efforts to make, issue, fund or maintain its Credit Extensions, including any Affected Loans, through another office of such Lender if, as a result thereof, the additional amounts payable to such Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, 2.18 or 2.19, as the case may be, in the future would be eliminated or reduced and if, as determined by such Lender in its reasonable discretion, the making, issuing, funding or maintaining of such Loans through such other office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not otherwise adversely affect such Loans or the interests of such Lender; provided, such Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other office pursuant to this Section 2.20 unless Company agrees to pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender as a result of utilizing such other office as described above. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses payable by Company pursuant to this Section 2.20 (setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender to Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

2.21 Tax Treatment. The Company and the Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a) the Company has determined, for purposes of Section 1.1273-2(c) of the Treasury Regulations, that the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes constitute property traded on an established market; (b) the Term Loan is part of an investment unit within the meaning of Section 1273(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code that includes the Warrants (the “Investment Unit”); and (c) the Company will determine the fair market value of the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes for purposes of Section 1.1273-2(f)(9)(i) of the Treasury Regulations, issue price (within the meaning of Section 1273(b) of the Internal Revenue Code) of the Investment Unit and the allocation of such issue price between the Term Loan and Warrant consistent with this Section 2.21 and Section 1.1273-2(h) of the Treasury Regulations (which allocation shall be consistent with the allocation set forth in the Warrants), and the Company will inform the Lenders of such determinations. The parties hereto agree to report all income tax matters with respect to the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes, Term Loans and Warrants consistent with this Section 2.21 and shall not take any action or file any Tax return, report or declaration inconsistent herewith unless required to do so by a change in applicable Requirements of Law or by a Tax authority following an audit or examination.

SECTION 3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

3.1 Closing Date. The obligation of each Lender to enter into this Agreement and to make any Loan on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction, or waiver in accordance with Section 10.5, of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date (in each case, except to the extent required to be satisfied as a condition subsequent in accordance with Section 5.15):

(a) Credit Documents; Related Agreements. Administrative Agent and Lenders (or their respective counsels) shall have received sufficient copies of (i) this Agreement, the promissory notes, if any are requested, the Pledge and Security Agreement, and each other Credit Document to be dated as of the Closing Date, in each case as Administrative Agent or any Lender shall request, in form and substance satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders, and originally executed and delivered by each applicable Credit Party and each other Person party thereto, (ii) the Warrants duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender party thereto, (iii) the Registration Rights agreement duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender party thereto, and (iv) the Note Purchase Agreements duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender party thereto.

 

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(b) Organizational Documents; Incumbency. Administrative Agent and Lenders (or their respective counsels) shall have received in respect of each Credit Party (i) sufficient copies of each Organizational Document as Administrative Agent or any Lender shall request, in each case certified by an Authorized Officer of such Credit Party and, to the extent applicable, certified as of a recent date prior to the Closing Date by the appropriate Governmental Authority; (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such Credit Party executing any Credit Documents to which it is a party; (iii) resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Credit Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and the Related Agreements, in each case, to which it is a party or by which it or its assets may be bound as of the Closing Date, certified as of the Closing Date by an appropriate Authorized Officer as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment; (iv) a good standing certificate from the applicable Governmental Authority of such Credit Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and in each jurisdiction in which it is qualified as a foreign corporation or other entity to do business, each dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date; and (v) such other documents as Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Reserved.

(d) Governmental Authorizations and Consents. Each Credit Party shall have obtained all Governmental Authorizations and all consents of other Persons, in each case that are required in connection with the Transactions (including the entering into of the Credit Documents and the Related Agreements to be delivered on the Closing Date) and each of the foregoing shall be in full force and effect and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Lenders. All applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the Transactions or the financing thereof and no action, request for stay, petition for review or rehearing, reconsideration, or appeal with respect to any of the foregoing shall be pending, and the time for any applicable agency to take action to set aside its consent on its own motion shall have expired.

(e) Personal Property Collateral. Subject to the Certain Funds Provision and except to the extent set forth in Section 5.15, in order to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected First Priority Lien in the personal property Collateral, each Credit Party shall have delivered to Collateral Agent (or its counsel):

 

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(i) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent and Lenders of the compliance by each Credit Party of their obligations under the Pledge and Security Agreement and the other Collateral Documents (including their obligations to authorize or execute, as the case may be, and deliver UCC financing statements, originals of securities, instruments and chattel paper and any agreements governing deposit and/or securities accounts as provided therein) required to be provided on or prior to the Closing Date;

(ii) a completed Collateral Questionnaire dated the Closing Date, together with all attachments contemplated thereby;

(iii) fully executed Intellectual Property Security Agreements, in proper form for filing or recording in all appropriate places in all applicable jurisdictions;

(iv) [reserved]; and

(v) an Intercompany Note and Subordination and made or caused to be made any other filing and recording (other than as set forth herein) reasonably required by Collateral Agent and Lenders.

(f) Financial Statements. Lenders shall have received from the Company the Historical Financial Statements.

(g) Evidence of Insurance. Collateral Agent (or its counsel) shall have received a certificate from each applicable Credit Party’s insurance broker or other evidence satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 is in full force and effect.

(h) Opinions of Counsel to Credit Parties. Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received executed copies of the favorable written opinions of Cooley LLP, as counsel for Credit Parties as to such matters as Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Lenders (and each Credit Party hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinions to Administrative Agent (or its counsel)).

(i) Fees. Company shall have paid to each Agent the fees payable on or before the Closing Date pursuant to the Agency Fee Letter and all expenses payable pursuant to Section 10.2 that have accrued as of the Closing Date.

(j) Solvency Certificate. On the Closing Date, Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received a Solvency Certificate from Company dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to Administrative Agent and Lenders, and in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Lenders, with appropriate attachments and demonstrating that after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions and the Credit Extensions to be made on the Closing Date, Company and its Subsidiaries, as a whole, are and will be Solvent.

(k) Closing Date Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to Administrative Agent (or its counsel) an executed Closing Date Certificate, together with all attachments thereto.

(l) Minimum Liquidity. Company shall demonstrate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Lenders that on the Closing Date and immediately after giving effect to any Credit Extensions to be made on the Closing Date, including the payment of all Transaction Costs required to be paid in Cash, Company shall have minimum Consolidated Liquidity of at least $55,000,000.

 

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(m) No Material Adverse Change. Since November 7, 2023, no fact, circumstance, occurrence, change or event has occurred that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, the operations, business, properties or financial condition of such the Credit Parties, taken as a whole.

(n) Specified Representations. As of the Closing Date, the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects; provided that, in each case, such materiality qualifier shall not apply to any representations and warranties to the extent already qualified or modified by materiality or similar concept in the text thereof.

(o) Letter of Direction. Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received a duly executed letter of direction from Company addressed to Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, directing the disbursement on the Closing Date of the proceeds of the Loans made on such date substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

(p) KYC Documentation. (i) At least ten days prior to the Closing Date, the Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act.

(ii) At least five days prior to the Closing Date, any Credit Party that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Credit Party.

Notwithstanding anything in the Credit Documents to the contrary, to the extent any security interest in any Collateral is not or cannot be provided and/or perfected on the Closing Date (other than the pledge and perfection of the security interest in the equity interests of each of the Company’s direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries organized in the United States and other assets pursuant to which a lien may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC or any filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) after the Company’s use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so or without undue burden or expense, then the provision and/or perfection of a security interest in such Collateral shall not constitute a condition precedent to the availability of the Term Loans on the Closing Date, but instead shall be required to be delivered within 60 days after the Closing Date (or such later date after the Closing Date as the Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) shall agree) pursuant to arrangements to be mutually agreed by the Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and the Company acting reasonably (the foregoing provision, the “Certain Funds Provision”).

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and funding a Loan on the Closing Date, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Credit Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Requisite Lenders or Lenders, as applicable on the Closing Date.

 

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SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce Agents and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make each Credit Extension to be made thereby, each Credit Party represents and warrants to each Agent and Lender, on the Closing Date that the following statements are true and correct:

4.1 Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization as identified in Schedule 4.1(a), (b) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Credit Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby, and (c) is qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction necessary to carry out its business and operations, except in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing has not had, and could not be reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.2 Capital Stock and Ownership. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, Capital Stock of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, as of the date hereof, there is no existing option, warrant, call, right, commitment or other agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party requiring, and there is no membership interest or other Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries outstanding that upon conversion or exchange would require, the issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any additional Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other Securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for or purchase, additional Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.2 correctly sets forth the ownership interest of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries in their respective Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date both before and after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions.

4.3 Due Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Credit Party that is a party thereto.

4.4 No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties of the Credit Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents do not and will not (a) violate any provision of any material Requirement of Law applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any of the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default or give rise to any right of termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or the loss of any material benefit or the triggering of any payment under any Material Contract, any Related Agreement, or any other material Contractual Obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (c) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Liens created under any of the Credit Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties); or (d) require any approval of stockholders, members or partners or any approval or consent of any Person under any Material Contract, any Related Agreement, or any other material Contractual Obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such approvals or consents that have been obtained on or before the Closing Date and have been disclosed in writing to Lenders.

 

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4.5 Governmental Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by Credit Parties of the Credit Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority except such that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to Collateral Agent for filing and/or recordation, as of the Closing Date.

4.6 Binding Obligation. Each Credit Document required to be delivered hereunder has been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

4.7 Historical Financial Statements. The Historical Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, on a consolidated basis, of the Persons described in such financial statements as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows, on a consolidated basis, of the entities described therein for each of the periods as of the dates and for the periods to which they relate, subject, in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments. As of the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any contingent liability or liability for taxes, long-term lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment that is not reflected in the Historical Financial Statements or the notes thereto and that in any such case is material in relation to the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

4.8 Reserved.

4.9 No Material Adverse Change. Since the Closing Date, no event, circumstance or change has occurred that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.10 Reserved.

 

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4.11 Adverse Proceedings, Etc. There are no Adverse Proceedings that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000, individually, or $1,000,000, in the aggregate for all such Adverse Proceedings. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is in violation of any applicable Requirements of Law (including Environmental Laws) that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liability of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000, individually, or $1,000,000, in the aggregate for all such violations, or (b) is subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000, individually, or $1,000,000, in the aggregate for all such defaults.

4.12 Payment of Taxes. All tax returns and reports of the Company and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all material Taxes due and payable and all assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon the Company and its Subsidiaries and upon their respective properties, assets, income, businesses and franchises that are due and payable have been paid when due and payable (in each case other than (a) any Taxes the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the Company and/or its applicable Subsidiary, as the case may be or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000, individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

4.13 Properties.

(a) Title. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has (i) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real property), (ii) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), (iii) valid licensed rights in (in the case of licensed interests in intellectual property), and (iv) good title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of their respective properties and assets reflected in their respective Historical Financial Statements referred to in Section 4.7 and in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 and Section 5.15(a), in each case except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under Section 6.9. Except for Permitted Liens, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.

(b) Real Estate. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 4.13 contains a true, accurate and complete list of (i) all Real Estate Assets, including an indication as to whether each such Real Estate Asset constitutes an Immaterial Fee Owned Property and (ii) all real property leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Each lease agreement, sublease or assignment (together with all amendments, modifications, supplements, renewals or extensions of any thereof) affecting the Real Estate Assets referred to in the immediately preceding sentence is in full force and effect and the Company does not have knowledge of any default that has occurred and is continuing thereunder, and each such agreement constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of each applicable Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles whether brought in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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4.14 Environmental Matters. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective Facilities or operations are subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree or settlement agreement with any Person relating to the violation of any Environmental Law, any Environmental Claim, or any Hazardous Materials Activity that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any letter or request for information under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9604) or any comparable state law. There are and, to each of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ knowledge, have been, no conditions, occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, any predecessor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has filed any notice under any Environmental Law indicating past or present treatment of Hazardous Materials at any Facility in violation of applicable Requirements of Law, and none of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ operations involves the generation, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste, as defined under 40 C.F.R. Parts 260-270 or any state equivalent, except to the extent that such operations are undertaken in material compliance with Requirements of Law. Compliance with all current or reasonably foreseeable future requirements pursuant to or under Environmental Laws could not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No event or condition has occurred or is occurring with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the violation of any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous Materials, or any Hazardous Materials Activity that individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.15 No Defaults.

(a) No event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the applicable Credit Extension that would constitute an Event of Default or a Default.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any of its material Contractual Obligations, and no condition exists that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, could constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of such default or defaults, if any, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liability of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000, individually, or $1,000,000, in the aggregate for all such defaults.

4.16 Reserved.

 

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4.17 Governmental Regulation. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation that may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or that may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

4.18 Federal Reserve Regulations; Exchange Act.

(a) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.

(b) No portion of the proceeds of any Credit Extension has or will be used in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, that causes or could reasonably be expected to cause, such Credit Extension or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors or any other regulation thereof or to violate the Exchange Act.

4.19 Employee Matters. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liability of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000, individually, or $1,000,000, in the aggregate for all such practices, in each case during the term of this Agreement. There is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations Board and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement that is so pending against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened against any of them, (b) no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (c) to the best knowledge of the Company, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the best knowledge of the Company, no union organization activity that is taking place, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (a), (b) or (c) above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or result in liabilities in excess of $500,000, individually, or $1,000,000, in the aggregate for all such liabilities. No Credit Party has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”) or any similar federal or state law that remains unpaid or unsatisfied and could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or is in excess of $500,000, individually, or $1,000,000, in the aggregate for all such liabilities.

 

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4.20 Employee Benefit Plans. The Company, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, and have performed all their obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan. Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that such Employee Benefit Plan is so qualified and nothing has occurred subsequent to the issuance of such determination letter that would cause such Employee Benefit Plan to lose its qualified status. No liability to the PBGC (other than required premium payments), the Internal Revenue Service, any Employee Benefit Plan or any trust established under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur. Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code or similar state laws, no Employee Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates. The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities under each Pension Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates (determined as of the end of the most recent plan year on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial valuation for such Pension Plan), did not exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Pension Plan. As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan for which the actuarial report is available, the potential liability of the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective ERISA Affiliates for a complete withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA), when aggregated with such potential liability for a complete withdrawal from all Multiemployer Plans, based on information available pursuant to Section 4221(e) of ERISA is zero. The Company, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their ERISA Affiliates have complied with the requirements of Section 515 of ERISA with respect to each Multiemployer Plan and are not in material “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan.

4.21 Reserved.

4.22 Solvency. Upon the consummation of the Transactions on the Closing Date, the Credit Parties are and, upon the incurrence of any Credit Extension on any date on which this representation and warranty is made, will be, taken as a whole, Solvent.

4.23 Related Agreements.

(a) Delivery. The Company have delivered to Administrative Agent (or its counsel) complete and correct copies of each Related Agreement and of all exhibits and schedules thereto as of the Closing Date.

(b) Representations and Warranties. Except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth herein or in the schedules hereto, and subject to the qualifications set forth therein, each of the representations and warranties given by any Credit Party in any Related Agreement is true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (or as of any earlier date to which such representation and warranty specifically relates); provided that such materiality qualifier shall not apply to any representations and warranties to the extent already qualified or modified by materiality or similar concept in the text thereof. Notwithstanding anything in the Related Agreement to the contrary, the representations and warranties of each Credit Party set forth in this Section 4.23 shall, solely for purposes hereof, survive the Closing Date for the benefit of Lenders.

(c) Governmental Approvals. All Governmental Authorizations and all other authorizations, approvals and consents of any other Person required by the Related Agreements have been obtained and are in full force and effect (other than any filings to be made with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement).

 

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4.24 Compliance with Statutes, Etc. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all Requirements of Law.

4.25 Disclosure(a) . (a) No representation or warranty of any Credit Party contained in any Credit Document or in any other documents, certificates or written statements furnished to any Agent or Lender by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than projections, pro forma financial information and information of a general economic or industry nature) for use in connection with the Transactions contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to the Company, in the case of any document not furnished by either of them) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or such documents, certificates or statements not misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made. Any projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Lenders that such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results. There are no facts known (or that should upon the reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to the Company (other than matters of a general economic nature) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all respects.

4.26 Sanctions; Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws; Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws; Etc.

(a) None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, , or any of their respective Directors, officers or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, employees, agents, advisors, or Affiliates is a Sanctioned Person. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective Directors, officers and, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, employees, agents, advisors and Affiliates is in compliance with all and has not violated any (i) Sanctions, (ii) Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws, or (iii) Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws. No part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension has or will be used, directly or indirectly, (A) for the purpose of financing any activities or business of or with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, (B) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws, or (C) otherwise in any manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, or Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws by any Person.

(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries have established and currently maintain policies, procedures and controls that are designed (and otherwise comply with applicable law) to ensure that each of the Company, its Subsidiaries, and each Controlled Entity, and each of their respective Directors, officers, employees and agents, is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable current and future Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws.

 

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SECTION 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that until Payment in Full of all Obligations, each Credit Party shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 5.

5.1 Financial Statements and Other Reports. Unless otherwise provided below, the Company will deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders:

(a) Monthly Reports. Within forty-five (45) days after the end of each month (including months that began prior to the Closing Date for which financial statements were not previously delivered commencing with the month ending November 30, 2023), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such month and the related consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and consolidated statements of cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such month and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such month, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year, a Financial Officer Certification with respect thereto;

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. Within forty-five days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year (and within sixty days after the end of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2023), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year, together with a Financial Officer Certification with respect thereto;

(c) Annual Financial Statements. Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year (i) the consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year, in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification; and (ii) with respect to such consolidated financial statements a report thereon of Grant Thornton, LLP or other independent certified public accountants of recognized regional or national standing selected by the Company, (which report and accompanying financial statements shall be unqualified as to going concern and scope of audit and shall not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph or like statement, in each case, other than due to an Event of Default under or maturity of Indebtedness, and shall state that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements) and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards);

 

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(d) Compliance Certificate. Within 5 Business Days after the end of each month, a duly executed Compliance Certificate from the Chief Financial Officer certifying as to compliance with the Minimum Consolidated Liquidity under Section 6.8 for each day during the immediately preceding month;

(e) Reserved;

(f) Notice of Default. Promptly and in any event within three days after any officer of the Company obtaining knowledge (i) of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or that notice has been given to the Company with respect thereto; (ii) that any Person has given any notice to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or taken any other action with respect to any event or condition set forth in Section 8.1(b); or (iii) of the occurrence of any event or change that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of an Authorized Officer specifying the nature and period of existence of such condition, event or change, or specifying the notice given and action taken by any such Person and the nature of such claimed Event of Default, Default, event or condition, and what action Company has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto;

(g) Notice of Adverse Proceedings. Promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days after any officer of the Company obtaining knowledge of (i) the institution of, or non-frivolous threat of, any Adverse Proceeding not previously disclosed in writing by Company to Lenders, or (ii) any development in any Adverse Proceeding that, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) if adversely determined, could be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liability of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates in excess of $500,000, individually, or $1,000,000, in the aggregate for all such Adverse Proceedings or seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated hereby, written notice thereof together with such other information as may be reasonably available to the Company to enable Lenders and their counsel to evaluate such matters;

(h) ERISA and Employment Matters. (i) Within three Business Days after becoming aware of the occurrence of or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written notice specifying the nature thereof, what action the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto; (ii) within three Business Days after the same is available to any Credit Party, copies of (1) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan; (2) all written notices received by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA Event; and (3) copies of such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, and (iii) within three Business Days after any Credit Party sends notice of a plant closing or mass layoff (as defined in WARN) to employees, copies of each such notice sent by such Credit Party;

 

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(i) Notice Regarding Material Contracts or Material Indebtedness. Promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after (i)(A) any Material Contract of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is terminated or amended in a manner that is materially adverse to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, or (B) any new Material Contract is entered into, or (ii) any officer of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries obtaining knowledge (A) of any condition or event that constitutes a default or an event of default under any Material Contract, Related Agreement, or Material Indebtedness, (B) that any event, circumstance, or condition exists or has occurred that gives any counterparty to such Material Contract a termination or assignment right thereunder, or (C) that notice has been given to any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries asserting that any such condition or event has occurred, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the applicable Credit Party specifying the nature and period of existence of such condition or event and, in the case of clause (i), including copies of such material amendments or new contracts, delivered to Administrative Agent (to the extent such delivery is permitted by the terms of any such Material Contract, provided, no such prohibition on delivery shall be effective if it were bargained for by the Company or its applicable Subsidiary with the intent of avoiding compliance with this Section 5.1(l)) and, in the case of clause (ii), as applicable, explaining the nature of such claimed default or event of default, and including an explanation of any actions being taken or proposed to be taken by such Credit Party with respect thereto;

(j) Environmental Reports and Audits. As soon as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits, reports, and notices with respect to Environmental Claims at any Facility or that relate to any Environmental Claims against the Company or its Subsidiaries that, in any such case, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(k) Information Regarding Collateral. (a) Company will furnish to Collateral Agent prior written notice of any change (i) in any Credit Party’s corporate name, (ii) in any Credit Party’s identity or corporate structure, (iii) in any Credit Party’s jurisdiction of organization, incorporation or formation, or (iv) in any Credit Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or state organizational identification number. Company agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the UCC or otherwise that are required in order for Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral as contemplated in the Collateral Documents. Company also agrees to promptly notify Collateral Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed;

(l) Annual Collateral Verification. Each year, at the time of delivery of annual financial statements with respect to the preceding Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 5.1(c), Company shall deliver to Collateral Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer either (A) confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Collateral Questionnaire delivered on the Closing Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.1(o) or (B) identifying such changes;

(m) KYC Documentation.

 

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(i) Within ten days following the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s request therefor after the Closing Date, all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act.

(ii) Within five days following the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s request therefor after the Closing Date, any Credit Party that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Credit Party or to the extent applicable, a certification that there has been no change in facts which would render a previously delivered Beneficial Ownership Certification to be untrue, incomplete or misleading.

(iii) Promptly following any change in the information provided in any Beneficial Ownership Certification by any Credit Party delivered to Administrative Agent or any Lender that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such Beneficial Ownership Certification, written notice of such change in the information provided in such Beneficial Ownership Certification.

(n) Other Information. (A) Within ten days of their becoming available and not contained in any information or documents previously delivered to Administrative Agent, copies of (i) all financial statements, reports, notices and proxy statements sent or made available generally by the Company to its Security holders acting in such capacity or by any Subsidiary of the Company to its Security holders acting in such capacity, (ii) all regular and periodic reports and all registration statements and prospectuses, if any, filed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority, (iii) all press releases and other statements made available generally by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material developments in the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (B) promptly after any request, such other information and data with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as from time to time may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent or any Lender.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in clauses (b), (c), and (n) of this Section 5.1 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Company and the Subsidiaries by filing the Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K, as applicable, of the Company with the Securities Exchange Commission.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (b), (c), and (n) of this Section 5.1 may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the earliest date on which (i) any Credit Party posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Company’s website and (ii) such financial statements and/or other documents are posted on the Securities Exchange Commission’s website on the internet at www.sec.gov; provided, that, (A) the Company shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent, continue to deliver copies (which delivery may be by electronic transmission) of such documents to the Administrative Agent and (B) the Company shall notify (which notification may be by facsimile or electronic transmission) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents on any website described in this paragraph. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

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5.2 Existence. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.9, each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, good standing and all rights and franchises, licenses and permits material to its business; provided, no Credit Party (other than Company with respect to its existence) or any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to preserve any such existence, right or franchise, licenses and permits if such Person’s Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of such Person, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to such Person or to Lenders.

