Form S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2018

Registration No. 333-          

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   33-0956711

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

5601 Great Oaks Parkway

San Jose, California 95119

(408) 717-6000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Michael C. Ray

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

Western Digital Corporation

5601 Great Oaks Parkway

San Jose, California 95119

(408) 717-6000

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

and the Guarantors identified in Table of Additional Registrant Guarantors below

 

 

The Commission is requested to send copies of all communications to:

 

Sung K. Kang

Sandra L. Flow

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

One Liberty Plaza

New York, New York 10006

(212) 225-2000

 

Douglas S. Horowitz

Brian Kelleher

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

80 Pine Street

New York, NY 10005

(212) 701-3000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  ☒    Accelerated filer  ☐
Non-accelerated filer  ☐    Smaller reporting company  ☐
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)    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 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ☐


Table of Contents

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be

registered (1)

 

Proposed

maximum
offering price

per security (1)

 

Proposed

maximum
aggregate

offering price (1)

  Amount of
registration fee (1)

Senior Notes due 2026

  $—     —     $—     $—  

Guarantees for the Senior Notes due 2026

  (2)   (2)   (2)   (2)

 

 

(1) An indeterminate amount of securities to be offered at indeterminate prices is being registered pursuant to this registration statement. The registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 456(b) and is omitting this information in reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).
(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no registration fee is required with respect to the guarantees.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT GUARANTORS

 

Exact Name of Additional Registrant

As Specified in its Charter*

  State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization
    I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
    Primary Standard
Industrial
Classification Code

Number
   

Address, including Zip

Code, and Telephone
Number,
including Area Code, of
Principal Executive
Offices

HGST, Inc.

    Delaware       48-1280899       3572    

5601 Great Oaks

Parkway

San Jose, California

(408) 717-6000

WD Media, LLC

    Delaware       94-2914864       3695    

5601 Great Oaks Parkway

San Jose, California (408) 717-6000

Western Digital (Fremont), LLC

    Delaware       20-0120906       3572    

5601 Great Oaks Parkway

San Jose, California (408) 717-6000

Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

    Delaware       95-2647125       3572    

5601 Great Oaks

Parkway

San Jose, California (408) 717-6000

 

* The name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of the agent for service for each of the additional registrants are the same as Western Digital Corporation.


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated January 29, 2018

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

Western Digital Corporation

$2,300,000,000     % Senior Notes due 2026

Issue Price         %

 

 

 

Interest payable              and             .

We are offering $2,300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of         % Senior Notes due 2026 (the “notes”). The notes will mature on                , 2026. Interest will accrue on the notes from                    , 2018 and the first interest payment date will be                    , 2018. We intend to use the net proceeds of the offering, together with available cash on hand, to fund the purchase of all of our currently outstanding 10.500% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “2024 Unsecured Notes)” in the 2024 Tender Offer (as defined herein) and, if the 2024 Tender Offer is not consummated or if we purchase less than all of the outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, to fund the redemption of any 2024 Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding, in each case, including all accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses, although we have no legal obligation to do so and the selection of any particular redemption date is in our discretion. See “Use of Proceeds.”

The notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at the applicable redemption prices specified under “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption” plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

If we experience certain change of control triggering events, we may be required to offer to purchase the notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.

Initially, the notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior basis by certain of our subsidiaries that are guarantors under our senior credit facilities. Under certain circumstances, subsidiary guarantors may be released from their guarantees without the consent of the holders of the notes.

The notes and the related guarantees will be our senior obligations, will rank equally in right of payment with all of our present and future senior indebtedness and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our present and future subordinated indebtedness. The notes and related guarantees will be effectively subordinated to all of our present and future secured indebtedness (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness), including any obligations under our 7.375% senior secured notes due 2023 (the “2023 Secured Notes”) that remain outstanding after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions (as defined herein) and the Credit Facilities (as defined herein). The notes will be structurally subordinated to all present and future indebtedness and all other liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes.

We have not applied, and do not intend to apply, for the listing of the notes on any exchange or automated dealer quotation system. Currently, there is no public market for the notes.

Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16 of this prospectus.

 

    

Per
note

      

Notes
total

 

Public Offering Price (1)

                   $           

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

                   $           

Proceeds to Western Digital Corporation (before expenses) (1)

                   $           

 

  (1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from                     , 2018.

We expect to deliver the notes to purchasers on or about                     , 2018, only in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

BofA Merrill Lynch    

J.P. Morgan

Mizuho Securities   RBC Capital Markets  

Wells Fargo Securities

Citigroup   HSBC   MUFG
SMBC Nikko   SunTrust Robinson Humphrey   TD Securities
  Co-Managers  
BNP PARIBAS     Scotiabank

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2018.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    

Page

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     14  

RISK FACTORS

     16  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     26  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     27  

CAPITALIZATION

     28  

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

     30  

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     64  

UNDERWRITING

     66  

NOTICE TO INVESTORS

     72  

LEGAL MATTERS

     73  

EXPERTS

     73  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     73  

You may rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus and any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date hereof, and that any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following is a summary of selected information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment in the notes, and it is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors,” the financial statements, and the notes to the financial statements, included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, before deciding to invest in the notes. Unless otherwise stated, or the context otherwise requires, as used herein, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” “WDC” and “Western Digital” refer to Western Digital Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Our Business

Western Digital Corporation (“Western Digital” or the “Company”) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and provider of data storage devices and solutions that address the evolving needs of the information technology industry and the infrastructure that enables the proliferation of data in virtually every other industry. Our broad portfolio of technology and products address the following key markets: Client Devices; Data Center Devices and Solutions; and Client Solutions. We also generate license and royalty revenue related to our intellectual property (“IP”) which is included in each of these three categories.

We have a rich heritage of innovation and operational excellence, a wide range of IP assets and broad research and development capabilities. The growth and the value of data continues unabated which in turn is rapidly evolving the landscape of storage markets we serve. We estimate that on a worldwide basis, the rate at which data is stored will likely increase 400% by the year 2020. We are transforming ourselves to address this growth by providing the broadest range of storage technologies, deep product portfolio and global reach in the industry. Founded in 1970 in Santa Ana, California, and now headquartered in San Jose, California, Western Digital has one of the technology industry’s most valuable patent portfolios with more than 14,000 patents awarded worldwide. Since 2009, we have been a Standard & Poor’s 500 company.

Built on decades of expertise in developing leading technology and components, we are enabling enterprises to collect virtually limitless data and helping cloud providers build more powerful, cost effective and efficient data centers. We have relationships with the full range of original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) and data center customers currently addressing storage opportunities, such as storage subsystem suppliers, major server OEMs, Internet and social media infrastructure players, and personal computer and Mac™ OEMs. We have also built strong consumer brands by providing people with effective tools to manage fast-accumulating libraries of personal content. We market our products primarily under the HGST, SanDisk and WD brands, and our products are sold through distribution, retail and direct channels worldwide. We are a vertically integrated company with deep capabilities to transform disk drive and NAND-flash components into products and solutions in our broad portfolio. We operate a series of joint ventures in Yokkaichi, Japan, that provides us industry leading NAND-flash technology for use in our solid-state offerings.

We believe we are well positioned to capitalize on the ongoing expansion in digital content generation and management. These trends are linked directly to commercial enterprises’ and consumers’ increasingly ubiquitous experience with data and the increasing value of that data. The continued growth of data and the value creation of this data are driving the need for the long-term retention of as much data as possible. The ways in which people and organizations are creating and using data are changing and the amount of data considered useful to store is expanding. Increasingly, more and more digital content is being stored and managed in a cloud environment on both hard disk drives (“HDDs”) and solid state drives (“SSDs”), and we believe we are well positioned to continue to play a role in this transition. With a focus on innovation and user value creation, our goal is to grow through continued strong execution and with targeted investments in data center infrastructure, mobility and the cloud.



 

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We operate in the data storage and data management industry. Our devices and solutions are made using either rotating magnetic or NAND-flash technologies that together provide a broad range of reliability, performance, storage capacity and data retention capabilities to our customers. With increasing ability to capture and create meaning and value from data, we believe our customers view insights gained from data analytics as one of their most important assets. In a connected global marketplace, there is a proliferation in the methods by and the rates at which content is generated, consumed and stored by end users. When combined with fast global networks, these trends create tremendous need for cost effective, high-performance and/or high-capacity storage solutions in mobile, computing and consumer electronic devices, as well as in a wide range of storage systems, servers and data centers.

The storage industry is increasingly utilizing tiered architectures with HDDs, SSDs and other NAND-flash storage devices to address an expanding set of uses and applications. The growth in computing complexity, cloud computing applications, connected mobile devices and Internet connected products in the world continues unabated, creating the need for greater volumes of digital content to be stored, which in turn, drives a proliferation of data storage form factors. In addition, we monitor the advantages, disadvantages and advances of the full array of storage technologies, and review these with our customers on an ongoing basis to ensure we are appropriately resourced to meet our customers’ storage needs. Storage solutions that hold large amounts of data are a key enabler of the trends seen in the evolution of a data driven economy, underpinned by the proliferation of digital content creation, consumption and monetization.

We are a market and customer driven company, focused on growth, innovation and value creation for our customers, employees and stockholders. We develop deep and collaborative relationships with our customers with a goal of enabling their continued success, an approach that has made us a trusted advisor and market maker in our served markets. As our portfolio of storage solutions expands further, we believe our customer engagement approach is one of the key factors that will help us continue to achieve strong financial performance over the long term. We believe that our product platform is broad-based and compelling, and our unique competitive advantages with growth drivers will continue to provide us the opportunity to expand our value-creation model within an evolving, changing and growing storage ecosystem.

Recent Developments

Repricing of U.S. Dollar-Denominated Term B Loans

On November 8, 2017, we priced $2.963 billion of new U.S. dollar-denominated term B-3 loans at an interest rate of LIBOR + 2.00% (reducing the 0.75% LIBOR floor to a 0.00% LIBOR floor) (the “U.S. Dollar TLB Repricing”), which was 75 basis points lower than our previous term B-2 loans issued in March 2017.

Prepayment of Euro Term Loan B-2

On November 17, 2017, we made a voluntary prepayment for the full principal amount of our Euro-denominated term B-2 loans (“Euro Term Loan B-2”) using available cash on hand (the “Euro TLB Prepayment”). See “Capitalization”.

Increase of Revolving Credit Facility

On November 29, 2017, we increased the size of our $1.0 billion revolving credit facility under our senior credit facilities (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) by $500.0 million (the “RCF Increase”), and, as a result of the RCF Increase, we currently have availability under the Revolving Credit Facility of $1.5 billion. See “Capitalization.”



 

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Increase and Extension of Term Loan A and the Revolving Credit Facility and Credit Agreement Amendments

In connection with this offering, we expect to increase the size of our $4.07 billion Term Loan A currently maturing in 2021 (the “Term Loan A”) by up to $1.0 billion (as may be increased by up to an additional $1.0 billion if the full amount of the Convertible Notes Offering (as defined below) is not completed) (the “TLA Increase”) and to extend the maturity of the entire tranche of the Term Loan A by approximately 2 years to 2023. After the quarterly principal payment of $51 million made on December 29, 2017, and after the TLA Increase, we will have $5.02 billion (or if the entire amount of the TLA Increase is effected, up to $6.02 billion) outstanding under the Term Loan A with a maturity date of 2023. We intend to use the net proceeds therefrom, together with the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes Offering and available cash on hand, to redeem all of our 2023 Secured Notes currently outstanding and to pay accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses. We cannot assure you that the TLA Increase will be completed for the full increase amount anticipated on terms more favorable to us than the existing Term Loan A, or at all. In addition, the timing of the TLA Increase may occur after the closing of this offering and could be delayed or suspended. If the closing of the TLA Increase is not completed, or if we increase the Term Loan A by a lower amount than currently anticipated, we may not redeem all or any of our 2023 Secured Notes currently outstanding.

In connection with this offering and the TLA Increase, we also expect to extend the maturity of our existing Revolving Credit Facility by approximately 2 years to a maturity date of 2023.

In addition, we expect to seek amendments to the Credit Facilities to, among other things, provide for more covenant flexibility, a decrease in the interest rate applicable to the Term Loan A and/or Revolving Credit Facility and a release of the security and guarantees under certain circumstances.

Convertible Notes Offering

Concurrently with this offering, we are proposing to offer $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2024 (the “Convertible Notes Offering”). The Convertible Notes Offering is being made by means of a separate offering memorandum and not by means of this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities being offered in the Convertible Notes Offering.

The Convertible Notes Offering and this offering are being conducted as separate offerings. Neither offering is contingent upon the other. We intend to use the net proceeds of the Convertible Notes Offering, together with the net proceeds from the proposed TLA Increase and available cash on hand, to redeem any or all of our 2023 Secured Notes currently outstanding and to pay accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses. We cannot assure you that the Convertible Notes Offering will be completed on the terms described herein, or at all. If the proposed timing of the Convertible Notes Offering is delayed, or if we offer an aggregate principal amount of convertible notes pursuant to the Convertible Notes Offering in a lesser amount than currently anticipated, we may not redeem all or any of our 2023 Secured Notes currently outstanding.

Tender Offer for 2024 Unsecured Notes

As of September 29, 2017, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our 2024 Unsecured Notes was $3,350.0 million. Concurrently with this offering, we expect to commence a cash tender offer (the “2024 Tender Offer”) to purchase any and all of our outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes. Holders of 2024 Unsecured Notes will receive $1,137.25 (the “Tender Price”) and accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the applicable settlement date for each $1,000 principal amount of 2024 Unsecured Notes that are validly tendered on or before 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on February 26, 2018 and accepted for purchase in the Tender Offer (as may be extended or earlier terminated, the “Expiration Time”).



 

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Each holder who validly tenders and does not withdraw its Notes prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 9, 2018 (as may be extended or earlier terminated, the “Early Tender Time”) will receive, if such Notes are accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer, the total consideration of $1,167.25 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the applicable settlement date, which includes the the Tender Price and an early tender premium of $30. The 2024 Tender Offer is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the consummation of this offering, on terms satisfactory to us.

Settlement of the 2024 Tender Offer is expected to occur on or about February 13, 2018 for 2024 Unsecured Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase prior to the Early Tender Time and on or about February 27, 2018 for notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase subsequent to the Early Tender Time and prior to the Expiration Time. In addition, we intend to issue a conditional notice of redemption with respect to the 2024 Unsecured Notes and, prior to the redemption date, we may elect to satisfy and discharge its obligations under the 2024 Unsecured Notes and the related indenture in accordance with its satisfaction and discharge provisions.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with available cash on hand, to fund the purchase of the 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer and, if the 2024 Tender Offer is not consummated, or if we purchase less than all of the outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, to fund the redemption of any 2024 Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding, although we have no legal obligation to do so and the selection of any particular redemption date is in our discretion. If any condition of the 2024 Tender Offer is not satisfied, we are not obligated to accept for purchase, or to pay for, any of the 2024 Unsecured Notes tendered and may delay the acceptance for payment of any tendered 2024 Unsecured Notes, in each event subject to applicable laws. We also may terminate, extend or amend the 2024 Tender Offer and may postpone the acceptance for purchase of, and payment for, the 2024 Unsecured Notes tendered.

This prospectus is not an offer to purchase the 2024 Unsecured Notes. The 2024 Tender Offer is made only by and pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation, dated as of January 29, 2018, as the same may be amended or supplemented.

For purposes of this prospectus, (x) the purchase of the 2024 Unsecured Notes currently outstanding in the 2024 Tender Offer and, if the 2024 Tender Offer is not consummated, or if we purchase less than all of the outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, the redemption of any 2024 Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding using available cash on hand and the net proceeds from this offering of the notes, is referred to herein as the “2024 Notes Refinancing Transaction”, and (y) the redemption of the 2023 Secured Notes currently outstanding, using available cash on hand and the net proceeds from the proposed Convertible Notes Offering and the proposed TLA Increase, is referred to herein as the “2023 Notes Refinancing Transaction” and together with the 2024 Notes Refinancing Transaction, the “Refinancing Transactions”.

Share Repurchase

In connection with the closing of the concurrent Refinancing Transactions, we expect to repurchase up to $500 million of shares of our common stock pursuant to our existing share repurchase programs using available cash on hand (the “Share Repurchase”).

Preliminary Financial Information for Second Fiscal Quarter ended December 29, 2017

Our interim consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended December 29, 2017 are not yet complete as of the date of this prospectus. The preliminary financial information presented below for the second quarter ended December 29, 2017 remains subject to the completion of management’s review and other procedures. Upon completion of management’s review and other procedures, actual results may vary from the



 

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preliminary financial information provided below, and such changes could be material. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on this preliminary financial information. Please refer to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” This preliminary financial information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. For additional information, please see “Risk Factors.”

The preliminary financial information included in this prospectus has been prepared by and is the responsibility of our management. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or performed any procedures with respect to the preliminary financial information. Accordingly, KPMG LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. As a result, prospective investors should exercise caution in relying on this information and should not draw any inferences from this information regarding financial or operating data not provided.

Preliminary Financial Information

On January 25, 2018, we announced our preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended December 29, 2017. The following table sets forth our selected preliminary unaudited financial information for the indicated periods. We derived the unaudited financial information as of and for the second quarter ended December 29, 2017 from our unaudited, underlying financial records. Our final unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the second quarter ended December 29, 2017 may differ from the unaudited preliminary financial information presented below. Additionally, the unaudited preliminary financial information for the second quarter ended December 29, 2017 is not necessarily indicative of future results for any subsequent periods.

 

(dollars in millions, except per-share amounts)

   As of and for the second
quarter ended
December 29, 2017
 
     (unaudited)  

Profit and loss information:

  

Revenue, net

   $ 5,336  

Cost of revenue

     3,323  

Research and development expenses

     629  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     381  

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges

     48  

Interest and other expense, net

     (181

Net income (loss)

     (823

Income (loss) per common share – diluted

     (2.78

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

     296  

Balance Sheet information:

  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 6,272  

Total assets

     29,840  

Total long-term debt

     11,777  

Total liabilities

     18,568  

Total shareholders’ equity

     11,272  

Cash Flows information:

  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 1,182  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (629

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,167


 

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The following table sets forth EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 29, 2017 and reconciliations to our net income using data based on our preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended December 29, 2017.

 

(dollars in millions)    Twelve Months
Ended 
December 29, 2017
 
     (unaudited)  

Net income

   $ 386  

Interest and other expense, net

     834  

Income tax expense

     1,817  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,174  
  

 

 

 

EBITDA

     5,211  

Contractual adjustments provided for in our debt instruments

 

Stock-based compensation expense

     383  

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges

     219  

Charges related to cost savings initiatives and estimated run-rate savings, acquisition-related charges, and other adjustments provided by our debt instruments

     698  
  

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 6,511  
  

 

 

 

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 5601 Great Oaks Parkway, San Jose, California 95119. Our telephone number of our principal executive office is (408) 717-6000 and our website is www.wdc.com. The information on our website is not incorporated in this prospectus (except for SEC filings expressly incorporated).



 

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The Offering

The following is a brief summary of certain terms of this offering. For a more complete description of the terms of the notes, see the section “Description of Notes.” In this “Prospectus Summary—The Offering” section, “we”, “us” and “Western Digital” refer to Western Digital Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.

 

Issuer

Western Digital Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

Securities Offered

$2,300 million aggregate principal amount of     % Senior Notes due 2026.

 

Maturity Date

The notes will mature on                , 2026.

 

Interest Payment Dates

Interest on the notes will accrue from and be payable semi–annually in arrears on                and                of each year, commencing on                , 2018.

 

Optional Redemption

We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at the applicable redemption prices described herein under the caption “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption.”

 

Ranking

The notes will be our general senior obligations, will rank equal in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our present and future subordinated indebtedness. The notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and obligations (other than certain intercompany obligations) of any non-guarantor subsidiaries including the obligations of our non-U.S. subsidiaries.

 

  The notes and related guarantees will be effectively subordinated to all of our present and future secured indebtedness (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness), including the obligations under the Credit Facilities and the 2023 Secured Notes.

 

  As of September 29, 2017, we had approximately $9.9 billion aggregate principal amount of secured debt outstanding (including under the Credit Facilities and the 2023 Secured Notes) and on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the settlement of the Euro TLB Prepayment on November 17, 2017, we had approximately $8.9 billion aggregate principal amount of secured debt outstanding. See “Capitalization”. In addition we had approximately $1.0 billion of availability under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 29, 2017 or $1.5 billion of availability, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the RCF Increase, all of which would be secured by a first priority lien on the collateral securing the Credit Facilities.

 

Guarantees

Initially, the notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally on a senior unsecured basis, by each of our existing and future direct and indirect wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries that are guarantors under the Credit Facilities. Under certain circumstances, subsidiary guarantees may be released without the consent of holders of the notes. See “Description of Notes—Guarantees”.


 

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  As of September 29, 2017, our non-guarantor subsidiaries would have had approximately $3.4 billion of aggregate total liabilities (including all liabilities set forth on the consolidated balance sheet for all non-guarantor subsidiaries including working capital accounts, and $30 million of long-term debt, but excluding intercompany transactions all of which would have been structurally senior to the notes and the related guarantees.

 

  In addition, for the twelve months ended September 29, 2017, these non-guarantor subsidiaries would have accounted for approximately 39% of our net sales and approximately 63% of our total operating income, and as of September 29, 2017, these non-guarantor subsidiaries would have accounted for approximately 83% of our total consolidated assets (excluding intercompany transactions).

 

Certain Covenants

The Indenture governing the notes will contain certain restrictions, including a limitation that restricts our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to create or incur secured debt, enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets and the ability of our non-guarantor subsidiaries to create other debt. The covenants will be subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. See “Description of Notes—Certain Covenants.”

 

Change of Control Offer

If we experience a “Change of Control Triggering Event” (as defined in “Description of Notes”), we will be required, unless we have exercised our option to redeem the notes, to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of purchase. See “Description of Notes—Change of Control Triggering Event.” .

 

Form and Denomination

The notes will be issued only in registered form. The notes will initially be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes initially sold by the underwriters will be represented by one or more permanent global notes in fully registered form, deposited with a custodian for and registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

 

  Beneficial interests in the global notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. Except as described herein, notes in certificated form will not be issued in exchange for any global note or interests therein.

 

Trading

The notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no established trading market for the notes. An active or liquid market may not develop for the notes or, if developed, be maintained. We have not applied, and do not intend to apply, for the listing of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system.


 

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Governing Law

The notes and the indenture under which they will be issued will be governed by New York law.

 

Trustee

U.S. Bank National Association (the “Trustee”).

 

Use of Proceeds

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $                billion from the offering, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use such net proceeds, together with available cash on hand, to fund the purchase of all of our currently outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer and, if the 2024 Tender Offer is not consummated or if we purchase less than all of the outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, to fund the redemption of any 2024 Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding, in each case, including all accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Risk Factors

Investing in the notes involves risk. See “Risk Factors” and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the notes.


 

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Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data

The following tables set forth, for the periods presented, (i) selected summary information from our consolidated statements of income by dollars and percentage of net revenue and (ii) summary information regarding revenues by geography and end market. Our summary consolidated financial data for each of the years ended June 30, 2017, July 1, 2016 and July 3, 2015 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our summary consolidated financial data for each of the three months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Our fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest to June 30 and typically consists of 52 weeks. Approximately every six years, we report a 53-week fiscal year to align our fiscal year with the foregoing policy. Fiscal year 2017, which ended on June 30, 2017, and fiscal year 2016, which ended on July 1, 2016, were each comprised of 52 weeks, with all quarters presented consisting of 13 weeks. Fiscal year 2015, which ended on July 3, 2015 was comprised of 53 weeks, with the first quarter consisting of 14 weeks and the second, third and fourth quarters consisting of 13 weeks each.

The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period. The following summaries of our consolidated financial data for the periods presented should be read in conjunction and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Years Ended

 
   

(unaudited)

    (audited)  
                                                             
(In millions, except
percentages)
  September 29,
2017
    September 30,
2016
   

June 30,

2017

   

July 1,

2016

   

July 3,

2015

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenue

  $ 5,181       100.0   $ 4,714       100.0   $ 19,093       100.0   $ 12,994       100.0   $ 14,572       100.0

Cost of revenue

    3,268       63.1       3,379       71.7       13,021       68.2       9,559       73.6       10,351       71.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

    1,913       36.9       1,335       28.3       6,072       31.8       3,435       26.4       4,221       29.0  

Operating expenses

    1,008       19.5       1,103       23.4       4,118       21.6       2,969       22.8       2,610       17.9  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    905       17.5       232       4.9       1,954       10.2       466       3.6       1,611       11.1  

Total interest and other expense, net

    (195     (3.8     (503     (10.7     (1,185     (6.2     (313     (2.4     (34     (0.2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before taxes

    710       13.7       (271     (5.8     769       4.0       153       1.2       1,577       10.9  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    29       0.6       95       2.0       372       1.9       (89     (0.7     112       0.8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 681       13.1     $ (366     (7.8   $ 397       2.1     $ 242       1.9     $ 1,465       10.1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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     Three Months Ended     Years Ended  
     (unaudited)     (audited)  
(In millions, except percentages and exabytes shipped)   

September 29,
2017

   

September 30,
2016

   

June 30,
2017

   

July 1,
2016

   

July 3,
2015

 

Net revenue

   $ 5,181     $ 4,714     $ 19,093     $ 12,994     $ 14,572  

Revenues by Geography (%)

 

Americas

     26     26     27     32     28

Europe, Middle East and Africa

     18       17       17       21       22  

Asia

     56       57       56       47       50  

Revenues by End Market (%)

 

Client Devices

     52     50     50     48     53

Data Center Devices & Solutions

     26       29       29       38       34  

Client Solutions

     22       21       21       14       13  

Exabytes Shipped

     87       80       313       262       249  

 

Consolidated balance sheet data:    As of  
   (audited)      (audited)      (unaudited)  
  

June 30,

2017

    

July 1,
2016

    

September 29,
2017

 
     (in millions)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,354      $ 8,151      $ 6,886  

Working capital(1)

     6,712        5,635        7,351  

Total assets

     29,860        32,862        30,505  

Total principal amount of debt (short term and long term)

     13,356        17,526        13,327  

Total shareholders’ equity

     11,418        11,145        12,059  

 

(1) Working capital represents current assets minus current liabilities.