5.3 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay all Taxes imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses or franchises before any penalty or fine accrues thereon, and all claims (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums that have become due and payable and that by law have or may become a Lien upon any of its properties or assets, prior to the time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto, except to the extent that the failure to pay such Tax or claim could not reasonably be expected to result in a liability in excess of $500,000, individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate; provided, no such Tax or claim need be paid if it is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (a) adequate reserve or other appropriate provision, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor, and (b) in the case of a Tax or claim that has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay the sale of any portion of the Collateral to satisfy such Tax or claim.

5.4 Maintenance of Properties. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all material properties used or useful in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and from time to time will make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereof; provided that nothing in this Section 5.4 shall prevent sales of property, consolidations or mergers by or involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 6.7 or Section 6.9.

5.5 Insurance. The Company will maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable insurers, (i) business interruption insurance and directors and officers insurance, and (ii) such casualty insurance, public liability insurance, third party property damage insurance with respect to liabilities, losses or damage in respect of the assets, properties and businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case, as may customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each case in such amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles, covering such risks and otherwise on such terms and conditions as shall be customary for such Persons. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will maintain or cause to be maintained flood insurance with respect to each Flood Hazard Property that is located in a community that participates in the National Flood Program, in each case in compliance with any applicable regulations of the Board of Governors. Each such policy of insurance shall (i) in the case of each liability insurance policy, name Collateral Agent and its successors and assigns, for the benefit of Secured Parties, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear, (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a lender loss payable clause or endorsement, satisfactory in form and substance to the Requisite Lenders, that names Collateral Agent and its successors and assigns, for the benefit of Secured Parties as the lender loss payee thereunder, and (iii) in each case, provide for at least thirty days’ prior written notice to Collateral Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy.

 

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5.6 Books and Records; Inspections. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and accounts in which full, true, and correct entries in conformity in all material respects with GAAP shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any authorized representatives designated by any Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect any of the properties of any Credit Party and any of its respective Subsidiaries, to inspect, copy and take extracts from its and their financial and accounting records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances and accounts with its and their officers, all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested; provided that if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such visits and inspections shall be limited to once per year.

5.7 Lenders Meetings. The Company will, upon the request of Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or any Lender, participate in a meeting of Administrative Agent and Lenders once per Fiscal Quarter to be held at Company’s corporate offices (or at such other location as may be agreed to by Company and Administrative Agent or, if agreed to by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders, in their reasonable discretion), via a conference call or other teleconference) at such time as may be agreed to by Company and Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders).

5.8 Compliance with Laws. Each Credit Party will comply in all material respects, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply in all material respects with all Requirements of Law (it being understood, in the case of any laws, rules, regulations, and orders specifically referred to any other provision of this Agreement, the Credit Parties shall also be required to represent and/or comply with, as applicable, the express terms of such provision), and (ii) all Sanctions, Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws, and Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws in accordance with Section 4.26(a). Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain the policies and procedures described in Section 4.26(b).

5.9 Environmental.

(a) Environmental Disclosure. The Company will deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders:

(i) as soon as practicable following receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits, investigations, analyses and written reports of any kind or character, whether prepared by personnel of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by independent consultants, Governmental Authorities or any other Persons, with respect to significant environmental matters at any Facility or with respect to any Environmental Claims;

 

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(ii) promptly upon the occurrence thereof, written notice describing in reasonable detail (1) any Release required to be reported to any Governmental Authority under any applicable Environmental Laws, (2) any remedial action taken by the Company or any other Person in response to (A) any Hazardous Materials Activities the existence of which has a reasonable possibility of resulting in one or more Environmental Claims having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (B) any Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable possibility of resulting in a Material Adverse Effect and (3) the Company’s discovery of any occurrence or condition on any real property adjoining or in the vicinity of any Facility that could cause such Facility or any part thereof to be subject to any material restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, transferability or use thereof under any Environmental Laws;

(iii) as soon as practicable following the sending or receipt thereof by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a copy of any and all written communications with respect to (1) any Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable probability of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect, (2) any Release required to be reported to any Governmental Authority, and (3) any request for information from any Governmental Authority that suggests such Governmental Authority is investigating whether the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be potentially responsible for any Hazardous Materials Activity;

(iv) prompt written notice describing in reasonable detail (1) any proposed acquisition of stock, assets, or property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to (A) expose the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to, or result in, Environmental Claims that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (B) materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to maintain in full force and effect all material Governmental Authorizations required under any Environmental Laws for their respective operations and (2) any proposed action to be taken by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to modify current operations in a manner that could reasonably be expected to subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any additional material obligations or requirements under any Environmental Laws; and

(v) with reasonable promptness, such other documents and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent in relation to any matters disclosed pursuant to this Section 5.9(a).

(b) Hazardous Materials Activities, Etc. Each Credit Party shall promptly take, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries promptly to take, any and all actions necessary to (i) cure any violation of applicable Environmental Laws by such Credit Party or its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) make an appropriate response to any Environmental Claim against such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and discharge any obligations it may have to any Person thereunder where failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.10 Additional Guarantors. In the event that any Person becomes a Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party, such Credit Party shall, within thirty (30) days (or at such later time as is approved by Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of Requisite Lenders in their sole discretion)) after such Person becoming a Material Subsidiary, (a) cause such Material Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder and a Grantor under the Pledge and Security Agreement (or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, the equivalent action under the applicable Collateral Document) by executing and delivering to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent a Counterpart Agreement or other applicable agreement, and (b) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are reasonably requested by Collateral Agent in connection therewith, including such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are similar to those described in Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(e), 3.1(g), 3.1(h), 3.1(j), and 3.1(k). In addition, such Credit Party shall deliver, or cause such Subsidiary to deliver, as applicable, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are reasonably requested by Collateral Agent in order to grant and to perfect a First Priority Lien in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, in 100% of the Capital Stock of such Material Subsidiary under the Pledge and Security Agreement (or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, the equivalent Collateral Document) (including, as applicable, original certificates evidencing such Capital Stock and related powers or instruments of transfer executed in blank, as applicable). With respect to each such Material Subsidiary, Company shall send to Administrative Agent prior written notice setting forth with respect to such Person (i) the date on which such Person is intended to become a Material Subsidiary of Company, and (ii) all of the data required to be set forth in Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 with respect to such Material Subsidiary; provided, such written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedule 4.1 and 4.2 for all purposes hereof automatically upon such Person becoming a Material Subsidiary.

5.11 Additional Locations and Real Estate Assets.

(a) Fee-Owned Real Estate Assets. In the event that any Credit Party owns or acquires a fee-owned Real Estate Asset not constituting Immaterial Fee-Owned Property and such interest has not otherwise been made subject to the Lien of the Collateral Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, then such Credit Party shall promptly notify Collateral Agent thereof, and on the same date as acquiring or leasing such fee-owned Real Estate Asset, shall take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such Mortgaged Real Estate Documents with respect to each such fee-owned Real Estate Asset that Requisite Lenders shall reasonably request to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid and, subject to any filing and/or recording referred to herein, perfected First Priority Lien in such fee-owned Real Estate Asset.

(b) Appraisals. In addition to the foregoing, Company shall, at the request of Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders), deliver, from time to time, to Collateral Agent such appraisals as are required by law or regulation of Real Estate Assets with respect to which Collateral Agent has been granted a Mortgage.

(c) Other New Locations. In the event that any Credit Party leases a new location where Collateral with a value in excess of $500,000 is located, such Credit Party shall obtain a Landlord Collateral Access Agreement or a similar instrument executed by the relevant lessor or other counterparty in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to such location within 30 days of entering into such lease or other arrangements; provided that, if such location contains Collateral with a value less than $1,500,000, such Credit Party shall be required only to use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the foregoing.

 

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5.12 Reserved.

5.13 Further Assurances. Each Credit Party will, at its expense, promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as are required or as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Credit Documents or to perfect, achieve better perfection of, or renew the rights of Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral (or with respect to any additions thereto or replacements or proceeds thereof or with respect to any other property or assets hereafter acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary that may be deemed to be part of the Collateral). In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Credit Party shall take such actions as are required or as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by a First Priority Lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company, and its Subsidiaries and all of the outstanding Capital Stock of each of its Subsidiaries.

5.14 Reserved.

5.15 Post-Closing Matters. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, as applicable, satisfy the requirements set forth below on or before the respective date specified for each such requirement or such later date as is agreed to by Administrative Agent (acting upon a Direction of Requisite Lenders in its sole discretion).

(a) Deposit Account Control Agreement. Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Credit Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into Deposit Account Control Agreements with respect to all Deposit Accounts that do not constitute Excluded Accounts.

(b) Landlord Collateral Access Agreement. Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Credit Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into a Landlord Collateral Access Agreement with respect to each of its Leasehold Properties.

(c) Insurance Endorsements. Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Credit Parties shall deliver endorsements naming Collateral Agent and its successors and assigns, for the benefit of Secured Parties, as additional insured and lender loss payable thereunder to the extent required under Section 5.5.

(d) Foreign Guarantors. Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Credit Parties shall cause each Foreign Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary, as of the Closing Date, to become a Guarantor hereunder and comply with the terms of Section 5.10.

(e) Foreign Intellectual Property. Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Credit Parties shall cause the security interests granted in each Credit Party’s material foreign Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights to be recorded in the applicable intellectual property registries (provided that, nothing herein shall foreclose the Requisite Lenders from requesting additional perfection actions to the extent any Credit Party’s intellectual property is deemed material at any time after Closing Date).

(f) Within (one) (1) Business Day after the Closing Date, the Credit Parties shall deliver evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that UCC-3 termination statements have been filed in respect of each of the following original filing numbers (i) 2014068184, (ii) 2023 5211916, (iii) U230053548016, (iv) 2023 5211924 and (v) 2023 5211932.

 

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SECTION 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that until Payment in Full of all Obligations, such Credit Party shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 6.

6.1 Indebtedness. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or guaranty, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except:

(a) the Obligations;

(b) Indebtedness of Company or any Guarantor to Company or to any other Guarantor, or of Company to any Guarantor or otherwise among the Credit Parties; provided, (i) all such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Note and Subordination, and shall be subject to a First Priority Lien pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement (or an equivalent Collateral Document governed by foreign law) and (ii) all such Indebtedness shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the Payment in Full of all Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Intercompany Note and Subordination;

(c) Permitted Junior Debt; provided that, after giving effect to the incurrence thereof, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing;

(d) 2026 Convertible Senior Notes;

(e) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising from agreements providing for customary indemnification or from customary guaranties or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing the performance of Company or any such Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements in connection with Permitted Acquisitions or permitted dispositions of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not to exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

(f) Indebtedness that may be deemed to exist pursuant to any performance, surety, appeal or similar bonds or statutory obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, and guarantee obligations in respect of any such Indebtedness not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding; provided that such cap shall not apply to any such bonds or statutory obligations in accordance with Requirements of Law;

(g) Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and other services provided in connection with deposit accounts in the ordinary course of business;

(h) Indebtedness existing as of the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 6.1 but not any extensions, renewals or replacements of such Indebtedness except (i) renewals and extensions expressly provided for in the agreements evidencing any such Indebtedness as the same are in effect on the date of this Agreement, and (ii) refinancings and extensions of any such Indebtedness if the terms and conditions thereof are not less favorable to the obligor thereon or to the Lenders than the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended, and the average life to maturity thereof is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended; provided, such Indebtedness permitted under the immediately preceding clause (i) or (ii) above shall not (A) include Indebtedness of an obligor that was not an obligor with respect to the Indebtedness being extended, renewed or refinanced, (B) exceed in a principal amount the Indebtedness being renewed, extended or refinanced, or (C) be incurred, created or assumed if any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

 

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(i) guaranties by the Company of Indebtedness of a Guarantor or guaranties by a Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor with respect, in each case, to Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 6.1; provided, that if the Indebtedness that is being guaranteed is unsecured and/or subordinate to the Obligations (in payment or Lien priority), then such guaranties shall also be unsecured and/or subordinated to the Obligations to the same extent as such guaranteed Indebtedness;

(j) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default hereunder;

(k) Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $2,000,000 consisting of (x) Capital Lease Obligations and (y) other purchase money Indebtedness, in each case incurred simultaneously with, prior to or within 180 days after the acquisition of assets in connection therewith; provided, in the case of clause (x), that any such Indebtedness shall be secured only by the asset subject to such Capital Lease, and, in the case of clause (y), that any such Indebtedness shall be secured only by the asset acquired in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness;

(l) obligations under Hedge Agreements that are not for speculative purposes and are approved by a Direction of the Requisite Lenders;

(m) letters of credit incurred in the ordinary course of business securing the performance of operating leases or payor contracts not to exceed, in the aggregate at any time outstanding, $2,000,000;

(n) Indebtedness in respect of corporate credit cards in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 at any time outstanding;

(o) Earnouts constituting Subordinated Indebtedness in connection with Permitted Acquisitions; and

(p) other Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries not to exceed an aggregate principal amount equal to $2,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that secured Indebtedness for borrowed money shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount equal to $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.

6.2 Liens. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, leased (as lessee), or licensed (as licensee), or any income, profits, or royalties therefrom, or file or permit the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income, profits, or royalties under the UCC of any State or under any similar recording or notice statute or under any applicable intellectual property laws, rules or procedures, except:

 

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(a) Liens in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties granted pursuant to any Credit Document;

(b) Liens for Taxes if obligations with respect to such Taxes are not yet due or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP so long as the aggregate amount of such Taxes does not exceed $500,000 at any time outstanding;

(c) statutory Liens of landlords, banks (and rights of set-off), of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, repairmen, workmen and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law (other than any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA or a violation of Section 436 of the Internal Revenue Code), in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business (i) for amounts not yet overdue, or (ii) for amounts that are overdue and that (in the case of any such amounts overdue for a period in excess of five days) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, so long as such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made for any such contested amounts;

(d) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money or other Indebtedness), so long as no foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings have been commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

(e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, and other minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case that do not and will not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and that, in the aggregate for any parcel of real property subject thereto, do not materially detract from the value of such parcel

(f) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease of real estate permitted hereunder;

(g) Liens solely on any customary cash earnest money deposits made by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

(h) purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to operating leases of personal property entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(j) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real property;

(k) non-exclusive outbound licenses of patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights granted by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of or materially detracting from the value of the business of Company or such Subsidiary;

(l) Liens described in Schedule 6.2;

(m) Liens securing purchase money Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.1(j); provided, any such Lien shall encumber only the asset acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness;

(n) Liens securing Permitted Junior Debt;

(o) Liens arising out of judgments, attachments or awards not resulting in an Event of Default and in respect of which the Company or any applicable Subsidiary shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review in respect of which there shall be secured a subsisting stay of execution pending such appeal or proceedings and, in the case of any such Lien which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral;

(p) Liens on cash collateral securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.1(n) (not in excess of 105% of the principal amount thereof); and

(q) other Liens on assets that secures Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.2 to the contrary, in no event shall any obligations of any Credit Party under any Hedge Agreement be secured by any Lien.

6.3 Equitable Lien. If any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall create or assume any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Permitted Liens, it shall make or cause to be made effective provisions whereby the Obligations will be secured by such Lien equally and ratably with any and all other Indebtedness secured thereby as long as any such Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided, notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant shall not be construed as a consent by Requisite Lenders to the creation or assumption of any such Lien not otherwise permitted hereby.

6.4 No Further Negative Pledges. Except with respect to (a) specific property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold pursuant to an executed agreement with respect to a permitted Asset Sale and (b) restrictions by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (provided that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets secured by such Liens or the property or assets subject to such leases, licenses or similar agreements, as the case may be) no Credit Party shall enter into or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any agreement prohibiting, or triggering any requirement for equitable and ratable sharing of Liens or any similar obligations upon, the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any Credit Party’s properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure the Obligations.

 

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6.5 Restricted Junior Payments. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates through any manner or means or through any other Person to, directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make or set apart, or agree to declare, order, pay, make or set apart, any sum for any Restricted Junior Payment except that:

(a) Any Subsidiary of Company may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions to Company or any other Subsidiary of Company; provided that, distributions to a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor shall constitute a permitted Investment pursuant to Section 6.7(o) (other than any intermediate transfer via a non-Guarantor that is substantially concurrently distributed to the Company or another Guarantor);

(b) Any Credit Party may make payments in respect of any Permitted Junior Debt in accordance with any applicable Subordination Agreement;

(c) The Company may make (i) all mandatory or scheduled payments pursuant to the terms of the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes and (ii) other repurchases of the 2026 Convertible Senior Notes; provided that the aggregate purchase price made pursuant to clause (ii) shall not exceed an amount equal to (x) the proceeds of Permitted Junior Debt issued by the Company after the Closing Date, (y) proceeds of any issuance of Capital Stock by the Company after the Closing Date and (z) any Net Asset Sale Proceeds not required by Section 2.13(a) to be applied to prepay the Loans; provided that (1) in each case in clause (ii) the Company shall be in pro forma compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 6.8 hereof and no Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing before or after giving effect to such Restricted Junior Payment, and (2) in the case of clause (ii)(z) the aggregate purchase price shall not exceed $20,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; provided, further that, the Company may make repurchases pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii)(z) in an unlimited amount on any date in which the Term Loans outstanding under this Agreement do not exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate;

(d) Any Credit Party may make payments to the Company to permit the Company, and the subsequent use of such payments by the Company, to repurchase or redeem Capital Stock of the Company held by officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates) of a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that at the time of such Restricted Junior Payment and after giving effect thereto, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist or would result therefrom, (ii) after giving effect to such Restricted Junior Payment, on a pro forma basis, the Credit Parties are in compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 6.8 hereof and (iii) the aggregate Restricted Junior Payments permitted under this Section 6.5(d) in any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $500,000 and during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $2,500,000; and

(e) The Company may make payments pursuant to the terms of the Related Agreements;

(f) Any Credit Party may make payments to its direct or indirect equityholders to enable such equityholders to pay any applicable income, or franchise or similar Taxes then due and payable, to the extent such Taxes are attributable to the activities or income of the Company and its Subsidiaries or such equityholders’ ownership of equity interests therein; and

(g) Any Credit Party may make payments in respect of any earn out obligations or seller financing indebtedness in accordance with any applicable Subordination Agreement; provided that, at the time of such Restricted Junior Payment and after giving effect thereto, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist or would result therefrom and (ii) after giving effect to such Restricted Junior Payment, on a pro forma basis, the Credit Parties are in compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 6.8 hereof.

 

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Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.5 to the contrary, in no event shall any Restricted Junior Payment made pursuant to clauses (b) through (d) of this Section 6.5 be made in any form other than Cash and/or shares of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock).

6.6 Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary of Company to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock owned by Company or any other Subsidiary of Company, (b) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to Company or any other Subsidiary of Company, (c) make loans or advances to Company or any other Subsidiary of Company, or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to Company or any other Subsidiary of Company, in each case, other than restrictions (i) in the Credit Documents, (ii) in agreements evidencing purchase money Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1(j) that impose restrictions on the property so acquired, (iii) by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, joint venture agreements and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) that are or were created by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer or option or right with respect to any property, assets or Capital Stock not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement.

6.7 Investments. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any Acquisition or make or own any Investment (including if made as an Acquisition) in any Person, including any Joint Venture, except:

(a) Investments in Cash and Cash Equivalents;

(b) equity Investments owned as of the Closing Date in any Subsidiary and Investments made after the Closing Date in Company or any Wholly-Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries of Company;

(c) Investments (i) in any Securities voluntarily accepted in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors, and (ii) deposits, prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(d) intercompany loans to the extent permitted under Section 6.1;

(e) Investments in Company or any of its Guarantor Subsidiaries;

(f) loans and advances to directors, officers, and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) made in the ordinary course of business and described on Schedule 6.7, and (ii) any refinancings of such loans after the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $150,000 at any time outstanding;

(g) Permitted Acquisitions;

 

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(h) Investments existing on the Closing Date and described in Schedule 6.7;

(i) Hedge Agreements permitted under Section 6.1(k) to the extent constituting Investments;

(j) leases of real or personal property in the ordinary course of business and in

(k) guarantees by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1; provided, any such guarantee shall be subordinated to the Obligations to the same extent and on the same terms and conditions as the Indebtedness guaranteed has been subordinated to the Obligations;

(l) guarantees in the ordinary course of business of obligations owed to landlords, suppliers, customers and licensees of any Credit Party;

(m) Investments consisting of earnest money deposits required in connection with a Permitted Acquisition;

(n) Investments received in connection with dispositions of assets to the extent permitted by Section 6.9 and Restricted Junior Payments to the extent permitted by Section 6.5;

(o) cash Investments in Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors in an amount not to exceed amounts necessary to cover operating expenses of such Subsidiaries for up to the next six months in the ordinary course of business; provided that the aggregate cash held by such Subsidiaries shall not exceed $3,000,000 at any time; and

(p) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; provided that Investments not paid in the form of Cash or Cash Equivalents or Capital Stock shall not exceed $250,000 during the term of this Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.7 to the contrary, (A) in no event shall any Credit Party make any Investment that results in or facilitates in any manner any Restricted Junior Payment not otherwise permitted under the terms of Section 6.5, and (B) in no event shall the aggregate Investments made by Credit Parties in any Joint Venture exceed an amount equal to $500,000 for all such Investments during the term of this Agreement.

6.8 Minimum Consolidated Liquidity . The Company shall not permit Consolidated Liquidity at any time to be less than $15,000,000.

6.9 Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation (including through a plan of division), or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), consummate any Asset Sale, or Dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any part of its business, assets or property of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, leased (as lessee), or licensed (as licensee), except:

 

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(a) any Subsidiary of Company may be merged with or into Company or any Guarantor, or be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to Company or any Guarantor; provided, in the case of such a merger involving Company, Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person, and in the case of any other such merger, a Wholly-Owned Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

(b) sales or other dispositions of assets that do not constitute Asset Sales;

(c) Asset Sales, to the extent (1) the proceeds received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof (determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Company), (2) no less than 75% (or 65% in the case of a transaction with an earnout, the value of which shall be determined in accordance with GAAP) thereof shall consist of Cash paid upon the closing of each applicable Asset Sale, and (3) the Net Asset Sale Proceeds thereof shall be applied to the extent required by Section 2.13(a); and

(d) disposals of used, surplus, obsolete or worn-out property and the abandonment or other disposition of Intellectual Property that is, in the reasonable judgment of such Credit Party, no longer economically practicable to maintain or no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Credit Documents, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, consummate any “Division” (as defined in Section 18-217 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act) or similar organizational change that may hereafter be permitted under any applicable statute.

6.10 Disposal of Subsidiary Interests. Except for any sale of all of its interests in the Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries in compliance with the provisions of Section 6.9, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries, except to another Credit Party (subject to the restrictions on such disposition otherwise imposed hereunder), or to qualify Directors if required by applicable law.

6.11 Sales and Lease-Backs. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, that such Credit Party (a) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), or (b) intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Credit Party to any Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) in connection with such lease.

 

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6.12 Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any Affiliate of such holder) or with any Affiliate of the Company or of any such holder; provided, however, that the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries may enter into or permit to exist any such transaction if both (i) the independent members of the Board of Directors of the Company have consented thereto, and (ii) the terms of such transaction are not less favorable to the Company or that Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that might be obtained at the time from a Person who is not such a holder or Affiliate; further; provided, that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (a) any transaction among Company and any Wholly-Owned Guarantor or any of them; (b) reasonable and customary fees paid to members of the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (c) reasonable and customary reimbursement and compensation arrangements for officers and other employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business; (d) transactions described in Schedule 6.12; and (e) the issuance of the Warrants and the exercise of any and all related rights by the holder in connection therewith. Company shall disclose in writing each transaction with any holder of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or with any Affiliate of the Company or of any such holder to Administrative Agent.

6.13 Conduct of Business. From and after the Closing Date, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in (i) any business other than (A) the businesses engaged in by such Credit Party on the Closing Date and business ancillary, incidental, or substantially related thereto, and (B) such other lines of business as may be acceptable to Requisite Lenders, or (ii) any business or activities that conflict with Section 4.26(a).

6.14 Reserved.

6.15 Reserved.

6.16 Amendments or Waivers with Respect to Certain Indebtedness. Except to the extent expressly permitted under the terms of the corresponding Subordination Agreement, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend or otherwise change the terms of any Subordinated Indebtedness or make any payment consistent with an amendment thereof or change thereto, if the effect of such amendment or change is to increase the interest rate on such Indebtedness, increase the principal amount thereof, change (to earlier dates) any dates upon which payments of principal or interest are due thereon, change any event of default or condition to an event of default with respect thereto (other than to eliminate any such event of default or increase any grace period related thereto), change the redemption, prepayment or defeasance provisions thereof, change the subordination provisions thereof (or of any guaranty thereof), or if the effect of such amendment or change, together with all other amendments or changes made, is to increase materially the obligations of the obligor thereunder or to confer any additional rights on the holders thereof (or a trustee or other representative on their behalf) that would be adverse to any Credit Party, the Agents or any Lender.

6.17 Fiscal Year; Accounting Policies. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to change its Fiscal Year-end from December 31 or make any change in its accounting policies that is not required under GAAP.

6.18 Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts. No Credit Party will establish or maintain a Deposit Account or a Securities Account that is not a Controlled Account, deposit any funds or proceeds in a Deposit Account that is not a Controlled Account or deposit, acquire, or otherwise carry any security entitlement or commodity contract in a Securities Account that is not a Controlled Account; provided, that, the foregoing shall not apply to Excluded Accounts.

 

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6.19 Amendments to Certain Documents and Agreements. No Credit Party shall (a) amend or permit any amendments to any Credit Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Organizational Documents; or (b) amend, terminate, or waive or permit any amendment, termination, or waiver of any provision of, any Material Contract, or Material Indebtedness if in the case of clause (a) or (b) such amendment, termination, or waiver would be adverse to Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

6.20 Use of Proceeds. No Credit Party shall use the proceeds of any Term Loans except as set forth in Section 2.5.

SECTION 7 GUARANTY

7.1 Guaranty of the Obligations. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.2 and any limitations set forth in the definition of the term Guarantor, Guarantors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guaranty to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Beneficiaries the due and punctual Payment in Full of all Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)) (collectively, the Guaranteed Obligations).

7.2 Contribution by Guarantors. All Guarantors desire to allocate among themselves (collectively, the Contributing Guarantors), in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under this Guaranty. Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by a Guarantor (a Funding Guarantor) under this Guaranty such that its Aggregate Payments exceeds its Fair Share as of such date, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Contributing Guarantors in an amount sufficient to cause each Contributing Guarantor’s Aggregate Payments to equal its Fair Share as of such date. Fair Share means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the ratio of (i) the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to such Contributing Guarantor, to (ii) the aggregate of the Fair Share Contribution Amounts with respect to all Contributing Guarantors multiplied by, (b) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or before such date by all Funding Guarantors under this Guaranty in respect of the obligations Guaranteed. Fair Share Contribution Amount means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Contributing Guarantor under this Guaranty that would not render its obligations hereunder or thereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any comparable applicable provisions of state law; provided, solely for purposes of calculating the “Fair Share Contribution Amount” with respect to any Contributing Guarantor for purposes of this Section 7.2, any assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of contribution hereunder shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor. Aggregate Payments means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (1) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor in respect of this Guaranty (including in respect of this Section 7.2), minus (2) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor from the other Contributing Guarantors as contributions under this Section 7.2. The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Funding Guarantor. The allocation among Contributing Guarantors of their obligations as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any Contributing Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor is a third party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this Section 7.2.

 

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7.3 Payment by Guarantors. Subject to Section 7.2, Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree, in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that any Beneficiary may have at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, that upon the failure of Company to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)), Guarantors will pay, or cause to be paid, in Cash, to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Beneficiaries, an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal amount of all Guaranteed Obligations then due as aforesaid, accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (including interest that, but for Company’s becoming the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against Company for such interest in the related bankruptcy case) and all other Guaranteed Obligations then owed to Beneficiaries as aforesaid.

7.4 Liability of Guarantors Absolute. Each Guarantor agrees that its obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance that constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:

(a) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not of collectability. This Guaranty is a primary obligation of each Guarantor and not merely a contract of surety;

(b) Administrative Agent may enforce this Guaranty upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between Company and any Beneficiary with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;

(c) the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of Company and the obligations of any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the obligations of Company, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor whether or not any action is brought against Company or any of such other guarantors and whether or not Company is joined in any such action or actions;

 

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(d) payment by any Guarantor of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge any Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that has not been paid. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Administrative Agent is awarded a judgment in any suit brought to enforce any Guarantor’s covenant to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations, such judgment shall not be deemed to release such Guarantor from its covenant to pay the portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that is not the subject of such suit, and such judgment shall not, except to the extent satisfied by such Guarantor, limit, affect, modify or abridge any other Guarantor’s liability hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(e) any Beneficiary, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without notice or demand and without affecting the validity or enforceability hereof or giving rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination of any Guarantor’s liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew, extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change the time, place, manner or terms of payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) settle, compromise, release or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment of the same to the payment of any other obligations; (iii) request and accept other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations and take and hold security for the payment hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind, waive, alter, subordinate or modify, with or without consideration, any security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, any other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including any other Guarantor) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) enforce and apply any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of such Beneficiary in respect hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any other right or remedy that such Beneficiary may have against any such security, in each case as such Beneficiary in its discretion may determine consistent herewith and any applicable security agreement, including foreclosure on any such security pursuant to one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable, and even though such action operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Guarantor against any other Credit Party or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations; and (vi) exercise any other rights available to it under the Credit Documents; and

(f) this Guaranty and the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination for any reason (other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not any Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge of any of them: (i) any failure or omission to assert or enforce or agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power or remedy (whether arising under the Credit Documents at law, in equity or otherwise) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any other guaranty of or security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any consent to depart from, any of the terms or provisions (including provisions relating to events of default) hereof, any of the other Credit Documents or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any other guaranty or security for the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case whether or not in accordance with the terms hereof or such Credit Document or any agreement relating to such other guaranty or security; (iii) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect; (iv) the application of payments received from any source (other than payments received pursuant to the other Credit Documents or from the proceeds of any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except to the extent such security also serves as collateral for indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations) to the payment of indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations, even though any Beneficiary might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) any Beneficiary’s consent to the change, reorganization or termination of the corporate structure or existence of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and to any corresponding restructuring of the Guaranteed Obligations; (vi) any failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any collateral that secures any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (vii) any defenses, set-offs or counterclaims that Company may allege or assert against any Beneficiary in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury; and (viii) any other act or thing or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor as an obligor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

 

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7.5 Waivers by Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby waives, for the benefit of Beneficiaries: (a) any right to require any Beneficiary, as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (i) proceed against Company, any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from Company, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (iii) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any Deposit Account or credit on the books of any Beneficiary in favor of Company or any other Person, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Beneficiary whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of Company or any other Guarantor including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of Company or any other Guarantor from any cause other than Payment in Full of all Obligations; (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law that provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (d) any defense based upon any Beneficiary’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations, except behavior that amounts to bad faith; (e) (i) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, that are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof and any legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (iii) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Beneficiary protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; (f) notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance hereof, notices of default hereunder, or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of credit to Company and notices of any of the matters referred to in Section 7.4 and any right to consent to any thereof; and (g) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law that limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or that may conflict with the terms hereof.

 

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7.6 Guarantors Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, Etc. Until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, each Guarantor hereby waives any claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against Company or any other Guarantor or any of its assets in connection with this Guaranty or the performance by such Guarantor of its obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise and including (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against any other Credit Party with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right or remedy that any Beneficiary now has or may hereafter have against any other Credit Party, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by any Beneficiary. In addition, until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, each Guarantor shall withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Guarantor may have against any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations, including any such right of contribution as contemplated by Section 7.2. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent the waiver or agreement to withhold the exercise of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification such Guarantor may have against Company or against any collateral or security, and any rights of contribution such Guarantor may have against any such other guarantor, shall be junior and subordinate to any rights any Beneficiary may have against any Credit Party, to all right, title and interest any Beneficiary may have in any such collateral or security, and to any right any Beneficiary may have against such other guarantor. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of any such subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or contribution rights at any time when all Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been Paid in Full, such amount shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof.

7.7 Subordination of Other Obligations. Any Indebtedness of Company or any Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor (the Obligee Guarantor) is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Obligations, and any Distribution collected or received by the Obligee Guarantor after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations but without affecting, impairing or limiting in any manner the liability of the Obligee Guarantor under any other provision hereof. For purposes of this Section 7.7, “Distribution” means, with respect to any Indebtedness subordinated pursuant to this Section 7.7, (a) any payment or distribution by any Person of cash, securities or other property, by set-off or otherwise, on account of such Indebtedness, (b) any redemption of or purchase or other acquisition of such Indebtedness from the Obligee Guarantor by any other Person, and (c) the granting of any lien or security interest to or for the benefit of the Obligee Guarantor or any other Person in or upon any property of any Person to secure such Indebtedness.

7.8 Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been Paid in Full. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future transactions giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligations.

 

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7.9 Authority of Guarantors or Company. It is not necessary for any Beneficiary to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Guarantor or Company or the officers, Directors or any agents acting or purporting to act on behalf of any of them.

7.10 Financial Condition of Company. Any Credit Extension may be made to Company or continued from time to time without notice to or authorization from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of Company at the time of any such grant or continuation. No Beneficiary shall have any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Guarantor its assessment, or any Guarantor’s assessment, of the financial condition of Company. Each Guarantor has adequate means to obtain information from Company on a continuing basis concerning the financial condition of Company and its ability to perform its obligations under the Credit Documents, and each Guarantor assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of Company and of all circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor hereby waives and relinquishes any duty on the part of any Beneficiary to disclose any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, operations or conditions of Company now known or hereafter known by any Beneficiary.

7.11 Bankruptcy, Etc.

(a) So long as any Guaranteed Obligations remain outstanding, no Guarantor shall, without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent acting pursuant to a Direction of the Requisite Lenders, commence or join with any other Person in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency case or proceeding of or against Company or any other Guarantor. The obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged, deferred, suspended or terminated by any case or proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation or arrangement of Company or any other Guarantor or by any defense that Company or any other Guarantor may have by reason of the order, decree or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding.

(b) Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that any interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding referred to in clause (a) above (or, if interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of law by reason of the commencement of such case or proceeding, such interest as would have accrued on such portion of the Guaranteed Obligations if such case or proceeding had not been commenced) shall be included in the Guaranteed Obligations because it is the intention of Guarantors and Beneficiaries that the Guaranteed Obligations that are guaranteed by Guarantors pursuant hereto should be determined without regard to any rule of law or order that may relieve any Credit Party of any portion of such Guaranteed Obligations. Guarantors will permit any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person to pay Administrative Agent, or allow the claim of Administrative Agent in respect of, any such interest accruing after the date on which such case or proceeding is commenced.

 

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(c) In the event that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid by any Credit Party, the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered directly or indirectly from any Beneficiary as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and any such payments that are so rescinded or recovered shall constitute Guaranteed Obligations for all purposes hereunder.

7.12 Discharge of Guaranty Upon Sale of Guarantor. If all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor or any of its successors in interest hereunder shall be sold or otherwise disposed of (including by merger or consolidation) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, the Guaranty of such Guarantor or such successor in interest, as the case may be, hereunder shall automatically be discharged and released without any further action by any Beneficiary or any other Person effective as of the time of such Asset Sale (provided that Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may, after receipt of a written certificate of a Chief Financial Officer of Company or the Company certifying that such transaction is permitted pursuant to the Credit Documents, execute and deliver any documentation reasonably requested by Company in writing to further evidence or reflect any such release, all at the expense of Company).

7.13 Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by any other Credit Party hereunder to honor all of such Credit Party’s obligations under this Guaranty in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 7.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 7.13, or otherwise under this Guaranty, as it relates to such Credit Party, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 7.13 shall remain in full force and effect until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been Paid in Full. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 7.13 constitute, and this Section 7.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Credit Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

8.1 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following conditions or events shall occur:

(a) Failure to Make Payments When Due. Failure by Company to pay (i) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Loan whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise or (ii) when due any installment of principal of any Loan, by notice of voluntary prepayment, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise. Failure by Company to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in subsection (i) and (ii) of this subsection 8.1(a)) due under any Credit Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days; or

 

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(b) Default in Other Agreements. (i) Failure of any Credit Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries to pay when due any principal of or interest on or any other amount, including any payment in settlement, payable in respect of one or more items of Material Indebtedness, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor; or (ii) breach or default by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any other term of (1) one or more items of Material Indebtedness, or (2) any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Material Indebtedness, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Material Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders), with or without the passage of time, to cause, that Material Indebtedness to become or be declared due and payable (or subject to a compulsory repurchase or other redemption) prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be; or

(c) Breach of Certain Covenants. Failure of any Credit Party to perform or comply with any term or condition contained in Section 5.1, Section 5.2, Section 5.3, Section 5.4, Section 5.5, Section 5.6, Section 5.7, Section 5.8, Section 5.9, Section 5.15, or Section 6; or

(d) Breach of Representations, etc. Any representation, warranty, certification or other statement made or deemed made by any Credit Party in any Credit Document or in any statement or certificate at any time given by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries in writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false or misleading in any material respect as of the date made or deemed made; provided that such materiality qualifier shall not apply to any representations and warranties to the extent already qualified or modified by materiality or similar concept in the text thereof; or

(e) Other Defaults Under Credit Documents. Any Credit Party shall default in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or any of the other Credit Documents, other than any such term referred to in any other paragraph of this Section 8.1 or consisting of a condition or status that is expressly required to exist or be satisfied at a specific time, and such term has not been fully and permanently performed or complied with within thirty days after the earlier of (i) an officer of such Credit Party becoming aware of such default, or (ii) receipt by Company of notice from Administrative Agent or any Lender of such default; or

(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) A court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under any Debtor Relief Law, which decree or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal or state law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Debtor Relief Law; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or other officer having similar powers over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this clause (ii) shall continue for sixty days without having been dismissed, bonded or discharged; or

 

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(g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc. (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a voluntary case under any Debtor Relief Law, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property; or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 8.1(f); or

(h) Judgments and Attachments. Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process involving (i) in any individual case an amount in excess of $1,000,000 or (ii) in the aggregate at any time an amount in excess of $2,000,000 (in either case to the extent not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has acknowledged coverage) shall be entered or filed against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of sixty days; or

(i) Dissolution. Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries decreeing the dissolution or split up of such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and such order shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period in excess of thirty days; or

(j) Employee Benefit Plans. (i) There shall occur one or more ERISA Events that individually or in the aggregate results in or might reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in excess of $500,000 during the term hereof; or (ii) there exists any fact or circumstance that reasonably could be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien or security interest under Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA or a violation of Section 436 of the Internal Revenue Code; or

(k) Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur; or

(l) Guaranties, Collateral Documents and other Credit Documents. At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the Guaranty for any reason, other than the Payment in Full of all Obligations, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate its obligations thereunder, (ii) this Agreement or any Collateral Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or the Payment in Full of the Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof) or shall be declared null and void, or Collateral Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a valid and perfected Lien in any Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents with the priority required by the relevant Collateral Document, in each case for any reason, or (iii) any Credit Party shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Credit Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Credit Document to which it is a party or shall contest the validity of or perfection of any Lien in any Collateral granted or purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents; or

 

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THEN, (1) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.1(f) or 8.1(g), automatically, and (2) upon the occurrence of any other Event of Default, at the request of (or with the consent of) Requisite Lenders, upon notice to Company by Administrative Agent, (A) the Commitments, if any, of each Lender having such Commitments; and (B) each of the following shall immediately become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Credit Party: (I) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest and premium on the Loans, and (II) all other Obligations; provided, the foregoing shall not affect in any way the obligations of Lenders under Section 2.3(e). In addition to the foregoing rights and remedies, Administrative Agent, at the request of (or with the consent of) Requisite Lenders, may cause Collateral Agent to enforce any and all Liens and security interests created pursuant to Collateral Documents and Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may enforce any other rights and remedies available to it under any Credit Document or under applicable law.

SECTION 9 AGENTS

9.1 Appointment of Agents. WSFS is hereby appointed Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and each Lender hereby authorizes WSFS, in such capacity, to act as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents. Each Agent hereby agrees to act in its capacity as such upon the express conditions contained in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, as applicable. The provisions of this Section 9 are solely for the benefit of Agents and Lenders and no Credit Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof. In performing its functions and duties hereunder, each Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders and the Secured Parties, as applicable, and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Each Agent (other than Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent), without consent of or notice to any party hereto, may assign any and all of its rights or obligations hereunder to any of its Affiliates. Each Agent (other than Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent), may resign from such role at any time, with immediate effect, by giving prior written notice thereof to Administrative Agent and Company. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement or any other Credit Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties. Each Lender hereby agrees that, except as otherwise set forth herein, any action taken by the Requisite Lenders in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or the Credit Documents, and the exercise by the Requisite Lenders of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Lenders.

 

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9.2 Powers and Duties. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes each Agent to take such action on such Lender’s behalf and to exercise such powers, rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as are specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. In the event that any obligations are permitted to be incurred and subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations hereunder and/or are permitted to be secured by Liens on all or a portion of the Collateral, each Lender authorizes Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, as applicable, to enter into intercreditor agreements, subordination agreements and amendments to the Collateral Documents to reflect such arrangements on terms that are acceptable to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, in their respective sole discretion, as applicable. Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents. Each Agent may exercise such powers, rights and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents, sub-agents or employees. No Agent shall have, by reason of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender or any other Person; and nothing in this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon any Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.

9.3 General Immunity.

(a) No Responsibility for Certain Matters. No Agent shall be responsible to any Lender for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, perfection, collectability or sufficiency (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with any Agent’s reliance on any electronic signatures, or signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed .pdf or any other electronic means) of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in any financial or other statements, instruments, agreements, reports or certificates or any other documents furnished or made by any Agent to Lenders or by or on behalf of any Credit Party to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business affairs of any Credit Party or any other Person liable for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall any Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained in any of the Credit Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or Default or as to the value or sufficiency of any Collateral or as to the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 3 or elsewhere herein (other than confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent) or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to make any disclosures with respect to the foregoing. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of the amount of outstanding Loans or the component amounts thereof.

 

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(b) Exculpatory Provisions. No Agent nor any of its officers, partners, Directors, employees or agents shall be liable to Lenders for any action taken or omitted by any Agent (i) under or in connection with any of the Credit Documents except to the extent caused by such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) with the consent or at the request of the Requisite Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders or any other instructing group of Lenders specified by this Agreement) or upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders. No Agent shall, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, have any duty to disclose or be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Company or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or from the exercise of any power, discretion or authority vested in it hereunder or thereunder unless and until such Agent shall have received instructions in respect thereof from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.5) or a Direction of the Requisite Lenders and, upon receipt of such instructions from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be) or a Direction of the Requisite Lenders, such Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from acting, or to exercise (and shall be fully protected in so acting, refraining from acting or exercising) such power, discretion or authority, in accordance with such instructions, including for the avoidance of doubt refraining from any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability, may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law; provided, however, that (1) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Agent shall be required to take any action which, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, exposes any Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or Requirements of Law and (2) each Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act under this Agreement or any other Credit Document unless it first receives further assurances of its indemnification from the Lenders that the such Agent reasonably believes it may require, including prepayment of any related expenses and any other protection it requires against any and all costs, expenses and liabilities it may incur in taking or continuing to take any such discretionary action upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i) each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in, and shall not incur any liability for, relying, upon any oral or written communication, instrument, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure, authorization or document (which may include a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution or signed using an electronic signature, or signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed .pdf or any other electronic means) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person or Persons (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Credit Documents for being the maker thereof), and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of, opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for the Company and its Subsidiaries), accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents in accordance with the instructions of Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.5) or a Direction of the Requisite Lenders. In no event shall any Agent be required to expend or risk any of its own funds or otherwise incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of its duties under the Credit Documents or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers under this Agreement.

 

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(c) Delegation of Duties. Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers under this Agreement or under any other Credit Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Such appointing Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory, indemnification and other provisions of this Section 9 shall apply to any Affiliates of any Agent and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as an Agent. All of the rights, benefits, and privileges (including the exculpatory and indemnification provisions) of this Section 9 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities as sub-agent as if such sub-agent and Affiliates were named herein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to each sub-agent appointed by an Agent, (i) such sub-agent shall be a third party beneficiary under this Agreement with respect to all such rights, benefits and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) and shall have all of the rights and benefits of a third party beneficiary of this Section 9, including an independent right of action to enforce such rights, benefits and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) directly, without the consent or joinder of any other Person, against any or all of Credit Parties and the Lenders, (ii) such rights, benefits and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) shall not be modified or amended without the consent of such sub-agent, and (iii) such sub-agent shall only have obligations to the applicable Agent and not to any Credit Party, Lender or any other Person and no Credit Party, Lender or any other Person shall have any rights, directly or indirectly, as a third party beneficiary or otherwise, against such sub-agent. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that such Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

(d) Notice of Default or Event of Default. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to such Agent by a Credit Party or a Lender. In the event that Administrative Agent shall receive such a notice, Administrative Agent will endeavor to give notice thereof to the Lenders; provided, that failure to give such notice shall not result in any liability on the part of Administrative Agent.

(e) Direction of Requisite Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents to the contrary, with respect to each reference herein or the other Credit Documents to documents, agreements or other matters being “satisfactory,” “acceptable,” “reasonably satisfactory”, “reasonably acceptable,” “waived” or “requested” (or any expression of similar import) to or by the Requisite Lenders, such determination may be communicated by a Direction of the Requisite Lenders.