 

     Year Ended     

Twelve Months
Ended

 
     (audited)      (unaudited)  
Other Financial Data:   

June 30,

2017

    

July 1,

2016

    

July 3,

2015

    

September 29,
2017

 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (in millions)  

EBITDA(2)

   $ 4,082      $ 1,620      $ 2,725      $ 4,780  

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

     N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 6,238  

Adjusted total secured debt/Adjusted EBITDA(3)

     N/A        N/A        N/A        1.3x  

Adjusted total debt/Adjusted EBITDA(4)

     N/A        N/A        N/A        1.8x  

Adjusted Interest Coverage Ratio(5)

     N/A        N/A        N/A        15.8x  

Adjusted net debt/Adjusted EBITDA(6)

     N/A        N/A        N/A        1.3x  

 

(2) In addition to GAAP results, management also uses EBITDA and, with respect to the twelve months ended September 29, 2017, Adjusted EBITDA to assess our operating results, which are results often evaluated by investors and lenders. We define EBITDA as net income plus interest and other expense, net, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus aggregate contractual adjustments provided for in our debt instruments. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures of our financial performance and should not be considered as alternatives to net income as a measure of financial performance, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, nor should they be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or other items. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow for management’s discretionary use or as measures of liquidity, as they do not reflect certain


 

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  cash requirements such as tax payments, debt service requirements and certain other cash costs that may recur in the future. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA contain certain other limitations, including the failure to reflect our cash requirements for working capital needs and cash costs to replace assets being depreciated and amortized and other cash expenditures. Our presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to different methods of calculation. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” The following table sets forth a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our net income using data derived from our consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended      Twelve Months
Ended
 
     (audited)      (unaudited)  
     June 30,
2017
     July 1,
2016
     July 3,
2015
     September 29,
2017
 
   (in millions)  

Net income

   $ 397      $ 242      $ 1,465      $ 1,444  

Interest and other expense, net

     1,185        313        34        877  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     372        (89      112        306  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,128        1,154        1,114        2,153  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ 4,082      $ 1,620      $ 2,725      $ 4,780  

Contractual adjustments provided for in our debt instruments(a)

           

Stock-based compensation expense

     N/A        N/A        N/A        380  

Employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges

     N/A        N/A        N/A        216  

Charges related to cost savings initiatives and estimated run-rate savings, acquisition-related charges, and other adjustments provided by our debt instruments

     N/A        N/A        N/A        862  
           

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 6,238  
           

 

 

 

 

  (a)

With respect to the twelve months ended September 29, 2017, represents EBITDA adjustments provided for in our debt instruments, including (i) non-cash impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities pursuant to GAAP, non-cash gains or losses from investments recorded using the equity method, non-cash compensation expenses, the non-cash impact of purchase or recapitalization accounting and other non-cash charges, (ii) charges attributable to the undertaking and/or implementation of cost savings initiatives, operating expense reductions and other restructuring, integration or transformational charges (including inventory optimization expenses, business optimization expenses, transaction costs and costs related to the opening, closure, consolidation or separation of facilities and curtailments, costs related to entry into new markets, consulting fees, recruiter fees, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, relocation costs, severance payments, and modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans), (iii) expected cost savings, operating expense reductions, restructuring charges and expenses and synergies (net of the amount of actual amounts realized) reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and reasonably anticipated to be realized within 18 months of the date thereof related to permitted asset sales, acquisitions, investments, dispositions, operating improvements, restructurings, cost savings initiatives and certain other similar initiatives and specified transactions, (iv) net gain (loss) resulting from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge



 

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  agreements for currency exchange risk) and (v) certain other extraordinary charges and unusual or non-recurring charges. The assumptions and estimates with respect to expected synergies and cost savings are inherently uncertain and subject to significant business, operational, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. We cannot assure you that any or all of these synergies will be achieved in the anticipated amounts or within the anticipated timeframes or cost expectations or at all.

 

(3) Reflects total principal amount of secured debt of $8.0 billion on an as adjusted basis as described under “Capitalization.”

 

(4) Reflects total principal amount of debt of $11.3 billion on an as adjusted basis as described under “Capitalization.”

 

(5) Reflects Adjusted EBITDA divided by assumed interest expense of $395 million on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, the U.S. Dollar TLB Repricing and the Euro TLB Prepayment. For each increase (decrease) of one-eighth of a percent (0.125 percent) in the interest rate assumed for the notes, pro forma interest expense would increase (decrease) by $3 million.

 

(6) Reflects net debt of $7.9 billion, including total debt of $11.3 billion less cash and cash equivalents of $3.4 billion, and short-term investments of $35 million, in each case on an as adjusted basis as described under “Capitalization.”


 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any statements that do not relate to historical or current facts or matters are forward-looking statements. You can identify some of the forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “potential,” “plan,” “forecast,” and the like, or the use of future tense. Statements concerning current conditions may also be forward-looking if they imply a continuation of current conditions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:

 

    expectations concerning the integration of, and anticipated benefits from, our acquisition (the “Merger”) of SanDisk Corporation (“SanDisk”);

 

    expectations regarding the integration of our HGST and WD subsidiaries following the decision by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (“MOFCOM”) in October 2015;

 

    expectations regarding our business ventures with Toshiba Corporation (“Toshiba”) consisting of three separate legal entities: Flash Partners Ltd., Flash Alliance Ltd. and Flash Forward Ltd., collectively referred to as “Flash Ventures”;

 

    expectations regarding the growth of digital data and demand for digital storage;

 

    expectations regarding our business strategy, our ability to execute that strategy and its intended benefits;

 

    expectations with respect to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers and strategic partners;

 

    our plans to develop and invest in new products and expand into new storage markets and into emerging economic markets;

 

    expectations regarding the personal computer market and the emergence of new storage markets for our products;

 

    expectations regarding the amount and timing of charges and cash expenditures associated with our restructuring activities;

 

    our quarterly cash dividend policy;

 

    expectations regarding the outcome of legal proceedings in which we are involved;

 

    expectations regarding the repatriation of funds from our foreign operations;

 

    our beliefs regarding tax benefits and the timing of future payments, if any, relating to the unrecognized tax benefits, and the adequacy of our tax provisions;

 

    expectations regarding capital investments and sources of funding for those investments; and

 

    our beliefs regarding the sufficiency of our available liquidity to meet our working capital, debt, dividend and capital expenditure needs.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully review the

 

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disclosures we make concerning risks and other factors that may affect our business and operating results, including those described below under the heading “Risk Factors” as well as those made in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including those set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2017, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in the future, including subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We caution you that any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference are not guarantees of future performance, events or results, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their respective dates. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we use certain “non-GAAP financial measures” to evaluate the operating and financial performance of our business, identify trends affecting our business, develop projections and make strategic business decisions. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s operating performance, financial position or cash flow that includes or excludes amounts that are included or excluded from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Our non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to similarly titled measures provided by other companies in their industry, as other companies in their industry may calculate non-GAAP financial results differently, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. In addition, there are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures as analytical tools because they are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and exclude expenses and other items that may have a material impact on reported financial results. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We urge you to review the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures included herein, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

EBITDA represents net income plus interest and other expense, net; income tax expense (benefit); and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus aggregate contractual adjustments provided for in our debt instruments. Adjusted net debt represents total debt minus cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. We include information concerning EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net debt because we believe they are useful measures to evaluate our operating performance and financial position. As measures of our operating performance, we believe EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net debt provide a measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent net income or operating income, and Adjusted net debt does not represent total debt, as defined by GAAP and they should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to those measures in evaluating operating performance. See “Prospectus Summary—Historical Consolidated Financial Data” for a reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net debt to the directly comparable GAAP measures.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in the notes involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider, among other factors, the risks described below that are specific to the notes, and those that could affect us and our business described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as the other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

The incurrence of substantial indebtedness in connection with the financing of the Merger may have an adverse impact on our liquidity, limit our flexibility in responding to other business opportunities and increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions.

In connection with the Merger, we substantially increased our indebtedness, which could adversely affect our ability to fulfill our obligations and have a negative impact on our financing options and liquidity position. On April 13, 2016, we issued $1,875.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Secured Notes and $3,350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Unsecured Notes. We also entered into new senior credit facilities on April 29, 2016 (the “Credit Facilities”) under which we had $8.1 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding as of September 29, 2017. As of September 29, 2017, we had $13.3 billion aggregate principal amount of total indebtedness, or $11.3 billion aggregate principal amount on an as adjusted basis as described under “Capitalization.” We had $1.0 billion of additional borrowing availability under our Revolving Credit Facility, which includes a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, as of September 29, 2017, and, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the RCF Increase, additional borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility would have been $1.5 billion. The proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Secured Notes, 2024 Unsecured Notes and new credit facilities were used to pay part of the purchase price for the Merger, refinance existing indebtedness of Western Digital and SanDisk and pay related transaction-related fees and expenses.

Our high debt balances could have significant consequences, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

    limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes;

 

    requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows to be dedicated to debt service payments instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of cash flows available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development and other general corporate purposes;

 

    limiting our ability to refinance our indebtedness on terms acceptable to us or at all;

 

    imposing restrictive covenants on our operations;

 

    if we breach the covenants under our debt agreements, causing an event of default under the applicable indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could result in us having to repay our indebtedness before their due dates or result in cross defaults;

 

    placing us at a competitive disadvantage to competitors carrying less debt; and

 

    making us more vulnerable to economic downturns and limiting our ability to withstand competitive pressures.

In addition, our credit ratings impact the cost and availability of future borrowings and, accordingly, our cost of capital. Our ratings reflect the opinions of the ratings agencies of our financial strength, operating

 

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performance and ability to meet our debt obligations. There can be no assurance that we will achieve a particular rating or maintain a particular rating in the future.

Because of high debt balances, we may not be able to service our debt obligations in accordance with their terms.

As of September 29, 2017, we had $13.3 billion aggregate principal amount of total indebtedness, or $11.3 billion aggregate principal amount on an as adjusted basis as described under “Capitalization.” We had $1.0 billion of additional borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 29, 2017 and, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the RCF Increase, additional borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility would have been $1.5 billion. Our ability to meet our expense and debt service obligations contained in our debt agreements will depend on our available cash and our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, including potential changes in laws or regulations, industry conditions, industry supply and demand balance, customer preferences, the success of our products and pressure from competitors. If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or should we fail to comply with our financial and other restrictive covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness, we may be required to refinance all or part of our debt, sell important strategic assets at unfavorable prices, incur additional indebtedness or issue common stock or other equity securities. We may not be able to, at any given time, refinance our debt, sell assets, incur additional indebtedness or issue equity securities on terms acceptable to us, in amounts sufficient to meet our needs or at all. Our inability to service our debt obligations or refinance our debt could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, our debt obligations may limit our ability to make required investments in capacity, technology or other areas of our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Further, if we are unable to repay, refinance or restructure our secured indebtedness, the holder of such debt could proceed against the collateral securing that indebtedness.

The terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes or to pursue our business strategies, and could adversely affect our capital resources, financial condition and liquidity.

Although the restrictive covenants in the notes offered hereby will be more limited and we are seeking a concurrent amendment to the Credit Facilities to increase covenant flexibility upon meeting certain conditions, the agreements that govern our existing indebtedness (unless we meet certain conditions that would limit the scope of the restrictive covenants in the Credit Facilities) contain a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interests, including, among other things, restrictions on our ability to:

 

    incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness;

 

    declare or pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to, or purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value, equity interests;

 

    make principal payments on, or redeem or repurchase, subordinated debt;

 

    make loans, advances or other investments;

 

    incur liens;

 

    sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries;

 

    purchase assets, make investments, complete acquisitions, consolidate or merge with or into, or sell all or substantially all of our assets to, another person; and

 

    enter into transactions with affiliates.

 

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Due to these restrictions, we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to operate our business during general economic or business downturns, and we may be unable to compete effectively or take advantage of new opportunities to grow our business. In addition, our credit facilities require us to comply with certain financial maintenance covenants. Our ability to satisfy these financial maintenance covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet them. The indebtedness and these restrictive covenants may have the effect, among other things, of limiting our flexibility in the conduct of our business and making us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse competitive and industry conditions.

A breach of the covenants under these agreements could result in an event of default under the applicable indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could result in us having to repay our borrowings (including under the Credit Facilities) or repay any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding and the notes before their due dates. Such default may allow the debt holders to accelerate the related debt and may result in the acceleration of any other debt, leases, or other obligations to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings, any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding or the notes on less favorable terms or if we were to experience difficulty in refinancing the debt prior to maturity, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially affected. In addition, an event of default under our credit facilities may permit the lenders under our credit facilities to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under such credit facilities. If we are unable to repay the amounts due and payable under our credit facilities and any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding, those lenders may be able to proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. In the event our lenders or holders of notes accelerate the repayment of such borrowings, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay such indebtedness. Any of the foregoing would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We, including our subsidiaries, have the ability to incur substantially more indebtedness, including senior secured indebtedness, which could further increase the risks associated with our leverage.

Subject to the restrictions in the Credit Facilities and the indentures governing any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding and the notes, we, including our subsidiaries, have the ability to incur significant additional indebtedness. As of September 29, 2017, after giving effect to this offering and the use of proceeds, together with available cash on hand, to repurchase or redeem the 2024 Unsecured Notes we had:

 

    $8.07 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured indebtedness under the Credit Facilities;

 

    $1.88 billion aggregate principal amount of 2023 Secured Notes;

 

    approximately $1.0 billion available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility, which, if borrowed, would be senior secured indebtedness, and, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the RCF Increase, additional borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility would have been $1.5 billion; and

 

    subject to our compliance with certain covenants and other conditions, we have the option to incur certain additional secured indebtedness and/or additional unsecured indebtedness.

Although the terms of the Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the 2023 Secured Notes include restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of important exceptions, and indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. The terms of the indenture governing the notes generally will not restrict us from incurring additional indebtedness, although it will place some limitations on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to create liens securing indebtedness. If we incur significant additional indebtedness, the related risks that we face could increase.

 

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The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations, and the related guarantees will be unsecured obligations of the guarantors. As such, the notes and the related guarantees will be effectively subordinated to any of our or our guarantors’ secured debt, including our existing and any future debt under the Credit Facilities and any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding.

Our obligations under the notes and the guarantors’ obligations under the guarantees will not be secured. The notes will be effectively subordinated to our and our guarantors’ existing and any future secured indebtedness, including the Credit Facilities and any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, which assets include substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiary guarantors.

As of September 29, 2017, we and our guarantors had approximately $9.9 billion aggregate principal amount of secured indebtedness outstanding and on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the settlement of the Euro TLB Prepayment on November 17, 2017, we had approximately $8.9 billion aggregate principal amount of secured debt outstanding. We had $1.0 billion of additional borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 29, 2017 and, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the RCF Increase, additional borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility would have been $1.5 billion. If we are involved in any dissolution, liquidation or reorganization, or if we default under the indenture governing the notes, holders of our secured debt would be paid before holders of the notes receive any amounts due under the notes to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. In that event, holders of the notes may not be able to recover any or all of the principal or interest due under the notes.

In the event that we are declared bankrupt, become insolvent or are liquidated or reorganized or if we default under the Credit Facilities or any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding, the lenders or the holders of any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding could foreclose on the pledged assets to the exclusion of holders of the notes, even if an event of default exists under the indenture governing the notes at such time. Furthermore, if the lenders or the holders of any 2023 Secured Notes that remain outstanding foreclose upon and sell the pledged equity interests in any guarantor of the notes, then that guarantor will be released from its guarantee of the notes automatically and immediately upon such sale. In any such event, because the notes will not be secured by any of our assets or the equity interests in the guarantors, it is possible that there would be no assets remaining from which your claims could be satisfied or, if any assets remained, they might be insufficient to satisfy your claims in full.

The notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness of our existing subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes and our future subsidiaries that do not become guarantors of the notes.

The notes will not be guaranteed by any of our existing or future non-U.S. subsidiaries, any of our less than 100% owned U.S. subsidiaries or any other U.S. subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Credit Facilities. Accordingly, claims of holders of the notes will be structurally subordinated to the claims of creditors of these non-guarantor subsidiaries, including trade creditors. All obligations of our non-guarantor subsidiaries will have to be satisfied before any of the assets of such subsidiaries would be available for distribution, upon a liquidation or otherwise, to us or a guarantor of the notes. As of September 29, 2017, our non-guarantor subsidiaries had $3.4 billion of aggregate total balance sheet liabilities (excluding intercompany transactions), including $30 million of long-term debt, all of which would have been structurally senior to the notes and the related guarantees.

In addition, the indenture governing the notes will, subject to some limitations, permit these non-guarantor subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and will not include any limitation on the amount of other liabilities, such as trade payables, that may be incurred by these subsidiaries.

The lenders under the Credit Facilities will have the discretion to release guarantors under these facilities in a variety of circumstances and under certain circumstances may be automatically released, which will cause those guarantors to be released from their guarantees of the notes.

So long as any obligations under our Credit Facilities remain outstanding, any guarantee of the notes may be released without action by, or consent of, any holder of notes or the trustee under the indenture governing

 

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the notes if, at the discretion of lenders under the Credit Facilities, the related guarantor is no longer a guarantor of obligations under the Credit Facilities. The lenders under the Credit Facilities will have the discretion to release the guarantees under these facilities in a variety of circumstances. In addition, in connection with the TLA increase or thereafter, we may have the flexibility to automatically release all of the collateral and guarantees securing the Credit Facilities upon the prepayment or other termination of the outstanding term B loans under the Credit Facilities as well as other secured or subsidiary debt in excess of certain thresholds, subject to certain other conditions to be agreed. Any of our subsidiaries that are released as guarantors of the Credit Facilities will automatically be released as guarantors of the notes. You will not have a claim as a creditor against any subsidiary that is no longer a guarantor of the notes, and the indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, whether secured or unsecured, of those subsidiaries will effectively be senior to your claims as a holder of the notes.

Under certain circumstances a court could cancel the notes or the related guarantees under fraudulent conveyance laws. If that occurs, you may not receive any payments on the notes.

Federal and state fraudulent transfer and conveyance statutes may apply to the issuance of the notes and the incurrence of the guarantees. Under federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, which may vary from state to state, the notes or guarantees could be voided as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance if we or any of the guarantors, as applicable: (1) issued the notes or incurred the guarantees with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or (2) received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for either issuing the notes or incurring the guarantees and, in the case of (2) only, one of the following is also true at the time thereof:

 

    we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, were insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of the guarantees;

 

    the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of the guarantees left us or any of the guarantors, as applicable, with an unreasonably small amount of capital to carry on the business;

 

    we or any of the guarantors intended to, or believed that we or such guarantor would, incur debts beyond our or such guarantor’s ability to pay as they mature; or

 

    we or any of the guarantors was a defendant in an action for money damages, or had a judgment for money damages docketed against us or such guarantor if, in either case, after final judgment, the judgment is unsatisfied.

If a court were to find that the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of the guarantees was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void the payment obligations under the notes or such guarantee or subordinate the notes or such guarantee to presently existing and future indebtedness of ours or of the related guarantor, or require the holders of the notes to repay any amounts received with respect to such guarantee. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, you may not receive any repayment on the notes. Further, the voidance of the notes could result in an event of default with respect to our and our subsidiaries’ other debt that could result in acceleration of such debt.

As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or satisfied. A debtor will generally not be considered to have received value in connection with a debt offering if the debtor uses the proceeds of that offering to make a dividend payment or otherwise retire or redeem equity securities issued by the debtor. We cannot be certain as to the standards a court would use to determine whether or not we or the guarantors were solvent at the relevant time or, regardless of the standard that a court uses, that the issuance of the notes and the guarantees would not be subordinated to our or any of our guarantors’ other debt.

Generally, an entity would be considered insolvent if, at the time it incurred debt:

 

    the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all its assets;

 

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    the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts and liabilities, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or

 

    it could not pay its debts as they become due.

If the guarantees were legally challenged, any guarantee could also be subject to the claim that, since the guarantee was incurred for our benefit, and only indirectly for the benefit of the guarantor, the obligations of the applicable guarantor were incurred for less than fair consideration. A court could thus void the obligations under the guarantees, subordinate them to the applicable guarantor’s other debt or take other action detrimental to the holders of the notes.

The indenture governing the notes includes a “savings clause” intended to limit each guarantor’s liability under its guarantee to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the guarantee to be a fraudulent transfer under applicable law. There can be no assurance that this provision will be upheld as intended. In a 2009 case, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Florida found this kind of provision in that case to be ineffective, and held the guarantees to be fraudulent transfers and voided them in their entirety. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit subsequently affirmed the liability findings of the bankruptcy court without ruling directly on the enforceability of savings clauses generally. If the decision of the bankruptcy court were followed by other courts, the risk that the guarantees would be deemed fraudulent conveyances would be significantly increased.

Repayment of our indebtedness, including the notes, is dependent on cash flow generated by our subsidiaries.

Our subsidiaries own a substantial portion of our assets and conduct a substantial portion of our operations. Accordingly, repayment of our indebtedness, including the notes, is dependent, to a significant extent, on the generation of cash flow by our subsidiaries and their ability to make such cash available to us, by dividend, debt repayment or otherwise. Unless they are guarantors of the notes, our subsidiaries do not have any obligation to pay amounts due on the notes or to make funds available for that purpose. Certain of our subsidiaries may not be able to, or may not be permitted to, make distributions to enable us to make payments in respect of our indebtedness, including the notes. Each subsidiary is a distinct legal entity and, under certain circumstances, legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries. While the indenture governing the notes limits the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to incur consensual restrictions on their ability to pay dividends or make other intercompany payments to us, these limitations are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions. In the event that we do not receive distributions from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to make required principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, including the notes.

There is no established trading market for the notes, and you may not be able to sell the notes readily or at all or at or above the price that you paid.

The notes are a new issue of securities and there is no established trading market for them. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making in the notes at any time, in their sole discretion. You may not be able to sell the notes at a particular time or at favorable prices. As a result, we cannot assure you as to the liquidity of any trading market for the notes. Accordingly, you may be required to bear the financial risk of your investment in the notes indefinitely. If a trading market were to develop, future trading prices of the notes may be volatile and will depend on many factors, including:

 

    our operating performance and financial condition;

 

    the interest of securities dealers in making a market for them;

 

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    prevailing interest rates; and

 

    the market for similar securities.

In addition, the market for non-investment grade debt historically has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the notes. The market for the notes, if any, may be subject to similar disruptions that could adversely affect their value.

We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance the change of control offer required by the indenture governing the notes.

Upon the occurrence of a “Change of Control Triggering Event,” as defined in the indenture governing the notes, we must offer to buy back the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, together with any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of the repurchase. Our failure to purchase, or give notice of purchase of, the notes would be a default under the indenture governing the notes. See “Description of the Notes—Change of Control Triggering Event”.

Furthermore, certain change of control triggering events would also constitute an event of default under the Credit Facilities. Upon the occurrence of a change of control, the lenders under the Credit Facilities may have the right, among other things, to terminate their lending commitments or to cause all outstanding debt obligations under the Credit Facilities to become due and payable and proceed against the assets securing such debt, any of which actions would prevent us from borrowing under the Credit Facilities to finance a repurchase of the notes. We cannot assure you that we will have available funds sufficient to repurchase the notes and satisfy other payment obligations that could be triggered upon the change of control. If we do not have sufficient financial resources to effect a change of control offer, we would be required to seek additional financing from outside sources to repurchase the notes. We cannot assure you that financing would be available to us on satisfactory terms, or at all.

The definition of change of control in the indenture governing the notes includes a phrase relating to the conveyance, transfer or lease of “all or substantially all” of our and our subsidiaries’ properties and assets, taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of “all or substantially all” of the property or assets of a person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether a change of control has occurred and whether a holder of notes may require us to make an offer to repurchase the notes as described above.

The trading prices for the notes will be directly affected by many factors, including our credit rating.

Credit rating agencies continually revise their ratings for companies they follow, including us. Any ratings downgrade could adversely affect the trading price of the notes, or the trading market for the notes, to the extent a trading market for the notes develops. The condition of the financial and credit markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future and any fluctuation may impact the trading prices of the notes.

The indenture governing the notes will contain negative covenants that may have a limited effect.

The indenture that will govern the notes will contain limited covenants that restrict our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to incur liens on our assets and enter into certain mergers with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person. These limited covenants contain exceptions that will allow us and our subsidiaries to incur liens with respect to material assets. See “Description of Notes—Certain Covenants.” In light of these exceptions, holders of the notes may be effectively subordinated to new lenders to the extent of the value of the collateral pledged to secure obligations owed to such lenders.

 

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Changes in our credit rating may adversely affect your investment in the notes.

Our credit rating, any rating that may be assigned to the notes, and the credit ratings assigned to our outstanding debt, reflect the rating agencies’ assessments of our ability to make payments on our debt when due. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings or those of the notes if issued, including any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, with respect to the issuance of the notes or our other outstanding debt could increase our corporate borrowing costs and affect the market value of your notes. Also, our credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to structure, market or other factors related to the value of the notes.

A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the notes, and there is no assurance that any rating will apply for any given period of time or that a rating may not be adjusted or withdrawn. We cannot be sure that rating agencies will rate the notes or maintain their ratings once issued. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to obtain a rating, maintain the ratings once issued or to advise holders of the notes of any change in rating.

We rely substantially on our business ventures with Toshiba’s wholly owned subsidiary, Toshiba Memory Corporation (“TMC”), for the supply of NAND-flash memory and the development of NAND-flash technology, which subjects us to risks and uncertainties that could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

We are dependent on our ventures with Toshiba’s wholly owned subsidiary, TMC, to develop and manufacture NAND-flash memory products for our NAND-flash memory supply, and therefore our business, financial condition and operating results, and our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from the Merger, is dependent on the continued success of Flash Ventures.

The majority of our NAND-flash memory is supplied by Flash Ventures, which limits our ability to respond to market demand and supply changes. A failure to accurately forecast demand could cause us to over-invest or under-invest in technology transitions or the expansion of captive memory capacity in Flash Ventures. Over-investment could result in excess supply, which could cause significant decreases in our product prices, significant excess, obsolete or lower of cost or net realizable value inventory write-downs or under-utilization charges, and the potential impairment of our investments in Flash Ventures. On the other hand, if we or TMC under-invest in captive memory capacity or technology transitions, if we grow capacity more slowly than the rest of the industry, if our technology transitions do not occur on the timeline that we expect, if we encounter unanticipated difficulties in implementing these transitions, or if we implement technology transitions more slowly than our competitors, we may not have enough captive supply of the right type of memory or at all to meet demand on a timely and cost effective basis and we may lose opportunities for revenue, gross margin and share as a result. If our NAND memory supply is limited, we may make strategic decisions with respect to the allocation of our supply among our products and customers, and these strategic allocation decisions may result in less favorable gross margin in the short term or damage certain customer relationships. Growth of our NAND-flash memory bit supply at a slower rate than the overall industry for an extended period of time would result in lowering our share which could limit our future opportunities and harm our financial results. We are also contractually obligated to pay for 50% of the fixed costs of Flash Ventures regardless of whether we purchase any wafers from Flash Ventures. Furthermore, purchase orders placed with Flash Ventures and under the foundry arrangements with TMC for up to three months are binding and cannot be canceled. Therefore, once our purchase decisions have been made, our production costs for flash memory are fixed, and we may be unable to reduce costs to match any subsequent declines in pricing or demand, which would harm our gross margin. Our limited ability to react to fluctuations in flash memory supply and demand makes our financial results particularly susceptible to variations from our forecasts and expectations.

In addition, we partner with TMC on the development of NAND-flash technology, including the next technology transitions of NAND-flash, as well as other non-volatile memory technology in support of Flash Ventures.

 

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These ventures are subject to various risks that could harm the value of our investments, our revenue and costs, our future rate of spending, our technology plans and our future growth opportunities. Under the terms of our venture agreements with TMC, which govern the operations of Flash Ventures, we have limited power to unilaterally direct most of the activities that most significantly impact Flash Ventures’ performance and we have limits to our ability to source or fabricate NAND-flash products outside of the Flash Ventures. The integration of SanDisk into our organization could complicate the process of reaching agreement with TMC in a timely and favorable manner. We may not always agree with TMC on our joint research and development roadmap or expansions or conversions of production capacity. In addition, Toshiba’s financial position or TMC’s shift in strategic priorities could adversely impact our business.

In March 2017, Toshiba announced significant losses related to its U.S. nuclear business and, in connection with its fiscal year 2016 financial statements, Toshiba advised that there were material events and conditions that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Subsequently, in September 2017, Toshiba announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell TMC, including its interests in Flash Ventures, to a consortium led by SK Hynix Inc. and Bain Capital (the “Bain Consortium”) that includes other competitors, as well as key customers. In December 2017, in connection with a global settlement agreement with Toshiba and TMC, we consented to the transfer of Toshiba’s interests in Flash Ventures to TMC and the sale of TMC to the Bain Consortium. If the Bain Consortium or another third party acquires any of Toshiba’s interests in Flash Ventures, it could lead to delays in decision-making, disputes, or changes in strategic direction that could adversely impact Flash Ventures and/or adversely affect our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition. The purchaser might not have the same interest that we do in protecting and growing Flash Ventures’ business and might have conflicts of interest between itself and Flash Ventures or us. To the extent Toshiba retains its interests in TMC, a failure by Toshiba to stabilize its financial condition could cause TMC to become unable to, or otherwise fail to, timely fund investments in Flash Ventures or our joint development efforts or fulfill its payment obligations to suppliers, which could harm Flash Ventures’ operations, our joint technology roadmap and supplier relationships. Reduced investment in manufacturing capacity or research and development, or other misalignment between us and Toshiba, TMC or a third party acquirer of TMC on strategic direction, could impact Flash Ventures’ ability to stay at the forefront of technological advancement and/or our investment in Flash Ventures. Flash Ventures’ competitiveness and/or our investment in Flash Ventures could also be harmed by a mishandling or misuse of IP or other competitively sensitive confidential information regarding Flash Ventures, such as its technology roadmap, business or investment plans, by a third party that might gain access to such information.

Flash Ventures requires significant investments by both TMC and us for technology transitions, including the transition to 3D NAND, and capacity expansions. Lease financings guaranteed by or on behalf of both TMC and us are not currently available to Flash Ventures on favorable terms and we are pursuing alternative forms of financing to fund our share of investments, which might not continue to be accessible. To the extent that lease financings for Flash Ventures are not available on favorable terms or at all, more cash would be required to fund investments. If TMC does not or we do not provide sufficient resources, or have adequate access to credit, to timely fund investments in Flash Ventures, our investments could be delayed or reduced.

As announced by Toshiba, TMC plans to construct a new wafer fabrication facility in Iwate, Japan, to provide additional cleanroom space for the manufacture of 3D NAND, with site preparation scheduled to begin in February 2018. Although we intend to enter into agreements with TMC in due course to participate in the new Iwate facility, there is no certainty as to when, and on what terms, we will do so. If we are unable to extend our partnership with TMC to the Iwate facility on favorable terms, our future supply of captive NAND-flash memory could be adversely impacted, which could adversely affect our long-term business and financial results.

We are monitoring and evaluating other potential impacts of Toshiba’s planned sale of TMC and financial condition on Flash Ventures and, in turn, on our own memory business and financial condition. These factors could adversely affect the value of our investments in Flash Ventures and our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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If we are unable to successfully integrate the systems and operations of HGST, our business and financial condition may be adversely affected.

In connection with obtaining the regulatory approvals required to complete the acquisition of HGST, we agreed to certain conditions required by MOFCOM, including adopting measures to keep HGST as an independent competitor until MOFCOM agreed otherwise. In October 2015, MOFCOM announced that it had made a decision allowing us to integrate substantial portions of our HGST and WD subsidiaries, provided that we were obligated to continue offering both HGST and WD product brands and maintaining separate sales teams to separately offer products under the WD and HGST brands for two years from the date of the decision. As of December 29, 2017, the integration of the substantial portions of our HGST and WD subsidiaries that we were permitted to integrate as a result of MOFCOM’s 2015 decision (including corporate functions, research and development, recording heads and magnetic media operations, engineering and manufacturing), were largely completed. However, certain financial and operational systems have not yet been integrated. The MOFCOM restrictions related to our HGST and WD product brands and sales teams expired in October 2017, which enabled us to begin integrating our sales teams and brands. While we combine our HGST and WD product brands and sales teams and integrate certain financial and operating systems, we will continue to incur additional costs. These additional costs, along with any delay in the integration process or higher than expected integration costs or other integration issues, could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Changes in tax laws could increase our worldwide tax rate and materially affect our financial position and results of operations.

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States of America signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Act”), which includes a broad range of tax reform proposals affecting businesses, including a reduction in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, a one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred, and a new minimum tax on certain foreign earnings. The 2017 Act significantly impacts our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2018 as a result of the deemed repatriation tax, and may impact several other elements of our operating model. In future years, certain additional provisions of the 2017 Act, such as a minimum tax on foreign earnings, will also apply to the Company and, as a result, the Company generally expects its effective tax rate to increase from the rate expected for fiscal year 2018 (excluding the mandatory deemed repatriation tax and the re-measurement of deferred taxes). Taxes due over a period of time as a result of the new tax law could be accelerated upon certain triggering events, including failure to pay such taxes when due. The new law makes broad and complex changes to the US tax code and we expect to see future regulatory, administrative or legislative guidance. We are analyzing the 2017 Act to determine the full impact of the new tax law, and to the extent any future guidance differs from our preliminary interpretation of the law, it could have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.

In addition, many countries in the European Union and around the globe have adopted and/or proposed changes to current tax laws. Further, organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, have published action plans that, if adopted by countries where we do business, could increase our tax obligations in these countries. Due to the large scale of our U.S. and international business activities, many of these enacted and proposed changes to the taxation of our activities could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our financial position and results of operations.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $                billion from the offering, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to fund the purchase of the 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, and, if the 2024 Tender Offer is not consummated, or if we purchase less than all of the outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, to fund the redemption of any 2024 Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding, in each case, including all accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses. As of September 29, 2017, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Unsecured Notes was $3,350.0 million, and the 2024 Unsecured Notes mature on April 1, 2024.

Certain of the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates are holders of the 2024 Unsecured Notes and, as a result, will receive a pro rata portion of such net proceeds from this offering used in connection with such repurchase or redemption of the 2024 Unsecured Notes. In addition, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are each acting as Dealer-Managers in connection with the 2024 Tender Offer and, as a result, will be receiving customary fees for such roles. See “Underwriting.”

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended September 29, 2017 and each of the five years in the period ended June 30, 2017 is set forth below. You should read this table in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus. For the purpose of computing these ratios, “earnings” consists of the sum of income (loss) before provision for income taxes and fixed charges, less undistributed equity in income from 50%-or-less owned affiliates; “fixed charges” consists of the sum of interest expense and the estimated interest portion of operating lease expense.

 

    Year ended    

Pro
forma
year
ended
June 30,
2017  (1)

   

Adjusted
pro
forma
year
ended

June 30,
2017 (2)

   

Three months
ended
September 29,
2017

   

Pro forma
three months
ended
September 29,
2017 (1)

   

Adjusted pro
forma three
months ended
September 29,
2017 (2)

 
   

June 28,
2013

   

June 27,
2014

   

July 3,
2015

   

July 1,
2016

   

June 30,
2017

           

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

    17.3x       24.4x       23.9x       1.5x       1.9x       2.1x       3.7x       4.4x       5.0x       8.7x  

 

(1) Pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges gives effect to the issuance of the notes offered hereby and the application of all the net proceeds therefrom, to fund the purchase of a portion of our 2024 Unsecured Notes currently outstanding in the 2024 Tender Offer, and, if the 2024 Tender Offer is not consummated or if we purchase less than all of the outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, to fund the redemption of any 2024 Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding, in each case, including all accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses. For each increase (decrease) of one-eighth of a percent (0.125 percent) in the interest rate assumed for the notes, pro forma interest expense would increase (decrease) by $3.0 million.
(2) Adjusted pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges represents pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, the U.S. Dollar TLB Repricing and the Euro TLB Prepayment. For each increase (decrease) of one-eighth of a percent (0.125 percent) in the interest rate assumed for the notes, pro forma interest expense would increase (decrease) by $3.0 million.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents, long term debt including current portion of long-term debt and total shareholders’ equity as of September 29, 2017:

 

    on an actual basis; and

 

    on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the Refinancing Transactions (including the use of $2.4 billion of available cash on hand), the Term Loan A regular quarterly amortization payment and the proposed Share Repurchase.

This table should be read in conjunction with the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See also “Use of Proceeds” and “Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments.”

 

    

As of September 29, 2017

 
    

Actual

    

As adjusted

 
     (in millions)  

Cash and cash equivalents (4)

   $ 6,886      $ 3,405  

Short-term investments

     35        35  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt) (1):

     

Secured debt

     

Variable interest rate Term Loan A maturing 2021 (2)

   $ 4,073         

Variable interest rate Term Loan A-1 maturing 2023 (2)

     —          5,022  

Variable interest rate U.S. Term Loan B-2 maturing 2023 (3)

     2,963        —    

Variable interest rate U.S. Term Loan B-3 maturing 2023 (3)

     —          2,963  

Variable interest rate Euro Term Loan B-2 maturing 2023 (5)

     1,031        —    

2023 Secured Notes (6)

     1,875        —    

Unsecured debt

     

2024 Unsecured Notes (7)

     3,350        —    

Notes offered hereby (8)

     —          2,300  

Convertible senior notes due 2024 (9)

     —          1,000  

Convertible senior notes due 2020

     35        35  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total principal of long-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)

     13,327        11,320  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Issuance costs and debt discounts

     (196      (247
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)

     13,131        11,073  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity (9)(10)

     12,059        10,839  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 25,190      $ 21,912  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) We had $1.0 billion of additional borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 29, 2017 and, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the RCF Increase, additional borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility would have been $1.5 billion. In connection with this offering and the TLA Increase, we also expect to extend the maturity of our existing Revolving Credit Facility by approximately 2 years to a maturity date of 2023.
(2)

In connection with this offering, we expect to increase the size of our $4.073 billion Term Loan A currently maturing in 2021 (the “Term Loan A”) by up to $1.0 billion (as may be increased by up to an additional $1.0 billion if the full amount Convertible Notes Offering is not completed) (the “TLA Increase”) and extend the maturity of the entire Term Loan A by approximately 2 years to 2023. As a result, after reflecting the regular quarterly principal payment on our current Term Loan A of $51 million on December 29, 2017, and immediately following the TLA Increase on the terms contemplated herein, there will be no outstanding

 

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  indebtedness under the Term Loan A tranche maturing in 2021, and there will be an aggregate $5.022 billion in outstanding indebtedness under a new Term Loan A tranche maturing in 2023 (or if the full amount of the TLA Increase is effected, up to $6.022 billion). However, we cannot assure you that the TLA Increase will be completed at all or even for the full increase amount anticipated. If the closing of the TLA Increase is not completed, or if we increase the Term Loan A by a lower amount than currently anticipated, we may not redeem all or any of our 2023 Secured Notes currently outstanding.
(3) On November 8, 2017, we borrowed $2.96 billion under a new U.S. dollar-denominated term loan (“U.S. Term Loan B-3”) under the Credit Facilities and used the net proceeds of the U.S. Term Loan B-3 to prepay in full the U.S. Term Loan B-2.
(4) We used $1.031 billion of available cash on hand to finance the full repayment of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Euro Term Loan B-2 on November 17, 2017 (as further described in footnote (5) herein), $51 million for the quarterly principal payment on our Term Loan A on December 29, 2017 and are intending to use $2.4 billion of available cash on hand to finance the Refinancing Transactions to be completed concurrently with the issuance of the notes contemplated herein and for the proposed share repurchase.
(5) Euro Term Loan B-2 outstanding principal amounts as of September 29, 2017 were based upon the Euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate as of that date. On November 17, 2017, we made a voluntary prepayment for the full principal amount of our Euro Term Loan B-2 using available cash on hand.
(6) We intend to use the net proceeds from the proposed Convertible Notes Offering and the proposed TLA Increase, together with available cash on hand, to fund the redemption of the 2023 Secured Notes currently outstanding, including all accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses.
(7) We intend to use the net proceeds from the issuance of the notes offered hereby, together with available cash on hand, to fund the purchase of all of our 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, and, if the 2024 Tender Offer is not consummated, or if we purchase less than all of the outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, to fund the redemption of any 2024 Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding, in each case, including all accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses, and a result, following such 2024 Notes Refinancing Transaction, we will have no outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes.
(8) Represents the aggregate principal amount of the notes offered hereby.
(9) Reflects the issuance of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2024 in the proposed Convertible Notes Offering. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (ASC 470-20), a convertible debt instrument that may be settled entirely or partially in cash is required to be separated into a liability and equity component, such that interest expense reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt interest rate. Upon issuance, a debt discount will be recognized as a decrease in debt and an increase in additional paid-in capital. The debt component will accrete up to the principal amount over the expected term of the debt. ASC 470-20 does not affect the actual amount that we are required to repay, and the amount shown in the table above for the convertible notes is the aggregate principal amount of the convertible notes “Issuance costs and debt discounts” and “Total shareholders’ equity” reflect preliminary estimates of the discount to be recognized in accordance with ASC 470-20. These estimates may be revised upon settlement of the offering. We cannot assure you that the Convertible Notes Offering will be completed on the terms contemplated by the related offering memorandum or at all or even at the full amount anticipated as contemplated herein.
(10) Reflects proposed share repurchase as well as estimated loss on settlement of the 2023 Secured Notes and 2024 Unsecured Notes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

Western Digital Corporation (“Western Digital”) will issue its         % Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) (the “Notes”) under an indenture to be dated the Issue Date (the “Indenture”) by and among Western Digital, the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Indenture will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Certain terms used in this description are defined under the subheading “—Certain Definitions.” In this description, the words “we,” “us,” “our” and “Issuer” refer to Western Digital and not to any of its subsidiaries.

The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of the Notes and the Indenture. We urge you to read the Indenture because it, not this description, defines your rights as holders of the Notes. You may request copies of the Indenture at our address set forth under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The registered holder will be treated as the owner of a Note for all purposes. Only registered holders will have rights under the Indenture.

Brief Description of the Notes

The Notes will be:

 

    unsecured senior obligations of the Issuer, ranking equally in right of payment with all future and existing unsecured senior obligations of the Issuer (including the Issuer’s obligations under the 2024 Unsecured Notes);

 

    senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of the Issuer;

 

    effectively subordinated to all secured indebtedness of the Issuer (including the Issuer’s obligations under the Credit Agreement and the 2023 Secured Notes) to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness;

 

    structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other claims and liabilities, including preferred stock, of the Issuer’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes; and

 

    guaranteed by each Guarantor on an unsecured senior basis.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

We will initially issue up to $2,300 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any greater integral multiple of $1,000. The Notes will mature on                 , 2026. We are permitted to issue more Notes under the Indenture in an unlimited aggregate principal amount (the “Additional Notes”); provided that any such Additional Notes that are not issued either in a “qualified reopening” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, with no more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount or otherwise as part of the same “issue” for U.S. federal income tax purposes will have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. The Notes and the Additional Notes, if any, will be treated as a single class for all purposes of the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the Indenture and this “Description of Notes,” references to the Notes include any Additional Notes actually issued.

Interest on the Notes will accrue at the rate of         % per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on                  and                 , commencing on                 , 2018. We will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the Notes on the immediately preceding                  and                 .

 

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Interest on the Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Optional Redemption

Except as set forth below, we will not be entitled to redeem the Notes at our option.

Notice of any redemption of the Notes in connection with a transaction or an event (including a Change of Control Triggering Event) may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be given prior to the completion or the occurrence thereof and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion or occurrence of the related transaction or event. In addition, if such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including, subject to the applicable procedures of DTC, more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. The Issuer will provide prompt written notice to the Trustee and the holders of the Notes prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date rescinding such redemption and notice of redemption shall be rescinded and of no force or effect. Upon the Company’s written request given at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date such notice shall be sent (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period), the Trustee shall (on at the date specified in such written request or promptly after such time) forward such notice to the holders in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

Prior to                 , 2025, we will be entitled, at our option, to redeem all or a portion of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus the Notes Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. In addition, on or after                 , 2025, we may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. Notice of any such redemption must be mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address (or delivered by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC), not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. Calculation of the redemption price will be made by us or on our behalf by such person as we shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

If the optional redemption date is on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest in respect of Notes subject to redemption will be paid on the redemption date to the Person in whose name the Note is registered at the close of business, on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to holders whose Notes will be subject to redemption by the Issuer.

Applicable Premium” means with respect to a Note at any redemption date, as provided by the Issuer, the excess of (1) the present value at such redemption date of the Remaining Scheduled Payments on such Note (but excluding accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Adjusted Treasury Rate, over (2) the principal amount of such Note on such redemption date.

Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the yields in each statistical release for the immediately preceding week designated “H.15” or any successor publication which is published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under “U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—nominal,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed,

 

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yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield-to-maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date, in each case calculated on the third Business Day immediately preceding the date that the applicable redemption notice is first mailed or sent, in each case, plus 50 basis points.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes from the redemption date to                 , 2025, that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a maturity most nearly equal to                 , 2025.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, if clause (2) of the Adjusted Treasury Rate definition is applicable, the average of four, or such lesser number as is obtained by the Issuer, Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.

Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer selected by the Issuer.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means either J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC and its successors and assigns or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and its successors and assigns.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Issuer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Issuer by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day immediately preceding the date that the applicable redemption notice is first mailed or sent.

Remaining Scheduled Payments” means the remaining payments of principal of and interest on the Notes that would be due after the redemption date but for such redemption if the Notes matured on                 , 2025. If the redemption date is not an interest payment date, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment on the Notes will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to the redemption date.

Selection and Notice of Redemption

If we are redeeming fewer than all the Notes at any time, the Trustee will select Notes on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements, including the applicable procedures of DTC.

We will redeem Notes of $2,000 or less in whole and not in part. We will cause notices of redemption to be mailed by first-class mail (or delivered by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address with a copy to the Trustee.

If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, we will issue a new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note surrendered in the name of the holder thereof. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.

 

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No Sinking Fund; Open Market Purchases

We are not required to make any sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, we may be required to offer to purchase, Notes as described under the captions “—Change of Control Triggering Event.” We may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, exchange offers or otherwise.

Guarantees

As of the Issue Date, each Subsidiary of the Issuer that is a guarantor or obligor under the Credit Agreement will guarantee the Notes.

Each Guarantor will jointly and severally guarantee, on a senior unsecured basis, our obligations under the Notes. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee are designed to be limited as necessary to prevent such Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law and, therefore, will be expressly limited to the maximum amount that such Guarantor could guarantee without such Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance. This limitation, however, may not be effective to prevent such Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance. In addition, if a Guarantee were rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness (including guaranties and other contingent liabilities) of the applicable Guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such indebtedness, a Guarantor’s liability on its Guarantee could be reduced to zero. See “Risk Factors—Under certain circumstances a court could cancel the notes or the related guarantees under fraudulent conveyance laws. If that occurs, you may not receive any payments on the notes.”

Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee will be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under the Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Guarantee of a Guarantor will be automatically released upon:

 

  (1) (a)    at such time as such Guarantor is no longer a guarantor or obligor of any (i) Credit Facility of the Issuer or any Guarantor with an aggregate principal amount of $100 million or more (including the Credit Agreement) (unless such Guarantor is released from its obligations in respect of such Credit Facility in connection with a substantially simultaneous release of its Guarantee of the Notes) or (ii) Material Capital Markets Debt of the Issuer or any Guarantor (unless such Guarantor is released from its obligations in respect of such Material Capital Markets Debt in connection with the payment in full of such Material Capital Markets Debt);

 

  (b) the sale, issuance or other disposition of Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation), such that it is no longer a Subsidiary or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Issuer or a Subsidiary, so long as the sale or other disposition does not violate any provisions of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance” required to be performed at the time of such transaction;

 

  (c) the release or discharge of the indebtedness that would have required such Guarantor to provide a Guarantee pursuant to the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants— Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt” other than a release or discharge in connection with enforcement;

 

  (d) the Issuer exercising its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option as described under “—Defeasance” or if its obligations under the Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; or

 

  (e) in connection with the dissolution or liquidation of such Guarantor; and

 

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  (2) such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions provided for in the Indenture relating to such release have been complied with.

Ranking

The indebtedness evidenced by the Notes and the Guarantees will be senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor, as the case may be, but will be effectively junior to all secured indebtedness, including the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the Credit Agreement and the 2023 Secured Notes, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

As of September 29, 2017, on an as adjusted basis as described under “Capitalization”:

 

  (1) the Issuer and the Guarantors had approximately $9.9 billion of secured indebtedness outstanding and on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the settlement of the Euro TLB Prepayment (as defined in the prospectus) on November 17, 2017, we had approximately $8.9 billion aggregate principal amount of secured debt outstanding; and

 

  (2) the Issuer and the Guarantors had approximately $1.0 billion available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement, which, if borrowed, would be secured indebtedness and, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the RCF Increase (as defined in the prospectus), additional borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement would have been $1.5 billion.

The Indenture contains no limitations on the amount of additional indebtedness that the Issuer and the Guarantors may incur and therefore the amount of such indebtedness could be substantial and, subject to the limitations set forth in the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens,” such indebtedness may be secured indebtedness. The Indenture also does not limit the incurrence of unsecured indebtedness by our Subsidiaries that are Guarantors. The Indenture does limit the incurrence of unsecured indebtedness by our Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors as set forth in the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt.” Moreover, the Indenture does not impose any limitation on the incurrence by us or such Subsidiaries of liabilities that are not considered indebtedness under the Indenture.

A substantial portion of our operations are conducted through our Subsidiaries. Most of our Subsidiaries are not guaranteeing the Notes, and, as described above under “—Guarantees,” Guarantees may be released under certain circumstances. In addition, our future Subsidiaries may not be required to guarantee the Notes. Claims of creditors of such non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, including trade creditors and creditors holding indebtedness or guarantees issued by such non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and claims of preferred stockholders of such non-Guarantor Subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such non-Guarantor Subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors, including the holders. Accordingly, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to creditors (including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders, if any, of such non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.

As of September 29, 2017, the Issuer’s Subsidiaries that will not guarantee the Notes would have had approximately $3.4 billion of aggregate total liabilities (excluding intercompany transactions). In addition, for the twelve months ended September 29, 2017, these non-Guarantor Subsidiaries would have accounted for approximately 39% of our net sales and approximately 63% of our total operating income, and as of September 29, 2017, these non-Guarantor Subsidiaries would have accounted for approximately 83% of our total consolidated assets (excluding intercompany transactions).

Change of Control Triggering Event

Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless we have exercised our option to redeem all the Notes as described under “—Optional Redemption,” each noteholder shall have the right to require that the Issuer make an offer to purchase such noteholder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of purchase.

 

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If the Change of Control purchase date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest to the Change of Control purchase date will be paid on the Change of Control purchase date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date.

Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless we have exercised our option to redeem all the Notes as described under “—Optional Redemption,” we will mail (or deliver by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) a notice to each noteholder with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control Offer”) stating:

 

  (1) that a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred and that such noteholder has the right to require us to purchase such noteholder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of purchase;

 

  (2) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent); and

 

  (3) the instructions, as determined by us, consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a noteholder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by us and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or if the Issuer has exercised its option to redeem all the Notes pursuant to the provisions described under “—Optional Redemption.”

We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the covenant described hereunder, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the covenant described hereunder by virtue of our compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

The Change of Control Triggering Event purchase feature of the Notes may in certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a sale or takeover of the Issuer and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, we could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on our ability to incur additional secured indebtedness are contained in the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens.” Such restrictions can only be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Except for the limitations contained in such covenant, however, the Indenture will not contain any covenants or provisions that may afford holders of the Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

Holders may not be entitled to require us to purchase their Notes in certain circumstances involving a significant change in the composition of the Board of Directors, including in connection with a proxy contest.

The Credit Agreement provides that the occurrence of certain change of control events with respect to the Issuer would constitute a default thereunder. Future indebtedness that we may incur may contain prohibitions

 

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on the occurrence of certain events that would constitute a Change of Control or require the purchase of such indebtedness upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require us to purchase the Notes could cause a default under such indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such purchase on us. Finally, our ability to pay cash to the holders of Notes following the occurrence of a Change of Control may be limited by our then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required purchases. See “Risk Factors—We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance the change of control offer required by the indenture governing the notes.”

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon such Change of Control Triggering Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of such Change of Control Offer. In such case, the notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s (or such third party offeror’s) discretion, the Change of Control purchase date may be delayed until such time as the Change of Control Triggering Event shall have occurred, or such repurchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that the Change of Control Triggering Event shall not have occurred by the Change of Control purchase date, or by the Change of Control purchase date as so delayed.

The phrase “all or substantially all,” as used with respect to the assets of the Issuer in the definition of “Change of Control,” is subject to interpretation under applicable state law, and its applicability in a given instance would depend upon the facts and circumstances. As a result, there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether a sale or transfer of “all or substantially all” the assets of the Issuer has occurred in a particular instance, in which case a holder’s ability to obtain the benefit of these provisions could be unclear.

The provisions under the Indenture relative to our obligation to make an offer to purchase the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event may be waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes.

For purposes of this discussion of a repurchase of the Notes following a Change of Control Triggering Event:

A “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (1) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer;

 

  (2) the merger or consolidation of the Issuer with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Issuer, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Issuer (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person other than a transaction following which (A) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Issuer immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and (B) in the case of a sale of assets transaction, each transferee becomes an obligor in respect of the Notes and a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets; or

 

  (3) an event constituting a “change of control” under the indenture governing the 2023 Secured Notes to the extent any of the 2023 Secured Notes are then outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

  (a)

a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (x) the Issuer becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of another Person and (y) (i) the shares of the Issuer’s Voting

 

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  Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of such Person immediately after giving effect to such transaction or (ii) immediately following that transaction, no Person (other than a Person satisfying the requirements of this clause) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such Person, and

 

  (b) the entry into one or more agreements that, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated thereon would constitute a Change of Control, do not constitute a Change of Control until such consummation.

Certain Covenants

Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance

The Indenture will provide that:

(a)        the Issuer may not (i) consolidate with or merge into any other entity or (ii) convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, unless:

 

  (1) the Issuer is the successor entity, or the successor or transferee entity, if other than the Issuer, is a Person (if such Person is not a corporation, then such successor or transferee shall include a corporate co-issuer) organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on all the outstanding Notes and the performance of every covenant and obligation in the Indenture to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

 

  (2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has happened and is continuing; and

 

  (3) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each in the form required by the Indenture and stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the foregoing provisions relating to such transaction, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer or successor entity, as applicable, subject to customary exceptions.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer (but not lease), the successor entity will succeed to and be substituted for the Issuer as obligor on the Notes, with the same effect as if it had been named in the Indenture as the Issuer.

 

  (b) No Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into any other entity, unless:

 

  (1) the Issuer or a Guarantor is the successor entity or the successor or transferee entity, if not such Guarantor prior to such consolidation or merger, shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such Guarantor was organized or under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply in the case of a Guarantor (x) that has been, or will be as a result of the subject transaction, disposed of in its entirety to another Person (other than to the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer), whether through a merger or consolidation or (y) that, as a result of the disposition of all or a portion of its Capital Stock, ceases to be a Subsidiary;

 

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  (2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has happened and is continuing; and

 

  (3) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each in the form required by the Indenture and stating that such consolidation or merger and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the foregoing provisions relating to such transaction and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor or successor entity, as applicable, subject to customary exceptions.

Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, (x) clauses (a)(2)-(3) and (b)(2)-(3) of this “—Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance” covenant will not apply to a merger, transfer or conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Issuer and the Guarantors and (y) this “—Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance” covenant will not apply to any Subsidiary consolidating with, merging into or transferring all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer and/or one or more Guarantors.

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may (x) merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (y) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor.

Limitation on Liens

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Debt secured by a Lien upon (a) any Property of the Issuer or such Subsidiary, or (b) any shares of Capital Stock or other securities issued by any Subsidiary of the Issuer and owned by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer, whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, without effectively providing concurrently that the Notes then outstanding under the Indenture are secured equally and ratably with or, at the option of the Issuer, prior to such Debt so long as such Debt shall be so secured.