9.4 Agents Entitled to Act as Lender. The agency hereby created shall in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender hereunder. With respect to its participation in the Loans, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as if it were not performing the duties and functions delegated to it hereunder, and the term “Lender” shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each Agent in its individual capacity. Any Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with the Company or any of its Affiliates as if it were not performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from Company for services in connection herewith and otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders. The Lenders acknowledge that pursuant to such activities, the Agents or their Affiliates may receive information regarding any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Credit Party or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Agents and their Affiliates shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them.

 

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9.5 Lenders Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment.

(a) Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with Credit Extensions hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Company and its Subsidiaries. No Agent shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter, and no Agent shall have any responsibility with respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to Lenders.

(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement or an Assignment Agreement and funding its Term Loan on the Closing Date shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Credit Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Requisite Lenders or Lenders, as applicable on the Closing Date.

(c) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Agents their respective Affiliates that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans or the Commitments;

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, and the conditions for exemptive relief thereunder have been satisfied in connection therewith;

 

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(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement; or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its reasonable discretion, and such Lender.

(d) In addition, if the immediately preceding clause (c)(i) is not applicable with respect to a Lender and if such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in the immediately preceding clause (c)(iv), then such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Agents and their respective Affiliates that none of the Agents or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by any Agent under this Agreement, any Credit Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

(e) The Administrative Agent hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Credit Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

 

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9.6 Right to Indemnity. Each Lender, in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, severally agrees to indemnify each Agent, their Affiliates and their and their Affiliates’ respective officers, partners, directors, members, managers, trustees, employees, advisors, consultants, administrators, agents, sub-agents and representatives of each Agent (each, an Indemnitee Agent Party), to the extent that such Indemnitee Agent Party shall not have been reimbursed by any Credit Party, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitee Agent Party in exercising its powers, rights and remedies or performing its duties hereunder or under the other Credit Documents or otherwise in its capacity as such Indemnitee Agent Party in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY, OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY; provided, no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Indemnitee Agent Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order; provided, however, no action taken in accordance with the consent or at the request of the Requisite Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders or any other instructing group of Lenders specified by this Agreement) or upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section. If any indemnity furnished to any Indemnitee Agent Party for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such Indemnitee Agent Party, be insufficient or become impaired, such Indemnitee Agent Party may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished; provided, in no event shall this sentence require any Lender to indemnify any Indemnitee Agent Party against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement in excess of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof; provided, further, this sentence shall not be deemed to require any Lender to indemnify any Indemnitee Agent Party against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement described in the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence.

9.7 Successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

(a) Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty days’ prior written notice thereof to Lenders and Company. Administrative Agent shall have the right to appoint a financial institution to act as successor Administrative Agent hereunder in such notice, subject to the reasonable satisfaction of Company and the Requisite Lenders, and Administrative Agent’s resignation shall become effective on the earliest of (i) thirty days after delivery of the notice of resignation (regardless of whether a successor has been appointed or not), (ii) the acceptance of such successor Administrative Agent by Company and the Requisite Lenders or (iii) such other date, if any, agreed to by the Requisite Lenders. Upon any such notice of resignation, if a successor Administrative Agent has not already been appointed by the resigning Administrative Agent, then the Requisite Lenders shall have the right, upon five Business Days’ notice to Company, to appoint a successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. If neither the Requisite Lenders nor Administrative Agent have appointed a successor Administrative Agent, then the Requisite Lenders shall be deemed to have succeeded to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the resigning Administrative Agent automatically upon the effectiveness of such resignation and the resigning Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through Administrative Agent shall instead be made to or by each Lender directly, until such time as a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed as provided for above in this Section; provided that, until a successor Administrative Agent is so appointed by the Requisite Lenders or Administrative Agent, any collateral security held by Administrative Agent in its role as Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders under any of the Credit Documents shall continue to be held by the resigning Collateral Agent as nominee until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the resigning Administrative Agent and the resigning Administrative Agent shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Administrative Agent all sums, Securities and other items of Collateral held under the Collateral Documents, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Administrative Agent under the Credit Documents, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Administrative Agent such amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Administrative Agent of the security interests created under the Collateral Documents, whereupon such resigning Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. Except as provided above, any resignation of WSFS or its successor as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.7 shall also constitute the resignation of WSFS or its successor as Collateral Agent. After any resigning Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including the provisions of this Section 9 and Sections 10.2 and 10.3, shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent hereunder. Any successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to this Section 9.7 shall, automatically upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Collateral Agent for all purposes hereunder.

 

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(b) In addition to the foregoing, Collateral Agent may resign at any time by giving prior written notice thereof to Lenders and the Company. Administrative Agent shall have the right to appoint a financial institution as Collateral Agent hereunder, subject to the reasonable satisfaction of Company and the Requisite Lenders, and Collateral Agent’s resignation shall become effective on the earliest of (i) thirty days after delivery of the notice of resignation, (ii) the acceptance of such successor Collateral Agent by Company and the Requisite Lenders or (iii) such other date, if any, agreed to by the Requisite Lenders. Upon any such notice of resignation or any such removal, if a successor Collateral Agent has not already been appointed by the resigning Administrative Agent, then Requisite Lenders shall have the right, upon five Business Days’ notice to Administrative Agent, to appoint a successor Collateral Agent. Until a successor Collateral Agent is so appointed by Requisite Lenders or Administrative Agent, any collateral security held by Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders under any of the Credit Documents shall continue to be held by the resigning Collateral Agent as nominee until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder by a successor Collateral Agent, that successor Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the resigning or removed Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, and the resigning or removed Collateral Agent under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Collateral Agent all sums, Securities and other items of Collateral held hereunder or under the Collateral Documents, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Collateral Agent or otherwise authorize the filing of such amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Collateral Agent of the security interests created under the Collateral Documents, whereupon such resigning or removed Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the Collateral Documents. After any resigning or removed Collateral Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, including the provisions of this Section 9 and Sections 10.2 and 10.3, shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement or the Collateral Documents while it was Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

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(c) [reserved].

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may assign their rights and duties as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder to an Affiliate of WSFS without the prior written consent of, or prior written notice to, Company or the Lenders; provided, that Company and the Lenders may deem and treat such assigning Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for all purposes hereof, unless and until such assigning Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, provides written notice to Company and the Lenders of such assignment. Upon such assignment such Affiliate shall succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers, privileges and duties as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents.

9.8 Collateral Documents and Guaranty.

(a) Agents under Collateral Documents and Guaranty. Each Lender hereby further authorizes Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of and for the benefit of Secured Parties, to be the agent for and representative of Secured Parties with respect to the Guaranty, the Collateral and the Collateral Documents. Subject to Section 10.5, without further written consent or authorization from any Secured Party, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable may execute any documents or instruments necessary to (i) in connection with a sale or disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement, release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral that is the subject of such sale or other disposition of assets or to which Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.5) have otherwise consented, or (ii) release any Guarantor from the Guaranty pursuant to Section 7.12 or with respect to which Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.5) have otherwise consented. Upon request by Administrative Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing Administrative Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.8. Upon the reasonable request of Company, Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent may, after receipt of a written certificate of a Chief Financial Officer of Company certifying that such transaction is permitted pursuant to the Credit Documents (and Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate without further inquiry and shall have no liability to any Secured Party for any inaccuracy or misrepresentation contained therein), execute and deliver any such release documentation reasonably requested by Company in connection with such permitted releases as described above, all at the expense of Company. Notwithstanding anything in the Credit Documents to the contrary, each party to this Agreement acknowledges and agrees that no Agent will be responsible for filing, continuing or otherwise tracking any Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or other security, mortgage or pledge filings required to be filed pursuant to the Credit Documents including, among other things, the upcoming lapse or expiration thereof.

 

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(b) Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guaranty. Anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, Company, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and each Secured Party (by acceptance of the benefits of this Agreement and any other Credit Documents, whether or not a signatory hereto or thereto) hereby agree that (i) no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under any of the other Credit Documents may be exercised solely by Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, for the benefit of Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Collateral Documents may be exercised solely by Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure or similar enforcement action by Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition (including pursuant to Section 363(k), Section 1129(b)(2)(a)(ii), or otherwise of the Bankruptcy Code), Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or disposition and Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by Collateral Agent at such sale or other disposition.

(c) [reserved].

(d) Release of Collateral and Guarantees, Termination of Credit Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or any other Credit Document, when all Obligations have been Paid in Full, upon request of Company, or upon a disposition of assets expressly permitted under this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall take such actions as shall be required to release its security interest in all Collateral, and to release all guarantee obligations provided for in any Credit Document. Any such release of guarantee obligations shall be deemed subject to the provision that such guarantee obligations shall be reinstated if after such release any portion of any payment in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of Company or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, Company or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

(e) No Duty. Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of Collateral Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Credit Party in connection therewith, nor shall Collateral Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

 

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(f) Agency for Perfection. Each Agent and each Lender hereby appoints each other Agent and each other Lender as agent and bailee for the purpose of perfecting the security interests in and liens upon the Collateral in assets that, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC, can be perfected only by possession or control (or where the security interest of a Secured Party with possession or control has priority over the security interest of another Secured Party) and each Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledges that it holds possession of or otherwise controls any such Collateral for the benefit of the other Secured Parties, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. Should Administrative Agent or any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, Administrative Agent or such Lender shall notify Collateral Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Collateral Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to Collateral Agent or in accordance with Collateral Agent’s instructions. Each Credit Party by its execution and delivery of this Agreement hereby consents to the foregoing.

9.9 Withholding Taxes. To the extent required by any applicable law, Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. Without duplication of the provisions of Section 2.19(g), if the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed or because such Lender failed to notify Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective or for any other reason, or if Administrative Agent reasonably determines that a payment was made to a Lender pursuant to this Agreement without deduction of applicable withholding tax from such payment, such Lender shall indemnify Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including any penalties or interest and together with all expenses (including legal expenses and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred.

9.10 Administrative Agent May File Bankruptcy Disclosure and Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws relative to any Credit Party, Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on Company) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Administrative Agent and its respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and Administrative Agent under Sections 2.10, 10.2 and 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

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and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to Administrative Agent and, in the event that Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders to pay to Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Administrative Agent under Sections 2.10, 10.2 and 10.3. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Administrative Agent, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Administrative Agent under Sections 2.10, 10.2 and 10.3 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Lenders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing contained in this Section 9.10 shall be deemed to authorize Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

9.11 Erroneous Payments.

(a) If the Administrative Agent (x) notifies a Lender or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender (any such Lender or other recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds (as set forth in such notice from Administrative Agent) received by such Payment Recipient from Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Lender or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and (y) demands in writing the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof (provided, that, without limiting any other rights or remedies (whether at law or in equity), the Administrative Agent may not make any such demand under this clause (a) with respect to an Erroneous Payment unless such demand is made within 60 days of the date of receipt of such Erroneous Payment by the applicable Payment Recipient)), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent pending its return or repayment as contemplated below in this Section 9.11 and held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent, and such Lender shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter (or such later date as Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Overnight Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in this Agreement or in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Lender or other such recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each such case:

(i) it acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error and mistake shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error and mistake has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and

(ii) such Lender shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge of the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in immediately preceding clauses (x), (y) and (z)) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.11(b).

For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver a notice to Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.11(b) shall not have any effect on a Payment Recipient’s obligations pursuant to Section 9.11(a) or on whether or not an Erroneous Payment has been made.

(c) Each Lender hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Credit Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by Administrative Agent to such Lender under any Loan Document with respect to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that Administrative Agent has demanded to be returned under immediately preceding clause (a).

(d) The parties hereto agree that (x) irrespective of whether Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, in the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights and interests of such Payment Recipient (and, in the case of any Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, to the rights and interests of such Lender, as the case may be) under the Loan Documents with respect to such amount (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”) and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower; provided that this Section 9.11 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Obligations of Company relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from, or on behalf of (including through the exercise of remedies under any Loan Document), the Borrower for the purpose of a payment on the Obligations.

 

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(e) To the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including, without limitation, any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.

Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 9.11 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Administrative Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.

SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Notices.

(a) Notices Generally. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given to a Credit Party, Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent shall be sent to such Person’s mailing address as set forth on Appendix B or in the other relevant Credit Document, and in the case of any Lender, the mailing address as indicated on Appendix B or otherwise indicated to Administrative Agent and Company in writing. Each notice hereunder shall be in writing and may be personally served or sent by facsimile (excluding any notices to any Agent in its capacity as such) or U.S. mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service and signed for against receipt thereof, upon receipt of facsimile, or three Business Days after depositing it in the U.S. mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided, no notice to any Agent in its capacity as such shall be effective until received by Agent; provided, further, any such notice or other communication shall, at the request of an Agent, be provided to any sub-agent appointed pursuant to Section 9.3(c) as designated by such Agent from time to time.

(b) Electronic Communications.

(i) Notices and other communications to any Agent, Lenders and any Credit Party hereunder may be delivered or furnished by other electronic communication (including e mail and Internet or intranet websites, including Debt Domain, Intralinks, SyndTrak or another relevant website or other information platform (the “Platform”)) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will notices by electronic communication be effective to any Agent, any Lender, if any such Person has notified Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices by electronic communication. Any Agent may, in its sole discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. In the case of any notices by electronic communication permitted in accordance with this Agreement, unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (A) any notices and other communications permitted to be sent to an e-mail address shall be delivered during normal business hours and deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgment, but excluding any automatic reply to such e-mail), except that, if such notice or other communication is not sent prior to noon, local time at the location of the recipient, then such notice or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, at the earliest, and (B) notices or communications permitted to be posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (A) of notification that such notice or communication is available and clearly identifying an accessible website address therefor.

 

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(ii) Each Credit Party understands that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution and agrees and assumes the risks associated with such electronic distribution, except to the extent caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Administrative Agent, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(iii) The Platform and any Approved Electronic Communications are provided “as is” and “as available”. None of the Agents, their respective Affiliates or any of their or their Affiliates’ respective officers, partners, members, directors, trustees, employees, managers, advisors, consultants, administrators, agents, sub-agents or representatives (the “Agent Affiliates”) warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of the Approved Electronic Communications or the Platform and each expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in the Platform and the Approved Electronic Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects is made by the Agent Affiliates in connection with the Platform or the Approved Electronic Communications. In no event shall the Agent Affiliates have any liability to any of the Credit Parties, any Lender or any other Person for damages of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Credit Party’s or Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform except to the extent caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Administrative Agent, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Affiliate have any liability to any Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, losses or expenses (as opposed to direct or actual damages, losses or expenses). Each party hereto agrees that no Agent has any responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any Approved Electronic Communication or otherwise required for the Platform.

 

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(iv) Each Credit Party, each Lender and each Agent agrees that Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, store any Approved Electronic Communications on the Platform in accordance with Administrative Agent’s customary document retention procedures and policies.

(v) All uses of the Platform shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to this Section 10.1, separate terms and conditions posted or referenced in such Platform and related agreements executed by the Lenders and their Affiliates in connection with the use of such Platform.

(vi) Any notice of Default or Event of Default may be provided by telephone if confirmed promptly thereafter by delivery of written notice thereof.

(c) Change of Address, Etc. Any party hereto may change its mailing or e-mail address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

10.2 Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, the Credit Parties agree to pay promptly (a) all Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ actual and reasonable and documented out of pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Credit Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (b) all the Agents’ costs of furnishing all opinions by outside counsel for Company and the other Credit Parties; (c) all the reasonable and documented out of pocket fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel to Agents and Lenders in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, enforcement and administration of the Credit Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and any other documents or matters requested by Company; (d) all the actual costs and reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses of creating, perfecting, recording, maintaining, and preserving Liens in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, including filing and recording fees, expenses and taxes, stamp or documentary taxes, search fees, title insurance premiums and reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of outside counsel to Agents and Lenders; (e) any Agent’s or Lenders’ actual costs and reasonable and documented out of pocket fees, expenses, and disbursements of any auditors, accountants, consultants or appraisers; (f) all the actual costs and reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any third party appraisers, consultants, advisors and agents employed or retained by Collateral Agent or the Requisite Lenders and their respective outside counsel) in connection with the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral; (g) all other actual and reasonable and documented out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by each Agent or Lender in connection with the syndication of the Loans and Commitments and the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; and (h) after the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of settlement, incurred by any Agent for general default administration or incurred by any Agent and Lenders in enforcing or preparing for enforcement of any Obligations of or in collecting or preparing to collect any payments due from any Credit Party hereunder or under the other Credit Documents by reason of such Default or Event of Default (including in connection with any actual or prospective sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty) or in connection with any actual or prospective refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided hereunder in the nature of a “work out” or pursuant to or in contemplation of any insolvency or bankruptcy cases or proceedings, including the engagement of a restructuring advisor or consultant satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

 

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10.3 Indemnity and Related Reimbursement.

(a) In the event that an Indemnitee becomes involved in any capacity in any action, proceeding or investigation brought by or against any Person (including whether brought by a third party or any Credit Party or any of its affiliates) relating to or arising out of any Indemnified Liabilities and whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, each Credit Party agrees that on demand it will reimburse such Indemnitee for its legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) incurred in connection therewith.

(b) In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to Section 10.2, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, each Credit Party agrees to defend (subject to Indemnitees’ selection of counsel), indemnify, pay and hold harmless, each Indemnitee, from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY, OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE; provided, no Credit Party shall have any obligation to any Indemnitee under this Section 10.3(b) with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, in each case as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in this Section 10.3 may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any law or public policy, the applicable Credit Party shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Credit Party shall assert, and each Credit Party hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort or duty imposed by any applicable legal requirement) arising out of, in connection with, as a result of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referenced to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, and the Company hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim or such damages whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except to the extent such damages arise directly from gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, in each case as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction provided, however, that in no event shall any Indemnitee have any liability to any Person for special, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 

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(d) Each Credit Party also agrees that no Indemnitee will have any liability to any Credit Party or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of any Credit Party or any other Person in connection with or as a result of this Agreement or any Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referred to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof, or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, in each case, except in the case of any Credit Party to the extent that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by such Credit Party or its affiliates, shareholders, partners or other equity holders have been found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Lender or Agent in performing its funding obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event will any such Lender or Agent have any liability for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages in connection with or as a result of such Lender’s or Agent’s, or their respective Affiliates’, Directors’, employees’, attorneys’, agents’ or sub-agents’ activities arising out of, in connection with, as a result of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referenced to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any Credit Document, this Section 10.3 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

10.4 Set-Off. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default each Agent and each Lender and their respective Affiliates are each hereby authorized by each Credit Party at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Credit Party or to any other Person (other than Administrative Agent), any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) and any other obligations or Indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party against and on account of the Obligations of any Credit Party to such Lender hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, including all claims of any nature or description arising out of or connected hereto, and participations therein or with any other Credit Document, irrespective of whether or not (a) such Lender shall have made any demand hereunder or (b) the principal of or the interest on the Loans or any other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Section 2 and although such obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured. The rights of each Lender and its respective Affiliates under this Section 10.4 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set off) that such Lender or its respective Affiliates may otherwise have.

 

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10.5 Amendments and Waivers.

(a) Requisite Lenders’ Consent. Subject to the additional requirements of Sections 10.5(b) and 10.5(c) and except as otherwise provided in clauses (i) or (ii) of Section 2.17(a), no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of the Credit Documents, or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders; provided that Administrative Agent may, with the consent of Company (and without any requirement for consent from any other Person), amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement or any other Credit Document to cure any obvious typographical error, incorrect cross-reference, defect in form, inconsistency, omission or ambiguity (in each case, as concluded by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), so long as Lenders have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and Administrative Agent has not received, within five Business Days after delivery of such notice, a written notice from Requisite Lenders stating that the Requisite Lenders object to such amendment.

(b) Affected Lenders’ Consent. Subject to Section 10.5(e), without the written consent of each Lender that would be directly and adversely affected thereby, no amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent shall be effective if the effect thereof would:

(i) extend the scheduled final maturity of any Loan or any promissory note issued pursuant to Section 2.6;

(ii) waive, reduce or postpone any scheduled repayment (but not prepayment);

(iii) waive any condition precedent set forth in Section 3.1 without the consent of each Lender;

(iv) reduce the rate of interest on any Loan (other than any waiver of any increase in the interest rate applicable to any Loan pursuant to Section 2.9) or any fee or premium payable under this Agreement; provided, that only the consent of Administrative Agent shall be necessary to revoke any election by Administrative Agent to impose interest at the Default Rate or to revoke any right of Company to convert or continue Loans as SOFR Loans;

(v) waive or extend the time for payment of any such interest, fees, or premiums;

(vi) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan, or increase any Lender’s Commitment;

(vii) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of this Section 10.5(b) or Section 10.5(c) or any other provision of this Agreement that expressly provides that the consent of all Lenders or any specific Lenders is required;

 

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(viii) amend the definition of “Requisite Lenders”, or “Pro Rata Share”; provided, with the consent of Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of “Requisite Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share” on substantially the same basis as the Commitments, the Term Loans are included on the Closing Date;

(ix) alter the required application of any repayments or prepayments as pursuant to Section 2.14 or Section 2.15(h) without the consent of each Lender that is being allocated a lesser repayment or prepayment as a result thereof;

(x) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty except (A) as expressly provided in the Credit Documents on the Closing Date, (B) in connection with a “credit bid” undertaken by Collateral Agent with the consent or at the direction of Requisite Lenders pursuant to Section 363(k), Section 1129(b)(2)(a)(ii) or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code or any other Debtor Relief Law, or (C) in connection with any other sale or disposition of assets in connection with an enforcement action with respect to the Collateral that is permitted pursuant to the Credit Documents and consented to or directed by Requisite Lenders;

(xi) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Credit Party of any of its rights and obligations under any Credit Document, except as expressly provided in any Credit Document; or

(xii) subordinate the Lien on the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations to any other Indebtedness or subordinate the Obligations in right of payment to any other Indebtedness.

(c) Other Consents. Subject to Section 10.5(e), no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of the Credit Documents, or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall:

(i) amend, modify, or waive any provision of this Agreement or the Collateral Documents so as to alter the ratable treatment of Obligations arising under the Credit Documents or the definitions of “Obligations” or “Secured Obligations” (as such term or any similar term is defined in any relevant Collateral Document) in each case in a manner adverse to any Lender with Obligations then outstanding without the written consent of any such Lender; or

(ii) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of Section 9 as the same directly or indirectly applies to any Agent, or any other provision hereof as the same directly or indirectly applies to the rights or obligations of any Agent, in each case in any manner adverse to such Agent without the consent of such Agent.

(d) [reserved].

 

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(e) Execution of Amendments, Etc. Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of such Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance with this Section 10.5 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time outstanding, each future Lender, each Credit Party, and each future Credit Party.

(f) [reserved].

(g) Cashless Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue, or rollover all or a portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification, or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by Company, Administrative Agent and such Lender.

10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations.

(a) Generally. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and assigns of Lenders. No Credit Party’s rights or obligations hereunder nor any interest therein may be assigned or delegated by any Credit Party without the prior written consent of all Lenders. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, Indemnitee Agent Parties, Affiliates of each of the Agents and Lenders, and any other Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Register. Company, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the corresponding Commitments and Loans (including principal and stated interest) listed therein for all purposes hereof, and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Loan shall be effective, in each case, unless and until recorded in the Register following Administrative Agent’s acceptance of a fully executed an Assignment Agreement, together with the forms and certificates regarding tax matters and any fees payable in connection with such assignment, in each case, as provided in Section 10.6(d). Each assignment shall be recorded in the Register promptly following acceptance by Administrative Agent of the fully executed Assignment Agreement and all other necessary documents and approvals, prompt notice thereof shall be provided to Company and a copy of such Assignment Agreement shall be maintained, as applicable. The date of such recordation of a transfer shall be referred to herein as the “Assignment Effective Date”. Any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of the corresponding Commitments or Loans. It is intended that the Register be maintained such that the Loans are in “registered form” for the purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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(c) Right to Assign. Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell, assign or transfer all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including all or a portion of its Commitment or Loans owing to it or other Obligations (provided, however, that pro rata assignment shall not be required and each assignment shall be of a uniform, and not varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under and in respect of any applicable Loan and any related Commitments) to any Eligible Assignee upon the giving of notice to Administrative Agent; provided that, each such assignment shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000 (or such lesser amount (x) as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent, or (y) as is assigned by an assigning Lender to an Affiliate or Related Fund of such Lender) with respect to the assignment of Term Loans.

(d) Mechanics. Assignments and assumptions of Loans and Commitments by Lenders shall be effected by execution and delivery to Administrative Agent of an Assignment Agreement. Assignments made pursuant to the foregoing provision shall be effective as of the Assignment Effective Date. In connection with all assignments there shall be delivered to Administrative Agent such forms, certificates or other evidence, if any, with respect to U.S. federal income tax withholding matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be required to deliver pursuant to Section 2.19(c), together with payment to Administrative Agent of a registration and processing fee of $3,500 (except that no such registration and processing fee shall be payable in the case of an assignee that is already a Lender or is an Affiliate or Related Fund of a Lender or a Person under common management with a Lender, which fee may be otherwise waived or reduced in the sole discretion of Administrative Agent).

(e) Notice of Assignment. Upon its receipt and acceptance of a duly executed and completed Assignment Agreement, any forms, certificates or other evidence required by this Agreement in connection therewith, Administrative Agent shall record the information contained in such Assignment Agreement in the Register, shall give prompt notice thereof to Company and shall maintain a copy of such Assignment Agreement.

(f) [Reserved].

(g) Effect of Assignment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 10.6, as of the Assignment Effective Date: (i) the assignee thereunder shall have the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder to the extent of its interest in the Loans and Commitments as reflected in the Register and shall thereafter be a party hereto and a “Lender” for all purposes hereof; (ii) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to the assignee, relinquish its rights (other than any rights that survive the termination hereof under Section 10.8) and be released from its obligations hereunder (and, in the case of an assignment covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto on the Assignment Effective Date; provided, anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, such assigning Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefit of all indemnities hereunder as specified herein with respect to matters arising out of the prior involvement of such assigning Lender as a Lender hereunder); (iii) the Commitments shall be modified to reflect any Commitment of such assignee and any remaining Commitment of such assigning Lender, if any; and (iv) if any such assignment occurs after the issuance of any promissory note pursuant to Section 2.6, the assigning Lender shall, upon the effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly thereafter as practicable, surrender its applicable promissory notes to Administrative Agent for cancellation, and thereupon Company shall issue and deliver new promissory notes in accordance with Section 2.6, if so requested by the assignee and/or assigning Lender, to such assignee and/or to such assigning Lender, with appropriate insertions, to reflect the new or remaining Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of the assignee and/or the assigning Lender.

 

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(h) Participations.

(i) Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell one or more participations to any Person in all or any part of its Commitments, Loans or in any other Obligation. Each Lender that sells a participation pursuant to this Section 10.6(h) shall, acting solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a non-fiduciary agent of Company, maintain a register on which it records the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s participation interest with respect to any Loan or Commitment (each, a “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or its other obligations under this Agreement) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations, Section 1.163-5 of the proposed United States Treasury Regulations or any applicable temporary, final or other successor relations. Unless otherwise required by the Internal Revenue Service or applicable Requirements of Law, any disclosure required by the foregoing sentence shall be made by the relevant Lender directly and solely to the Internal Revenue Service. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of a participation with respect to any Loan or Commitment for all purposes under this Agreement, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(ii) The holder of any such participation, other than an Affiliate of the Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except with respect to any amendment, modification or waiver that would (A) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan, any promissory note evidencing a Loan in which such participant is participating, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees thereon (except in connection with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Commitment shall not constitute a change in the terms of such participation, and that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any participant if the participant’s participation is not increased as a result thereof), (B) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Credit Party of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (C) release all or substantially all of the Collateral under the Collateral Documents or all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty (in each case, except as expressly provided in the Credit Documents) supporting the Loans hereunder in which such participant is participating.

 

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(iii) Company agrees that each participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.17(d), 2.18 and 2.19 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section; provided, (x) a participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.18 or 2.19 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such participant, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after such participant acquired the participation, and (y) a participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.19 unless such participant agrees, for the benefit of Company, to comply with Section 2.19 as though it were a Lender (it being understood that any documentation required under Section 2.19(c) and (d) shall be delivered to the participating Lender). To the extent permitted by law, each participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.4 as though such participant were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.16 as though it were a Lender.

(i) Certain Other Assignments and Participations. In addition to any other assignment or participation permitted pursuant to this Section 10.6, any Lender may assign, pledge and/or grant a security interest in, all or any portion of its Loans, the other Obligations owed by or to such Lender, and its promissory notes issued pursuant to Section 2.6, if any, to secure obligations of such Lender including to any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors and any operating circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank; provided, that no Lender, as between Company and such Lender, shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any such assignment and pledge, and provided further, that in no event shall the applicable Federal Reserve Bank, pledgee or trustee be considered to be a “Lender” or be entitled to require the assigning Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder.

10.7 Independence of Covenants. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

10.8 Survival of Certain Agreements. Notwithstanding anything herein or implied by law to the contrary, the agreements of each Credit Party set forth in Sections 2.18, 2.19, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.10 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in Sections 2.16, 9.3 and 9.6 shall survive the Payment in Full of the Obligations.

10.9 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Lender in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. The rights, powers and remedies given to each Agent and each Lender hereby are cumulative and shall be in addition to and independent of all rights, powers and remedies existing by virtue of any statute or rule of law or in any of the other Credit Documents. Any forbearance or failure to exercise, and any delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall it preclude the further exercise of any such right, power or remedy.

 

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10.10 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside. None of any Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Credit Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any Credit Party makes a payment or payments to Administrative Agent or Lenders (or to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders), or any Agent or Lender enforces any security interests or exercises any right of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

10.11 Severability. In the event any provision in or obligation hereunder or under any Credit Document shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties hereto shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid, legal and enforceable provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as reasonably possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

10.12 Obligations Several; Actions in Concert. The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Credit Document, and no action taken by Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. Anything in this Agreement or any other Credit Document to the contrary notwithstanding, each Lender hereby agrees with each other Lender that no Lender shall take any action to protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement or any promissory note issued pursuant to Section 2.6 or otherwise with respect to the Obligations without first obtaining the prior written consent of Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders (as applicable), it being the intent of Lenders that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement or any other Credit Document with respect to the Obligations shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders (as applicable).

10.13 Headings. Section headings herein are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

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10.14 APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW OR TORT LAW ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND ANY DETERMINATIONS WITH RESPECT TO POST-JUDGMENT INTEREST) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

10.15 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. SUBJECT TO CLAUSE (V) OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE, ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY FEDERAL COURT OF THE U.S. SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN OR, IF THAT COURT DOES NOT HAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, IN ANY STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH CREDIT PARTY, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE EXCLUSIVE (SUBJECT TO CLAUSE (V) BELOW) JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS; (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS; (III) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE APPLICABLE CREDIT PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10.1; (IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE CREDIT PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT; AND (V) AGREES THAT AGENTS AND LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY CREDIT PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS UNDER ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT OR AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF, AND CONSENTS TO VENUE IN, ANY SUCH COURT.

 

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10.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 10.16 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

10.17 Confidentiality.

(a) Each Agent and each Lender shall hold all non public information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries and their businesses identified as such by the Company and obtained by such Agent or such Lender pursuant to the requirements hereof in accordance with such Agent’s or such Lender’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of such nature, it being understood and agreed by each Credit Party that, in any event, Administrative Agent may disclose any such information to the Lenders and other Agents, and any Agent or Lender may make (i) disclosures of such information to Affiliates and Related Funds of such Lender or such Agent and to their respective officers, Directors, partners, members, employees, legal counsel, independent auditors and other advisors, experts, or agents on a confidential basis (and to other Persons authorized by a Lender or Agent to organize, present or disseminate such information in connection with disclosures otherwise made in accordance with this Section 10.17), (ii) disclosures of such information reasonably required by any potential or prospective assignee, transferee or participant in connection with the contemplated assignment, transfer or participation of any Loans or any participations therein or by any direct or indirect contractual counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to any Credit Party and its obligations (provided, such assignees, transferees, participants, counterparties and advisors are advised of and agree to be bound by either the provisions of this Section 10.17 or other substantially similar confidentiality restrictions), (iii) disclosure on a confidential basis to any rating agency, (iv) disclosure on a confidential basis to the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the Loans, (v) disclosures in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Credit Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) disclosures made pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or compulsory legal process (in which case such Person agrees to inform Company promptly thereof to the extent not prohibited by law), (vii) disclosures made upon the request or demand of any regulatory or quasi-regulatory authority (including the NAIC) purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or any of its Affiliates, (viii) disclosures to members of the investment committee of a Lender (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such information and instructed to keep such information confidential), (ix) disclosures to any Lenders’ financing sources; provided that prior to any disclosure such financing source is informed of the confidential nature of the information, (x) disclosures to the extent such information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Credit Parties and (xi) disclosures with the consent of the relevant Credit Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or after the Closing Date, Administrative Agent may, at its own expense issue news releases and publish “tombstone” advertisements and other announcements relating to this transaction in newspapers, trade journals and other appropriate media (which may include use of logos of one or more of the Credit Parties).

 

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(b) Each Lender and the Administrative Agent acknowledges that the information furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents may include Material Non-Public Information, and confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of Material Non-Public Information and that it will handle such Material Non-Public Information in accordance with those procedures and applicable requirements of law, including federal and state securities laws; provided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the Company and its Subsidiaries may deliver to any Lender any information that would constitute Material Non-Public Information unless such Lender so notifies the Company and the Administrative Agent in writing of its election (an “MNPI Opt-Out Election”) to not receive such Material Non-Public Information (any such non-delivery shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default for any purposes under this Agreement or any other Credit Document). All information, including requests for waivers, consents, amendments and all periodic reporting and notices, furnished by the Credit Parties or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement or the other Credit Documents will be syndicate-level information, which may be Material Non-Public Information. Accordingly, each Lender has identified a credit contact who may receive information that may contain Material Non-Public Information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable requirements of law, including federal and state securities laws. At any time after delivery of an MNPI Opt-Out Election, a Lender may rescind such election by delivery of written notice to the Company and the Administrative Agent and resume its receipt of Material Non-Public Information. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Administrative Agent shall continue to receive Material Non-Public Information at all times during the term of this Agreement.

(c) The Company agrees (i) to publicly file a Current Report on Form 8-K no later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on December 14, 2023 that will disclose all material information regarding the terms of this Agreement, the Related Agreements and all other confidential information communicated to any Lender of any of their respective Affiliates to the extent that such confidential information constitutes material non-public information, and (ii) that, upon the public filing of the Announcement 8-K, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates will not be under any contractual obligation to refrain from trading in any securities issued by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

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10.18 Usury Savings Clause. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged paid with respect to any of the Obligations, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest or loan charges under applicable law shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the rate of interest (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) under this Agreement at any time exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder shall bear interest at the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest due hereunder equals the amount of interest that would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In addition, if when the Obligations hereunder are Paid in Full the total interest due hereunder (taking into account the increase provided for above) is less than the total amount of interest that would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then to the extent permitted by law, Company shall pay to Administrative Agent an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest paid and the amount of interest that would have been paid if the Highest Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of Lenders and Company to conform strictly to any applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if any Lender contracts for, charges, or receives any consideration that constitutes interest or loan charges in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then any such excess shall be cancelled automatically and, if previously paid, shall at such Lender’s option be applied to the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder or be refunded to Company. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest, throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

10.19 Effectiveness; Counterparts. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by Company and Administrative Agent of written notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

10.20 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Credit Documents (including any such other Credit Document entered into prior to the date hereof) and the Related Agreements, reflect the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, made prior to the date hereof.

10.21 PATRIOT Act. Each Lender and Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Credit Party that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Credit Party in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

 

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10.22 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Credit Documents. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment Agreement or any other Credit Document shall in each case be deemed to include electronic signatures, signatures exchanged by electronic transmission, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided, that Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may request, and upon any such request the Credit Parties shall be obligated to provide, manually executed “wet ink” signatures to any Credit Document.

10.23 No Fiduciary Duty. Each Agent, Lender, and their Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the Lenders), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Credit Parties, their equity holders and/or their affiliates. Each Credit Party agrees that nothing in the Credit Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender, on the one hand, and such Credit Party, its equity holders or its affiliates, on the other. The Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Credit Parties, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Credit Party, its equity holders or its affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender has advised, is currently advising or will advise any Credit Party, its equity holders or its Affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to any Credit Party except the obligations expressly set forth in the Credit Documents and (y) each Lender is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of any Credit Party, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person. Each Credit Party acknowledges and agrees that it has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. Each Credit Party agrees that it will not claim that any Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to such Credit Party, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

10.24 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Credit Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder that may be payable to it by any party hereto that is and the applicable Financial Institution; and

 

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(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Credit Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
    VERITONE, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:
    VERITONE ENTERPRISE, LLC
    By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
    VERITONE ONE, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
    VERITONE DIGITAL, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
    TABLE ROCK MANAGEMENT, LLC
    By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title: Chief Financial Officer


    PANDOLOGIC, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
    BROADBEAN, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

2


    WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

    as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

    By:  

/s/ Lizbet Hinojosa

  Name: Lizbet Hinojosa
  Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Highbridge Tactical Credit Institutional Fund, Ltd.,

    as a Lender

    By:   Highbridge Capital Management, LLC, as Trading Manager and not in its individual capacity
    By:  

/s/ Steve Ardovini

  Name: Steve Ardovini
  Title: Managing Director
 

Head of Operations

 

Highbridge Capital Management, LLC

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Highbridge Tactical Credit Master Fund, L.P.,

    as a Lender

    By:   Highbridge Capital Management, LLC, as Trading Manager and not in its individual capacity
    By:  

/s/ Steve Ardovini

  Name: Steve Ardovini
  Title: Managing Director
 

Head of Operations

 

Highbridge Capital Management, LLC

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Blackwell Partners, LLC_Series B,
    as a Lender
    By:   Silverback Asset Management, LLC,
its Trading Manager
    By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title: CCO

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Silverback Opportunistic Credit Master Fund

    Limited,

    as a Lender
    By:   Silverback Asset Management, LLC,
its Trading Manager
    By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title: CCO

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Silverback Convertible Master Fund Limited,
    as a Lender
    By:   Silverback Asset Management, LLC,
its Trading Manager
    By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title: CCO

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    KASAD 2, LP,
    as a Lender
    By:   Silverback Asset Management, LLC,
its Trading Manager
    By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title: CCO

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    KASAD 2, LP,
    as a Lender
    By:   Silverback Asset Management, LLC,
its Trading Manager
    By:  

/s/ Laura Kleber

  Name: Laura Kleber
  Title: CCO

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Context Partners Master Fund, L.P.,

    as a Lender

    By:  

/s/ Charles E. Carnegie

  Name: Charles E. Carnegie
  Title: Managing Member
 

Context Capital Management, LLC

 

General Partner

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Riverview Group LLC,
    as a Lender
    By:   Integrated Holding Group LP, its
Managing Member
    By:   Millennium Management LLC, its
General Partner
    By:  

/s/ Mark Meskin

  Name: Mark Meskin
  Title: Chief Trading Officer

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Tenor Opportunity Master Fund Ltd.,
    as a Lender
    By:  

/s/ Daniel Kochav

  Name: Daniel Kochav
  Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Whitebox Relative Value Partners, LP,
    as a Lender
    By:  

Whitebox Advisors LLC,

its Investment Manager

    By:  

/s/ Andrew Thau

  Name: Andrew Thau
  Title: Senior Legal Analyst

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Whitebox GT Fund, LP,
    as a Lender
    By:   Whitebox Advisors LLC,
its Investment Manager
    By:  

/s/ Andrew Thau

  Name: Andrew Thau
  Title: Senior Legal Analyst

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Whitebox Multi-Strategy Partners, LP,
    as a Lender
    By:   Whitebox Advisors LLC,
its Investment Manager
    By:  

/s/ Andrew Thau

  Name: Andrew Thau
  Title: Senior Legal Analyst

 

[Signature Page to Credit and Guaranty Agreement]


    Pandora Select Partners, LP,
    as a Lender
    By:   Whitebox Advisors LLC,
its Investment Manager
    By:  

/s/ Andrew Thau

  Name: Andrew Thau
  Title: Senior Legal Analyst

Exhibit 10.2

Execution Version

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

dated as of December 13, 2023

between

EACH OF THE GRANTORS PARTY HERETO

and

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

as Collateral Agent

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     PAGE  

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.1

 

General Definitions

     1  

1.2

 

Definitions; Interpretation

     8  

SECTION 2. GRANT OF SECURITY

     9  

2.1

 

Grant of Security

     9  

2.2

 

Certain Limited Exclusions

     10  

SECTION 3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS; GRANTORS REMAIN LIABLE

     10  

3.1

 

Security for Obligations

     10  

3.2

 

Continuing Liability Under Collateral

     10  

SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

     10  

4.1

 

Generally

     10  

4.2

 

Equipment and Inventory

     13  

4.3

 

Receivables

     14  

4.4

 

Investment Related Property

     16  

4.5

 

Material Contracts

     23  

4.6

 

Letter of Credit Rights

     24  

4.7

 

Intellectual Property

     24  

4.8

 

Commercial Tort Claims

     28  

SECTION 5. ACCESS; RIGHT OF INSPECTION AND FURTHER ASSURANCES; ADDITIONAL GRANTORS

     28  

5.1

 

Reserved

     28  

5.2

 

Further Assurances

     28  

5.3

 

Additional Grantors

     29  

SECTION 6. COLLATERAL AGENT APPOINTED PROXY ATTORNEY-IN-FACT

     30  

6.1

 

Power of Attorney

     30  

6.2

 

Voting Rights; Proxy

     31  

6.3

 

No Duty on the Part of Collateral Agent or Secured Parties

     32  

SECTION 7. REMEDIES

     32  

7.1

 

Generally

     32  

7.2

 

Application of Proceeds

     34  

7.3

 

Sales on Credit

     34  

7.4

 

Deposit Accounts

     34  

7.5

 

Investment Related Property

     34  

7.6

 

Intellectual Property

     35  

7.7

 

Cash Proceeds

     37  

SECTION 8. COLLATERAL AGENT

     37  

SECTION 9. CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS

     38  

SECTION 10. STANDARD OF CARE; COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM

     38  

SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS

     39  


SCHEDULE 4.1 — GENERAL INFORMATION   
SCHEDULE 4.2 — LOCATION OF EQUIPMENT AND INVENTORY   
SCHEDULE 4.4 — INVESTMENT RELATED PROPERTY   
SCHEDULE 4.5 — MATERIAL CONTRACTS   
SCHEDULE 4.6 — DESCRIPTION OF LETTERS OF CREDIT   
SCHEDULE 4.7 — INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY—EXCEPTIONS   
SCHEDULE 4.8 — COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS   
EXHIBIT A — PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT   
EXHIBIT B — UNCERTIFICATED SECURITIES CONTROL AGREEMENT   
EXHIBIT C — IRREVOCABLE PROXY   
EXHIBIT D — REGISTRATION PAGE   
EXHIBIT E — PLEDGE ACKNOWLEDGMENT   

The exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

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This PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of December 13, 2023 (this “Agreement”), by and among EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED, whether as an original signatory hereto or as an Additional Grantor (as herein defined) (each, a “Grantor”), and WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as herein defined) (in such capacity as collateral agent, the “Collateral Agent”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among VERITONE, INC., a Delaware limited liability company (“Company”), and certain of its Subsidiaries, as Guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the “Lenders”) and WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the Lenders party thereto;

WHEREAS, in consideration of the extensions of credit and other accommodations of Lenders as set forth in the Credit Agreement, each Grantor has agreed to secure such Grantor’s obligations under the Credit Documents as set forth herein; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

1.1 General Definitions. In this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Account Debtor” shall mean each Person who is obligated on a Receivable or any Supporting Obligation related thereto.

“Accounts” shall mean all “accounts” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Additional Grantors” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 5.3.

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

“Assigned Agreements” shall mean all agreements and contracts to which such Grantor is a party as of the date hereof, or to which such Grantor becomes a party after the date hereof, including, without limitation, each Material Contract, as each such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Bankruptcy Code” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

“Cash Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 7.7.

“Chattel Paper” shall mean all “chattel paper” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, including, without limitation, “electronic chattel paper” or “tangible chattel paper”, as each term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC.


“Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.1.

“Collateral Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

“Collateral Records” shall mean books, records, ledger cards, files, correspondence, customer lists, blueprints, technical specifications, manuals, computer software, computer printouts, tapes, disks and related data processing software and similar items that at any time evidence or contain information relating to any of the Collateral or are otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization thereupon.

“Collateral Support” shall mean all property (real or personal) assigned, hypothecated or otherwise securing any Collateral and shall include any security agreement or other agreement granting a lien or security interest in such real or personal property.

“Commercial Tort Claims” shall mean all “commercial tort claims” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, including, without limitation, all commercial tort claims listed on Schedule 4.8 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

“Commodities Accounts” (i) shall mean all “commodity accounts” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all of the accounts listed on Schedule 4.4 under the heading “Commodities Accounts” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

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

“Copyright Licenses” shall mean any and all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Copyrights (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement referred to in Schedule 4.7(B) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Copyrights” shall mean all United States, and foreign copyrights including but not limited to copyrights in proprietary software and databases, and all Mask Works (as defined under 17 U.S.C. 901 of the U.S. Copyright Act), whether registered or unregistered, and, with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor including, without limitation, the registrations and applications referred to in Schedule 4.7(A) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all extensions and renewals thereof, (iii) all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, (iv) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof, and (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit.

“Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

“Credit Documents” shall have the meaning assigned to such term as defined in the Credit Agreement.

“Deposit Accounts” (i) shall mean all “deposit accounts” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all of the accounts listed on Schedule 4.4 under the heading “Deposit Accounts” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

“Documents” shall mean all “documents” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

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“Equipment” shall mean: (i) all “equipment” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, (ii) all machinery, manufacturing equipment, data processing equipment, computers, office equipment, furnishings, furniture, appliances, fixtures and tools (in each case, regardless of whether characterized as equipment under the UCC) and (iii) all accessions or additions thereto, all parts thereof, whether or not at any time of determination incorporated or installed therein or attached thereto, and all replacements therefor, wherever located, now or hereafter existing, including any fixtures.