The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Debt (or any guarantee thereof) in any computation under such restriction, Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by:

 

  (1) Liens on any property existing at the time of the acquisition thereof;

 

  (2) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer; provided that any such Lien does not extend to any property owned by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer immediately prior to such amalgamation, merger, consolidation, sale, lease or disposition;

 

  (3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer;

 

  (4) Liens in favor of the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer;

 

  (5)

(x) Liens to secure all or part of the cost of acquisition, construction, development or improvement of the underlying property, or to secure Debt in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $650 million incurred to provide funds for any such purpose; provided that the commitment of the creditor to extend the credit secured by any such Lien shall have been obtained no later than 270 days after the later of (a) the completion of the acquisition, construction, development or improvement of such property or (b) the placing in operation of such property; provided, further, that such Liens do not extend to any property other than such property subject to acquisition,

 

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  construction, development or improvement and accessions thereto and improvements thereon; and (y) Liens securing any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by a Lien referred to in the foregoing clause (x); provided that any Lien created or incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of such Debt (or any guarantee thereof) shall be created within 270 days of repaying the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by the Lien referred to in the foregoing clause (x) and the principal amount of the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured thereby and not otherwise authorized by the foregoing clause (x) shall not exceed the principal amount of such Debt (or any guarantee thereof), plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding;

 

  (6) Liens existing on the Issue Date or Liens securing an extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by a Lien existing on the Issue Date, or referred to in clauses (1)-(3) or (10); provided that any Lien created or incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of such Debt (or any guarantee thereof) shall be created within 270 days of repaying the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by a Lien referred to in clauses (1)-(3) or (10) and the principal amount of the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured thereby and not otherwise authorized by clauses (1)-(3) or (10) shall not exceed the principal amount of such Debt (or any guarantee thereof), plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding;

 

  (7) Liens in favor of the Notes and the Guarantees;

 

  (8) Permitted Liens;

 

  (9) Liens securing Debt pursuant to:

 

  (x) the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement and any other Credit Facilities that are revolving credit facilities, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this clause (x) not to exceed $1,500 million;

 

  (y) other Credit Facilities (including the term loans under the Credit Agreement), which may, for the avoidance of doubt, include revolving credit facilities (including an increase in a revolving credit facility incurred under clause (x) above), in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this clause (y) not to exceed an amount equal to $7,036 million plus the aggregate amount of any increase to the term loan A facilities under the Credit Agreement, if any, following the Issue Date in connection with the TLA Increase described in this prospectus under “Prospectus Summary — Recent Developments — Increase and Extension of Term Loan A, the Revolving Credit Facility and Credit Agreement Amendments”; and

 

  (z)

(I) the 2023 Secured Notes in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed an amount equal to (A) $1,875 million less (B) the aggregate principal amount of 2023 Senior Secured Notes repurchased, redeemed or refinanced on or after the Issue Date in connection with the TLA Increase described in this prospectus under “Prospectus Summary —Recent Developments — Increase and Extension of Term Loan A, the Revolving Credit Facility and Credit Agreement Amendments” and the convertible notes offering described in this prospectus under “Prospectus Summary — Recent Developments — Convertible Notes Offering” and (II) Liens securing any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of the 2023 Secured Notes (or any guarantee thereof) not repurchased, redeemed or refinanced pursuant to the foregoing clause (I)(B); provided that any Lien created or incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of the 2023 Secured Notes (or any guarantee thereof) shall be created within 270 days of repaying the 2023 Secured Notes (or any guarantee thereof) secured by the Lien referred to in the foregoing clause (I) and the principal amount of the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured thereby and not otherwise

 

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  authorized by foregoing clause (I) shall not exceed the principal amount of the 2023 Secured Notes (or any guarantee thereof), plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding;

 

  (10) Liens on property of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries securing Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt; and

 

  (11) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business securing Debt with an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $200 million.

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, the Issuer and any Subsidiaries of the Issuer may create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by Liens without equally and ratably securing the Notes then outstanding if, at the time of such creation, incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee, after giving effect thereto and to the retirement of any Debt which is concurrently being retired, the aggregate amount of all such Debt secured by Liens which would otherwise be subject to such restrictions (excluding, for the purposes of determining such amount, any Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by Liens permitted as described in clauses (1)-(11) of the immediately preceding paragraph) plus the aggregate amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt outstanding at such time (excluding, for the purposes of determining such amount, any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (or any guarantee thereof) permitted as described in clauses (1)-(6) of the second paragraph under “— Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt” plus all Attributable Debt of the Issuer and the Subsidiaries of the Issuer in respect of Sale/ Leaseback Transactions with respect to Properties (with the exception of such transactions that are permitted under, in each case without duplication, clauses (1)-(4) of the first sentence of the first paragraph under “—Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions” below) would not exceed the greater of (x) $1,500 million and (y) the amount that would cause the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio to exceed 2.50 to 1.00. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries also may, without equally and ratably securing the Notes, extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund any Debt secured by Liens permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence; provided that any Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 270 days of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations) of the Debt secured by Liens being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded and the outstanding amount of Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of the Debt secured by Liens being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

For purposes of the foregoing covenant, in the event that any Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Liens described above, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, will classify, and may reclassify, such Liens and only be required to include the amount and type of such Liens in one of the numbered paragraphs above or the immediately preceding paragraph, and Liens may be divided and classified and reclassified into more than one of the types of Liens described above. In addition, for purposes of calculating compliance with the foregoing covenant, in no event will the amount of any Debt or Liens securing any Debt be required to be included more than once despite the fact more than one Person is or becomes liable with respect to such Debt and despite the fact such Debt is secured by the assets of more than one Person (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where there are Liens on assets of one or more of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries securing any Debt, the amount of such Debt secured shall only be included once for purposes of such calculations).

For the avoidance of doubt, the loans and commitments outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the principal amount of 2023 Secured Notes outstanding on the Issue Date shall be secured pursuant to clause (9) above and may not be reclassified.

Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt

The Issuer will not permit any of its Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor (each such Subsidiary, a “Non-Guarantor Subsidiary”) to create, assume, incur, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Debt (any

 

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such Debt or guarantee, “Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt”), without causing such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) to guarantee the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on an unsecured unsubordinated basis until such time as such Debt or guarantee, as the case may be, is no longer outstanding or in effect.

The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt in any computation under such restriction, Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt constituting:

(1)        Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with or otherwise acquired by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or otherwise becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Subsidiary) or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties and assets of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to a Subsidiary of the Issuer (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Subsidiary) and is assumed by such Subsidiary, other than any increase in the amount of such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (including any increase in the amount of such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt arising pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such acquisition) incurred in contemplation thereof; provided that any such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt is not guaranteed by any other Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than any Guarantee existing at the time of such merger, consolidation or sale, lease or other disposition of properties and assets and that was not issued in contemplation thereof);

(2)        Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt owed to the Issuer or any Subsidiary or under guarantees of any such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt;

(3)        Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt with respect to a Permitted Receivables Financing;

(4)        Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt permitted to be secured by Liens permitted by clauses (5) and (11) of the second paragraph under the heading “—Limitation on Liens” (whether or not such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt is in fact secured by such Liens) and any Guarantees thereof;

(5)        (x) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,500 million and (y) any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (or any guarantee thereof) referred to in the foregoing clause (x); provided that any such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 270 days of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt) of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt referred to in the foregoing clause (x) and the outstanding amount of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding; or

(6)        Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt outstanding on the Issue Date and any extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt existing on the Issue Date or referred to in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4); provided that any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 270 days of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt) of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt referred to in this clause or clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above and the outstanding amount of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any

 

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premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary of the Issuer may create, assume, incur, guarantee or otherwise become liable for Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt that would otherwise be subject to the restrictions set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant, without guaranteeing the notes, if after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt outstanding at such time (excluding, for purposes of determining such amount, any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (or any guarantee thereof) permitted as described in clauses (1)-(6) of the preceding paragraph) plus the aggregate principal amount of Debt secured by Liens on Properties then outstanding (excluding, for purposes of determining such amount, any such Debt secured by Liens described in clauses (1)-(11) of the second paragraph under the heading “—Limitation on Liens”) that are not equally and ratably secured with the outstanding Notes (or secured on a basis junior to the outstanding Notes) plus all Attributable Debt of the Issuer and the Subsidiaries of the Issuer in respect of Sale/ Leaseback Transactions with respect to Properties (with the exception of such transactions that are permitted under clauses (1)-(4) of the first sentence of the first paragraph under “—Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions” below), in each case without duplication, would not exceed the greater of (x) $1,500 million and (y) the amount that would cause the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio to exceed 2.50 to 1.00. Any Domestic Subsidiary also may, without guaranteeing the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence; provided that any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 270 days of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt) of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded and the outstanding amount of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

For purposes of the foregoing covenant, in the event that any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt described above, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, will classify, and may reclassify, such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt and only be required to include the amount and type of such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt in one of the numbered paragraphs above or the immediately preceding paragraph, and Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt may be divided and classified and reclassified into more than one of the types of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt described above. In addition, for purposes of calculating compliance with the foregoing covenant, in no event will the amount of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt be required to be included more than once despite the fact more than one Person is or becomes liable with respect to any related Debt (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where more than one Domestic Subsidiary incurs Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt or otherwise becomes liable for such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt, the amount of such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt shall only be included once for purposes of such calculations).

In addition, the restrictions described above shall not restrict any guarantees by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries of operating leases of joint ventures.

Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary of the Issuer to, enter into any Sale/ Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Property unless:

 

  (1) the Sale/Leaseback Transaction is solely with the Issuer or another Subsidiary of the Issuer;

 

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  (2) the lease is for a period not in excess of 36 months (or which may be terminated by the Issuer or such Subsidiary), including renewals;

 

  (3) the Sale/Leaseback Transaction was entered into prior to the Issue Date or the Issuer or such Subsidiary would (at the time of entering into such arrangement) be entitled as described in clauses (1)-(11) of the second paragraph under the heading “—Limitation on Liens,” without equally and ratably securing the Notes then outstanding under the Indenture, to create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by a Lien on such Property in the amount of the Attributable Debt arising from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction;

 

  (4) the Issuer or such Subsidiary within 365 days after the sale of such Property in connection with such Sale/Leaseback Transaction is completed, applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale of such Property to (a) the retirement of Notes, other Debt of the Issuer ranking on a parity with the Notes (or the Guarantees of the Notes) or Debt of a Subsidiary of the Issuer, (b) the purchase, construction, development, expansion or improvement of Property; or (c) a combination thereof; or

 

  (5) (a) the Attributable Debt of the Issuer and Subsidiaries of the Issuer in respect of such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction and all other Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into after the Issue Date (other than any such Sale/Leaseback Transaction as would be permitted as described in clauses (1)-(4) of this sentence), plus

(b) the aggregate amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt outstanding at such time (excluding, for the purposes of determining such amount, any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (or any guarantee thereof) permitted as described in clauses (1)-(6) of the second paragraph under “— Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt”), plus

(c) the aggregate principal amount of Debt secured by Liens on Properties then outstanding (excluding, for the purposes of determining such amount, any such Debt secured by Liens described in clauses (1)-(11) of the second paragraph under the heading “—Limitation on Liens”) that are not equally and ratably secured with the outstanding Notes (or secured on a basis junior to the outstanding Notes), in each case without duplication, would not exceed the greater of (x) $1,500 million and (y) the amount that would cause the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio to exceed 2.50 to 1.00.

SEC Reports

As long as the Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer has filed the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may prescribe) that the Issuer may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than confidential filings, documents subject to confidential treatment and correspondence with the SEC); provided that the electronic filing of the foregoing reports by the Issuer on the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor system) shall be deemed to satisfy the Issuer’s delivery obligations to the Trustee, it being understood that the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining whether such filings have been made. The Issuer shall also comply with the other provisions of TIA § 314(a), to the extent applicable.

Delivery of any reports, information and documents to the Trustee will be for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee will be entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

 

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Defaults

Each of the following is an “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes:

 

  (1) a default in the payment of interest on the Notes when due, continued for 30 days;

 

  (2) a default in the payment of principal of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon redemption, upon required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

  (3) the failure by the Issuer to comply with its obligations under “—Certain Covenants—Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance” and such failure continues for a period of 60 days;

 

  (4) the failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor, as the case may be, to comply for 90 days after notice with any of its obligations in the covenant described above under “—Certain Covenants—SEC Reports”;

 

  (5) the failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in the Indenture;

 

  (6) Debt of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the total amount of such Debt unpaid or accelerated exceeds $500.0 million (the “cross acceleration provision”);

 

  (7) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (the “bankruptcy provisions”);

 

  (8) any final judgment or decree for the payment of money (other than judgments which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers) in excess of $500.0 million is entered against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60 consecutive days following such judgment becoming final and is not discharged, waived or stayed within 30 days after notice (the “judgment default provision”); or

 

  (9) a Guarantee of the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Guarantee) or a Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Guarantee of the Notes.

However, a default under clauses (4), (5) and (8) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Issuer (with a copy to the Trustee if given by the holders) of the default and the Issuer does not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Any default for the failure to deliver any report within the time periods prescribed in the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—SEC Reports” or to deliver any notice or certificate pursuant to any other provision of the Indenture shall be deemed to be cured upon the subsequent delivery of any such report, notice or certificate, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, and premium, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such declaration, such principal, interest and premium, if any, shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer occurs and is continuing, the principal of and interest (and premium, if any) on all the Notes will ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders of the Notes. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

In case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the Notes

 

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unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and then only to the extent required by the terms of the Indenture. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

  (1) such holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

 

  (2) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee in writing to pursue the remedy;

 

  (3) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

  (4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

  (5) holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such holders) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

If a Default occurs, is continuing and is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail (or deliver by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) to each holder of the Notes notice of the Default within 90 days after being notified by the Issuer. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, interest or premium on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if it determines that withholding notice is not opposed to the interest of the holders of the Notes. In addition, we are required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. We are required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the Issuer obtains knowledge of the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof.

Amendments and Waivers

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding affected by such amendment (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not, among other things:

 

  (1) reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;

 

  (2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

  (3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note;

 

  (4) change the optional redemption dates or prices or calculations of Notes from those described under “—Optional Redemption;”

 

  (5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;

 

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  (6) institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;

 

  (7) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions;

 

  (8) make any change in the ranking or priority of any Note or any Guarantee thereof that would adversely affect the noteholders; or

 

  (9) release any Guarantor from its Guarantee of Notes, except as provided for in the Indenture.

Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of the Notes, the Issuer, the Guarantors and Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture:

 

  (1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, as determined in good faith by us;

 

  (2) to provide for the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under the Indenture;

 

  (3) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code);

 

  (4) to add guarantees with respect to the Notes, including any Guarantees of the Notes, or to secure such Notes;

 

  (5) to add to the covenants or other obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary for the benefit of the holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or any Subsidiary;

 

  (6) to make any change that would provide additional rights or benefits to the holders, or that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any holder of the Notes, as determined in good faith by us;

 

  (7) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with any required qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

  (8) to conform the text of the Indenture, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of this “Description of Notes,” as determined in good faith by us;

 

  (9) to release a Guarantor from its Guarantee of the Notes when permitted by the terms of the Indenture;

 

  (10) to provide for successor trustees or to add to or change any provisions to the extent necessary to appoint a separate trustee for the Notes;

 

  (11) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by the Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes, or, if incurred in compliance with the Indenture, Additional Notes; provided, however, that (A) compliance with the Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (B) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders to transfer Notes, as determined in good faith by us; or

 

  (12) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

The consent of the holders of the Notes is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

Transfer

The Notes will be issued in registered form and will be transferable only upon the surrender of the Notes being transferred for registration of transfer. We may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge payable in connection with certain transfers and exchanges.

 

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Defeasance

The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Notes discharged with respect to the Indenture and the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees thereof issued under the Indenture (“legal defeasance”) except for:

 

  (1) the rights of holders to receive payments in respect of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due, solely out of the trust referred to below;

 

  (2) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for Note payments held in trust;

 

  (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; and

 

  (4) the legal defeasance provisions of the Indenture.

If the Issuer exercises the legal defeasance option, the Guarantees in effect at such time will be automatically released.

The Issuer at any time may be released from its obligations described under “—Change of Control Triggering Event” and under the covenants described under “—Certain Covenants” (other than “—Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance”) (“covenant defeasance”).

If the Issuer exercises the covenant defeasance option, the Guarantees in effect at such time will be automatically released.

The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, an Event of Default specified in clause (3), clause (4), clause (5), clause (7) (other than with respect to the Issuer), clause (8) or clause (9) under “—Defaults” above, in each case, shall not constitute an Event of Default.

In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance under the Indenture:

 

  (1) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal or valuation firm delivered to the Trustee, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest due on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuer must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

 

  (2) in the case of legal defeasance, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, (a) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (b) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that the beneficial owners will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such legal defeasance had not occurred;

 

  (3) in the case of covenant defeasance, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred;

 

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  (4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such deposit (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Debt and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Credit Agreement or any other material agreement or material debt instrument (other than the Indenture) to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

 

  (5) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the legal defeasance or the covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with; and

 

  (6) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The Indenture will be discharged, and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

 

  (1) all Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

  (2) (a) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal or valuation firm delivered to the Trustee if Government Securities are delivered, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such deposit (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(c) the Issuer or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by the Issuer under the Indenture; and

(d) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Concerning the Trustee

U.S. Bank National Association is the Trustee under the Indenture and has been appointed by the Issuer as registrar and paying agent and DTC custodian with regard to the Notes. The Issuer may from time to time

 

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conduct other banking transactions, including lending transactions, or maintaining deposit accounts with U.S. Bank National Association in the ordinary course of business.

If the Trustee becomes a creditor of the Issuer or any Guarantor, the Indenture limits the right of the Trustee to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee (if the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act) or resign.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor (other than the Issuer in respect of the Notes and each Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee) under the Notes, the Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver

The Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. The Indenture will provide that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the Indenture or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York, and each party to the Indenture will submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The Indenture will provide that the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, and each holder of a Note by its acceptance thereof, irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, or any transaction contemplated thereby.

Certain Definitions

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all defined terms used therein.

2024 Unsecured Notes” means the 10.500% Senior Notes of Western Digital due 2024 (including any exchange notes issued in exchange for the 10.500% Senior Notes of Western Digital due 2024 originally issued on the Existing Notes Issue Date).

2023 Secured Notes” means the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes of Western Digital due 2023.

Acquisition Transaction” means:

 

  (1) an acquisition by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of a business or of assets constituting a business unit, line of business or business division of another Person, from a Person other than the Issuer or its Subsidiaries that will be owned and operated by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries,

 

  (2) an acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such acquisition,

 

  (3) an acquisition of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary that constitutes an increase in the aggregate percentage of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary owned collectively by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, and

 

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  (4) a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Issuer or a Subsidiary with or into a Person that is not the Issuer or a Subsidiary, in which the Issuer or a Subsidiary is the surviving company or which results in the surviving company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a successor entity.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate borne by the Notes, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended) (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights); provided, however, that if such Sale/Leaseback Transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors, unless otherwise noted.

Business Day” means each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which the Trustee or commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or place of payment on the Notes.

Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will any lease that would have been categorized as an operating lease as determined with GAAP as of April 13, 2016 be considered a capital lease (whether or not such lease was in effect on such date) regardless of any change in GAAP following April 13, 2016 that would otherwise require such obligations to be recharacterized (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) as a capital lease. For purposes of the covenant described under “ —Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens,” a Capital Lease Obligation will be deemed to be secured by a Lien on the property being leased.

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity.

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.

Charges” means any charge, expense, cost, accrual or reserve of any kind.

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

Common Stock” shall mean the common shares or other equivalents or interests in (however designated) equity of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company.

 

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Consolidated Interest Expense means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (other than non-cash interest expense attributable to convertible indebtedness under Accounting Practices Bulletin 14-1 or any successor provision and amortization of debt issuance costs), plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent incurred by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries, without duplication:

 

  (1) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations, the interest portion of rent expense associated with Attributable Debt in respect of the relevant lease giving rise thereto, determined as if such lease were a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP, and the interest component of any deferred payment obligations;

 

  (2) amortization of debt discount (including the amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of indebtedness at less than par); provided, however, that any amortization of bond premium will be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such amortization of bond premium has otherwise reduced Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

  (3) capitalized interest;

 

  (4) non-cash interest expense; provided, however, that any non-cash interest expense or income attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded from the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense);

 

  (5) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

 

  (6) net cash payments pursuant to Hedging Obligations;

 

  (7) the product of (a) all dividends accrued in respect of all Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and all preferred stock of any Subsidiary, in each case, held by Persons other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary (other than dividends payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer), times (b) a fraction of the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the effective combined tax rate of the issuer of such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock (expressed as a decimal) for such period (as estimated by the chief financial officer of the Issuer in good faith); and

 

  (8) solely to the extent it would be included in the total interest expense of the Issuer calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, interest accruing on any indebtedness of any other Person to the extent such indebtedness is guaranteed by (or secured by a Lien on the assets of) the Issuer or any Subsidiary.

Consolidated Net Income means, for any period, the net income (loss) attributable to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding, without duplication, (a) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period to the extent included in net income (loss), (b) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions in accordance with GAAP or changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period, (c) the income (or loss) of any Person in which any other Person has an ownership interest other than a Subsidiary, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries by such Person during such period, (d) the income of any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than any Guarantor) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is subject to an absolute prohibition during such period by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary (other than any prohibition that has been waived or otherwise released), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid by such Subsidiary to the Issuer or any other Subsidiary that is not subject to such prohibitions, (e) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer or is merged into or consolidated with

 

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the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (except as provided in the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio”), (f) after tax gains or Charges (less all fees and expenses chargeable thereto) attributable to any asset dispositions outside the ordinary course of business (including asset retirement costs) or of returned surplus assets of any employee benefit plan, (g) any net gains or Charges with respect to (i) disposed, abandoned, divested and/or discontinued assets, properties or operations (other than assets, properties or operations pending the disposal, abandonment, divestiture and/or termination thereof) and (ii) facilities that have been closed during such period, (h) any net income or loss (less all fees and expenses or Charges related thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments and (i) any write-off or amortization made in such period of deferred financing costs and premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection with any early extinguishment of indebtedness, (j) any impairment Charge or asset write-off or write-down, or asset write-up, related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets and Investments in debt and equity securities, (k) Non-Cash Compensation Expenses, (l) any unrealized gains and losses from Hedging Obligations or from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or any comparable regulation, (m) adjustments attributable to the application of recapitalization or acquisition accounting in relation to any consummated Acquisition Transaction, (n) any Charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any equity offering, investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence or repayment of indebtedness (including a refinancing or amendment, waiver or other modification thereof) (whether or not successful), (o) (A) extraordinary Charges and (B) unusual or nonrecurring Charges, (p) all cash and Non-Cash Charges and expenses incurred before the Issue Date with respect to the Seagate Arbitration to the extent that the aggregate amount of all such Charges and expenses do not exceed $32 million, (q) transaction fees, costs and expenses incurred to the extent reimbursable by third parties pursuant to indemnification provisions or insurance; provided that the Issuer in good faith expects to receive reimbursement for such fees, costs and expenses within the next four (4) fiscal quarters (it being understood that to the extent not actually received within such fiscal quarters, such reimbursement amounts shall be deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income at the end of such four fiscal quarter period), (r) casualty or business interruption insurance in an amount representing the losses for the applicable period that such proceeds are intended to replace (whether or not yet received so long as the Issuer in good faith expects to receive the same within the next four (4) fiscal quarters (it being understood that to the extent not actually received within such fiscal quarters, such proceeds shall be deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal quarters in the future)) and (s) any net gain or loss resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk).

Consolidated Priority Debt means, as of any date of determination, an aggregate amount equal to (without duplication) (x) the aggregate principal amount of Debt as of such date that is then secured by Liens on Property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary (including all Attributable Debt) plus (y) all outstanding Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt as of such date; provided that the following shall be excluded from calculating such aggregate amount: (i) any Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by Liens described in clauses (5) and (9)(x) of the second paragraph under the heading “—Limitation on Liens” and (ii) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt described in clause (5) of the second paragraph under “— Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt”.

Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio means, as of any date of determination the ratio of (a) Consolidated Priority Debt to (b) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the Issuer’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available; provided, however, that:

 

  (1) if the Issuer or any Subsidiary has incurred any Debt since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio is an incurrence of Debt, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated Priority Debt for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Debt as if such Debt had been incurred on the first day of such period;

 

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  (2) if the Issuer or any Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise discharged any Debt since the beginning of such period or if any Debt is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged (in each case other than Debt incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Priority Debt for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and as if the Issuer or such Subsidiary had not earned the interest income actually earned during such period in respect of cash or cash equivalents used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such Debt;

 

  (3) if since the beginning of such period the Issuer or any Subsidiary shall have made any asset disposition, EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such asset disposition for such period, or increased by an amount equal to EBITDA (if negative), directly attributable thereto for such period;

 

  (4) if since the beginning of such period the Issuer or any Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an investment in any Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business, EBITDA and Consolidated Priority Debt for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the incurrence of any Debt) as if such investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period;

 

  (5) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any asset disposition, any investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Issuer or a Subsidiary during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated Priority Debt for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such asset disposition, investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period; and

 

  (6) for purposes of calculating the amount under clause (a)(1) above on any date of determination, amounts of revolving credit indebtedness committed pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any Credit Facility that may be incurred by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries and which, upon incurrence, will be secured by a Lien, may at the Issuer’s election (as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate) be deemed to be outstanding at all times and subsequent borrowings, reborrowings, renewals, replacements and extensions of such revolving credit indebtedness, up to such maximum committed amount, shall not be deemed additional incurrences of Debt requiring calculations under this definition (but subsequent incremental borrowings in connection with increases in such maximum committed amount shall require calculations under this definition or shall otherwise comply with the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens”).

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Acquisition Transaction or disposition of assets, the amount of income, earnings or EBITDA relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Priority Debt incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Issuer. If any indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). If any Debt is incurred under a revolving credit facility and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Debt shall be calculated based on the average daily balance of such Debt for the four fiscal quarters subject to the pro forma calculation to the extent that such Debt was incurred solely for working capital purposes.

 

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Credit Agreement means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among the Issuer, the guarantors and lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith and any agreement (and related document) governing Debt incurred to Refinance, in whole or in part, the borrowings and commitments then outstanding or permitted to be outstanding under the Credit Agreement or a successor Credit Agreement.

Credit Facilities means (a) one or more debt facilities (including the Credit Agreement or any other credit facility), commercial paper facilities, securities purchase agreements, indentures, fiscal agency agreements, any letter of credit facility or similar agreements or any other financing agreement or arrangement, in each case, with agents, banks or other lenders, investors, trustees or fiscal agents providing for revolving loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) letters of credit, the issuance of securities or other long-term indebtedness, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and (b), any amendments, restatements, replacements (whether upon or after termination or otherwise), refinancings, refundings, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals or other modifications thereof (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time, including any one or more of the foregoing that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed or issued thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that any such increase in borrowings or issuances is permitted under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens”) or that add additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, and whether with the same or any other agent, trustee, fiscal agent, lender, investor, holder or group of agents, trustees, fiscal agents, lenders, investors or holders.

Currency Agreement means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement with respect to currency values.

Debt” means any indebtedness for borrowed money. For the avoidance of doubt, Debt only includes indebtedness for the repayment of money borrowed, and does not include any other kind of indebtedness or obligation notwithstanding that such other indebtedness or obligation may be evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or other similar instrument, may be in the nature of a financing transaction, or may be an obligation that under GAAP is classified as “debt” or another type of liability, whether required to be reflected on the balance sheet of the obligor or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Debt” excludes any indebtedness of the Issuer or any of Issuer’s Subsidiaries owing to the Issuer or a Subsidiary of Issuer.

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event:

 

  (1) matures (excluding any maturities as a result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Capital Stock of such Person which is not itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

  (2) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder for indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

 

  (3) is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part;

in each case on or prior to the day that is 91 days after the earlier of the Stated Maturity of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that (x) only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable prior to such date

 

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will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock and (y) if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy obligations as a result of such employee’s death or disability; provided, further, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a “change of control” occurring on or prior to 91 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if:

 

  (1) the “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the terms applicable to the Notes and described under “—Change of Control Triggering Event”; and

 

  (2) any such requirement only becomes operative after compliance with such terms applicable to the Notes, including the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto.