Excluded Property” shall mean

(a) any permit or license issued by a Governmental Authority to any Grantor, any agreement to which any Grantor is a party, any General Intangibles or any Documents, in each case, only to the extent and for so long as the terms of such permit, license, agreement, General Intangible or Documents or any Requirement of Law applicable thereto, validly prohibit the assignment thereof or the creation by such Grantor of a security interest in such permit, license, agreement, General Intangible or Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent (after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction or any other applicable law (including the Bankruptcy Code) or principles of equity);

(b) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than Grantors) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code;

(c) any lease, license, contract, property rights or agreement to which any Grantor is a party or any of its rights or interests thereunder if and for so long as the grant of such security interest shall constitute or result in (i) the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of any right, title or interest of any Grantor therein or (ii) in a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, contract property rights or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law (including the Bankruptcy Code) or principles of equity); provided however that such property shall constitute an “Excluded Asset” only during the time that the condition causing such abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability shall exist;

(d) any U.S. intent-to-use Trademark application to the extent and for so long as creation by a Grantor of a security interest therein would result in the loss by such Grantor of any material rights therein;

(e) clause (b) of Excluded Accounts;

(f) any motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title;

(g) any Pledged Equity Interests owned by a Grantor in a Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary to the extent a pledge of such Pledged Equity Interests would result in a material adverse tax consequence to such Grantor or violate any Requirements of Law as agreed by the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and the Grantor; and

 

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(h) any assets where the cost of obtaining a security interest in such assets exceeds the practical benefit to the Lenders afforded thereby as agreed by the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and Grantor;

provided, however, that Excluded Property shall not include any Proceeds, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Property (unless such Proceeds, substitutions or replacements would constitute Excluded Property).

“General Intangibles” (i) shall mean all “general intangibles” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, including “payment intangibles” also as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all interest rate or currency protection or hedging arrangements, all tax refunds, all licenses, permits, concessions and authorizations, all Assigned Agreements and all Intellectual Property (in each case, regardless of whether characterized as general intangibles under the UCC).

“Goods” (i) shall mean all “goods” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all Inventory and Equipment (in each case, regardless of whether characterized as goods under the UCC).

“Grantors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble. “Instruments” shall mean all “instruments” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Insurance” shall mean (i) all insurance policies covering any or all of the Collateral (regardless of whether the Collateral Agent is the loss payee thereof) and (ii) any key man life insurance policies.

“Intellectual Property” shall mean, collectively, the Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the Trademarks, the Trademark Licenses, the Trade Secrets, and the Trade Secret Licenses.

“Inventory” shall mean (i) all “inventory” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) all goods held for sale or lease or to be furnished under contracts of service or so leased or furnished, all raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and materials used or consumed in the manufacture, packing, shipping, advertising, selling, leasing, furnishing or production of such inventory or otherwise used or consumed in any Grantor’s business; all goods in which any Grantor has an interest in mass or a joint or other interest or right of any kind; and all goods which are returned to or repossessed by any Grantor, all proprietary computer programs embedded in any goods and all accessions thereto and products thereof (in each case, regardless of whether characterized as inventory under the UCC).

“Investment Accounts” shall mean Securities Accounts, Commodities Accounts and Deposit Accounts.

“Investment Related Property” shall mean: (i) all “investment property” (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC) and (ii) all of the following (regardless of whether classified as investment property under the UCC): all Pledged Equity Interests, Pledged Debt, the Investment Accounts and certificates of deposit.

“Irrevocable Proxy” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.1(b)(i).

“Issuer” shall mean the issuer of any Pledged Equity Interests.

 

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“Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

“Letter of Credit Right” shall mean “letter-of-credit right” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Lien” shall mean (i) any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease in the nature thereof) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing and (ii) in the case of Pledged Equity Interests, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such Pledged Equity Interests.

“Money” shall mean “money” as defined in the UCC.

“Patent Licenses” shall mean all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Patents (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement referred to in Schedule 4.7(D) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

“Patents” shall mean all United States and foreign patents and certificates of invention, or similar industrial property rights, and applications for any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to: (i) each patent and patent application referred to in Schedule 4.7(C) hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals, and reexaminations thereof, (iii) all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, (iv) all inventions and improvements described therein, (v) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof, (vi) all licenses, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit arising therefrom, and (vii) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit.

“Person” shall mean and include natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and governmental authorities.

“Pledge Supplement” shall mean any supplement to this agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

“Pledged Debt” shall mean all Indebtedness owed to such Grantor, including, without limitation, all Indebtedness described on Schedule 4.4(A) under the heading “Pledged Debt” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), issued by the obligors named therein, the instruments evidencing such Indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such Indebtedness.

“Pledged Equity Interests” shall mean (i) all Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests owned by any Grantor, (ii) all rights, privileges, authorities, and powers of such Grantor as an owner or holder of such Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests, including, without limitation, all economic rights, all control rights, authority, and powers, all status rights of such Grantor as a member, shareholder, or other owner (as applicable), and all rights and interests,

 

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if any, to participate in the management of each applicable Issuer, (iii) all of such Grantor’s options and other rights and interests, contractual or otherwise, in respect of the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests, (iv) all of the certificates and/or instruments, if any, evidencing or representing the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests from time to time, (v) all other property hereafter delivered to, or in the possession or custody of, Collateral Agent in substitution for, in addition to or in respect of, the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests, and (vi) any other property of such Grantor in connection with the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests now or hereafter delivered to, or in the possession or custody of, Grantors.

“Pledged LLC Interests” shall mean all interests in any limited liability company owned by any Grantor including, without limitation, (i) all limited liability company interests listed on Schedule 4.4(A) under the heading “Pledged LLC Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such limited liability company interests and any interest of such Grantor on the books and records of such limited liability company or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and (ii) all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such limited liability company interests.

“Pledged Partnership Interests” shall mean all interests in any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other partnership owned by any Grantor including, without limitation, (i) all partnership interests listed on Schedule 4.4(A) under the heading “Pledged Partnership Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such partnership interests and any interest of such Grantor on the books and records of such partnership or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and (ii) all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such partnership interests.

“Pledged Stock” shall mean all shares of capital stock in a corporation owned by any Grantor, including, without limitation, (i) all shares of capital stock described on Schedule 4.4(A) under the heading “Pledged Stock” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and the certificates, if any, representing such shares and any interest of such Grantor in the entries on the books of the issuer of such shares or on the books of any securities intermediary pertaining to such shares, and (ii) all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares.

“Pledged Trust Interests” shall mean all interests in a Delaware business trust or other trust owned by any Grantor including, without limitation, (i) all trust interests listed on Schedule 4.4(A) under the heading “Pledged Trust Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such trust interests and any interest of such Grantor on the books and records of such trust or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and (ii) all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such trust interests.

 

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“Proceeds” shall mean: (i) all “proceeds” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, (ii) payments or distributions made with respect to any Investment Related Property and (iii) whatever is receivable or received when Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary.

“Receivables” shall mean all rights to payment, whether or not earned by performance, for goods or other property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, or services rendered or to be rendered, including, without limitation all such rights constituting or evidenced by any Account, Chattel Paper, Instrument, General Intangible or Investment Related Property, together with all of Grantor’s rights, if any, in any goods or other property giving rise to such right to payment and all Collateral Support and Supporting Obligations related thereto and all Receivables Records.

“Receivables Records” shall mean (i) all original copies of all documents, instruments or other writings or electronic records or other Records evidencing the Receivables, (ii) all books, correspondence, credit or other files, Records, ledger sheets or cards, invoices, and other papers relating to Receivables, including, without limitation, all tapes, cards, computer tapes, computer discs, computer runs, record keeping systems and other papers and documents relating to the Receivables, whether in the possession or under the control of Grantor or any computer bureau or agent from time to time acting for Grantor or otherwise, (iii) all evidences of the filing of financing statements and the registration of other instruments in connection therewith, and amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto, notices to other creditors or secured parties, and certificates, acknowledgments, or other writings, including, without limitation, lien search reports, from filing or other registration officers, (iv) all credit information, reports and memoranda relating thereto and (v) all other written or nonwritten forms of information related in any way to the foregoing or any Receivable.

“Record” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Registration Page” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4.4.1.

“Secured Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 3.1.

“Secured Parties” shall mean (i) the Agents (and each of their subagents) and Lenders and shall include, without limitation, all former Agents (and each of their subagents), and Lenders to the extent that any Obligations owing to such Persons were incurred while such Persons were Agents or Lenders pursuant to the Credit Agreement and such Obligations have not been paid or satisfied in full and (ii) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Credit Party under any Credit Document.

“Securities” shall mean any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

“Securities Accounts” (i) shall mean all “securities accounts” as defined in Article 8 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all of the accounts listed on Schedule 4.4(A) under the heading “Securities Accounts” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

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“Supporting Obligation” shall mean all “supporting obligations” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Trademark Licenses” shall mean any and all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Trademarks (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement referred to in Schedule 4.7(F) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

“Trademarks” shall mean all United States, and foreign trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, Internet domain names, service marks, certification marks, collective marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of a like nature, all registrations and applications for any of the foregoing including, but not limited to: (i) the registrations and applications referred to in Schedule 4.7(E) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all extensions or renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) all of the goodwill of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue for past, present and future infringement or dilution of any of the foregoing or for any injury to goodwill, and (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit.

“Trade Secret Licenses” shall mean any and all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Trade Secrets (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement referred to in Schedule 4.7(G) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

“Trade Secrets” shall mean all trade secrets and all other confidential or proprietary information and know-how whether or not such Trade Secret has been reduced to a writing or other tangible form, including all documents and tangible or intangible property embodying, incorporating, or referring in any way to such Trade Secret, including but not limited to: (i) the right to sue for past, present and future misappropriation or other violation of any Trade Secret, and (ii) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit.

“UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or, when the context implies, the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in any other applicable jurisdiction.

“United States” shall mean the United States of America.

1.2 Definitions; Interpretation. All capitalized terms used herein (including the preamble and recitals hereto) and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the UCC. References to “Sections,” “Exhibits” and “Schedules” shall be to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules, as the case may be, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. The use herein of the word “include” or “including”, when following any general

 

8


statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not nonlimiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. If any conflict or inconsistency exists between this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern. All references herein to provisions of the UCC shall include all successor provisions under any subsequent version or amendment to any Article of the UCC.

SECTION 2. GRANT OF SECURITY.

2.1 Grant of Security. As security for the payment and performance in full of all Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, in each case whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located (all of which being hereinafter collectively referred to as the Collateral):

(a) Accounts;

(b) Chattel Paper;

(c) Documents;

(d) General Intangibles (including without limitation, all rights and remedies under all Related Agreements and other Material Contracts);

(e) Goods;

(f) Instruments;

(g) Insurance;

(h) Intellectual Property;

(i) Investment Related Property;

(j) Letter of Credit Rights;

(k) Money;

(l) Receivables and Receivable Records;

(m) Commercial Tort Claims;

(n) to the extent not otherwise included above, all Collateral Records, Collateral Support and Supporting Obligations relating to any of the foregoing; and

(o) to the extent not otherwise included above, all Proceeds, products, accessions, rents and profits of or in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

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2.2 Certain Limited Exclusions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Collateral include or the security interest granted under Section 2.1 hereof attach to any Excluded Property; provided however that, with respect to the property specified in clause (c) of the definition of “Excluded Property”, the Collateral shall include and such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as the condition causing such abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability shall be remedied and to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of such Lease, license, contract, property rights or agreement that does not result in any of the consequences specified in clauses (i) or (ii) of such clause (c).

SECTION 3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS; GRANTORS REMAIN LIABLE.

3.1 Security for Obligations. This Agreement secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt and complete payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §362(a) (and any successor provision thereof)), of all Obligations with respect to every Grantor (the Secured Obligations).

3.2 Continuing Liability Under Collateral. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) each Grantor shall remain liable for all obligations under the Collateral and nothing contained herein is intended or shall be a delegation of duties to the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party, (ii) each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the agreements included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Equity Interests, to perform all of the obligations undertaken by it thereunder all in accordance with and pursuant to the terms and provisions thereof and neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any of such agreements by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or any other document related thereto nor shall the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party have any obligation to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or have any obligation to take any action to collect or enforce any rights under any agreement included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Equity Interests, and (iii) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any of its rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral.

SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.

4.1 Generally.

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that:

(i) it owns the Collateral purported to be owned by it or otherwise has the rights it purports to have in each item of Collateral and, as to all Collateral whether now existing or hereafter acquired, free and clear of any and all Liens, rights or claims of all other Persons, including, without limitation, liens arising as a result of such Grantor becoming bound (as a result of merger or otherwise) as debtor under a security agreement entered into by another Person other than Permitted Liens;

(ii) it has indicated on Schedule 4.1(A)(as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time): (w) the type of organization of such Grantor, (x) the jurisdiction of organization of such Grantor, (y) its organizational identification number and (z) the jurisdiction where the chief executive office or its sole place of business is (or the principal residence if such Grantor is a natural person), and for the one-year period preceding the date hereof has been, located;

 

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(iii) the full legal name of such Grantor is as set forth on Schedule 4.1(A) and does not currently nor in the last five (5) years has it conducted business under any other name (including any trade-name or fictitious business name) except for those names set forth on Schedule 4.1(B) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

(iv) except as provided on Schedule 4.1(C), it has not changed its name, jurisdiction of organization, chief executive office or sole place of business (or principal residence if such Grantor is a natural person) or its corporate structure in any way (e.g., by merger, consolidation, change in corporate form or otherwise) within the past five (5) years;

(v) [reserved];

(vi) [reserved];

(vii) (u) upon the filing of all UCC financing statements naming each Grantor as “debtor” and the Collateral Agent as “secured party” and describing the Collateral, including, a description of “all assets”, in the filing offices set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule 4.1(E) hereof (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and other filings delivered by each Grantor, (v) upon delivery of all Instruments, Chattel Paper and certificated Pledged Equity Interests and Pledged Debt as required hereunder, (w) upon sufficient identification of Commercial Tort Claims, (x) upon execution of a control agreement establishing the Collateral Agent’s “control” (within the meaning of Section 8-106, 9-106 or 9-104 of the UCC, as applicable) with respect to any Investment Account as required hereunder, (y) upon consent of the issuer with respect to Letter of Credit Rights, and (z) to the extent not subject to Article 9 of the UCC, upon recordation of the security interests granted hereunder in Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights (including exclusive Copyright Licenses granted to any Grantor under a U.S. Copyright License) in the applicable intellectual property registries, including but not limited to the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder constitute valid and perfected first priority Liens on all of the Collateral (subject to, in the case of priority only, Permitted Liens and the rights of the United States government (including any agency or department thereof) with respect to United States government Receivables);

(viii) all actions and consents, including all filings, notices, registrations and recordings necessary for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or the exercise of remedies in respect of the Collateral have been made or obtained;

(ix) other than the financing statements filed in favor of the Collateral Agent, no effective UCC financing statement, fixture filing or other instrument similar in effect under any applicable law covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any filing or recording office except for (x) financing statements for which proper termination statements have been delivered to the Requisite Lenders for filing and (y) financing statements filed in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

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(x) no authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or regulatory body is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Grantor of the Liens purported to be created in favor of the Collateral Agent hereunder or (ii) the exercise by Collateral Agent of any rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral (whether specifically granted or created hereunder or created or provided for by applicable law), except (A) for the filings contemplated by clause (vii) above and (B) as may be required, in connection with the disposition of any Investment Related Property, by laws generally affecting the offering and sale of Securities;

(xi) all information supplied by any Grantor with respect to any of the Collateral (in each case taken as a whole with respect to any particular Collateral) is accurate and complete in all material respects;

(xii) none of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds of, “farm products” (as defined in the UCC);

(xiii) none of the Collateral constitutes “as extracted collateral” (as defined in the UCC) or any timber to be cut;

(xiv) except as described on Schedule 4.1(D), such Grantor is not bound as a debtor, either by contract or by operation of law, by a security agreement previously entered into by another Person; and

(xv) such Grantor has been duly organized as an entity of the type as set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule 4.1(A) solely under the laws of the jurisdiction as set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule 4.1(A) and remains duly existing as such. Such Grantor has not filed any certificates of domestication, transfer or continuance in any other jurisdiction.

(b) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

(i) except for the security interest created by this Agreement, it shall not create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral, except Permitted Liens, and such Grantor shall defend the Collateral against all Persons at any time claiming any interest therein;

(ii) it shall not produce, use or permit any Collateral to be used unlawfully or in violation of any provision of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance or any policy of insurance covering the Collateral;

(iii) it shall not change such Grantor’s name, identity, corporate structure (e.g., by merger, consolidation, change in corporate form or otherwise) sole place of business (or principal residence if such Grantor is a natural person), chief executive office, type of organization or jurisdiction of organization or establish any trade names unless it shall have (a) notified the Collateral Agent in writing, by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit

 

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A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, prior to any such change or establishment, identifying such new proposed name, identity, corporate structure, sole place of business (or principal residence if such Grantor is a natural person), chief executive office, jurisdiction of organization or trade name and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and (b) taken all actions necessary or advisable to maintain the continuous validity, perfection and the same or better priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral intended to be granted and agreed to hereby;

(iv) [reserved];

(v) [reserved];

(vi) upon such Grantor or any officer of such Grantor obtaining knowledge thereof, it shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any event that may have a Material Adverse Effect on the value of the Collateral or any portion thereof, the ability of any Grantor or the Collateral Agent to dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof, or the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent in relation thereto, including, without limitation, the levy of any legal process against the Collateral or any portion thereof;

(vii) it shall not take or permit any action which could impair the Collateral Agent’s rights in the Collateral; and

(viii) it shall not sell, transfer or assign (by operation of law or otherwise) any Collateral except as permitted by this Agreement and the Credit Agreement.

4.2 Equipment and Inventory.

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that:

(i) all of the Equipment and Inventory included in the Collateral is kept for the past one (1) year only at the locations specified in Schedule 4.2 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

(ii) [reserved]; and

(iii) none of the Inventory or Equipment is in the possession of an issuer of a negotiable document (as defined in Section 7-104 of the UCC) therefor or otherwise in the possession of a bailee or a warehouseman.

(b) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor covenants and agrees that:

(i) it shall keep all Equipment, Inventory and any Documents evidencing any Equipment and Inventory having an aggregate value equal to or greater than $500,000 (other than Inventory or Equipment that is in transit or is being repaired) in the locations specified on Schedule 4.2 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) unless it shall have (a) notified the Collateral Agent in writing, by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement,

 

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substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, at least ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period as the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) may agree to in its discretion) prior to any change in locations, identifying such new locations and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and (b) taken all actions necessary to maintain the continuous validity, perfection and the same or better priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral intended to be granted and agreed to hereby, or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder, with respect to such Equipment and Inventory;

(ii) it shall keep proper books of record and accounts in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities; and

(iii) it shall not deliver any Document evidencing any Equipment and Inventory to any Person other than the issuer of such Document to claim the Goods evidenced therefor or the Collateral Agent.

4.3 Receivables.

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that:

(i) each Receivable (a) is and will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Account Debtor in respect thereof, representing an unsatisfied obligation of such Account Debtor, (b) is and will be enforceable in accordance with its terms, (c) is not and will not be subject to any setoffs, defenses, taxes, counterclaims (except with respect to refunds, returns and allowances in the ordinary course of business with respect to damaged merchandise) and (d) is and will be in compliance with all applicable laws, whether federal, state, local or foreign in all material respects;

(ii) [reserved]; and

(iii) no Receivable is evidenced by, or constitutes, an Instrument or Chattel Paper with a value in excess of $500,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate together with all such Receivables, which has not been delivered to, or otherwise subjected to the control of, the Collateral Agent to the extent required by, and in accordance with Section 4.3(c).

(b) Covenants and Agreements: Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

(i) it shall keep and maintain at its own cost and expense satisfactory and complete records of the Receivables;

 

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(ii) it shall mark conspicuously, in form and manner satisfactory to the Collateral Agent(acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders in their reasonable discretion) , all Chattel Paper, Instruments and other evidence of Receivables with a value in excess of $500,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate together with all such Receivables (other than any delivered to the Collateral Agent as provided herein), as well as the Receivables Records with an appropriate reference to the fact that the Collateral Agent has a security interest therein;

(iii) it shall perform in all material respects all of its obligations with respect to the Receivables;

(iv) other than in the ordinary course of business as generally conducted by it on and prior to the date hereof, and except as otherwise provided in subsection (v) below (a) it shall not amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of any Receivable in any manner which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the value of such Receivable as Collateral and (b) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, such Grantor shall not (w) grant any extension or renewal of the time of payment of any Receivable, (x) compromise or settle any dispute, claim or legal proceeding with respect to any Receivable for less than the total unpaid balance thereof, (y) release, wholly or partially, any Person liable for the payment thereof, or (z) allow any credit or discount thereon;

(v) except as otherwise provided in this subsection, each Grantor shall continue to collect all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor under the Receivables and any Supporting Obligation and diligently exercise each material right it may have under any Receivable any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support, in each case, at its own expense, and in connection with such collections and exercise, such Grantor shall take such action as such Grantor or the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) may deem necessary or advisable and consistent with the ordinary course of Grantor’s business. Notwithstanding the foregoing but subject in all respects to all Requirements of Law, the Collateral Agent shall have the right following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default to notify, or require any Grantor to notify, any Account Debtor of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Receivables and any Supporting Obligation and, in addition, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may: (1) direct the Account Debtors under any Receivables to make payment of all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent; (2) notify, or require any Grantor to notify, each Person maintaining a lockbox or similar arrangement to which Account Debtors under any Receivables have been directed to make payment to remit all amounts representing collections on checks and other payment items from time to time sent to or deposited in such lockbox or other arrangement directly to the Collateral Agent; and (3) enforce, at the expense of such Grantor, collection of any such Receivables and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done. If the Collateral Agent notifies any Grantor that it has elected to collect the Receivables in accordance with the preceding sentence, any payments of Receivables received by such Grantor shall be forthwith (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, and until so turned over, all amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by such Grantor in respect of the Receivables, any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent hereunder and shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and such Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any Receivable, or release wholly or partly any Account Debtor or obligor thereof, or allow any credit or discount thereon; and

 

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(vi) it shall keep in full force and effect any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support relating to any Receivable.

(c) Delivery and Control of Receivables. With respect to any Receivables in excess of $250,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate that is evidenced by, or constitutes, Chattel Paper or Instruments, each Grantor shall cause each originally executed copy thereof to be delivered to the Collateral Agent (or its agent or designee) appropriately indorsed to the Collateral Agent or indorsed in blank: (i) with respect to any such Receivables in existence on the date hereof, on or prior to the date hereof and (ii) with respect to any such Receivables hereafter arising, within ten (10) days of such Grantor acquiring rights therein. With respect to any Receivables in excess of $250,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate which would constitute “electronic chattel paper” under Article 9 of the UCC, each Grantor shall, subject to all Requirements of Law, take all steps necessary to give the Collateral Agent control over such Receivables (within the meaning of Section 9-105 of the UCC): (i) with respect to any such Receivables in existence on the date hereof, on or prior to the date hereof and (ii) with respect to any such Receivables hereafter arising, within ten (10) days of such Grantor acquiring rights therein. Any Receivable not otherwise required to be delivered or subjected to the control of the Collateral Agent in accordance with this subsection (c) shall be delivered or subjected to such control upon request of the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders).

4.4 Investment Related Property.

4.4.1 Investment Related Property Generally

(a) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

(i) in the event it acquires rights in any Investment Related Property with a value in excess of $500,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate together with all such Investment Related Property after the date hereof, it shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, reflecting such new Investment Related Property and all other Investment Related Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that the security interest of the Collateral Agent shall attach to all Investment Related Property immediately upon any Grantor’s acquisition of rights therein and shall not be affected by the failure of any Grantor to deliver a supplement to Schedule 4.4 as required hereby;

(ii) except as provided in the next sentence, in the event such Grantor receives any dividends, interest or distributions on any Investment Related Property, or any securities or other property upon the merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of any issuer of any Investment Related Property, then (a) such dividends, interest or distributions and securities or other property shall be included in the definition of Collateral without further action and (b) such Grantor shall immediately take all steps, if any, necessary or advisable to ensure the validity, perfection, priority and, if applicable, control of the Collateral Agent over such Investment Related Property (including, without limitation, delivery thereof to the Collateral Agent) and pending any such action such Grantor shall be deemed to hold such dividends, interest, distributions, securities or other property in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and shall segregate such dividends, distributions, Securities or other property from all other property of such Grantor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent authorizes each Grantor to retain all ordinary cash dividends and distributions and all scheduled payments of interest; and

 

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(iii) each Grantor consents to the grant by each other Grantor of a Security Interest in all Investment Related Property to the Collateral Agent.

(b) Delivery and Control. Each Grantor agrees that with respect to any Investment Related Property with a value in excess of $500,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate together with all such Investment Related Property in which it currently has rights it shall comply with the provisions of this Section 4.4.1(b) on or before the Closing Date and with respect to any Investment Related Property with a value in excess of $500,000 hereafter acquired by such Grantor it shall comply with the provisions of this Section 4.4.1(b) within 5 Business Days upon acquiring rights therein, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders in their reasonable discretion). With respect to any Investment Related Property with a value in excess of $500,000 that is represented by a certificate or that is an “instrument” (other than any Investment Related Property credited to a Securities Account) it shall cause such certificate or instrument to be delivered to the Collateral Agent, indorsed in blank by an “effective indorsement” (as defined in Section 8-107 of the UCC), regardless of whether such certificate constitutes a “certificated security” for purposes of the UCC. With respect to any Investment Related Property with a value in excess of $500,000 that is an “uncertificated security” for purposes of the UCC (other than any “uncertificated securities” credited to a Securities Account), it shall cause the issuer of such uncertificated security to either (i) register the Collateral Agent as the registered owner thereof on the books and records of the issuer or (ii) execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, pursuant to which such issuer agrees to comply with the Collateral Agent’s instructions with respect to such uncertificated security without further consent by such Grantor. In addition to the foregoing, with respect to all Investment Related Property with a value in excess of $500,000 (including, without limitation, Investment Related Property acquired after the Closing Date), each Grantor shall deliver to Collateral Agent (x) a duly executed irrevocable proxy coupled with an interest, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (“Irrevocable Proxy”), (y) a duly acknowledged equity interest registration page, in blank, from each Issuer, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, or otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) (“Registration Page”) and (z) cause each Issuer to execute and deliver a pledge acknowledgement substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto (“Pledge Acknowledgement”).

(c) Voting and Distributions.

(i) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, except as otherwise provided under the covenants and agreements relating to Investment Related Property in this Agreement or elsewhere herein or in the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise or refrain from exercising any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Investment Related Property or any part thereof for any purpose not in violation of the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement; provided, no Grantor shall exercise or refrain from exercising any such right if such action would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the value of the Investment Related Property or any part thereof; and provided further, such Grantor shall give the Collateral Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice of the manner in which it intends to exercise, or the reasons for refraining from exercising, any such right; it being understood, however, that neither the voting by such Grantor of any Pledged Stock for, or such Grantor’s consent to, the

 

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election of directors (or similar governing body) at a regularly scheduled annual or other meeting of stockholders or with respect to incidental matters at any such meeting, nor such Grantor’s consent to or approval of any action otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, shall be deemed inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement within the meaning of this Section 4.4(c)(i)(1), and no notice of any such voting or consent need be given to the Collateral Agent;

(ii) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to each Grantor all proxies, and other instruments as such Grantor may from time to time reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Grantor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights when and to the extent which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to clause (1) above;

(iii) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

(A) all rights of each Grantor to exercise or refrain from exercising the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto shall cease upon the Collateral Agent (personally or through an agent) exercising its rights to (i) transfer and register in the Collateral Agent’s name, or in the name of the Collateral Agent’s nominee, the whole or any part of the Investment Related Property, it being acknowledged by each Grantor (in its capacity as a Grantor and, if such Grantor is an Issuer, in its capacity as an Issuer) that such transfer and registration may be effected by the Collateral Agent by the delivery of a Registration Page to the applicable Issuer, reflecting the Collateral Agent or its designee as the holder of such Investment Related Property, or otherwise by the Collateral Agent through its irrevocable appointment as attorney-in-fact pursuant to the terms hereof, (ii) exchange certificates or instruments evidencing or representing Investment Related Property for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations, (iii) exercise the voting and all other rights in respect of the Investment Related Property as a holder with respect thereto with or without actually becoming the holder thereof (including, without limitation, all economic rights, all control rights, authority and powers, and all status rights of such Grantor as a member, shareholder, or other owner of any Issuer) with full power of substitution to do so, (iv) collect and receive all dividends and other payments and distributions made thereon, (v) notify the parties obligated on any of the Investment Related Property to make payment to the Collateral Agent of any amounts due or to become due thereunder, (vi) endorse instruments in the name of such Grantor to allow collection of any of the Investment Related Property, (vii) enforce collection of any of the Investment Related Property by suit or otherwise, and surrender, release, or exchange all or any part thereof, or compromise or renew for any period (whether or not longer than the original period) any liabilities of any nature of any Person with respect thereto, (viii) consummate any sales of Investment Related Property or exercise other rights as set forth herein, (ix) otherwise act with respect to the Investment Related Property as though the Collateral Agent was the outright owner thereof, and/or (x) exercise any other rights or remedies the Collateral Agent may have under the UCC or other applicable law; and

 

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(B) in order to permit the Collateral Agent to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be entitled to receive hereunder: (1) each Grantor shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the Collateral Agent all proxies, dividend payment orders and other instruments as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) and (2) each Grantor acknowledges that the Collateral Agent may utilize the power of attorney and proxy set forth in Section 6.1.

4.4.2 Pledged Equity Interests

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that:

(i) Schedule 4.4(A) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the headings “Pledged Stock”, “Pledged LLC Interests,” “Pledged Partnership Interests” and “Pledged Trust Interests,” respectively, all of the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests owned by any Grantor and such Pledged Equity Interests constitute the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of stock, percentage of membership interests, percentage of partnership interests or percentage of beneficial interest of the respective issuers thereof indicated on such Schedule;

(ii) except as set forth on Schedule 4.4(B) as of the Closing Date, it has not acquired any equity interests of another entity or substantially all the assets of another entity within the past five (5) years;

(iii) it is the record and beneficial owner of the Pledged Equity Interests free of all Liens, rights or claims of other Persons other than Permitted Liens and there are no outstanding warrants, options or other rights to purchase, or shareholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any Pledged Equity Interests;

(iv) it has the requisite authority to pledge, assign, transfer, deliver, deposit and set over the Pledged Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent as provided herein;

(v) the pledge by such Grantor of the Pledged Equity Interests pursuant to this Agreement does not violate (1) the Organizational Documents of such Grantor or any Issuer of the Pledged Equity Interests, or any indenture, mortgage or material agreement to which such Grantor is a party or by which such Grantor’s properties or assets may be bound, (2) any restriction on such transfer or encumbrance of Pledged Equity Interests or (3) any securities law or other applicable law;

 

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(vi) without limiting the generality of Section 4.1(a)(v), no consent of any Person including any other general or limited partner, any other member of a limited liability company, any other shareholder or any other trust beneficiary is necessary in connection with the creation, perfection or first priority status of the security interest of the Collateral Agent in any Pledged Equity Interests or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof that has not been obtained;

(vii) such Grantor has caused each Issuer that is a Subsidiary to amend or to otherwise modify its Organizational Documents, books, records, and related agreements, documents, and instruments, as applicable, to reflect the rights and interests of the Collateral Agent hereunder, and to the extent required to enable and empower the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder in respect of the Pledged Equity Interests;

(viii) no material authorization or approval or other action by, and no material notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required to be obtained or made by such Grantor for (a) the due execution, delivery, and performance by such Grantor of this Agreement, (b) the grant by such Grantor, or the perfection, of the Liens and security interests created hereby in the Pledged Equity Interests, or (c) the exercise by the Collateral Agent in all material respects of its rights and remedies hereunder, except as may be required in connection with any sale of any Pledged Equity Interests by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally;

(ix) none of the Pledged Equity Interests are or represent interests in Issuers that: (a) are registered as investment companies or (b) are dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or markets;

(x) except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.4(C), none of the Pledged Equity Interests is or represents interests in Issuers that have opted to be treated as securities under the uniform commercial code of any jurisdiction; and

(xi) with respect to any Pledged Equity Interests constituting uncertificated securities, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the applicable Grantor and Issuer will perfect Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Pledged Equity Interests and proceeds thereof by “control”, and with respect to any Pledged Equity Interest constituting certificated securities, the delivery of the certificate representing such Pledged Equity Interest endorsed to Collateral Agent or in blank will perfect Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Pledged Equity Interests and any proceeds thereof by “control”.

(b) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

(i) without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders), it shall not vote to enable or take any other action to: (a) amend or terminate any partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents in any way that materially adversely changes the rights of such Grantor with respect to any Investment Related Property or adversely affects the validity, perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest, (b) permit any issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest to issue any additional stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests or other equity interests of any nature or to issue securities convertible into or granting the right of purchase or exchange for any stock or other equity interest of any

 

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nature of such Issuer in violation of the Credit Documents, (c) other than as permitted under the Credit Agreement, permit any Issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest to dispose of all or a material portion of their assets, (d) waive any default under or breach of any terms of organizational document relating to the issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest or the terms of any Pledged Debt, (e) cause any issuer of any Pledged Equity Interests which are not securities (for purposes of the UCC) on the date hereof to elect or otherwise take any action to cause such Pledged Equity Interests to be treated as securities for purposes of the UCC; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Issuer of any Pledged Equity Interests takes any such action in violation of the foregoing in this clause (e), such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any such election or action and, in such event, shall take all steps necessary or advisable to establish the Collateral Agent’s “control” thereof or (f) alter the voting rights with respect to any of the Pledged Equity Interests;

(ii) it shall comply with all of its obligations under any partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement relating to Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests and shall enforce all of its rights with respect to any Investment Related Property;

(iii) without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders), it shall not permit any issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest to merge or consolidate unless (i) such issuer creates a security interest that is perfected by a filed financing statement (that is not effective solely under section 9-508 of the UCC) in collateral in which such new debtor has or acquires rights, and (ii) all the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the surviving or resulting corporation, partnership or other entity is, upon such merger or consolidation, pledged hereunder and no cash, securities or other property is distributed in respect of the outstanding equity interests of any other constituent Grantor; and

(iv) each Grantor consents to the grant by each other Grantor of a security interest in all Investment Related Property to the Collateral Agent and, without limiting the foregoing, consents to the transfer of any Pledged Partnership Interest and any Pledged LLC Interest to the Collateral Agent or its nominee following an Event of Default and to the substitution of the Collateral Agent or its nominee as a partner in any partnership or as a member in any limited liability company with all the rights and powers related thereto.

4.4.3 Pledged Debt.

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that Schedule 4.4 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the heading “Pledged Debt” all of the Pledged Debt owned by any Grantor and all of such Pledged Debt has been duly authorized, authenticated or issued, and delivered and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the issuers thereofand is not in default and constitutes all of the issued and outstanding inter-company Indebtedness.

(b) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that it shall notify the Collateral Agent of any default under any Pledged Debt that has caused, either in any individual case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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4.4.4 Investment Accounts.

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that:

(i) Schedule 4.4 hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the headings “Securities Accounts” and “Commodities Accounts,” respectively, all of the Securities Accounts and Commodities Accounts in which each Grantor has an interest. Each Grantor is the sole entitlement holder of each such Securities Account and Commodity Account, and such Grantor has not consented to, and is not otherwise aware of, any Person (other than the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto) having “control” (within the meanings of Sections 8-106 and 9-106 of the UCC) over, or any other interest in, any such Securities Account or Commodity Account or securities or other property credited thereto;

(ii) Schedule 4.4 hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the headings “Deposit Accounts” all of the Deposit Accounts in which each Grantor has an interest. Each Grantor is the sole account holder of each such Deposit Account and such Grantor has not consented to, and is not otherwise aware of, any Person (other than the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto) having either sole dominion and control (within the meaning of common law) or “control” (within the meanings of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over, or any other interest in, any such Deposit Account or any money or other property deposited therein; and

(iii) Each Grantor has taken all actions necessary, including those specified in Section 4.4.4(c), to: (a) establish Collateral Agent’s “control” (within the meanings of Sections 8-106 and 9-106 of the UCC) over any portion of the Investment Related Property constituting Certificated Securities, Uncertificated Securities, Securities Accounts, Securities Entitlements or Commodities Accounts (each as defined in the UCC); (b) establish the Collateral Agent’s “control” (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over all Deposit Accounts to the extent permitted pursuant to applicable Requirements of Law; and (c) deliver all Instruments to the Collateral Agent.

(b) Covenant and Agreement. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Party that it shall not close or terminate any Investment Account in violation of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents without the prior consent of the Collateral Agent and unless and to the extent required pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, a successor or replacement account has been established with the consent of the Collateral Agent with respect to which successor or replacement account a control agreement has been entered into by the appropriate Grantor, Collateral Agent and securities intermediary or depository institution at which such successor or replacement account is to be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.4.4(c).

(c) Delivery and Control.

(i) With respect to any Investment Related Property consisting of Securities Accounts or Securities Entitlements other than Excluded Accounts, it shall cause the securities intermediary maintaining such Securities Account or Securities Entitlement to enter into an agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders), pursuant to which it shall agree to comply with the Collateral Agent’s “entitlement orders” without further consent by such Grantor.

 

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(ii) With respect to any Investment Related Property that (a) is a “Deposit Account,” and (b) is not an Excluded Account, it shall cause the depositary institution maintaining such account to enter into an agreement reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders), pursuant to which the Collateral Agent shall, to the extent permitted under applicable Requirements of Law, have both sole dominion and control over such Deposit Account (within the meaning of the common law) and “control” (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over such Deposit Account.

(iii) Each Grantor shall have entered into such control agreement or agreements with respect to: (i) any Securities Accounts, Securities Entitlements or Deposit Accounts that exist on the Closing Date and required to be subject to a control agreement pursuant to this subsection 4.4.4(c) and the Credit Agreement and (ii) any Securities Accounts, Securities Entitlements or Deposit Accounts that are created or acquired after the Closing Date and required to be subject to a control agreement pursuant to this subsection 4.4.4(c), as of or prior to the deposit or transfer of any such Securities Entitlements or funds, whether constituting moneys or investments, into such Securities Accounts or Deposit Accounts.

(iv) In addition to the foregoing, if any issuer of any Investment Related Property with a value in excess of $500,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate together with all such Investment Related Property is located in a jurisdiction outside of the United States, each Grantor shall take such additional actions, including, without limitation, causing the issuer to register the pledge on its books and records or making such filings or recordings, in each case as may be necessary or advisable, under the laws of such issuer’s jurisdiction to insure the validity, perfection and priority of the security interest of the Collateral Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, without notice to any Grantor, to transfer all or any portion of the Investment Related Property to its name or the name of its nominee or agent. In addition, the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without notice to any Grantor, to exchange any certificates or instruments representing any Investment Related Property for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations.

4.5 Material Contracts.

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that:

(i) Schedule 4.5 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth all of the Material Contracts to which such Grantor has rights; and

(ii) the Material Contracts, true and complete copies (including any amendments or supplements thereof) of which have been furnished to the Collateral Agent, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Grantor party thereto, are in full force and effect and are binding upon and enforceable against all parties thereto in accordance with their respective terms. There exists no default under any Material Contract by any party thereto and neither such Grantor, nor to its best knowledge, any other Person party thereto is likely to become in default thereunder and no Person party thereto has any defenses, counterclaims or right of set-off with respect to any Material Contract.

 

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(b) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

(i) in addition to any rights under the Section of this Agreement relating to Receivables, the Collateral Agent may at any time notify, or require any Grantor to so notify, the counterparty on any Material Contract of the security interest of the Collateral Agent therein. In addition, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may upon written notice to the applicable Grantor, notify, or require any Grantor to notify, the counterparty to make all payments under the Material Contracts directly to the Collateral Agent;

(ii) each Grantor shall deliver promptly to the Collateral Agent a copy of each material demand, notice or document received by it relating in any way to any Material Contract;

(iii) [reserved];

(iv) it shall perform in all material respects all of its obligations with respect to the Material Contracts;

(v) it shall promptly and diligently exercise each material right it may have under any Material Contract, any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support, in each case, at its own expense, and in connection with such collections and exercise, such Grantor shall take such action as such Grantor or the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) may deem necessary or advisable; and

(vi) it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep in full force and effect any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support relating to any Material Contract.

4.6 Letter of Credit Rights

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that all material letters of credit to which such Grantor has rights as a beneficiary is listed on Schedule 4.6 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) hereto.

(b) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that with respect to any material letter of credit for which Grantor is a beneficiary, hereafter arising it shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto and upon request of the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or any Lender, obtain the consent of the issuer thereof to the assignment of the proceeds of the letter of credit to the Collateral Agent.

4.7 Intellectual Property.

(a) Representations and Warranties. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.7(H) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that:

 

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(i) Schedule 4.7 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth a true and complete list of (i) all United States, state and foreign registrations of and applications for Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights owned by each Grantor and (ii) all Patent Licenses, Trademark Licenses, Trade Secret Licenses and Copyright Licenses material to the business of such Grantor;

(ii) it is the sole and exclusive owner of the entire right, title, and interest in and to all Intellectual Property listed on Schedule 4.7 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and owns or has the valid right to use all other Intellectual Property used in or necessary to conduct its business, free and clear of all Liens, claims, encumbrances and licenses, except for Permitted Liens and the licenses set forth on Schedule 4.7(B), (D), (F) and (G) (as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

(iii) to Grantor’s knowledge, all Intellectual Property is subsisting and has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and each Grantor has performed all acts and has paid all renewal, maintenance, and other fees and taxes required to maintain each and every registration and application of Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks material to its business in full force and effect;

(iv) all Intellectual Property is valid and enforceable; to Grantor’s knowledge, no holding, decision, or judgment has been rendered in any action or proceeding before any court or administrative authority challenging the validity of, such Grantor’s right to register, or such Grantor’s rights to own or use, any material Intellectual Property and no such action or proceeding is pending or, to the best of such Grantor’s knowledge, threatened in writing;

(v) all registrations and applications for Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks are held in the name of each Grantor, and none of the Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights or Trade Secrets has been licensed by any Grantor to any Affiliate or third party, except as disclosed in Schedule 4.7(B), (D), (F), or (G) (as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

(vi) each Grantor has been using appropriate statutory notice of registration in connection with its use of registered Trademarks, proper marking practices in connection with the use of Patents, and appropriate notice of copyright in connection with the publication of Copyrights material to the business of such Grantor;

(vii) each Grantor uses adequate standards of quality in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of all products sold and in the provision of all services rendered under or in connection with all Trademark Collateraland has taken all action necessary to insure that all licensees of the Trademark Collateral owned by such Grantor use such adequate standards of quality;

(viii) to Grantor’s knowledge, the conduct of such Grantor’s business does not infringe upon or otherwise violate any trademark, patent, copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property right owned or controlled by a third party; no written claim has been made that the use of any Intellectual Property owned or used by Grantor (or any of its respective licensees) violates the asserted rights of any third party;

 

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(ix) to the best of each Grantor’s knowledge, no third party is infringing upon or otherwise violating any rights in any Intellectual Property owned or used by such Grantor, or any of its respective licensees;

(x) no settlement or consents, covenants not to sue, nonassertion assurances, or releases have been entered into by Grantor or to which Grantor is bound that materially and adversely affect Grantor’s rights to own or use any Intellectual Property; and

(xi) each Grantor has not made a previous assignment, sale, transfer or agreement constituting a present or future assignment, sale, transfer or agreement of any Intellectual Property that has not been terminated or released or would constitute a Permitted Lien.

(b) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees as follows:

(i) it shall not do any act or omit to do any act whereby any of the Intellectual Property which is material to the business of Grantor may lapse, or become abandoned, dedicated to the public, or unenforceable, or which would adversely affect the validity, grant, or enforceability of the security interest granted therein;

(ii) it shall not, with respect to any Trademarks which are material to the business of any Grantor, cease the use of any of such Trademarks or fail to maintain the level of the quality of products sold and services rendered under any of such Trademark at a level at least substantially consistent with the quality of such products and services as of the date hereof, and each Grantor shall take all steps reasonably necessary to insure that licensees of such Trademarks use such consistent standards of quality;

(iii) it shall, promptly upon the creation or acquisition of any Copyrightable work which is material to the business of Grantor, use commercially reasonable efforts to apply to register the Copyright in the United States Copyright Office;

(iv) it shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent if it knows that any item of the Intellectual Property that is material to the business of any Grantor may become (a) abandoned or dedicated to the public or placed in the public domain, (b) invalid or unenforceable, or (c) subject to any adverse determination or development (including the institution of proceedings) in any action or proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, any state registry, any foreign counterpart of the foregoing, or any court;

(v) it shall take commercially reasonable steps in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, any state registry or any foreign counterpart of the foregoing, to pursue any application and maintain any registration of each Trademark, Patent, and Copyright owned by any Grantor and material to its business which is now or shall become included in the Intellectual Property including, but not limited to, those items on Schedule 4.7(A), (C) and (E) (as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

 

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(vi) in the event that any Intellectual Property owned by or exclusively licensed to any Grantor is infringed, misappropriated, or diluted by a third party and such action would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, such Grantor shall promptly take commercially reasonable actions to stop such infringement, misappropriation, or dilution and protect its rights in such Intellectual Property including, but not limited to, the initiation of a suit for injunctive relief and to recover damages;

(vii) it shall within forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, report to the Collateral Agent (i) the filing of any application to register any Intellectual Property with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, or any state registry or foreign counterpart of the foregoing (whether such application is filed by such Grantor or through any agent, employee, licensee, or designee thereof) and (ii) the registration of any Intellectual Property by any such office, in each case by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto;

(viii) it shall, promptly upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or any Lender, execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent any document required to acknowledge, confirm, register, record, or perfect the Collateral Agent’s interest in any part of the Intellectual Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired;

(ix) except with the prior consent of the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or as permitted under the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall not execute or authorize the filing of any financing statement or other document or instruments, except financing statements or other documents or instruments filed or to be filed in favor of the Collateral Agent or any holder of a Permitted Lien and each Grantor shall not sell, assign, transfer, license, grant any option, or create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to the Intellectual Property, except for Permitted Liens and the Lien created by and under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents;

(x) it shall hereafter use commercially reasonable efforts so as not to permit the inclusion in any contract to which it hereafter becomes a party of any provision that would reasonably be expected to materially impair or prevent the creation of a security interest in, or the assignment of, such Grantor’s rights and interests in any property included within the definitions of any Intellectual Property acquired under such contracts;

(xi) it shall take commercially reasonable steps to protect the secrecy of all Trade Secrets, including, without limitation, entering into confidentiality agreements with employees and labeling and restricting access to secret information and documents;

(xii) it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to use proper statutory notice in connection with its use of any of the Intellectual Property; and

(xiii) it shall continue to collect, at its own expense, all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of the Intellectual Property or any portion thereof. In connection with such collections, each Grantor may take (and, at the Collateral Agent’s direction (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders), shall take) such action as such Grantor or the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to enforce collection of such amounts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time, to notify, or require any Grantor to notify, any obligors with respect to any such amounts of the existence of the security interest created hereby.