EBITDA” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus

 

  (a) without duplication and to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (other than in the case of clause (vii) below), the sum of the following amounts for such period:

 

  (i) Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

  (ii) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign, state, franchise, excise and similar taxes paid or accrued during such period (including in respect of repatriated funds);

 

  (iii) depreciation and amortization, including amortization of intangible assets established through purchase accounting and amortization of deferred financing fees or costs;

 

  (iv) Non-Cash Charges;

 

  (v) Charges attributable to the undertaking and/or implementation of cost savings initiatives, operating expense reductions and other restructuring, integration or transformational Charges (including inventory optimization expenses, business optimization expenses, transaction costs and costs related to the opening, closure, consolidation or separation of facilities and curtailments, costs related to entry into new markets, consulting fees, recruiter fees, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, relocation costs, severance payments, and modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans); provided that amounts added back pursuant to this clause (v), together with any amounts added back pursuant to clause (vii) below and the amount of any Pro Forma Adjustment to EBITDA for such period, shall not exceed the greater of $500 million and 15% of EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to any such add-back); provided further that Charges relating to the Transactions and up to $800 million of the foregoing in connection with the MOFCOM Restructuring, in each case, added back to EBITDA pursuant to this clause (v) for any period ending on or prior to the 24th month following the Existing Notes Issue Date shall not be subject to the caps in the preceding proviso;

 

  (vi) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary;

 

  (vii)

expected cost savings, operating expense reductions, restructuring Charges and expenses and synergies (net of the amount of actual amounts realized) reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and reasonably anticipated to be realized within 18 months of the date thereof (in the good faith determination of the Issuer) related to permitted asset sales, acquisitions, investments, dispositions, operating improvements, restructurings, cost savings initiatives and

 

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  certain other similar initiatives conducted after the Existing Notes Issue Date; provided that amounts added back pursuant to this clause (vii), together with any amounts added back pursuant to clause (v) above and the amount of any Pro Forma Adjustment to EBITDA for such period, shall not exceed the greater of $500 million and 15% of EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to any such add-back); provided further that any of the foregoing in connection with (A) the SanDisk Transactions and (B) up to $650 million of the foregoing in connection with the MOFCOM Restructuring, in each case, added back to EBITDA pursuant to this clause (vii) for any period ending on or prior to the 24th month following the Existing Notes Issue Date shall not be subject to the caps in the preceding proviso; and

 

  (viii) earn-out obligations incurred in connection with any acquisition or other investment and paid or accrued during the applicable period; less

 

  (b) without duplication and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, non-cash gains for such period (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period); provided, in each case, that, if any non-cash gain represents an accrual or asset for future cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof shall in such future period be added to EBITDA for such period to the extent excluded from EBITDA in any prior period,

 

  (c) increased or decreased by (without duplication):

 

  (i) any net gain or loss resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and International Accounting Standards No. 39 and their respective related pronouncements and interpretations; plus or minus, as applicable;

 

  (ii) any net gain or loss resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk); and

 

  (iii) any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 460, Guarantees, or any comparable regulation;

in each case, as determined on a consolidated basis for the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

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

Excluded Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle that exists solely to facilitate a Permitted Receivables Financing.

Existing Notes” means the 2023 Secured Notes and the 2024 Unsecured Notes.

Existing Notes Issue Date” means April 13, 2016.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Issuer shall be permitted to treat any agreement or arrangement, which would be accounted for on the Existing Notes Issue Date as an operating lease under GAAP, whether existing on the Existing Notes Issue Date or entered into thereafter, under the standards applicable to operating leases under GAAP as in effect on the Existing Notes Issue Date and (ii) all obligations of any Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions, covenants and calculations for purposes of the Indenture (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as a capital lease in any financial statements delivered under the Indenture.

 

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Government Securities” means securities that are (1) direct obligations of the United States for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depositary receipt.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, municipal, national or other government, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, court, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government or any court (including any supra-national body exercising such powers or functions, such as the European Union or the European Central Bank), in each case whether associated with a state or locality of the United States or the United States.

Guarantee” means a guarantee by a Guarantor of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes.

Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Issuer that executes the Indenture as a guarantor on the Issue Date and each other Subsidiary of the Issuer, that thereafter executes a supplemental indenture providing its Guarantee pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

Hedging Obligations of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

holder” or “noteholder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Interest Rate Agreement means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) and BBB— (or the equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof) and S&P (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof), respectively.

Investment” means any purchase, holding or acquisition (including pursuant to any merger or amalgamation with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger or amalgamation) of any equity interests in or evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, loans or advances to, guarantees of any obligations of, or any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit.

Issue Date” means                 , 2018, the original date of issuance of the Notes.

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof); provided, however, that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien. For the avoidance of doubt, the grant by any Person of a non-exclusive license to use intellectual property owned by, licensed to, or developed by such Person and such license activity shall not constitute a grant by such Person of a Lien on such intellectual property.

 

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Material Capital Markets Debt” means (i) any Debt consisting of bonds, debentures, notes or other similar debt securities issued in (a) a public offering registered under the Securities Act, (b) a private placement to institutional investors that is resold in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act, or (c) a placement to institutional investors, in each case in aggregate principal amount of $100 million or more, and (ii) the Existing Notes. The term “Material Capital Markets Debt” shall not include any Debt under commercial bank facilities or similar Debt or any other type of Debt incurred in a manner not customarily viewed as a “securities offering.”

MOFCOM Restructuring” means the sale, transfer or other disposition (i) of any assets required by any antitrust authority or other regulatory authority in connection with the SanDisk Acquisition or (ii) that are part of any intercompany restructuring in connection with requirements imposed by the Ministry of Commerce of the People Republic of China within 24 months of the Existing Notes Issue Date.

Non-Cash Charges” means (a) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets and Investments in debt and equity securities pursuant to GAAP, (b) all non-cash losses from investments recorded using the equity method, (c) all Non-Cash Compensation Expenses, (d) the non-cash impact of purchase or recapitalization accounting and (e) all other non-cash charges (provided that, in each case, if any non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period).

Non-Cash Compensation Expense” means any non-cash expenses and costs that result from the issuance of stock-based awards, limited liability company or partnership interest-based awards and similar incentive-based compensation awards or arrangements.

Officer” means the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, any executive vice president, senior vice president or vice president, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer or the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Issuer.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer, or other counsel who is reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person:

 

  (1) pledges or deposits by such Person under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation or in connection with old age benefits, social security obligations, statutory obligations or other similar charges (and pledges and deposits made in respect of letters of credit, surety bonds, bank guarantees or similar instruments supporting such obligations), in connection with bids, tenders, contracts or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or pledges or deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or similar instruments (and pledges and deposits made in respect of letters of credit, surety bonds, bank guarantees or similar instruments supporting such obligations) to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (2)

carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, in each case for sums not overdue by more than 60 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other

 

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  proceedings for review and Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution; provided, however, that such deposit accounts or funds are not established or deposited for the purpose of providing collateral for any indebtedness and are not subject to restrictions on access by such Person in excess of those required by applicable banking regulations;

 

  (3) Liens for taxes not yet due and payable and Liens (or deposits as security) for taxes, which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves have been provided for in accordance with GAAP;

 

  (4) Liens in favor of issuers of customs, stay, performance, bid, appeal or surety bonds, completion guarantees or letters of credit and other obligations of a like nature issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

 

  (5) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

  (6) Liens securing Hedging Obligations;

 

  (7) Liens incurred to secure cash management services in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (8) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

 

  (9) Liens on any cash earnest money deposits, escrow arrangements or similar arrangements made by the Issuer or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in connection with a transaction permitted under the Indenture;

 

  (10) Liens arising by virtue of Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings (or similar filings under applicable law) regarding operating leases entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business or consignments entered into in connection with any transaction otherwise permitted under the Indenture;

 

  (11) interests or title of, or Lien securing interests of, a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor under a lease (other than a Capital Lease Obligation) entered into by the Issuer or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (12) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods by any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (13) Liens arising under any Permitted Receivables Financing;

 

  (14) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses, including non-exclusive software licenses, granted to others in the ordinary course of business that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of the Issuer and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or secure any indebtedness;

 

  (15) 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; encumbrances or restrictions set forth in the organizational documents (or any related joint venture, shareholders’ or similar agreement) of any non-wholly owned Subsidiary or any Person that is not a Subsidiary in respect of their respective Capital Stock;

 

  (16) ground leases or subleases, licenses or sublicenses in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

 

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  (17) licenses, sublicenses, covenants not to sue or other grants of rights to intellectual property rights granted (i) in the ordinary course of business or (ii) in the reasonable business judgment of the Issuer or the Subsidiaries in the conduct of its business (including in the settlement of litigation or entering into cross-licenses);

 

  (18) any zoning, building or similar law or right reserved to, or vested in, any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary course of conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and

 

  (19) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right to set off), which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

 

  (20) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit, automatic clearing house or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or (iv) relating to the credit cards and credit accounts of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and

 

  (21) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and the proceeds thereof of any Person securing such Person’s obligations under any agreement to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods, and pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business securing inventory purchases from vendors.

Permitted Receivables Financing” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Issuer or any Subsidiary pursuant to which it sells, conveys or contributes to capital or otherwise transfers (which sale, conveyance, contribution to capital or transfer may include or be supported by the grant of a security interest in) Receivables or interests therein and all collateral securing such Receivables, all contracts and contract rights, purchase orders, security interests, financing statements or other documentation in respect of such Receivables, any guarantees, indemnities, warranties or other obligations in respect of such Receivables, any other assets that are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving receivables similar to such Receivables and any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Related Assets”), all of which such sales, conveyances, contributions to capital or transfers shall be made by the transferor for fair value as reasonably determined by the Issuer (calculated in a manner typical for such transactions including a fair market discount from the face value of such Receivables) (a) to a trust, partnership, corporation or other Person (other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary (other than any Receivables Financing Subsidiary)), which transfer is funded in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the incurrence or issuance by the transferee or any successor transferee of Debt, fractional undivided interests or other securities that are to receive payments from, or that represent interests in, the cash flow derived from such Receivables and Related Assets or interests in such Receivables and Related Assets, or (b) directly to one or more investors or other purchasers (other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary), it being understood that a Permitted Receivables Financing may involve (i) one or more sequential transfers or pledges of the same Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein (such as a sale, conveyance or other transfer to any Receivables Financing Subsidiary followed by a pledge of the transferred Receivables and Related Assets to secure Debt incurred by the Receivables Financing Subsidiary), and all such transfers, pledges and Debt incurrences shall be part of and constitute a single Permitted Receivables Financing, and (ii) periodic transfers or pledges of Receivables and/or revolving transactions in which new Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, are transferred or pledged upon collection of previously transferred or pledged Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, provided that any such transactions shall provide for recourse to such

 

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Subsidiary (other than any Receivables Financing Subsidiary) or the Issuer (as applicable) only in respect of the cash flows in respect of such Receivables and Related Assets and to the extent of breaches of representations and warranties relating to the Receivables, dilution of the Receivables, customary indemnities and other customary securitization undertakings in the jurisdiction relevant to such transactions.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

Pro Forma Adjustment means, for any period with respect to any Acquisition Transaction or asset disposition, the pro forma increase in EBITDA projected by the Issuer in good faith based on the Issuer’s reasonable assumptions that are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies to be achieved as a result thereof, within 18 months of the date of such Acquisition Transaction or asset disposition so long as the actions necessary to achieve such cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken within twelve months of such Acquisition Transaction or asset disposition. Any such pro forma increase to EBITDA shall be without duplication for cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies already included in EBITDA for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Pro Forma Adjustment to EBITDA for any period, together with any amounts added back pursuant to clauses (v) and (vii) of the definition of “EBITDA” for such period, shall not exceed the greater of $500 million and 15% of EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to such add-back).

Property” means any property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, including current assets owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer, but excluding deposit or other control accounts and any property or asset that the Board of Directors by resolution determines in good faith (taking into account, among other things, the materiality of such property to the business, financial condition and earnings of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole) not to be material to the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Rating Agencies” means S&P and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the respective rating agency business thereof.

Rating Event” means (1) the ratings of the Notes are lowered by each of the Rating Agencies and (2) the Notes are rated below the rating by such Rating Agency in effect immediately preceding the first public announcement of the Change of Control (or occurrence thereof if such Change of Control occurs prior to or concurrently with a public announcement) and are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any day during the period (which period will be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies) that (1) commences on the earlier of (x) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the intention of the Issuer to effect a Change of Control and (y) the occurrence of such Change of Control and (2) ends 60 days following the consummation of such Change of Control.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Ratings Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Ratings Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Issuer that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Ratings Event). The Trustee shall not have any obligation to monitor the occurrence or dates of any Rating Event and may rely conclusively on such

 

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Officer’s Certificate related to such Change of Control Triggering Event. The Trustee shall not have any obligation to notify the holders of the occurrence or dates of any Rating Event.

Receivables” means accounts receivable (including all rights to payment created by or arising from the sale of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services, no matter how evidenced (including in the form of a chattel paper)).

Receivables Financing Subsidiary” means any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Issuer formed solely for the purpose of, and that engages only in, one or more Permitted Receivables Financings.

Refinance” means, in respect of any Debt, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Debt in exchange or replacement for, such Debt. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Seagate Arbitration” means the arbitration between the Issuer and Seagate Technology, LLC and related matters based on the actions initially filed by Seagate Technology, LLC on October 4, 2006.

Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to a Property owned by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer whereby the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer transfers such property to a Person and the Issuer or the Subsidiary of the Issuer leases it from such Person.

SanDisk Acquisition” means the acquisition of SanDisk Corporation by Western Digital pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 21, 2015.    

SanDisk Transactions” means (i) the SanDisk Acquisition, (ii) the entry into the Credit Agreement, (iii) the issuance of the Existing Notes and (iv) the payment of all fees and expenses related thereto.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

 

  (1) such Person;

 

  (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or

 

  (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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Transactions” means the offering of the Notes, the Convertible Notes Offering (as defined in this prospectus), the TLA Increase (as defined in this prospectus), extension of the Revolving Credit Facility and amendments to the Credit Agreement, the 2024 Tender Offer (as defined in this prospectus) and the payment of all fees and expenses related thereto.

Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or the controlling managing member or general partner, as applicable).

 

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. The summary is based on laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect). The discussion does not deal with special classes of investors, such as dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities electing to mark to market, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, entities classified as partnerships and the partners therein, persons holding notes as a position in a “straddle” or conversion transaction, or as part of a “synthetic security” or other integrated financial transaction, U.S. Holders (as defined herein) who hold the notes through non-U.S. brokers or other non-U.S. intermediaries, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, U.S. expatriates, nonresident alien individuals present in the United States for more than 182 days in a taxable year, or U.S. Holders that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. This summary addresses only holders that purchase the notes upon their original issue from the initial purchaser at the issue price (the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for money to the public, not including bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) and that hold the notes as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This summary does not address any U.S. taxes other than U.S. federal income taxes (such as estate or gift taxes), the tax on net investment income, or any state, local or foreign tax laws. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences to them of purchasing, holding and disposing of the notes. As used in this offering memorandum, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of notes (a “Holder”) that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or any other person that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of the notes. A non-U.S. person whose income in respect of the Notes is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States is a U.S. Holder. Such persons should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences (including the potential application of the branch profits tax) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of a note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, estate, or trust that is not a U.S. Holder.

Under recently enacted legislation, U.S. Holders that use an accrual method of accounting for tax purposes generally will be required to include certain amounts in income no later than the time such amounts are reflected on certain financial statements. The application of this rule thus may require the accrual of income earlier than would be the case under the general tax rules described below, although the precise application of this rule is unclear at this time. This rule is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 or, for debt instruments issued with original issue discount, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2018. U.S. Holders that use an accrual method of accounting should consult with their tax advisors regarding the potential applicability of this legislation to their particular situation.

U.S. Holders

Payments of Stated Interest

Stated interest on a note will generally be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is expected that the notes will not be issued with more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount (“OID”). If, contrary to expectations, the stated principal amount of the notes exceeds their issue price by more than a statutorily defined de minimis amount, the notes will be treated as issued with OID in an amount equal to such excess, and a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include OID in gross income, as ordinary income, as it accrues under a “constant-yield method” before the receipt of cash attributable to such OID, regardless of the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes will not be treated as issued with more than a de minimis amount of OID.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition

Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of a note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount received for the note (less any accrued interest, which will be

 

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taxable as such) and the U.S. Holders’ adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in a note generally will be the U.S. Holder’s cost therefor. Any such gain or loss will generally constitute capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if such note was held for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate holders are generally eligible for reduced rates of taxation, and the deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Non-U.S. Holders

If you are a Non-U.S. Holder, except as otherwise indicated below under “FATCA” or “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding,” under the portfolio interest exemption you will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on payments of interest on the notes, provided that you (a) do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock that are entitled to vote, (b) are not a controlled foreign corporation related to us through actual or constructive equity ownership, and (c) have provided an applicable IRS Form W-8 to the applicable withholding agent, properly completed and signed under penalties of perjury, establishing your status as a Non-U.S. Holder. If any of the foregoing requirements is not met, payments of interest on a note generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable treaty rate). Furthermore, except as otherwise indicated below under “FATCA” or “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding,” you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of the notes.

FATCA

Under the U.S. tax rules known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a holder of notes will generally be subject to 30% U.S. withholding tax on interest payments on the notes (and, starting on January 1, 2019, principal payments on the notes and gross proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of the notes) if the holder is not FATCA compliant, or holds its notes through a foreign financial institution that is not FATCA compliant. In order to be treated as FATCA compliant, a holder must provide to the applicable withholding agent certain documentation (usually an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E) containing information about its identity, its FATCA status, and if required, its direct and indirect U.S. owners. For a foreign financial institution to be FATCA compliant, it generally must enter into an agreement with the U.S. government to report, on an annual basis, certain information regarding accounts with or interests in the institution held by certain United States persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by United States persons, or must satisfy similar requirements under an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another country (an “IGA”). These requirements may be modified by the adoption or implementation of a particular IGA or by future U.S. Treasury Regulations. If any taxes are required to be deducted or withheld from any payments in respect of the notes as a result of a beneficial owner or intermediary’s failure to comply with the foregoing rules, no additional amounts will be paid on the notes as a result of the deduction or withholding of such tax.

Documentation that holders provide in order to be treated as FATCA compliant may be reported to the IRS and other tax authorities, including information about a holder’s identity, its FATCA status, and if applicable, its direct and indirect U.S. owners. You should consult your own tax advisers about how information reporting and the possible imposition of withholding tax under FATCA may apply to your investment in the notes.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the notes made to, and the proceeds of dispositions of notes effected by, certain U.S. Holders. In addition, certain U.S. Holders may be subject to backup withholding in respect of such amounts if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers to the person from whom they receive payments. Non-U.S. Holders may be required to comply with applicable certification procedures to establish that they are not U.S. Holders in order to avoid the application of such information reporting requirements and backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are acting as representatives (together, the “Representatives”) of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite its name below.

 

                          Underwriters   

Principal amount
of notes

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

   $  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

  

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

  

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

  

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

  

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.

  

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

  

TD Securities (USA) LLC

  

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

  

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,300,000,000  
  

 

 

 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the notes sold under the underwriting agreement, if any of these notes are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their affiliates.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the notes, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the notes, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

We expect that the delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about                     , 2018, which will be the tenth business day following the date of pricing of the notes (such settlement cycle being herein referred to as “T+10”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly

agree otherwise. Accordingly, underwriters who wish to trade notes more than two business days prior to                     , 2018 will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially settle in T+10, to specify an alternate settlement arrangement at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Underwriters of the notes who wish to trade the notes during such period should consult their advisors.

 

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Commissions and Discounts

The Representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain securities dealers at such prices less a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their respective affiliates.

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes).

 

     Paid by us  

Per note

             
  

 

 

 

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $             and are payable by us.

New Issues of Notes

The notes are new issues of securities with no established trading markets. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any national securities exchange or for inclusion of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in the notes after completion of the offering. However, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice. We cannot assure the liquidity of the trading markets for the notes or that active public markets for the notes will develop. If active public trading markets for the notes do not develop, the market prices and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. If the notes are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our operating performance and financial condition, general economic conditions and other factors.

No Sales of Similar Securities

In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that we will not offer or sell any of our debt securities (other than the notes offered pursuant to this prospectus) for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

Short Positions

In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory,

 

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investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, one of the Representatives of this offering, serves as the administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain of the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates serve as a lead arrangers, joint bookrunners, co-syndication agents and/or lenders, in each case, under our senior credit facilities and have received, and may in the future receive, customary fees for such roles. In addition, the net proceeds of this offering are being used to redeem a portion of our 2024 Unsecured Notes. Certain of the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates are holders of the 2024 Unsecured Notes and, as a result, will receive a pro rata portion of such net proceeds from this offering used in connection with such redemption of the 2024 Unsecured Notes. On November 29, 2017, we increased the size of the Revolving Credit Facility, for which certain of the underwriters and/or certain of their respective affiliates provided a portion of the commitment for such increase. In addition, certain of the underwriters are also serving as initial purchasers under the concurrent Convertible Notes Offering. As a result of both of these roles, such underwriters and/or such affiliates have received, or may in the future, receive customary fees and commissions for such transactions. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are also each acting as dealer-managers in connection with the 2024 Tender Offer and as a result, will be receiving customary fees for such role. In addition, concurrently with the pricing of this offering, we expect to repurchase shares of our common stock in privately negotiated transactions effected with or through Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, one of the Representatives of this offering, and as a result, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may receive customary fees for such role.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby.

Notice of Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

The notes not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC (as amended, the “Insurance Mediation Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II ; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, the “Prospectus Directive”). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any Member State of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. This prospectus is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The notes may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the notes have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of notes will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of notes has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of notes.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The notes to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the notes offered should conduct their own due diligence on the notes. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the notes may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the notes without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

 

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The notes applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring notes must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The notes have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

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  (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  (1) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  (3) where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  (4) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

  (5) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

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NOTICE TO INVESTORS

Each purchaser of notes being offered pursuant to this prospectus that is (1) an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), (2) a plan, individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other arrangement subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or (3) an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan or arrangement, by acceptance of any notes, will be deemed to have represented and warranted that a fiduciary acting on its behalf is causing it to purchase the notes and that such fiduciary:

 

  a) Is a bank, an insurance carrier, a registered investment adviser, a registered broker-dealer or an independent fiduciary with at least $50 million of assets under management or control (excluding, if the purchaser is an IRA, the owner or a relative of the owner of the IRA) as specified in 29 CFR Section 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i);

 

  b) Is independent (for purposes of 29 CFR Section 2510.3-21(c)(1)) of us, the guarantors, the underwriters and their respective affiliates (the “Transaction Parties”);

 

  c) Is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies, including the purchaser’s transactions with the Transaction Parties contemplated by this prospectus (the “Transactions”);

 

  d) Has been advised that none of the Transaction Parties has undertaken or will undertake to provide impartial investment advice, or has given or will give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the Transactions;

 

  e) Is a “fiduciary” under Section 3(21)(a) of ERISA or Section 4975(e)(3) of the Code, or both, as applicable, with respect to, and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating, the Transactions; and

 

  f) Understands and acknowledges the existence and nature of the underwriting discounts, commissions and fees, and any other related fees, compensation arrangements or financial interests, described in this prospectus; and understands, acknowledges and agrees that no such fee or other compensation is a fee or other compensation for the provision of investment advice, and that none of the Transaction Parties, nor any of their respective directors, officers, members, partners, employees, principals or agents has received or will receive a fee or other compensation from the purchaser or such fiduciary for the provision of investment advice (rather than other services) in connection with the Transactions.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The legality of the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated balance sheets of Western Digital Corporation and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017 and July 1, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2017, and the related financial statement schedule, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of SanDisk Corporation as of January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014 and for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2016, have been incorporated by reference herein and have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to the notes offered hereby. We also file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file with the SEC, including the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. You may obtain further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be accessed on our website at www.wdc.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus.

This prospectus is part of the registration statement we filed with the SEC. We have incorporated exhibits into the registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Western Digital’s SEC file number is 001-08703. We are incorporating by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below, which were previously filed by us with the SEC, in each case excluding any information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:

 

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2017;

 

    our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2017;

 

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    the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on September 18, 2017 that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2017; and

 

    our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on November 3, 2017, November 8, 2017 (Items 1.01 and 2.03 and Exhibit 10.1 only), November 29, 2017 (Items 1.01 and 2.03 only), December 12, 2017 (Items 1.01 and 8.01 only), January 25, 2018 (Item 8.01 only) and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 of our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on July 25, 2016.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus and until the offering of notes under this prospectus is terminated or completed, other than documents or information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of that person and at no cost, a copy of any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus (or incorporated into the documents that this prospectus incorporates by reference), excluding all exhibits unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such document. Requests can be made by writing to Investor Relations: Western Digital Corporation, 5601 Great Oaks Parkway, San Jose, California 95119, or by telephone request to (800) 695-6399.

 

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LOGO

Western Digital Corporation

$2,300,000,000         % Senior Notes due 2026

 

 

P R O S P E C T U S

 

BofA Merrill Lynch

J.P. Morgan

Mizuho Securities

RBC Capital Markets

Wells Fargo Securities

Citigroup

HSBC

MUFG

SMBC Nikko

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

TD Securities

BNP PARIBAS

Scotiabank

                    , 2018

 

 

 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following table sets forth all expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the securities being registered. All the amounts shown are estimates.

 

     Amount to
be paid
 

SEC registration fee

   $ *  

Printing and engraving expenses

     200,000  

Legal fees and expenses

     450,000  

Accounting fees and expenses

     120,000  

Trustee fees

     16,000  

Ratings agency fees

     4,099,000  

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

     50,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *  

 

* Omitted because the registration fee is being deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b).

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Delaware Corporations

Western Digital Corporation, Western Digital Technologies, Inc. and HGST, Inc. (the “Delaware Corporation Registrants”) are incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware.

Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted under similar standards to those set forth above, except that no indemnification may be made in respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to be indemnified for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145 of the DGCL further provides, among other things, that to the extent a director or officer of the corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsection

 

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(a) and (b) of Section 145 or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith; that indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled, and that the corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the corporation against any liability asserted against such officer or director and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 145.

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, the certificates of incorporation of the Delaware Corporation Registrants provides that a director shall not be liable to the respective Delaware Corporation Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, such provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for acts or omissions not in good faith or for breaching his or her duty of loyalty, engaging in intentional misconduct or knowingly violating the law, paying a dividend or approving a stock repurchase which was illegal, or obtaining an improper personal benefit. A provision of this type has no effect on the availability of equitable remedies, such as injunction or rescission, for breach of fiduciary duty.

The bylaws of Western Digital Corporation and Western Digital Technologies, Inc. and the certificate of incorporation of HGST, Inc. require that directors and officers be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition to the indemnification provisions in Western Digital’s bylaws, Western Digital has entered into indemnity agreements with each director and executive officer of Western Digital. These indemnity agreements require that Western Digital indemnify each director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The indemnity agreements also require Western Digital to make prompt payment of expenses incurred by the director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding upon the request of the director or executive officer in advance of indemnification to the extent permitted by law.

Western Digital has a policy of directors’ liability insurance which insures the directors and officers of Western Digital Corporation, Western Digital Technologies, Inc. and HGST, Inc. against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment under certain circumstances stated in the policy.

Delaware Limited Liability Companies

WD Media, LLC and Western Digital (Fremont), LLC are Delaware limited liability companies.

Pursuant to Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”), a Delaware limited liability company may indemnify and hold harmless any member, manager or other person from any claims and demands, subject to any restrictions set forth in such limited liability company’s limited liability company agreement. Further, pursuant to Section 18-1101 of the DLLCA, unless otherwise provided in the limited liability company agreement, a member, manager or other person is not liable to the limited liability company for breach of fiduciary duty for such person’s good faith reliance on the provisions of such limited liability company agreement.

The limited liability company agreement of WD Media, LLC requires indemnification of members, managers and officers of such limited liability company to the fullest extent permitted under the DLLCA of any other applicable law. The operating agreement of Western Digital (Fremont), LLC requires indemnification of members, managers or any of their affiliates to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, except in relation to expenses and payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

The exhibits to this Registration Statement are listed on the Exhibit Index to this Registration Statement, which Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

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ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement

 

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or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) That insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(8) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

  

DESCRIPTION

  1.1    Underwriting Agreement (to be filed by amendment to this registration statement or under cover of a Current Report on Form 8-K incorporated by reference herein)
  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October  21, 2015, among Western Digital Corporation, Schrader Acquisition Corporation and SanDisk Corporation (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2015)
  4.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Western Digital Corporation, as amended to date (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2006)
  4.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Western Digital Corporation, as amended effective as of February  2, 2017 (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February  7, 2017)
  4.3    Indenture (including Form of 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023), dated as of April  13, 2016, among Western Digital Corporation; HGST, Inc., WD Media, LLC, Western Digital (Fremont), LLC and Western Digital Technologies, Inc., as guarantors; and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2016)
  4.4    First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.3 hereto, dated as of May  12, 2016, among Western Digital Corporation, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2016)
  4.5    Indenture (including Form of 10.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024), dated as of April  13, 2016, among Western Digital Corporation; HGST, Inc., WD Media, LLC, Western Digital (Fremont), LLC and Western Digital Technologies, Inc., as guarantors; and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2016)
  4.6    First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.5 hereto, dated as of May  12, 2016, among Western Digital Corporation, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2016)
  4.7    Indenture (including Form of 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020), dated as of October  29, 2013, by and between SanDisk Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to SanDisk Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-26734) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2013)
  4.8    First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.7 hereto, dated as of May  12, 2016, among SanDisk Corporation, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, and Western Digital Corporation (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2016)
  4.9    Form of Indenture relating to the notes (including Form of note)†
  5.1    Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP†

 

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EXHIBIT
NUMBER

  

DESCRIPTION

12.1    Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges†
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP†
23.2    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP†
23.3    Consent of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1    Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages hereto)
25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture†

 

Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on January 29, 2018.

 

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Name:   Michael C. Ray
Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Stephen D. Milligan, Mark P. Long and Michael C. Ray, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration statement we may hereafter file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 to register additional securities in connection with this registration statement, and to file this registration statement, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as they, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 29, 2018.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Stephen D. Milligan

Stephen D. Milligan

   Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Director

/s/ Mark P. Long

Mark P. Long

   President WD Capital, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Matthew E. Massengill

Matthew E. Massengill

   Chairman of the Board

/s/ Martin I. Cole

Martin I. Cole

   Director

/s/ Kathleen A. Cote

Kathleen A. Cote

   Director

/s/ Henry T. DeNero

Henry T. DeNero

   Director

 

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Signature

  

Title

/s/ Michael D. Lambert

Michael D. Lambert

   Director

/s/ Len J. Lauer

Len J. Lauer

   Director

/s/ Paula A. Price

Paula A. Price

   Director

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on January 29, 2018.

 

WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Name:   Michael C. Ray
Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Stephen D. Milligan, Mark P. Long and Michael C. Ray, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration statement we may hereafter file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 to register additional securities in connection with this registration statement, and to file this registration statement, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as they, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 29, 2018.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Stephen D. Milligan

Stephen D. Milligan

   Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Director

/s/ Mark P. Long

Mark P. Long

   President WD Capital, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Matthew E. Massengill

Matthew E. Massengill

   Chairman of the Board

/s/ Martin I. Cole

Martin I. Cole

   Director

/s/ Kathleen A. Cote

Kathleen A. Cote

   Director

/s/ Henry T. DeNero

Henry T. DeNero

   Director

 

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Signature

  

Title

/s/ Michael D. Lambert

Michael D. Lambert

   Director

/s/ Len J. Lauer

Len J. Lauer

   Director

/s/ Paula A. Price

Paula A. Price

   Director

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on January 29, 2018.

 

HGST, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Name:  

Michael C. Ray

Title:   President, Secretary and Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael C. Ray, Mark P. Long and Hector Fernandez, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration statement we may hereafter file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 to register additional securities in connection with this registration statement, and to file this registration statement, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as they, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 29, 2018.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Michael C. Ray

  

President, Secretary and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Mark P. Long

Mark P. Long

  

Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Hector Fernandez

Hector Fernandez

   Director

 

II-11


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on January 29, 2018.

 

WD MEDIA, LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Name:  

Michael C. Ray

Title   Secretary and Manager

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Hector Fernandez and Michael C. Ray, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration statement we may hereafter file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 to register additional securities in connection with this registration statement, and to file this registration statement, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as they, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 29, 2018.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Hector Fernandez

Hector Fernandez

  

President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Executive, Financial, and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Michael C. Ray

   Secretary and Manager

 

II-12


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on January 29, 2018.

 

WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Name:  

Michael C. Ray

Title:  

Vice President, Secretary and Manager

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael C. Ray as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration statement we may hereafter file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 to register additional securities in connection with this registration statement, and to file this registration statement, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as they, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 29, 2018.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Michael C. Ray

  

Vice President, Secretary and Manager

(Principal Executive, Financial, and Accounting Officer)

 

II-13

EX-4.9

Exhibit 4.9

Western Digital Corporation,

as the Company,

the GUARANTORS listed on the signature pages hereto,

as Guarantors,

and

U.S. Bank National Association,

as Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

 

 

Dated as of [●], 2018

 

 

[●]% Senior Notes due 2026


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section

  

Indenture Section

310 (a)(1)    7.10
       (a)(2)    7.10
       (a)(3)    N.A.
       (a)(4)    N.A.
       (a)(5)    7.08; 7.10
       (b)    7.08; 7.10; 12.02
       (c)    N.A.
311 (a)    7.11
       (b)    7.11
       (c)    N.A.
312 (a)    2.05
       (b)    12.03
       (c)    12.03
313 (a)    7.06
       (b)(1)    7.06
       (b)(2)    7.06
       (c)    7.06; 12.02
       (d)    7.06
314 (a)    4.06; 4.14; 12.02
       (b)    N.A.
       (c)(1)    7.02; 12.04; 12.05
       (c)(2)    7.02; 12.04; 12.05
       (c)(3)    N.A.
       (d)    N.A.
       (e)    12.05
       (f)    N.A.
315 (a)    7.01(b)
       (b)    7.05
       (c)    7.01
       (d)    6.05; 7.01(c)
       (e)    6.11
316 (a)(last sentence)    2.09
       (a)(1)(A)    6.02
       (a)(1)(B)    6.04
       (a)(2)    9.02
       (b)    6.07
       (c)    9.05
317 (a)(1)    6.08
       (a)(2)    6.09
       (b)    2.04
318 (a)    12.01
       (c)    12.01

 

N.A. means Not Applicable

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE ONE  
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
SECTION 1.01.    Definitions.      1  
SECTION 1.02.    Other Definitions.      16  
SECTION 1.03.    Incorporation by Reference of TIA.      16  
SECTION 1.04.    Rules of Construction.      16  
ARTICLE TWO  
THE NOTES  
SECTION 2.01.    Form and Dating.      17  
SECTION 2.02.    Execution and Authentication.      17  
SECTION 2.03.    Registrar and Paying Agent.      18  
SECTION 2.04.    Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust.      18  
SECTION 2.05.    Holder Lists.      19  
SECTION 2.06.    Transfer and Exchange.      19  
SECTION 2.07.    Replacement Notes.      19  
SECTION 2.08.    Outstanding Notes.      20  
SECTION 2.09.    Treasury Notes.      20  
SECTION 2.10.    Temporary Notes.      20  
SECTION 2.11.    Cancellation.      20  
SECTION 2.12.    Defaulted Interest.      20  
SECTION 2.13.    CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc.      21  
SECTION 2.14.    Deposit of Moneys.      21  
SECTION 2.15.    Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes.      21  
ARTICLE THREE  
REDEMPTION  
SECTION 3.01.    Notices to Trustee.      22  
SECTION 3.02.    Selection of Notes to be Redeemed.      22  
SECTION 3.03.    Notice of Redemption.      23  
SECTION 3.04.    Effect of Notice of Redemption.      24  
SECTION 3.05.    Deposit of Redemption Price.      25  
SECTION 3.06.    Notes Redeemed in Part.      25  
SECTION 3.07.    Conditions to Redemption; Delay of Redemption Date.      25  
ARTICLE FOUR  
COVENANTS  
SECTION 4.01.    Payment of Notes.      26  
SECTION 4.02.    Maintenance of Office or Agency.      26  
SECTION 4.03.    Corporate Existence.      26  
SECTION 4.04.    Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.      27  
SECTION 4.05.    [Intentionally Omitted.]      27  
SECTION 4.06.    Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default.      27  

 

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          Page  
SECTION 4.07.    [Reserved].      27  
SECTION 4.08.    Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.      27  
SECTION 4.09.    Change of Control Triggering Event.      27  
SECTION 4.10.    [Reserved].      29  
SECTION 4.11.    Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt.      29  
SECTION 4.12.    Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions.      30  
SECTION 4.13.    Limitation on Liens.      31  
SECTION 4.14.    SEC Reports.      33  
ARTICLE FIVE  
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION  
SECTION 5.01.    Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance.      33  
ARTICLE SIX  
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES  
SECTION 6.01.    Events of Default.      34  
SECTION 6.02.    Acceleration.      35  
SECTION 6.03.    Other Remedies.      36  
SECTION 6.04.    Waiver of Past Defaults.      36  
SECTION 6.05.    Control by Majority.      36  
SECTION 6.06.    Limitation on Suits.      37  
SECTION 6.07.    Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.      37  
SECTION 6.08.    Collection Suit by Trustee.      37  
SECTION 6.09.    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.      37  
SECTION 6.10.    Priorities.      38  
SECTION 6.11.    Undertaking for Costs.      38  
ARTICLE SEVEN  
TRUSTEE  
SECTION 7.01.    Duties of Trustee.      38  
SECTION 7.02.    Rights of Trustee.      39  
SECTION 7.03.    Individual Rights of Trustee.      40  
SECTION 7.04.    Trustee’s Disclaimer.      40  
SECTION 7.05.    Notice of Default.      40  
SECTION 7.06.    Reports by Trustee to Holders.      41  
SECTION 7.07.    Compensation and Indemnity.      41  
SECTION 7.08.    Replacement of Trustee.      42  
SECTION 7.09.    Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.      42  
SECTION 7.10.    Eligibility; Disqualification.      43  
SECTION 7.11.    Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.      43  
ARTICLE EIGHT  
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE  
SECTION 8.01.    Termination of the Company’s and Guarantors’ Obligations.      43  
SECTION 8.02.    Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.      44  
SECTION 8.03.    Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.      44  
SECTION 8.04.    Application of Trust Money.      45  
SECTION 8.05.    Repayment to the Company.      46  

 

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          Page  
SECTION 8.06.    Reinstatement.      46  
ARTICLE NINE  
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS  
SECTION 9.01.    Without Consent of Holders.      46  
SECTION 9.02.    With Consent of Holders.      47  
SECTION 9.03.    [Intentionally Omitted].      48  
SECTION 9.04.    Compliance with TIA.      48  
SECTION 9.05.    Revocation and Effect of Consents.      48  
SECTION 9.06.    Notation on or Exchange of Notes.      48  
SECTION 9.07.    Trustee To Sign Amendments, Etc.      49  
ARTICLE TEN  
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]  
ARTICLE ELEVEN  
NOTE GUARANTEE  
SECTION 11.01.    Unconditional Guarantee.      49  
SECTION 11.02.    [Intentionally Omitted].      50  
SECTION 11.03.    Limitation on Guarantor Liability.      50  
SECTION 11.04.    [Reserved].      50  
SECTION 11.05.    Release of a Guarantor.      50  
SECTION 11.06.    Waiver of Subrogation.      51  
SECTION 11.07.    [Reserved].      51  
SECTION 11.08.    No Set Off.      51  
SECTION 11.09.    [Reserved]      51  
SECTION 11.10.    Guarantee Obligations Continuing.      51  
SECTION 11.11.    Guarantee Obligations Not Reduced.      51  
SECTION 11.12.    Guarantee Obligations Reinstated.      52  
SECTION 11.13.    Guarantee Obligations Not Affected.      52  
SECTION 11.14.    Waiver.      53  
SECTION 11.15.    No Obligation To Take Action Against the Company.      53  
SECTION 11.16.    Dealing with the Company and Others.      53  
SECTION 11.17.    Default and Enforcement.      53  
SECTION 11.18.    Amendment, Etc.      54  
SECTION 11.19.    Costs and Expenses.      54  
SECTION 11.20.    No Merger or Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.      54  
ARTICLE TWELVE  
MISCELLANEOUS  
SECTION 12.01.    TIA Controls.      55  
SECTION 12.02.    Notices.      55  
SECTION 12.03.    Communications by Holders with Other Holders.      56  
SECTION 12.04.    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.      56  
SECTION 12.05.    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.      56  

 

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          Page  
SECTION 12.06.    Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar.      56  
SECTION 12.07.    Legal Holidays.      56  
SECTION 12.08.    Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.      57  
SECTION 12.09.    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.      57  
SECTION 12.10.    No Recourse Against Others.      57  
SECTION 12.11.    Successors.      57  
SECTION 12.12.    Duplicate Originals.      57  
SECTION 12.13.    Severability.      57  
SECTION 12.14.    USA PATRIOT Act.      57  
SECTION 12.15.    Force Majeure.      57  
Signatures      S-1  
Exhibit A       Form of Note
Exhibit B       Form of Legends

 

Note: This Table of Contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

-iv-


INDENTURE dated as of [●], 2018 among WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), as issuer, and each of the Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto, as Guarantors, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of [●]% Senior Notes due 2026, and, to provide therefor, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. All things necessary to make the Notes, when duly issued and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder, the valid and binding obligations of the Company and to make this Indenture a valid and binding agreement of the Company have been done.

Each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of each other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in this Indenture.

2024 Unsecured Notes” means the 10.500% Senior Unsecured Notes of the Company due 2024 (including any exchange notes issued in exchange for the 10.500% Senior Unsecured Notes of the Company due 2024 originally issued on the Existing Notes Issue Date).

2023 Secured Notes” means the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes of the Company due 2023.

Acquisition Transaction” means:

(1) an acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of a business or of assets constituting a business unit, line of business or business division of another Person, from a Person other than the Company or its Subsidiaries that will be owned and operated by the Company and its Subsidiaries,

(2) an acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such acquisition,

(3) an acquisition of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary that constitutes an increase in the aggregate percentage of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary owned collectively by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and

(4) a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company or a Subsidiary with or into a Person that is not the Company or a Subsidiary, in which the Company or a Subsidiary is the surviving company or which results in the surviving company becoming a Subsidiary of the Company or a successor entity.

Additional Notes” means Notes issued after the Issue Date in accordance with this Indenture.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar.


Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate borne by the Notes, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended) (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights); provided, however, that if such Sale/Leaseback Transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors, unless otherwise noted.

Business Day” means each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which the Trustee or commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or place of payment on the Notes.

Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will any lease that would have been categorized as an operating lease as determined with GAAP as of April 13, 2016 be considered a capital lease (whether or not such lease was in effect on such date) regardless of any change in GAAP following April 13, 2016 that would otherwise require such obligations to be recharacterized (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) as a capital lease. For purposes of Section 4.13 herein, a Capital Lease Obligation will be deemed to be secured by a Lien on the property being leased.

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (1) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;

 

  (2) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person other than a transaction following which (A) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and (B) in the case of a sale of assets transaction, each transferee becomes an obligor in respect of the Notes and a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets; or

 

  (3) an event constituting a “change of control” under the indenture governing the 2023 Secured Notes to the extent any of the 2023 Secured Notes are then outstanding.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

  (a) a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (x) the Company becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of another Person and (y) (i) the shares of the Company’s Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of such Person immediately after giving effect to such transaction or (ii) immediately following that transaction, no Person (other than a Person satisfying the requirements of this clause) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such Person, and

 

  (b) the entry into one or more agreements that, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated thereon would constitute a Change of Control, do not constitute a Change of Control until such consummation.

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.

Charges” means any charge, expense, cost, accrual or reserve of any kind.

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

Common Stock” shall mean the common shares or other equivalents or interests in (however designated) equity of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company.

Company” means the Person identified as such in the Preamble hereto, until a successor Person shall have replaced the Company as obligor on the Notes pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter means such successor Person.

Consolidated Interest Expense means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (other than non-cash interest expense attributable to convertible indebtedness under Accounting Practices Bulletin 14-1 or any successor provision and amortization of debt issuance costs), plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries, without duplication:

(1) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations, the interest portion of rent expense associated with Attributable Debt in respect of the relevant lease giving rise thereto, determined as if such lease were a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP, and the interest component of any deferred payment obligations;

(2) amortization of debt discount (including the amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of indebtedness at less than par); provided, however, that any amortization of bond premium will be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such amortization of bond premium has otherwise reduced Consolidated Interest Expense;

(3) capitalized interest;

(4) non-cash interest expense; provided, however, that any non-cash interest expense or income attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded from the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense);

(5) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

(6) net cash payments pursuant to Hedging Obligations;

 

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(7) the product of (a) all dividends accrued in respect of all Disqualified Stock of the Company and all preferred stock of any Subsidiary, in each case, held by Persons other than the Company or a Subsidiary (other than dividends payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company), times (b) a fraction of the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the effective combined tax rate of the Company of such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock (expressed as a decimal) for such period (as estimated by the chief financial officer of the Company in good faith); and

(8) solely to the extent it would be included in the total interest expense of the Company calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, interest accruing on any indebtedness of any other Person to the extent such indebtedness is guaranteed by (or secured by a Lien on the assets of) the Company or any Subsidiary.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income (loss) attributable to the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding, without duplication, (a) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period to the extent included in net income (loss), (b) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions in accordance with GAAP or changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period, (c) the income (or loss) of any Person in which any other Person has an ownership interest other than a Subsidiary, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by such Person during such period, (d) the income of any Subsidiary of the Company (other than any Guarantor) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is subject to an absolute prohibition during such period by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary (other than any prohibition that has been waived or otherwise released), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid by such Subsidiary to the Company or any other Subsidiary that is not subject to such prohibitions, (e) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except as provided in the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio”), (f) after tax gains or Charges (less all fees and expenses chargeable thereto) attributable to any asset dispositions outside the ordinary course of business (including asset retirement costs) or of returned surplus assets of any employee benefit plan, (g) any net gains or Charges with respect to (i) disposed, abandoned, divested and/or discontinued assets, properties or operations (other than assets, properties or operations pending the disposal, abandonment, divestiture and/or termination thereof) and (ii) facilities that have been closed during such period, (h) any net income or loss (less all fees and expenses or Charges related thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments and (i) any write-off or amortization made in such period of deferred financing costs and premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection with any early extinguishment of indebtedness, (j) any impairment Charge or asset write-off or write-down, or asset write-up, related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets and Investments in debt and equity securities, (k) Non-Cash Compensation Expenses, (l) any unrealized gains and losses from Hedging Obligations or from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or any comparable regulation, (m) adjustments attributable to the application of recapitalization or acquisition accounting in relation to any consummated Acquisition Transaction, (n) any Charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any equity offering, investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence or repayment of indebtedness (including a refinancing or amendment, waiver or other modification thereof) (whether or not successful), (o) (A) extraordinary Charges and (B) unusual or nonrecurring Charges, (p) all cash and Non-Cash Charges and expenses incurred before the Issue Date with respect to the Seagate Arbitration to the extent that the aggregate amount of all such Charges and expenses do not exceed $32 million, (q) transaction fees, costs and expenses incurred to the extent reimbursable by third parties pursuant to indemnification provisions or insurance; provided that the Company in good faith expects to receive reimbursement for such fees, costs and expenses within the next four (4) fiscal quarters (it being understood that to the extent not actually received within such fiscal quarters, such reimbursement amounts shall be deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income at the end of such four fiscal quarter period), (r) casualty or business interruption insurance in an amount representing the losses for the applicable period that such proceeds are intended to replace (whether or not yet received so long as the Company in good faith expects to receive the same within the next four (4) fiscal quarters (it being understood that to the extent not actually received within such fiscal quarters, such

 

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proceeds shall be deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal quarters in the future)) and (s) any net gain or loss resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk).

Consolidated Priority Debt means, as of any date of determination, an aggregate amount equal to (without duplication) (x) the aggregate principal amount of Debt as of such date that is then secured by Liens on Property of the Company or any Subsidiary (including all Attributable Debt) plus (y) all outstanding Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt as of such date; provided that the following shall be excluded from calculating such aggregate amount: (i) any Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by Liens described in Sections 4.13(5) and (9)(x) and (ii) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt described in Section 4.11(5).

Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio means, as of any date of determination the ratio of (a) Consolidated Priority Debt to (b) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available; provided, however, that:

(1) if the Company or any Subsidiary has incurred any Debt since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio is an incurrence of Debt, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated Priority Debt for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Debt as if such Debt had been incurred on the first day of such period;

(2) if the Company or any Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise discharged any Debt since the beginning of such period or if any Debt is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged (in each case other than Debt incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Priority Debt for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and as if the Company or such Subsidiary had not earned the interest income actually earned during such period in respect of cash or cash equivalents used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such Debt;

(3) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made any asset disposition, EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such asset disposition for such period, or increased by an amount equal to EBITDA (if negative), directly attributable thereto for such period;

(4) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an investment in any Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business, EBITDA and Consolidated Priority Debt for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the incurrence of any Debt) as if such investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period;

(5) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any asset disposition, any investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Subsidiary during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated Priority Debt for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such asset disposition, investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period; and

(6) for purposes of calculating the amount under clause (1) above on any date of determination, amounts of revolving credit indebtedness committed pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any Credit

 

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Facility that may be incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries and which, upon incurrence, will be secured by a Lien, may at the Company’s election (as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate) be deemed to be outstanding at all times and subsequent borrowings, reborrowings, renewals, replacements and extensions of such revolving credit indebtedness, up to such maximum committed amount, shall not be deemed additional incurrences of Debt requiring calculations under this definition (but subsequent incremental borrowings in connection with increases in such maximum committed amount shall require calculations under this definition or shall otherwise comply with Section 4.13).

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Acquisition Transaction or disposition of assets, the amount of income, earnings or EBITDA relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Priority Debt incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). If any Debt is incurred under a revolving credit facility and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Debt shall be calculated based on the average daily balance of such Debt for the four fiscal quarters subject to the pro forma calculation to the extent that such Debt was incurred solely for working capital purposes.

Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee located at U.S. Bank National Association, 633 West Fifth Street, 24th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071; Attention: P. Oswald (Western Digital Corporation Senior Notes due 2026), or such other office, designated by the Trustee by written notice to the Company, at which at any particular time this Indenture shall be administered.

Credit Agreement means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among the Company, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith and any agreement (and related document) governing Debt incurred to Refinance, in whole or in part, the borrowings and commitments then outstanding or permitted to be outstanding under the Credit Agreement or a successor Credit Agreement.

Credit Facilities means (a) one or more debt facilities (including the Credit Agreement or any other credit facility), commercial paper facilities, securities purchase agreements, indentures, fiscal agency agreements, any letter of credit facility or similar agreements or any other financing agreement or arrangement, in each case, with agents, banks or other lenders, investors, trustees or fiscal agents providing for revolving loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) letters of credit, the issuance of securities or other long-term indebtedness, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and (b) any amendments, restatements, replacements (whether upon or after termination or otherwise), refinancings, refundings, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals or other modifications thereof (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time, including any one or more of the foregoing that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed or issued thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that any such increase in borrowings or issuances is permitted under Section 4.13 herein) or that add additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, and whether with the same or any other agent, trustee, fiscal agent, lender, investor, holder or group of agents, trustees, fiscal agents, lenders, investors or holders.

Currency Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement with respect to currency values.

Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Debt” means any indebtedness for borrowed money. For the avoidance of doubt, Debt only includes indebtedness for the repayment of money borrowed, and does not include any other kind of indebtedness or obligation notwithstanding that such other indebtedness or obligation may be evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or other

 

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similar instrument, may be in the nature of a financing transaction, or may be an obligation that under GAAP is classified as “debt” or another type of liability, whether required to be reflected on the balance sheet of the obligor or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Debt” excludes any indebtedness of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries owing to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or a successor thereto registered under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulation.

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event:

(1) matures (excluding any maturities as a result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Capital Stock of such Person which is not itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

(2) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder for indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

(3) is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part;

in each case on or prior to the day that is 91 days after the earlier of the Stated Maturity of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that (x) only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock and (y) if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy obligations as a result of such employee’s death or disability; provided, further, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a “change of control” occurring on or prior to 91 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if:

(1) the “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the terms applicable to the Notes and described under Section 4.09; and

(2) any such requirement only becomes operative after compliance with such terms applicable to the Notes, including the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto.

EBITDA” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus

(a) without duplication and to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (other than in the case of clause (vii) below), the sum of the following amounts for such period:

 

  (i) Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

  (ii) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign, state, franchise, excise and similar taxes paid or accrued during such period (including in respect of repatriated funds);

 

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  (iii) depreciation and amortization, including amortization of intangible assets established through purchase accounting and amortization of deferred financing fees or costs;

 

  (iv) Non-Cash Charges;

 

  (v) Charges attributable to the undertaking and/or implementation of cost savings initiatives, operating expense reductions and other restructuring, integration or transformational Charges (including inventory optimization expenses, business optimization expenses, transaction costs, costs related to the opening, closure, consolidation or separation of facilities and curtailments, costs related to entry into new markets, consulting fees, recruiter fees, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, relocation costs, severance payments, and modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans); provided that amounts added back pursuant to this clause (v), together with any amounts added back pursuant to clause (vii) below and the amount of any Pro Forma Adjustment to EBITDA for such period, shall not exceed the greater of $500 million and 15% of EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to any such add-back); provided further that Charges relating to the Transactions and up to $800 million of the foregoing in connection with the MOFCOM Restructuring, in each case, added back to EBITDA pursuant to this clause (v) for any period ending on or prior to the 24th month following the Existing Notes Issue Date shall not be subject to the caps in the preceding proviso;

 

  (vi) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary;

 

  (vii) expected cost savings, operating expense reductions, restructuring Charges and expenses and synergies (net of the amount of actual amounts realized) reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and reasonably anticipated to be realized within 18 months of the date thereof (in the good faith determination of the Company) related to permitted asset sales, acquisitions, investments, dispositions, operating improvements, restructurings, cost savings initiatives and certain other similar initiatives conducted after the Existing Notes Issue Date; provided that amounts added back pursuant to this clause (vii), together with any amounts added back pursuant to clause (v) above and the amount of any Pro Forma Adjustment to EBITDA for such period, shall not exceed the greater of $500 million and 15% of EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to any such add-back); provided further that any of the foregoing in connection with (A) the SanDisk Transactions and (B) up to $650 million of the foregoing in connection with the MOFCOM Restructuring, in each case, added back to EBITDA pursuant to this clause (vii) for any period ending on or prior to the 24th month following the Existing Notes Issue Date shall not be subject to the caps in the preceding proviso; and

 

  (viii) earn-out obligations incurred in connection with any acquisition or other investment and paid or accrued during the applicable period; less

(b) without duplication and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, non-cash gains for such period (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period); provided, in each case, that, if any non-cash gain represents an accrual or asset for future cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof shall in such future period be added to EBITDA for such period to the extent excluded from EBITDA in any prior period,

(c) increased or decreased by (without duplication):

 

  (i)

any net gain or loss resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and International Accounting

 

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  Standards No. 39 and their respective related pronouncements and interpretations; plus or minus, as applicable;

 

  (ii) any net gain or loss resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk); and

 

  (iii) any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 460, Guarantees, or any comparable regulation;

in each case, as determined on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

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

Excluded Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle that exists solely to facilitate a Permitted Receivables Financing.

Existing Notes” means the 2023 Secured Notes and the 2024 Unsecured Notes.

Existing Notes Issue Date” means April 13, 2016.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company shall be permitted to treat any agreement or arrangement, which would be accounted for on the Existing Notes Issue Date as an operating lease under GAAP, whether existing on the Existing Notes Issue Date or entered into thereafter, under the standards applicable to operating leases under GAAP as in effect on the Existing Notes Issue Date and (ii) all obligations of any Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions, covenants and calculations for purposes of this Indenture (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as a capital lease in any financial statements delivered under this Indenture.

Global Note” means a global Note or global Notes in registered form, registered in the name of a Depository or its nominee.

Government Securities” means securities that are (1) direct obligations of the United States for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depositary receipt.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, municipal, national or other government, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, court, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government or any court (including any supra-national body exercising such powers or functions, such as the European Union or the European Central Bank), in each case whether associated with a state or locality of the United States or the United States.

 

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Guarantee” or “Note Guarantee” means a guarantee by a Guarantor of the Company’s obligations with respect to the Notes.

Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Company that executes this Indenture as a guarantor on the Issue Date and each other Subsidiary of the Company that thereafter executes a supplemental indenture providing its Guarantee pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

holder” or “noteholder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

Interest Payment Date” means [●] and [●] of each year, commencing [●], 2018.

Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.

Investment” means any purchase, holding or acquisition (including pursuant to any merger or amalgamation with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger or amalgamation) of any equity interests in or evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, loans or advances to, guarantees of any obligations of, or any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) and BBB— (or the equivalent) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof) and S&P (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof), respectively.