 

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4.8 Commercial Tort Claims.

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, that Schedule 4.8 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth all Commercial Tort Claims of each Grantor in excess of $250,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate; and

(b) Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that with respect to any Commercial Tort Claim in excess of $250,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate hereafter arising it shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, identifying such new Commercial Tort Claims.

SECTION 5. ACCESS; RIGHT OF INSPECTION AND FURTHER ASSURANCES; ADDITIONAL GRANTORS.

5.1 Reserved.

5.2 Further Assurances.

(a) Each Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of such Grantor, that it shall promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Requisite Lenders may reasonably request, in order to create and/or maintain the validity, perfection or priority of and protect any security interest granted hereby or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce the Collateral Agent’s rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor shall:

(i) file or authorize the filing of such financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and execute and deliver such other agreements, instruments, endorsements, powers of attorney or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Requisite Lenders may reasonably request, in order to perfect and preserve the security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby;

(ii) take all actions necessary to ensure the recordation of appropriate evidence of the liens and security interest granted hereunder in the Intellectual Property with any intellectual property registry in which said Intellectual Property is registered or in which an application for registration is pending including, without limitation, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, the various Secretaries of State, and the foreign counterparts on any of the foregoing;

(iii) at any reasonable time, upon request by the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Requisite Lenders, assemble the Collateral and allow inspection of the Collateral by the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Requisite Lenders, or persons designated by the Collateral Agent or the Requisite Lenders; and

 

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(iv) at the Collateral Agent’s request (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders), appear in and defend any action or proceeding that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect such Grantor’s title to or the Collateral Agent’s security interest in all or any part of the Collateral.

(b) Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Requisite Lenders to file a Record or Records, including, without limitation, financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, in any jurisdictions and with any filing offices as the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Requisite Lenders may determine, in their sole discretion, are necessary or advisable to perfect the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent herein. Such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Requisite Lenders may determine, in their sole discretion, is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent herein, including, without limitation, describing such property as “all assets” or “all personal property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.” Each Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the Collateral as the Collateral Agent (acting upon a Direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Requisite Lenders may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

(c) Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to modify this Agreement after obtaining such Grantor’s approval of or signature to such modification by amending Schedule 4.7 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) to include reference to any right, title or interest in any existing Intellectual Property or any Intellectual Property acquired or developed by any Grantor after the execution hereof (including any registered or applied for Intellectual Property that is revived or reinstated by any Grantor after abandonment or lapse) or to delete any reference to any right, title or interest in any Intellectual Property in which any Grantor no longer has or claims any right, title or interest.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in the Credit Documents to the contrary, Collateral Agent shall not have any responsibility for the preparation, filing or recording of any mortgage, instrument, agreement, financing statement or other document or for the perfection, monitoring or maintenance of any security interest created hereunder or under any other Credit Document.

5.3 Additional Grantors. From time to time subsequent to the date hereof, additional Persons may become parties hereto as additional Grantors (each, an “Additional Grantor”), by executing a Counterpart Agreement. Upon delivery of any such Counterpart Agreement to the Collateral Agent, notice of which is hereby waived by Grantors, each Additional Grantor shall be a Grantor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if Additional Grantor were an original signatory hereto. Each Grantor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Grantor hereunder, nor by any election of Collateral Agent not to cause any Subsidiary of Company to become an Additional Grantor hereunder. This Agreement shall be fully effective as to any Grantor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Grantor hereunder.

 

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SECTION 6. COLLATERAL AGENT APPOINTED PROXY ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.

6.1 Power of Attorney. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest and terminable only upon the payment in full of the Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations arising under the Credit Documents for which no claims have been asserted)) as such Grantor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, from time to time in the Collateral Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Collateral Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the following:

(a) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to obtain and adjust insurance required to be maintained by such Grantor or paid to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement;

(b) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;

(c) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents and chattel paper in connection with clause (b) above;

(d) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral;

(e) to prepare and file any UCC financing statements against such Grantor as debtor;

(f) to prepare, sign, and file for recordation in any intellectual property registry, appropriate evidence of the lien and security interest granted herein in the Intellectual Property in the name of such Grantor as debtor;

(g) to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary to perform or comply or cause performance or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, access to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Permitted Liens) levied or placed upon or threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion, any such payments made by the Collateral Agent to become obligations of such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, due and payable immediately without demand;

(h) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, generally to sell, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes; and

 

 

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(i) to do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time or from time to time, all acts and things that the Collateral Agent deems reasonably necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

6.2 Voting Rights; Proxy

(a) EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS COLLATERAL AGENT AS ITS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT FOR SUCH GRANTOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS WITH THE RIGHT TO, DURING THE CONTINUANCE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT, TAKE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS (I) TRANSFER AND REGISTER IN ITS NAME OR IN THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE THE WHOLE OR ANY PART OF THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS, (II) VOTE THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS, WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION TO DO SO, (III) RECEIVE AND COLLECT ANY DIVIDEND OR OTHER PAYMENT OR DISTRIBUTION IN RESPECT OF OR IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, TO GIVE FULL DISCHARGE FOR THE SAME AND TO INDORSE ANY INSTRUMENT MADE PAYABLE TO PLEDGOR FOR SAME, (IV) EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS, POWERS, PRIVILEGES AND REMEDIES TO WHICH A HOLDER OF THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS WOULD BE ENTITLED (INCLUDING, WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS, GIVING OR WITHHOLDING WRITTEN CONSENTS OF MEMBERS, CALLING SPECIAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS AND VOTING AT SUCH MEETINGS), AND (V) TAKE ANY ACTION AND TO EXECUTE ANY INSTRUMENT WHICH COLLATERAL AGENT MAY DEEM NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE APPOINTMENT OF COLLATERAL AGENT AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT IS COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE VALID AND IRREVOCABLE UNTIL (X) THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN INDEFEASIBLY PAID IN FULL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND, (Y) ALL THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL AND THE COMMITMENTS UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT HAVE EXPIRED OR BEEN TERMINATED (THE OCCURRENCE OF EACH OF THE FOREGOING, THE “TERMINATION DATE”); IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT SUCH SECURED OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE OR AUTOMATICALLY REINSTATED, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IF AT ANY TIME PAYMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OF ANY OF THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS IS RESCINDED OR MUST OTHERWISE BE RESTORED OR RETURNED BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER FOR ANY REASON, INCLUDING AS A PREFERENCE, FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE, OR OTHERWISE UNDER ANY BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY, OR SIMILAR LAW, ALL AS THOUGH SUCH PAYMENT HAD NOT BEEN MADE; IT BEING FURTHER UNDERSTOOD THAT IN THE EVENT PAYMENT OF ALL OR ANY PART OF THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS IS RESCINDED OR MUST BE RESTORED OR RETURNED, ALL REASONABLE AND DOCUMENTED OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, REASONABLE OUTSIDE COUNSEL ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS) INCURRED BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT IN DEFENDING AND ENFORCING SUCH REINSTATEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCLUDED AS A PART OF THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS. SUCH APPOINTMENT OF COLLATERAL AGENT AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT SHALL BE VALID AND IRREVOCABLE AS PROVIDED HEREIN NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LIMITATIONS TO THE CONTRARY SET FORTH IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS OF ANY GRANTOR OR ANY ISSUER. In order to further affect the foregoing transfer of rights in favor of Collateral Agent, Collateral Agent shall have the right, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to present to any Grantor or any Issuer an Irrevocable Proxy and/or Registration Page.

 

 

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(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent (personally or through an agent) is hereby authorized and empowered to take any or all of the actions set forth in Section 4.4.1(c)(i)(3)(A) and exercise any other rights or remedies Collateral Agent may have under the UCC or other applicable law.

(c) All prior proxies given by any Grantor with respect to any of the Investment Related Property (other than to Collateral Agent), are hereby revoked, and no subsequent proxies (other than to Collateral Agent) will be given with respect to any of the Investment Related Property, unless the Collateral Agent otherwise subsequently agrees in writing. The Collateral Agent, as proxy, will be empowered and may exercise the irrevocable proxy to vote the Investment Related Property at any and all times during the existence of an Event of Default, including, but not limited to, at any meeting of shareholders, partners, or members, as the case may be, however called, and at any adjournment thereof, or in any action by written consent, and may waive any notice otherwise required in connection therewith. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Collateral Agent shall have no agency, fiduciary, or other implied duties to any Grantor, any Credit Party, or any other Person when acting in its capacity as such proxy or attorney-in-fact. Each Grantor hereby waives and releases to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law any claims that it may otherwise have against the Collateral Agent with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any such agency, fiduciary, or other duty.

6.3 No Duty on the Part of Collateral Agent or Secured Parties. The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect the interests of the Secured Parties in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to exercise any such powers. The Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 7. REMEDIES.

7.1 Generally.

(a) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it at law or in equity, all the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent on default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) to collect, enforce or satisfy any Secured Obligations then owing, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and also may pursue any of the following separately, successively or simultaneously:

(i) require any Grantor to, and each Grantor hereby agrees that it shall at its expense and promptly upon request of the Collateral Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by the Collateral Agent and make it available to the Collateral Agent at a place to be designated by the Collateral Agent that is reasonably convenient to both parties;

 

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(ii) subject to all applicable Requirements of Law enter onto the property where any Collateral is located and take possession thereof with or without judicial process;

(iii) prior to the disposition of the Collateral, store, process, repair or recondition the Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral for disposition in any manner to the extent the Collateral Agent deems appropriate; and

(iv) without notice except as specified below or under the UCC, sell, assign, lease, license (on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis) or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable.

(b) The Collateral Agent or any Secured Party may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral at any public or private (to the extent to the portion of the Collateral being privately sold is of a kind that is customarily sold on a recognized market or the subject of widely distributed standard price quotations) sale in accordance with the UCC and the Collateral Agent, as collateral agent for and representative of the Secured Parties, shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such sale made in accordance with the UCC, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale. Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) days notice to such Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Grantor agrees that it would not be commercially unreasonable for the Collateral Agent to dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof by using Internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capability of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets. Each Grantor hereby waives any claims against the Collateral Agent arising by reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if the Collateral Agent accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than one offeree. If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Grantors shall be liable for the deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent to collect such deficiency. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent, that the Collateral Agent has no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no default has occurred giving rise to the Secured Obligations becoming due and payable prior to their stated maturities. Nothing in this Section shall in any way alter the rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

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(c) The Collateral Agent may sell the Collateral without giving any warranties as to the Collateral. The Collateral Agent may specifically disclaim or modify any warranties of title or the like. This procedure will not be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

(d) The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to marshal any of the Collateral.

7.2 Application of Proceeds. Except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied in full or in part by the Collateral Agent against the Secured Obligations as set forth in Section 2.15(h) of the Credit Agreement.

7.3 Sales on Credit. If Collateral Agent sells any of the Collateral upon credit, Grantor will be credited only with payments actually made by purchaser and received by Collateral Agent and applied to indebtedness of the purchaser. In the event the purchaser fails to pay for the Collateral, Collateral Agent may resell the Collateral and Grantor shall be credited with proceeds of the sale.

7.4 Deposit Accounts. If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent may apply the balance from any Deposit Account, or instruct the bank at which any Deposit Account is maintained to pay the balance of any Deposit Account to or for the benefit of the Collateral Agent.

7.5 Investment Related Property.

(a) Each Grantor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Collateral Agent may be compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the Investment Related Property conducted without prior registration or qualification of such Investment Related Property under the Securities Act and/or such state securities laws, to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the Investment Related Property for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable than those obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions (including a public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act) and, notwithstanding such circumstances, each Grantor agrees that any such private sale (including with a single potential purchaser) shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and that the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to engage in public sales and no obligation to delay the sale of any Investment Related Property for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under the Securities Act or under applicable state securities laws, even if such issuer would, or should, agree to so register it. In the event of any such sale, the Collateral Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Investment Related Property at a price that the Collateral Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. If the Collateral Agent determines to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Investment Related Property, upon written request, each Grantor shall and shall cause each Issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest to be sold hereunder from time to time to furnish to the Collateral Agent all such information as the Collateral Agent may request in order to

 

34


determine the number and nature of interest, shares or other instruments included in the Investment Related Property which may be sold by the Collateral Agent in exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as the same are from time to time in effect. The provisions of this Section 7.5 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Collateral Agent sells.

(b) Any transfer to Collateral Agent or its nominee, or registration in the name of Collateral Agent or its nominee, of the whole or any part of the Investment Related Property, whether by the delivery of a Registration Page to any issuer of Investment Related Property or otherwise, shall, absent the election of Collateral Agent to the contrary, be made solely for purposes of effectuating voting or other consensual rights with respect to the Investment Related Property in accordance with the terms hereof, and (absent the Collateral Agent’s election) is not intended to effectuate any transfer whatsoever of ownership of any of the Investment Related Property. Notwithstanding any transfer to the Collateral Agent or its nominee, or any registration in the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee, or any delivery or any modification of a Registration Page, or any exercise of an Irrevocable Proxy, the Collateral Agent shall not be deemed the owner of, or assume any obligations of the owner or holder of, the Investment Related Property unless and until the Collateral Agent subsequently expressly accepts such obligations in a duly authorized and executed writing, or otherwise becomes the owner thereof under applicable law (including, without limitation, through a sale as described herein). In no event shall the acceptance of this Agreement by the Collateral Agent, or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any rights hereunder or assigned hereby, constitute an assumption of any liability or obligation whatsoever of any Grantor, any Issuer, or any other Person to, under, or in connection with any Organizational Document thereof or any related agreements, documents, instruments, or otherwise.

(c) Each Grantor agrees that it hereby waives any and all rights of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, and similar rights it may have against any Issuer of Investment Related Property, upon the sale or sales or dispositions of any portion or all of the Collateral by Collateral Agent.

(d) Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in Section 4.4 and this Section 7.5 will cause irreparable injury to Collateral Agent, that Collateral Agent shall have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, agrees that each and every covenant contained in Section 4.4 and this Section 7.5 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that the Secured Obligations are not then due and payable in accordance with the agreements and instruments governing and evidencing such obligations.

7.6 Intellectual Property.

(a) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

(i) the Collateral Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to bring suit or otherwise commence any action or proceeding in the name of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion, to enforce any Intellectual Property, in which event such Grantor shall, at the request of the Collateral Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all documents required by the Collateral Agent in aid of such enforcement and such Grantor shall promptly, upon

 

35


demand, reimburse and indemnify the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement in connection with the exercise of its rights under this Section, and, to the extent that the Collateral Agent shall elect not to bring suit to enforce any Intellectual Property as provided in this Section, each Grantor agrees to use all reasonable measures, whether by action, suit, proceeding or otherwise, to prevent the infringement or other violation of any of such Grantor’s rights in the Intellectual Property by others and for that purpose agrees to diligently maintain any action, suit or proceeding against any Person so infringing as shall be necessary to prevent such infringement or violation;

(ii) upon written demand from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall grant, assign, convey or otherwise transfer to the Collateral Agent or such Collateral Agent’s designee all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property and shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such documents as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement;

(iii) each Grantor agrees that such an assignment and/or recording shall be applied to reduce the Secured Obligations outstanding only to the extent that the Collateral Agent (or any Secured Party) receives cash proceeds in respect of the sale of, or other realization upon, the Intellectual Property;

(iv) subject in all respects to all applicable Requirements of Law, within five (5) Business Days after written notice from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall make available to the Collateral Agent, to the extent within such Grantor’s power and authority, such personnel in such Grantor’s employ on the date of such Event of Default as the Collateral Agent may reasonably designate, by name, title or job responsibility, to permit such Grantor to continue, directly or indirectly, to produce, advertise and sell the products and services sold or delivered by such Grantor under or in connection with the Trademarks, Trademark Licenses, such persons to be available to perform their prior functions on the Collateral Agent’s behalf and to be compensated by the Collateral Agent at such Grantor’s expense on a per diem, pro-rata basis consistent with the salary and benefit structure applicable to each as of the date of such Event of Default; and

(v) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to notify, or require each Grantor to notify, any obligors with respect to amounts due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of the Intellectual Property, of the existence of the security interest created herein, to direct such obligors to make payment of all such amounts directly to the Collateral Agent, and, upon such notification and at the expense of such Grantor, to enforce collection of any such amounts and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done;

(vi) all amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by Grantor in respect of amounts due to such Grantor in respect of the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent hereunder, shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over or delivered to the Collateral Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement) to be held as cash Collateral and applied as provided by Section 7.7 hereof; and

(vii) Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any such amount or release wholly or partly any obligor with respect thereto or allow any credit or discount thereon.

 

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(b) If (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and, by reason of cure, waiver, modification, amendment or otherwise, no longer be continuing, (ii) no other Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) an assignment or other transfer to the Collateral Agent of any rights, title and interests in and to the Intellectual Property shall have been previously made and shall have become absolute and effective, and (iv) the Secured Obligations shall not have become immediately due and payable, upon the written request of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to such Grantor, at such Grantor’s sole cost and expense, such assignments or other transfer as may be necessary to reassign to such Grantor any such rights, title and interests as may have been assigned to the Collateral Agent as aforesaid, subject to any disposition thereof that may have been made by the Collateral Agent; provided, after giving effect to such reassignment, the Collateral Agent’s security interest granted pursuant hereto, as well as all other rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent granted hereunder, shall continue to be in full force and effect; and provided further, the rights, title and interests so reassigned shall be free and clear of any other Liens granted by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties.

(c) Solely for the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Section 7 and at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, to the extent it has the right to do so, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Grantor), subject, in the case of Trademarks, to sufficient rights to quality control and inspection in favor of such Grantor to avoid the risk of invalidation of said Trademarks, to use, operate under, license, or sublicense any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located.

7.7 Cash Proceeds. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, in addition to the rights of the Collateral Agent specified in Section 4.3 with respect to payments of Receivables, all proceeds of any Collateral received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other non-cash items (collectively, “Cash Proceeds”) shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 4.4(a)(ii), be turned over to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if required) and held by the Collateral Agent. Any Cash Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent (whether from a Grantor or otherwise): (i) if no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, shall be held by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Secured Obligations (whether matured or unmatured) and (ii) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, may, in the sole discretion of the Collateral Agent, (A) be held by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Secured Obligations (whether matured or unmatured) and/or (B) then or at any time thereafter may be applied by the Collateral Agent against the Secured Obligations then due and owing.

SECTION 8. COLLATERAL AGENT.

The Collateral Agent has been appointed to act as Collateral Agent hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, the other Secured Parties. The Collateral Agent shall be obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including, without limitation, the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Secured Party, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to

 

37


realize upon any of the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Secured Party that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties in accordance with the terms of this Section. It is expressly understood and agreed that the rights, privileges, protections and immunities in the Credit Agreement for the benefit of the Agents and the other provisions of the Credit Agreement relating to the Agents, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2.19, Article 9 and Sections 10.2 and 10.3 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated herein mutatis mutandis with respect to the Collateral Agent. The agreements in this Section 8 shall survive the resignation of the Collateral Agent and the termination of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement shall require the Collateral Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

SECTION 9. CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.

This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall remain in full force and effect until Payment in Full, be binding upon each Grantor, its successors and assigns, and inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and its successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise. Upon Payment in Full, the security interest granted hereby shall automatically terminate hereunder and of record and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantors. Upon any such termination the Collateral Agent shall, at Grantors’ sole cost and expense, execute and deliver to Grantors or otherwise authorize the filing of such documents as Grantors shall reasonably request, including financing statement amendments to evidence such termination. Upon any sale, transfer, or disposition of property permitted by the Credit Agreement, the Liens granted herein shall be deemed to be automatically released and such property shall automatically revert to the applicable Grantor with no further action on the part of any Person. The Collateral Agent shall, at the Grantors’ sole cost and expense, execute and deliver or otherwise authorize the filing of such documents as Grantors shall reasonably request, including financing statement amendments to evidence such release.

SECTION 10. STANDARD OF CARE; COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM.

The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords its own property. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon all or any part of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or otherwise. If any Grantor fails to perform any agreement contained herein, the Collateral Agent may (but shall have no obligation to) itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by each Grantor under Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

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SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS.

Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement. No failure or delay on the part of the Collateral Agent in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and Grantors and their respective successors and assigns. No Grantor shall, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent given in accordance with the Credit Agreement, assign any right, duty or obligation hereunder. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Grantors and the Collateral Agent and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Accordingly, the Credit Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 AND SECTION 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATION LAWS).

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

VERITONE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
VERITONE ENTERPRISE, LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
VERITONE ONE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
VERITONE DIGITAL, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
TABLE ROCK MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name: Michael Zemetra
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

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PANDOLOGIC, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name:  Michael Zemetra
  Title:    Chief Financial Officer
BROADBEAN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Zemetra

  Name:  Michael Zemetra
  Title:    Chief Financial Officer

 

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WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB , as the Collateral Agent
By:  

/s/ Lisbet Hinojosa

  Name:  Lizbet Hinojosa
  Title:    Vice President
v3.23.3
Document and Entity Information
Dec. 12, 2023
Cover [Abstract]  
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001615165
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Dec. 12, 2023
Entity Registrant Name Veritone, Inc.
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-38093
Entity Tax Identification Number 47-1161641
Entity Address, Address Line One 1615 Platte Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two 2nd Floor
Entity Address, City or Town Denver
Entity Address, State or Province CO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 80202
City Area Code (888)
Local Phone Number 507-1737
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Trading Symbol VERI
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company false

Veritone (NASDAQ:VERI)
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