Issue Date” means [●], 2018, the original date of issuance of the Notes.

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof); provided, however, that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien. For the avoidance of doubt, the grant by any Person of a non-exclusive license to use intellectual property owned by, licensed to, or developed by such Person and such license activity shall not constitute a grant by such Person of a Lien on such intellectual property.

Material Capital Markets Debt” means (i) any Debt consisting of bonds, debentures, notes or other similar debt securities issued in (a) a public offering registered under the Securities Act, (b) a private placement to institutional investors that is resold in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act, or (c) a placement to institutional investors, in each case in aggregate principal amount of $100 million or more, and (ii) the Existing Notes. The term “Material Capital Markets Debt” shall not include any Debt under commercial bank facilities or similar Debt or any other type of Debt incurred in a manner not customarily viewed as a “securities offering.”

Maturity Date” means [●], 2026.

MOFCOM Restructuring” means the sale, transfer or other disposition (i) of any assets required by any antitrust authority or other regulatory authority in connection with the SanDisk Acquisition or (ii) that are part of any intercompany restructuring in connection with requirements imposed by the Ministry of Commerce of the People Republic of China within 24 months of the Existing Notes Issue Date.

Non-Cash Charges” means (a) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets and Investments in debt and equity securities pursuant to GAAP,

 

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(b) all non-cash losses from investments recorded using the equity method, (c) all Non-Cash Compensation Expenses, (d) the non-cash impact of purchase or recapitalization accounting and (e) all other non-cash charges (provided that, in each case, if any non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period).

Non-Cash Compensation Expense” means any non-cash expenses and costs that result from the issuance of stock-based awards, limited liability company or partnership interest-based awards and similar incentive-based compensation awards or arrangements.

Notes” means the Company’s [●]% Senior Notes due 2026 issued under this Indenture.

Officer” means the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, any executive vice president, senior vice president or vice president, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer or the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Company.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel who is reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) pledges or deposits by such Person under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation or in connection with old age benefits, social security obligations, statutory obligations or other similar charges (and pledges and deposits made in respect of letters of credit, surety bonds, bank guarantees or similar instruments supporting such obligations), in connection with bids, tenders, contracts or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or pledges or deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or similar instruments (and pledges and deposits made in respect of letters of credit, surety bonds, bank guarantees or similar instruments supporting such obligations) to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(2) carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, in each case for sums not overdue by more than 60 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review and Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution; provided, however, that such deposit accounts or funds are not established or deposited for the purpose of providing collateral for any indebtedness and are not subject to restrictions on access by such Person in excess of those required by applicable banking regulations;

(3) Liens for taxes not yet due and payable and Liens (or deposits as security) for taxes, which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves have been provided for in accordance with GAAP;

(4) Liens in favor of issuers of customs, stay, performance, bid, appeal or surety bonds, completion guarantees or letters of credit and other obligations of a like nature issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(5) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with indebtedness and which do not

 

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in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(6) Liens securing Hedging Obligations;

(7) Liens incurred to secure cash management services in the ordinary course of business;

(8) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(9) Liens on any cash earnest money deposits, escrow arrangements or similar arrangements made by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in connection with a transaction permitted under this Indenture;

(10) Liens arising by virtue of Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings (or similar filings under applicable law) regarding operating leases entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business or consignments entered into in connection with any transaction otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(11) interests or title of, or Lien securing interests of, a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor under a lease (other than a Capital Lease Obligation) entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(12) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods by any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(13) Liens arising under any Permitted Receivables Financing;

(14) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses, including non-exclusive software licenses, granted to others in the ordinary course of business that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or secure any Indebtedness;

(15) 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; encumbrances or restrictions set forth in the organizational documents (or any related joint venture, shareholders’ or similar agreement) of any non-wholly owned Subsidiary or any Person that is not a Subsidiary in respect of their respective Capital Stock;

(16) ground leases or subleases, licenses or sublicenses in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

(17) licenses, sublicenses, covenants not to sue or other grants of rights to intellectual property rights granted (i) in the ordinary course of business or (ii) in the reasonable business judgment of the Company or the Subsidiaries in the conduct of its business (including in the settlement of litigation or entering into cross-licenses);

(18) any zoning, building or similar law or right reserved to, or vested in, any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary course of conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and

(19) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right to set off), which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(20) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit, automatic clearing

 

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house or sweep accounts of the Company or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or (iv) relating to the credit cards and credit accounts of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and

(21) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and the proceeds thereof of any Person securing such Person’s obligations under any agreement to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods, and pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business securing inventory purchases from vendors.

Permitted Receivables Financing” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to which it sells, conveys or contributes to capital or otherwise transfers (which sale, conveyance, contribution to capital or transfer may include or be supported by the grant of a security interest in) Receivables or interests therein and all collateral securing such Receivables, all contracts and contract rights, purchase orders, security interests, financing statements or other documentation in respect of such Receivables, any guarantees, indemnities, warranties or other obligations in respect of such Receivables, any other assets that are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving receivables similar to such Receivables and any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Related Assets”), all of which such sales, conveyances, contributions to capital or transfers shall be made by the transferor for fair value as reasonably determined by the Company (calculated in a manner typical for such transactions including a fair market discount from the face value of such Receivables) (a) to a trust, partnership, corporation or other Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary (other than any Receivables Financing Subsidiary)), which transfer is funded in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the incurrence or issuance by the transferee or any successor transferee of Debt, fractional undivided interests or other securities that are to receive payments from, or that represent interests in, the cash flow derived from such Receivables and Related Assets or interests in such Receivables and Related Assets, or (b) directly to one or more investors or other purchasers (other than the Company or any Subsidiary), it being understood that a Permitted Receivables Financing may involve (i) one or more sequential transfers or pledges of the same Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein (such as a sale, conveyance or other transfer to any Receivables Financing Subsidiary followed by a pledge of the transferred Receivables and Related Assets to secure Debt incurred by the Receivables Financing Subsidiary), and all such transfers, pledges and Debt incurrences shall be part of and constitute a single Permitted Receivables Financing, and (ii) periodic transfers or pledges of Receivables and/or revolving transactions in which new Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, are transferred or pledged upon collection of previously transferred or pledged Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, provided that any such transactions shall provide for recourse to such Subsidiary (other than any Receivables Financing Subsidiary) or the Company (as applicable) only in respect of the cash flows in respect of such Receivables and Related Assets and to the extent of breaches of representations and warranties relating to the Receivables, dilution of the Receivables, customary indemnities and other customary securitization undertakings in the jurisdiction relevant to such transactions.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

Pro Forma Adjustment means, for any period with respect to any Acquisition Transaction or asset disposition, the pro forma increase in EBITDA projected by the Company in good faith based on the Company’s reasonable assumptions that are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies to be achieved as a result thereof, within 18 months of the date of such Acquisition Transaction or asset disposition so long as the actions necessary to achieve such cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken within twelve months of such Acquisition Transaction or asset disposition. Any such pro forma increase to EBITDA shall be without duplication for cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies already included in EBITDA for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Pro Forma Adjustment to EBITDA for any period, together with any amounts added back pursuant to

 

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clauses (v) and (vii) of the definition of “EBITDA” for such period, shall not exceed the greater of $500 million and 15% of EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to such add-back).

Property” means any property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, including current assets owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, but excluding deposit or other control accounts and any property or asset that the Board of Directors by resolution determines in good faith (taking into account, among other things, the materiality of such property to the business, financial condition and earnings of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole) not to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Prospectus” means the Prospectus dated [●], 2018 relating to the initial offering of the Notes.

Rating Agencies” means S&P and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the respective rating agency business thereof.

Rating Event” means (1) the ratings of the Notes are lowered by each of the Rating Agencies and (2) the Notes are rated below the rating by such Rating Agency in effect immediately preceding the first public announcement of the Change of Control (or occurrence thereof if such Change of Control occurs prior to or concurrently with a public announcement) and are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any day during the period (which period will be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies) that (1) commences on the earlier of (x) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the intention of the Company to effect a Change of Control and (y) the occurrence of such Change of Control and (2) ends 60 days following the consummation of such Change of Control.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Ratings Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Ratings Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Company that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Ratings Event). The Trustee shall not have any obligation to monitor the occurrence or dates of any Rating Event and may rely conclusively on such Officer’s Certificate related to such Change of Control Triggering Event. The Trustee shall not have any obligation to notify the holders of the occurrence or dates of any Rating Event.

Receivables” means accounts receivable (including all rights to payment created by or arising from the sale of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services, no matter how evidenced (including in the form of a chattel paper)).

Receivables Financing Subsidiary” means any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company formed solely for the purpose of, and that engages only in, one or more Permitted Receivables Financings.

Record Date” means the applicable Record Date specified in the Notes.

Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture and such Notes.

Refinance” means, in respect of any Debt, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Debt in exchange or replacement for, such Debt. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer in the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity

 

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with the particular subject and shall also mean any officer who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to a Property owned by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company whereby the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company transfers such property to a Person and the Company or the Subsidiary of the Company leases it from such Person.

SanDisk Acquisition” means the acquisition of SanDisk Corporation by the Company pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 21, 2015.

SanDisk Transactions” means (i) the SanDisk Acquisition, (ii) the entry into the Credit Agreement, (iii) the issuance of the Existing Notes and (iv) the payment of all fees and expenses related thereto.

Seagate Arbitration” means the arbitration between the Company and Seagate Technology, LLC and related matters based on the actions initially filed by Seagate Technology, LLC on October 4, 2006.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

(1) such Person;

(2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or

(3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended.

Transactions” means the offering of the Notes, the Convertible Notes Offering (as defined in the Prospectus), the TLA Increase (as defined in the Prospectus), extension of the Revolving Credit Facility and amendments to the Credit Agreement, the 2024 Tender Offer (as defined in the Prospectus) and the payment of all fees and expenses related thereto.

Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.

U.S. Legal Tender” means such coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to

 

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vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or the controlling managing member or general partner, as applicable).

SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Defined in Section

“Adjusted Treasury Rate”    Exhibit A
“Applicable Premium”    Exhibit A
“Change of Control Offer”    4.09
“Change of Control Payment Date”    4.09
“Comparable Treasury Issue”    Exhibit A
“Comparable Treasury Price”    Exhibit A
“covenant defeasance”    8.02
“Debt”    4.13
“delayed Redemption Date”    3.07
“DTC”    2.03
“Event of Default”    6.01
“Guarantee Obligations”    11.01
“legal defeasance”    8.02
“Participants”    2.15
“Paying Agent”    2.03
“Physical Notes”    2.01
“Quotation Agent”    Exhibit A
“Reference Treasury Dealer”    Exhibit A
“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations”    Exhibit A
“Remaining Scheduled Payments”    Exhibit A
“Registrar”    2.03

SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of TIA.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, such provision is incorporated by reference in, and made a part of, this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

indenture securities” means the Notes.

indenture security holder” means a holder or a noteholder.

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor on the Notes.

All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.

SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(3) “or” is not exclusive;

(4) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular;

(5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(6) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(7) the words “including,” “includes” and similar words shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.”

ARTICLE TWO

THE NOTES

SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating.

The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. The Company shall approve the form of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on them. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

The Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A, deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided and shall bear the legends set forth in Exhibit B. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, as hereinafter provided.

Notes may be issued in the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “Physical Notes”) in exchange for interests in Global Notes only in the circumstances and manner set forth in Section 2.15.

SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication.

One Officer of the Company (who shall have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate actions) shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note or Note Guarantee, as the case may be, was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note or Note Guarantee, as the case may be, shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $[●] upon a written order of the Company in the form of an Officer’s Certificate. In addition, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Additional Notes from time to time thereafter in unlimited amount (so long as not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Indenture) for original issue upon a written order of the

 

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Company in the form of an Officer’s Certificate. Each such Officer’s Certificate shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company and Affiliates of the Company.

The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company shall maintain an office or agency in the United States (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar), where (a) Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”), (b) Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”) and (c) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States, for such purposes. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as its own Registrar or Paying Agent provided compliance with the proviso of the previous sentence. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company, upon notice to the Trustee, may have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional paying agents reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent until such time as the Trustee has resigned or a successor has been appointed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall the Trustee be the Company’s agent for service of legal process.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA to the extent applicable. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee, in advance, of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such.

The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above.

SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all assets held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, or interest on, the Notes (whether such assets have been distributed to it by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes), and shall notify the Trustee of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment. In the event that the Paying Agent receives funds in advance of any due date, the Paying Agent shall be entitled to invest such funds in the U.S. Bank Money Market Deposit Account or any substantially similar successor account, any earnings on which shall be for the account of the Company. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to distribute all assets held by it to the Trustee and account for any assets disbursed and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment Default, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to distribute all assets held by it to the Trustee and to account for any assets distributed. Upon distribution to the Trustee of all assets that shall have been delivered by the Company to the

 

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Paying Agent, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for such assets. Upon any bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Company, the Trustee shall automatically serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

SECTION 2.05. Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least four (4) Business Days prior to each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of holders, which list may be conclusively relied upon by the Trustee.

SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.

Subject to Section 2.15, when Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer of such Notes or to exchange such Notes for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar or co-Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if the requirements in this Indenture are met; provided, however, that the Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar or co-Registrar, duly executed by the holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s or co-Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee or any Agent for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any taxes, assessments or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Without the prior written consent of the Company, the Registrar or co-Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note (i) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the sending of a notice of redemption of Notes and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or other transmission, (ii) selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article Three, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, (iii) during a Change of Control Offer if such Note is validly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer and not validly withdrawn or (iv) beginning at the opening of business 15 days before an Interest Payment Date.

Any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Notes may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by the holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Note shall be required to be reflected in a book-entry system.

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Notes.

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or if the holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Company determines that the requirements of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such holder shall furnish an affidavit of loss and such holder must provide an indemnity bond or other indemnity, sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee, to protect the Trustee, and the Company, to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge such holder for its expenses in replacing a Note pursuant to this Section 2.07, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and of the Trustee. In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and every replacement Note Guarantee shall constitute an additional obligation of the Guarantor thereof.

 

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The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Notes.

Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective Affiliates holds the Note (subject to the provisions of Section 2.09).

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and the Company receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.07. If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest ceases to accrue. If on a Redemption Date, the Maturity Date, a Change of Control Payment Date, an Asset Sale Payment Date or any other date payment on the Notes is due the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate thereof) holds U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government Securities sufficient to pay all of the principal and interest due on the Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

SECTION 2.09. Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the holder of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be disregarded, except that, for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in conclusively relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be disregarded.

SECTION 2.10. Temporary Notes.

Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate and make ready for delivery temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver them definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as definitive Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Notes may be in typewritten form.

SECTION 2.11. Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee, or at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary), and no one else, shall cancel and, at the written direction of the Company, shall dispose of all Notes surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation in accordance with its customary procedures and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company upon the Company’s written request. Subject to Section 2.07, the Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. If the Company or any Guarantor shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.11.

SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall, unless the Trustee fixes another record date pursuant to Section 6.10, pay the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the

 

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defaulted interest pursuant to this Indenture, in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are holder on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be the fifteenth day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest. At least 15 days before any such subsequent special record date, the Company shall mail to each holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice that states the subsequent special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on such defaulted interest, if any, to be paid.

SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc.

The Company in issuing the Notes may use a “CUSIP” number, ISIN or “Common Code” number (in each case if then generally in use), and if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number, ISIN or “Common Code” number in notices of redemption, repurchase or exchange as a convenience to holder; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the number printed in the notice or on the Notes, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers, ISINs or “Common Code” numbers.

SECTION 2.14. Deposit of Moneys.

Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each Interest Payment Date, Maturity Date, Redemption Date, Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date, Maturity Date, Redemption Date and Change of Control Payment Date, as the case may be, in a timely manner which permits the Paying Agent to remit payment to the holders on such Interest Payment Date, Maturity Date, Redemption Date or Change of Control Payment Date, as the case may be.

SECTION 2.15. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes.

(a) The Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Exhibit B.

Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Participants”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Note, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and Participants, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder or beneficial owner of any Note.

(b) Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be exchanged for Physical Notes only as follows: Physical Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in Global Notes if (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the Global Notes and a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company, with a copy to the Trustee, within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a written request from the Depository to issue Physical Notes.

(c) In connection with the transfer of a Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.15, such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and (i) the Company shall execute and (ii) the Trustee shall upon written instructions from the Company authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Physical Notes of authorized denominations.

 

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(d) The holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Participants and Persons that may hold interests through Participants, to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

(e) No Obligation of the Trustee.

(1) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the holders and all payments to be made to holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

(2) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates, opinions and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

ARTICLE THREE

REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 5 or Section 6 of the Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the redemption price, any conditions to such redemption and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed. The Company shall give notice of redemption to the Paying Agent and Trustee at least 19 days (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee in writing) but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (except that redemption notices may be delivered more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture), together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the conditions set forth in this Article Three; provided that, without limitation to the Company’s right to revoke a notice of redemption under the circumstances contemplated by Section 3.07 of this Indenture, such notice may be revoked by the Company by notice to the Trustee at any time prior to the time on the date specified by the Company for the Trustee to forward notice of such redemption to holders as provided in Section 3.03 or, if the Company does not request the Trustee to forward notice of such redemption to holders, at any time prior to the Company’s giving of the notice of such redemption to holders pursuant to Section 3.03 and shall thereby be void and of no effect.

SECTION 3.02. Selection of Notes to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption as follows:

(a) if the Notes are listed on a national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed (provided that the Company

 

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shall have notified the Trustee of such requirements prior to the delivery of notice of redemption to holders pursuant to Section 3.03); or

(b) if the Notes are not so listed (or if the Company has not notified the Trustee of the applicable requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed pursuant to clause (a) above), then, in the case of Notes that are not Global Notes, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate or, in the case of Global Notes, in accordance with the procedures of the Depository;

(c) if the Company redeems fewer than all the Notes at any time, the Trustee will select Notes on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements, including the applicable procedures of DTC.

provided that, in the case of such partial redemption pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 6 of the Notes, the Notes will be selected on a pro rata basis (unless, in the case of Global Notes, the procedures of the Depository provide for a different basis of selection, in which case such selection shall be made in accordance with such procedures); provided, further, that, in the case of clause (a) above, the Company shall have provided the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate describing or attaching a copy of the applicable requirements of such securities exchange. The Trustee shall not be responsible for determining whether or not any such requirements of any such securities exchange exist and will use reasonable efforts to comply with any such requirements of which it is so notified.

Notes may be redeemed in part in integral multiples of $1,000; provided, that the remaining principal amount of any Note redeemed in part must not be less than $2,000. So long as the Notes are represented by a Global Note or Global Notes registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, neither the Trustee nor any of its agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depository.

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address (or deliver by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC), except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. At the Company’s request (which shall specify the date and time at which the Trustee shall forward the notice of redemption) given at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date such notice shall be sent (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period), the Trustee shall (on such date and at or promptly after such time) forward the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense unless the Company shall have revoked such notice of redemption in compliance with Section 3.01. Each notice for redemption shall identify the Notes (including the CUSIP number, ISIN or “Common Code” number) to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the Redemption Date, if any, to be paid;

(3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(4) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any;

(5) any conditions to such redemption as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, and the Company may at its option also include a statement to the effect that the Redemption Date may be delayed, on one or more occasions and in the Company’s sole discretion, either (at the Company’s option) to a date specified by the Company in a subsequent notice to holders (subject, if the Company shall so

 

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elect, to the satisfaction of any or all such conditions or the Company’s written waiver of any such conditions that are not satisfied) or until such time as any or all such conditions have been satisfied or waived by the Company in writing, and that, if any such condition shall not have been satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay such Redemption Date), then (unless the Company shall have waived in writing any such conditions that are not satisfied), the Company shall have no obligation to redeem the Notes called for redemption on such Redemption Date (as the same may have been delayed by the Company as aforesaid) and may cancel such redemption and rescind such notice of redemption;

(6) that, if (in the case of a notice of a redemption that is subject to conditions) all conditions to such redemption are satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay such Redemption Date) or the Company waives in writing any such conditions that are not satisfied, then, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date (or, if such redemption is subject to conditions and the Company has elected to delay such Redemption Date as described in clause (5) above, on and after such delayed Redemption Date (as defined in Section 3.07)), and the only remaining right of the holders of such Notes is to receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Notes redeemed;

(7) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date (or, if such redemption is subject to conditions and the Company has elected to delay such Redemption Date as described in clause (5) above, after such delayed Redemption Date), and upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued; and

(8) if fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Notes (or portion thereof) to be redeemed, as well as the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be outstanding after such partial redemption.

The notice, if sent in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to send such notice or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Calculation of the redemption price will be made by the Company or on its behalf by such person as the Company shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 3.03 and all conditions (if any) to such redemption are satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay the applicable Redemption Date as provided in this Article Three) or the Company waives in writing any such conditions that are not satisfied, (i) Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, the applicable delayed Redemption Date (as defined below), as the case may be) and at the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any, (ii) upon surrender to the Trustee or Paying Agent, such Notes called for redemption shall be paid at the redemption price (which shall include accrued interest thereon to the Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, the applicable delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be)), except if the Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, the applicable delayed Redemption Date) for any Notes is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name such Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no additional interest will be payable to holders whose Notes are subject to redemption by the Company on such Redemption Date (or such delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be), and (iii) on and after the Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, the applicable delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be) subject to Section 3.05, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

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SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.

Unless the Company shall have cancelled the applicable redemption as provided in Section 3.07, on or before 11:00 a.m. New York time on the Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, the applicable delayed Redemption Date (as defined in Section 3.07), as the case may be), the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent U.S. Legal Tender sufficient to pay the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any, of all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

If the Company complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company defaults in the payment of such redemption price plus accrued interest, if any, interest on the Notes to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, the applicable delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be), whether or not such Notes are presented for payment.

SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.

If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note or Notes shall be issued in the name of the holder thereof.

SECTION 3.07. Conditions to Redemption; Delay of Redemption Date.

Any redemption may, at the Company’s sole discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, which shall be described in the related notice of redemption to holders, which conditions may include, without limitation, completion of one or more equity offerings, other securities offerings or other financings, transactions or events. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice to holders may (at the option of the Company) include a statement to the effect that the Redemption Date may be delayed, on one or more occasions and in the Company’s sole discretion, either (at the Company’s option) to a date specified by the Company in a subsequent notice to holders and the Trustee (subject, if the Company shall so elect, to satisfaction of any or all such conditions or the Company’s written waiver of any such conditions that are not satisfied) or until such time as any or all of such conditions have been satisfied or waived by the Company in writing, and that, if any such conditions shall not have been satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay such Redemption Date), then (unless the Company shall have waived in writing any such conditions that are not satisfied), the Company shall have no obligation to redeem the Notes called for redemption on such Redemption Date (as the same may have been delayed by the Company as aforesaid) and may cancel such proposed redemption and rescind any notice of such redemption. In order to delay any Redemption Date (or to further delay any delayed Redemption Date (as defined below)), the Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee and the holders of the Notes, at least two Business Days before such Redemption Date (or such delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be), to the effect that the Company has elected to delay such Redemption Date (or such delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be) and specifying the new Redemption Date (a “delayed Redemption Date”) (which may, at the Company’s option, be specified as the date on which any or all conditions to such redemption are satisfied (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) or waived by the Company as provided in this Article Three). Upon the Company’s written request given at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date such notice shall be sent (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period), the Trustee shall (on at the date specified in such written request or promptly after such time) forward such notice to the holders in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given. The Company may delay any Redemption Date on one or more occasions.

If all conditions precedent (if any) to any redemption of the Notes shall not have been satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay such Redemption Date) or waived by the Company in writing and the Company has not elected to delay (or further delay) the applicable Redemption Date (or the applicable delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be), the Company shall provide written notice to the effect that the Company has elected to cancel such redemption to the holders of Notes and the Trustee prior to close of business two Business Days prior to such Redemption Date (or such delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be). Upon the holders of Notes and the Trustee’s receipt of such notice, the notice of such redemption shall be automatically rescinded and such redemption shall be automatically cancelled and the Company shall have no obligation

 

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to redeem the Notes called for redemption. Upon the Company’s written request given at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date such notice shall be sent (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period), the Trustee shall (on at the date specified in such written request or promptly after such time) forward such notice to the holders in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

Any notice to holders pursuant to this Section 3.07, if sent in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the delay of any Redemption Date (or the further delay of any delayed Redemption Date) or the automatic rescission of any notice of redemption or automatic cancellation of redemption of the Notes.

ARTICLE FOUR

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes.

The Company shall duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal of or interest on the Notes shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate thereof) holds on that date U.S. Legal Tender designated for and sufficient to pay the installment. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes in global form registered in the name of or held by the Depository or its nominee in immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid interest (including, without limitation, post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and, to the extent such payments are lawful, interest on overdue premium, if any, and overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum borne by the Notes.

SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in the United States, the office or agency required under Section 2.03. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 12.02.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The Company may, at its option, pay interest on the Notes by check mailed to holders of the Notes at their registered addresses as they appear in the Registrar’s books.

The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office, as such office of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

SECTION 4.03. Corporate Existence.

Except as otherwise permitted by Article Five, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective organizational documents of each such Subsidiary and the material rights (charter and statutory) and material franchises of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such

 

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right, franchise or corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence with respect to any such Subsidiary if the loss thereof would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

SECTION 4.04. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

Each of the Company and the Guarantors that are individually Significant Subsidiaries shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or upon the income, profits or property of it and (b) all lawful material claims for labor, materials and supplies which, in each case, if unpaid, might by law become a material liability or Lien upon its property; provided, however, that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim (a) whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which appropriate provision has been made or (b) where the failure to effect such payment would not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company or such Guarantors to perform each of their respective obligations hereunder.

SECTION 4.05. [Intentionally Omitted.]

SECTION 4.06. Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default.

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the Issue Date, a certificate that need not comply with Section 12.04 signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of such Officer’s knowledge, the Company and each Guarantor during such preceding fiscal year has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every such covenant and no Default occurred during such year and at the date of such certificate there is no Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if such signers do know of such Default, the certificate shall describe its status with particularity.

(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Default an Officer’s Certificate specifying the Default and describing its status with particularity and the action taken or proposed to be taken in respect thereof.

SECTION 4.07. [Reserved].

SECTION 4.08. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

Each of the Company and each Guarantor covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company or such Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of and/or interest on the Notes or the Note Guarantee of any such Guarantor as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 4.09. Change of Control Triggering Event.

Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless we have exercised our option to redeem all the Notes as described under Section 5 of the Notes, each holder of Notes shall have the right to require that the Company make an offer to purchase such noteholder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash

 

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equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of purchase.

If the Change of Control purchase date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest to the Change of Control purchase date will be paid on the Change of Control purchase date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date.

Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless the Company has exercised its option to redeem all the Notes as described under Section 5 of the Notes, the Company will mail (or deliver by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) a notice to each holder of Notes with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control Offer”) stating:

(1) that a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred and that such noteholder has the right to require the Company to purchase such noteholder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of purchase;

(2) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent) (the “Change of Control Payment Date”); and

(3) the instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a noteholder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or if the Company has exercised its option to redeem all the Notes pursuant to the provisions described under Section 5 of the Notes.

The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the covenant described hereunder, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the covenant described hereunder by virtue of our compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon such Change of Control Triggering Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of such Change of Control Offer. In such case, the notice shall state that, in the Company’s (or such third party offeror’s) discretion, the Change of Control purchase date may be delayed until such time as the Change of Control Triggering Event shall have occurred, or such repurchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that the Change of Control Triggering Event shall not have occurred by the Change of Control purchase date, or by the Change of Control purchase date as so delayed. If any such repurchase shall be rescinded or delayed, the Company shall provide written notice to the holders of Notes and the Trustee prior to the close of business at least two Business Days prior to the Change of Control purchase date (unless a shorter period shall be agreed to by the Trustee). Upon the Company’s written request given at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date such notice shall be sent (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period), the Trustee shall (on at the date specified in such written request or promptly after such time) forward such notice to the holders in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

 

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SECTION 4.10. [Reserved].

SECTION 4.11. Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt.

The Company will not permit any of its Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor (each such Subsidiary, a “Non-Guarantor Subsidiary”) to create, assume, incur, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Debt (any such Debt or guarantee, “Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt”), without causing such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) to guarantee the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on an unsecured unsubordinated basis until such time as such Debt or guarantee, as the case may be, is no longer outstanding or in effect.

The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt in any computation under such restriction, Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt constituting:

(1) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with or otherwise acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or otherwise becomes a Subsidiary of the Company (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Subsidiary) or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties and assets of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to a Subsidiary of the Company (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Subsidiary) and is assumed by such Subsidiary, other than any increase in the amount of such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (including any increase in the amount of such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt arising pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such acquisition) incurred in contemplation thereof; provided that any such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt is not guaranteed by any other Subsidiary of the Company (other than any Guarantee existing at the time of such merger, consolidation or sale, lease or other disposition of properties and assets and that was not issued in contemplation thereof);

(2) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt owed to the Company or any Subsidiary or under guarantees of any such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt;

(3) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt with respect to a Permitted Receivables Financing;

(4) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt permitted to be secured by Liens permitted by Section 4.13(5) and (11) herein (whether or not such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt is in fact secured by such Liens) and any Guarantees thereof;

(5) (x) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,500 million and (y) any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (or any guarantee thereof) referred to in the foregoing clause (x); provided that any such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 270 days of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt) of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt referred to in clause (x) and the outstanding amount of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding; or

(6) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt outstanding on the Issue Date and any extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt existing on the Issue Date or referred to in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4); provided that any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 270 days of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt) of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt referred to in this clause or clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above and the outstanding amount of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary of the Company may create, assume, incur, guarantee or otherwise become liable for Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt that would otherwise be subject to the restrictions set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant, without guaranteeing the notes, if after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt outstanding at such time (excluding, for purposes of determining such amount, any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (or any guarantee thereof) permitted

 

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as described in clauses (1)-(6) of the preceding paragraph) plus the aggregate principal amount of Debt secured by Liens on Properties then outstanding (excluding, for purposes of determining such amount, any such Debt secured by Liens described in Section 4.13(1)-(11) herein) that are not equally and ratably secured with the outstanding Notes (or secured on a basis junior to the outstanding Notes) plus all Attributable Debt of the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company in respect of Sale/ Leaseback Transactions with respect to Properties (with the exception of such transactions that are permitted under Section 4.12(1)-(4) herein), in each case without duplication, would not exceed the greater of (x) $1,500 million and (y) the amount that would cause the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio to exceed 2.50 to 1.00. Any Subsidiary also may, without guaranteeing the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence; provided that any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 270 days of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt) of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded and the outstanding amount of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

For purposes of the foregoing covenant, in the event that any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt described above, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify, and may reclassify, such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt and only be required to include the amount and type of such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt in one of the numbered paragraphs above or the immediately preceding paragraph, and Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt may be divided and classified and reclassified into more than one of the types of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt described above. In addition, for purposes of calculating compliance with the foregoing covenant, in no event will the amount of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt be required to be included more than once despite the fact more than one Person is or becomes liable with respect to any related Debt (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where more than one Subsidiary incurs Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt or otherwise becomes liable for such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt, the amount of such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt shall only be included once for purposes of such calculations).

In addition, the restrictions described above shall not restrict any guarantees by the Company or its Subsidiaries of operating leases of joint ventures.

SECTION 4.12. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions.

The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, enter into any Sale/ Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Property unless:

(1) the Sale/Leaseback Transaction is solely with the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company;

(2) the lease is for a period not in excess of 36 months (or which may be terminated by the Company or such Subsidiary), including renewals;

(3) the Sale/Leaseback Transaction was entered into prior to the Issue Date or the Company or such Subsidiary would (at the time of entering into such arrangement) be entitled as described in Section 4.13(1)-(11) herein without equally and ratably securing the Notes then outstanding under this Indenture, to create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by a Lien on such Property in the amount of the Attributable Debt arising from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction;

(4) the Company or such Subsidiary within 365 days after the sale of such Property in connection with such Sale/Leaseback Transaction is completed, applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale of such Property to (a) the retirement of Notes, other Debt of the Company ranking on a parity with the Notes (or the Guarantees of the Notes) or Debt of a Subsidiary of the Company, (b) the purchase, construction, development, expansion or improvement of Property; or (c) a combination thereof; or

 

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(5) (a) the Attributable Debt of the Company and Subsidiaries of the Company in respect of such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction and all other Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into after the Issue Date (other than any such Sale/Leaseback Transaction as would be permitted as described in clauses (1)-(4) of this sentence), plus

(b) the aggregate amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt outstanding at such time (excluding, for the purposes of determining such amount, any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (or any guarantee thereof) permitted as described in clauses (1)-(6) of the second paragraph under “ — Limitation on Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt”), plus

(c) the aggregate principal amount of Debt secured by Liens on Properties then outstanding (excluding, for the purposes of determining such amount, any such Debt secured by Liens described in Section 4.13(1)-(11)) that are not equally and ratably secured with the outstanding Notes (or secured on a basis junior to the outstanding Notes), in each case without duplication, would not exceed the greater of (x) $1,500 million and (y) the amount that would cause the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio to exceed 2.50 to 1.00.

SECTION 4.13. Limitation on Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Debt secured by a Lien upon (a) any Property of the Company or such Subsidiary, or (b) any shares of Capital Stock or other securities issued by any Subsidiary of the Company and owned by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, without effectively providing concurrently that the Notes then outstanding under this Indenture are secured equally and ratably with or, at the option of the Company, prior to such Debt so long as such Debt shall be so secured.

The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Debt (or any guarantee thereof) in any computation under such restriction, Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by:

(1) Liens on any property existing at the time of the acquisition thereof;

(2) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company; provided that any such Lien does not extend to any property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to such amalgamation, merger, consolidation, sale, lease or disposition;

(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company;

(4) Liens in favor of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company;

(5) (x) Liens to secure all or part of the cost of acquisition, construction, development or improvement of the underlying property, or to secure Debt in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $650 million incurred to provide funds for any such purpose; provided that the commitment of the creditor to extend the credit secured by any such Lien shall have been obtained no later than 270 days after the later of (a) the completion of the acquisition, construction, development or improvement of such property or (b) the placing in operation of such property; provided, further, that such Liens do not extend to any property other than such property subject to acquisition, construction, development or improvement and accessions thereto and improvements thereon and (y) Liens securing any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by a Lien referred to in the foregoing clause (x); provided that any Lien created or incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of such Debt (or any guarantee thereof) shall be created within 270 days of the repaying the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by the Lien referred to in the foregoing clause (x) and the principal amount of the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured thereby and not otherwise authorized by clause (x) shall not exceed the principal amount of such Debt (or any guarantee thereof), plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding;

(6) Liens existing on the Issue Date or Liens securing an extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by a Lien existing on the Issue Date, or referred to in clauses

 

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(1)-(3) or (10); provided that any Lien created or incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of such Debt (or any guarantee thereof) shall be created within 270 days of repaying the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by a Lien referred to in clauses (1)-(3) or (10) and the principal amount of the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured thereby and not otherwise authorized by clauses (1)-(3) or (10) shall not exceed the principal amount of such Debt (or any guarantee thereof), plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding;

(7) Liens in favor of the Notes and the Guarantees;

(8) Permitted Liens;

(9) Liens securing Debt pursuant to:

(x) the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement and any other Credit Facilities that are revolving credit facilities, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this clause (x) not to exceed $1,500 million;

(y) other Credit Facilities (including the term loans under the Credit Agreement), which may, for the avoidance of doubt, include revolving credit facilities (including an increase in a revolving credit facility incurred under clause (x) above), in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this clause (y) not to exceed an amount equal to $7,036 million plus the aggregate amount of any increase to the term loan A facilities under the Credit Agreement, if any, following the Issue Date in connection with the TLA Increase described in the Prospectus under “Prospectus Summary — Recent Developments — Increase and Extension of Term Loan A, the Revolving Credit Facility and Credit Agreement Amendments”; and

(z) (I) the 2023 Secured Notes in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed an amount equal to (A) $1,875 million less (B) the aggregate principal amount of 2023 Senior Secured Notes repurchased, redeemed or refinanced on or after the Issue Date in connection with the TLA Increase described in the Prospectus under “Prospectus Summary — Recent Developments — Increase and Extension of Term Loan A, the Revolving Credit Facility and Credit Agreement Amendments” and the convertible notes offering described in the Prospectus under “Prospectus Summary — Recent Developments — Convertible Notes Offering” and (II) Liens securing any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of the 2023 Secured Notes (or any guarantee thereof) not repurchased, redeemed or refinanced pursuant to the foregoing clause (I)(B); provided that any Lien created or incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of the 2023 Secured Notes (or any guarantee thereof) shall be created within 270 days of the repaying the 2023 Secured Notes (or any guarantee thereof) secured by the Lien referred to in the foregoing clause (I) and the principal amount of the Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured thereby and not otherwise authorized by clause (I) shall not exceed the principal amount of the 2023 Secured Notes (or any guarantee thereof), plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding;

(10) Liens on property of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries securing Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt; and

(11) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business securing Debt with an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $200 million.

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, the Company and any Subsidiaries of the Company may create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by Liens without equally and ratably securing the Notes then outstanding if, at the time of such creation, incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee, after giving effect thereto and to the retirement of any Debt which is concurrently being retired, the aggregate amount of all such Debt secured by Liens which would otherwise be subject to such restrictions (excluding, for the purposes of determining such amount, any Debt (or any guarantee thereof) secured by Liens permitted as described in clauses (1)-(11) of the immediately preceding paragraph) plus the aggregate amount of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt outstanding at such time (excluding, for the purposes of determining such amount, any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (or any guarantee thereof) permitted as described in Section 4.11(1)-(6) herein) plus all Attributable Debt of the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company in respect of Sale/ Leaseback Transactions with respect to Properties (with the exception of such transactions that are permitted under, in each case without duplication, Section 4.12(1)-(4) herein) would not exceed the greater of (x) $1,500 million and (y) the amount that would cause the Consolidated Priority Debt Ratio to exceed 2.50 to 1.00. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries also may, without equally and ratably securing the Notes, extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund any Debt secured by Liens permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence; provided that any Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 270 days of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations) of the Debt secured by Liens being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded and the outstanding amount of Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of the Debt secured by Liens being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

For purposes of the foregoing covenant, in the event that any Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Liens described above, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify, and may reclassify, such Liens and only be required to include the amount and type of such Liens in one of the numbered paragraphs above or the immediately preceding paragraph, and Liens may be divided and classified and reclassified into more than one of the types of Liens described above. In addition, for purposes of calculating compliance with the foregoing covenant, in no event will the amount of any Debt or Liens securing any Debt be required to be included more than once despite the fact more than one Person is or becomes liable with respect to such Debt and despite the fact such Debt is secured by the assets of more than one Person (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where there are Liens on assets of one or more of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries securing any Debt, the amount of such Debt secured shall only be included once for purposes of such calculations).

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, the loans and commitments outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the principal amount of 2023 Secured Notes facility outstanding on the Issue Date shall be secured pursuant to Section 4.13(9) above and may not be reclassified.

SECTION 4.14. SEC Reports.

As long as the Notes are outstanding, the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company has filed the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than confidential filings, documents subject to confidential treatment and correspondence with the SEC); provided that the electronic filing of the foregoing reports by the Company on the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor system) shall be deemed to satisfy the Company’s delivery obligations to the Trustee, it being understood that the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining whether such filings have been made. The Company shall also comply with the other provisions of TIA § 314(a), to the extent applicable. Delivery of any reports, information and documents to the Trustee will be for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee will be entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

ARTICLE FIVE

MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

SECTION 5.01. Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance.

(a) The Company may not (i) consolidate with or merge into any other entity or (ii) convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, unless:

(1) the Company is the successor entity, or the successor or transferee entity, if other than the Company, is a Person (if such Person is not a corporation, then such successor or transferee shall include a corporate co-issuer) organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on all the outstanding Notes and the performance of every covenant and obligation in this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company;

(2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, as defined in this Indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has happened and is continuing; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each in the form required by this Indenture and stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the foregoing provisions relating to such transaction, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company or successor entity, as applicable, subject to customary exceptions.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer (but not lease), the successor entity will succeed to and be substituted for the Company as obligor on the Notes, with the same effect as if it had been named in this Indenture as the Company.

(b) No Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into any other entity, unless:

(1) the Company or a Guarantor is the successor entity or the successor or transferee entity, if not such Guarantor prior to such consolidation or merger, shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such Guarantor was organized or under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to

 

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the Trustee in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply in the case of a Guarantor (x) that has been, or will be as a result of the subject transaction, disposed of in its entirety to another Person (other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), whether through a merger or consolidation or (y) that, as a result of the disposition of all or a portion of its Capital Stock, ceases to be a Subsidiary;

(2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, as defined in this Indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has happened and is continuing; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each in the form required by this Indenture and stating that such consolidation or merger and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the foregoing provisions relating to such transaction and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor or successor entity, as applicable, subject to customary exceptions.

Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, (x) clauses (a)(2)-(3) and (b)(2)-(3) of this Section 5.01 will not apply to a merger, transfer or conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and the Guarantors and (y) this Section 5.01 will not apply to any Subsidiary consolidating with, merging into or transferring all or part of its properties and assets to the Company and/or one or more Guarantors.

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may (x) merge with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (y) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor.

ARTICLE SIX

DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default.

Each of the following is an Event of Default with respect to the Notes (each an “Event of Default”):

(1) a default in the payment of interest on the Notes when due, continued for 30 days;

(2) a default in the payment of principal of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon redemption, upon required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

(3) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article Five and such failure continues for a period of 60 days;

(4) failure by the Company or any Guarantor, as the case may be, to comply for 90 days after written notice with any of its obligations in Section 4.14 herein;

(5) failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in this Indenture;

(6) Debt of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the total amount of such Debt unpaid or accelerated exceeds $500.0 million (the “cross acceleration provision”);

 

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(7) (a) the Company or a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) consents to the entry of judgment, decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for substantially all of its property;

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(v) consents to or acquiesces in the institution of a bankruptcy or an insolvency proceeding against it; or

(b) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief in an involuntary case against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law;

(ii) appoints a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law; or

(iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law;

and in the case of each of (i), (ii) and (iii) such order, decree or relief remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

(8) any final judgment or decree for the payment of money (other than judgments which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers) in excess of $500.0 million is entered against the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60 consecutive days following such judgment becoming final and is not discharged, waived or stayed within 30 days after notice (the “judgment default provision”); or

(9) a Guarantee of the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Guarantee) or a Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Guarantee of the Notes.

However, a default under clauses (4), (5) and (8) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company (with a copy to the Trustee if given by the holders) of the default and the Company does not cure such default within the time specified in clause (4), (5) or (8), as applicable, of this paragraph after receipt of such notice. Any default for the failure to deliver any report within the time periods prescribed in the covenant described under Section 4.14 or to deliver any notice or certificate pursuant to any other provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to be cured upon the subsequent delivery of any such report, notice or certificate, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified.

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to the Company of the type described in clause (7) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the holders of at least

 

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30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately.

In the event of any Event of Default specified under clause (6), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of Notes, if within 30 days after such Event of Default arose: (a) holders of Notes have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (b) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

If an Event of Default with respect to the Company of the type described in clause (7) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders.

SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a delay or omission by the Trustee or any noteholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon a Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Default, no remedy is exclusive of any other remedy and all available remedies are cumulative to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may (a) waive, by their consent (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on a Note, and (b) rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. When a Default or Event of Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any consequent right.

SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority.

The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. Subject to Section 7.01, however, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with any law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other noteholder, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

In the event the Trustee takes any action or follows any direction pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any loss or expense caused by taking or not taking such action or following such direction.

 

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SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits.

Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest not paid when due, no holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) such holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee in writing to pursue the remedy;

(3) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

A noteholder may not use this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of another noteholder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other noteholder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such noteholders).

SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on a Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.

SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.

If a Default in payment of principal or interest specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount of principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate per annum borne by the Notes and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the noteholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relating to the Company, its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceedings is hereby authorized by each noteholder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the noteholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any noteholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any holder thereof, or to authorize the

 

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Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any noteholder in any such proceeding. The Trustee shall be entitled to participate as a member of any official committee of creditors in the matters as it deems necessary or advisable.

SECTION 6.10. Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

Second: to holders for interest accrued on the Notes, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for interest;

Third: to holders for principal amounts due and unpaid on the Notes, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal; and

Fourth: to the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, as their respective interests may appear.

The Trustee, upon prior notice to the Company, may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to noteholders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by the Company, a suit by a holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a holder or holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE SEVEN

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) The Trustee need perform only those duties as are specifically set forth herein or in the TIA and no duties, covenants, responsibilities or obligations shall be implied in this Indenture against the Trustee.

(2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates (including Officer’s Certificates) or opinions (including Opinions of Counsel) furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01.

(2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

(3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

(d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or to take or omit to take any action under this Indenture or take any action at the request or direction of holders if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds is not assured to it.

(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.01.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) In the absence of bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be responsible for the application of any money by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee.

Subject to Section 7.01:

(a) The Trustee may rely conclusively on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 12.05. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.

 

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(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate (including any Officer’s Certificate), statement, instrument, opinion (including any Opinion of Counsel), notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(h) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(i) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties.

(j) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(k) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder (including as Agents), and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(l) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(m) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or any document issued in connection with the sale of Notes or any statement in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Trustee makes no representations with respect to the effectiveness or adequacy of this Indenture.

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Default.

If a Default occurs and is continuing is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail (or deliver by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) to each holder notice of the Default within 90 days after being notified by the Company. Except in the case of a Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Notes, including an accelerated payment and the failure to make payment on the Change of Control Payment Date pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, the Trustee may withhold the notice if the Trustee determines that withholding the notice is not opposed to the interest of the holders.

 

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SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders.

Within 60 days after each [●] beginning with [●], 2018, the Trustee shall, to the extent that any of the events described in TIA § 313(a) occurred within the previous twelve months, but not otherwise, mail to each noteholder a brief report dated as of such date that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA §§ 313(b), 313(c) and 313(d).

The Company shall notify the Trustee if the Notes become listed on any securities exchange or of any delisting thereof.

SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for its services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, expenses and advances (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services, except any such disbursements, expenses and advances as shall have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Such expenses shall include the reasonable fees and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and its agents, employees, officers, stockholders and directors for, and hold them harmless against, any and all loss, liability or expense paid or incurred by them except for such actions to the extent caused by any negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Trustee’s rights, powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee or any of its agents, employees, officers, stockholders and directors of which a Responsible Officer has received notice for which it may seek indemnity. The Company may, subject to the approval of the Trustee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee and its agents, employees, officers, stockholders and directors subject to the claim may have separate counsel at any one time and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to pay such fees and expenses if, subject to the approval of the Trustee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), it assumes the Trustee’s defense and there is no conflict of interest between the Company, on the one hand, and the Trustee and its agents, employees, officers, stockholders and directors subject to the claim, on the other hand, in connection with such defense as reasonably determined by the Trustee. The Company need not pay or indemnify for any settlement made without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, damage, claim, liability or expense to the extent caused by any negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Trustee, any predecessor Trustee, or any of their respective employees, officers, stockholders or directors.

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes against all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, or other amounts due under, the Notes or the Note Guarantees.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) occurs, such expenses and the compensation for such services shall be paid to the extent allowed under any Bankruptcy Law.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

“Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 7.07 shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder (including as Agent) and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act

 

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hereunder; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.

The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company in writing. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Company and the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall notify each holder of such event and shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer, after payment of all sums then owing to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07, all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided in Section 7.07, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each noteholder.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.09, no resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08 shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee at the expense of the Company.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, any holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national association without any further act shall, if such resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national association is otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee; provided that such corporation or national association shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Seven.

 

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In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirement of TIA §310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. In addition, if the Trustee is a corporation included in a bank holding company system, the Trustee, independently of the bank holding company, shall meet the capital requirements of TIA § 310(a)(2). The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding, if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met. The provisions of TIA § 310 shall apply to the Company and any other obligor of the Notes.

SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.

The Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee hereunder, shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE EIGHT

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01. Termination of the Companys and Guarantors Obligations.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as provided in the second paragraph of this Section 8.01) as to the Notes when either:

(1) all Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

(2) (a) all the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal or valuation firm delivered to the Trustee if Government Securities are delivered, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be,

(b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such deposit (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith),

 

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(c) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by the Company under this Indenture with respect to the Notes, and

(d) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

SECTION 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(a) The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to this Indenture and the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees issued under this Indenture (“legal defeasance”) except for:

(1) the rights of holders to receive payments in respect of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due, solely out of the trust referred to below;

(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for Note payments held in trust;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) the legal defeasance provisions of this Indenture.

If the Company exercises the legal defeasance option, the Guarantees in effect at such time will be automatically released.

The Company at any time may be released from its obligations described under Sections 4.09, 4.11, 4.12 and 4.13 herein (“covenant defeasance”).

(b) If the Company exercises the covenant defeasance option, the Guarantees in effect at such time will be automatically released.

(c) The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(3), (4), (5), (6), (7) (other than with respect to the Company), (8) or (9) herein, in each case, shall not constitute an Event of Default.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 8.01(2)(a) and (b), the provisions of Sections 2.02 through 2.11, 7.07 and 7.08 and in this Article Eight shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. After the Notes have been paid in full, the Company’s obligations under Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.

SECTION 8.03. Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either the legal defeasance option as the covenant defeasance option hereof to the outstanding Notes:

 

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In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance:

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal or valuation firm delivered to the Trustee, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest due on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of an election of legal defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (b) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that the beneficial owners will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such legal defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of an election of covenant defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such deposit (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Debt and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Credit Agreement or any other material agreement or material debt instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(5) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the legal defeasance or the covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with; and

(6) the Company shall have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

SECTION 8.04. Application of Trust Money.

The Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust U.S. Legal Tender and U.S. Government Securities deposited with it pursuant to this Article Eight and the principal and interest received in respect thereof, and shall apply the deposited U.S. Legal Tender and the money from Government Securities in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to invest said U.S. Legal Tender and Government Securities except as it may agree with the Company.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Legal Tender and U.S. Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.03 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the Company’s request any U.S. Legal Tender and Government Securities held by it as

 

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provided in Section 8.03 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if U.S. Government Securities have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent legal defeasance or covenant defeasance.

SECTION 8.05. Repayment to the Company.

Subject to this Article Eight, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon request any excess U.S. Legal Tender and Government Securities held by them at any time and thereupon shall be relieved from all liability with respect to such money. Subject to applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After payment to the Company, holders entitled to such money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable law designates another Person.

SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Legal Tender and Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.01 or 8.03 in accordance with Section 8.04 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Eight until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such U.S. Legal Tender and Government Securities in accordance with this Article Eight; provided that if the Company has made any payment of premium, if any, or interest on or principal of any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the U.S. Legal Tender and Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE NINE

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders.

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, together, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees without notice to or consent of any noteholder in order to:

(1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, as determined in good faith by the Company;

(2) provide for the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under this Indenture;

(3) provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code);

(4) add guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure such Notes;

(5) add to the covenants or other obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary for the benefit of the holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Subsidiary;

(6) make any change that would provide additional rights or benefits to the holders, or that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any holder of the Notes, as determined in good faith by the Company;

 

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(7) comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with any required qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(8) conform the text of this Indenture, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Prospesctus as determined in good faith by the Company;

(9) release a Guarantor from its Guarantee of the Notes when permitted by the terms of this Indenture;

(10) provide for successor trustees or to add to or change any provisions to the extent necessary to appoint a separate trustee for the Notes;

(11) make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes, or, if incurred in compliance with this Indenture, Additional Notes; provided, however, that (A) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (B) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders to transfer Notes, as determined in good faith by the Company; or

(12) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders.

(a) Subject to Section 6.07, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, together, with the written consent of the holder or holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such Notes), may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees, without notice to any other noteholders. Subject to Section 6.07, the holder or holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may waive any past default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees without notice to any other noteholders.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 9.02(a), without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected, no amendment, supplement or waiver may:

(1) reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;

(2) reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;

(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note;

(4) change the optional redemption dates or prices or calculations of Notes from those described under Section 5 of the Notes;

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;

(6) institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;

(7) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions;

(8) make any change in the ranking or priority of any Note or any Guarantee thereof that would adversely affect the noteholders; or

 

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(9) release any Guarantor from its Guarantee of such Notes, except as provided for in herein.

A consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver under this Indenture by any holder of Notes given in connection with a tender of such holder’s Notes will not be rendered invalid by such tender.

(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

(d) After an amendment, supplement or waiver under Section 9.02(b) becomes effective, the Company shall send to the holders affected thereby with a copy to the Trustee a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to send such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 9.03. [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 9.04. Compliance with TIA.

Every amendment, waiver or supplement of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 9.05. Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, waiver or supplement becomes effective, a consent to it by a holder is a continuing consent by the holder and every subsequent holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such holder or subsequent holder may revoke the consent as to his Note or portion of his Note by notice to the Trustee and the Company received before the date on which such amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with the terms thereof (or if silent as to effectiveness, on the date on which the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate certifying that the holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented (and not theretofore revoked such consent) to such amendment, supplement or waiver) and thereafter binds every holder.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver which record date shall be at least 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the second sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date. The Company shall inform the Trustee in writing of the fixed record date if applicable.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every noteholder.

SECTION 9.06. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Company may require the holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Company shall provide the Trustee with an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and cause the Trustee to return it to the holder at the Company’s expense. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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SECTION 9.07. Trustee To Sign Amendments, Etc.

The Trustee shall execute any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Nine; provided that the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture. The Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate each stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Nine is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and constituted the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions). Such Opinion of Counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.

ARTICLE TEN

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

ARTICLE ELEVEN

NOTE GUARANTEE

SECTION 11.01. Unconditional Guarantee.

Subject to the provisions of this Article Eleven and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, on a senior basis to each holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company or any other Guarantors to the holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder: (a) (x) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by acceleration or otherwise, (y) the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal and (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) overdue premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes and (z) the due and punctual payment and performance of all other obligations of the Company to the holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder (including amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof), all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof (collectively, the “Guarantee Obligations”); and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the due and punctual payment and performance of Guarantee Obligations in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment by the Company when due of any amount so guaranteed, or failing performance of any other obligation of the Company to the holders under this Indenture or under the Notes, for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be obligated to pay, or to perform or cause the performance of, the same immediately.

Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that (to the fullest extent permitted by law) its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, any release of any other Guarantor, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each of the Guarantors hereby waives (to the fullest extent permitted by law) the benefit of diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, this Indenture and this Note Guarantee. This Note Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not of collection. If any holder or the Trustee is required by any court or governmental authority to return to the Company or to any Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Company or such Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or such Guarantor to the Trustee or such holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor further agrees (to the fullest extent permitted by law) that, as between it, on the one hand, and the holders of Notes and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) subject to this Article Eleven, the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwith-

 

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standing any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (b) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the holders under the Note Guarantees.

SECTION 11.02. [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 11.03. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Article Eleven shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor (including, without limitation, its guarantee of amounts payable under the Credit Agreement and its guarantees of the Existing Notes) that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from, or payments made by or on behalf of, any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Article Eleven, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Article Eleven not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under such laws. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Note Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Note Guarantee obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 11.04. [Reserved].

SECTION 11.05. Release of a Guarantor.

The Guarantee of a Guarantor will be automatically released upon:

(a) at such time as such Guarantor is no longer a guarantor or obligor of any (i) Credit Facility of the Company or any Guarantor with an aggregate principal amount of $100 million or more (including the Credit Agreement) (unless such Guarantor is released from its obligations in respect of such Credit Facility in connection with a simultaneous release of its Guarantee of the Notes) or (ii) Material Capital Markets Debt of the Company or any Guarantor (unless such Guarantor is released from its obligations in respect of such Material Capital Markets Debt in connection with the payment in full of such Material Capital Markets Debt);

(b) the sale, issuance or other disposition of Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation), such that it is no longer a Subsidiary or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary, so long as the sale or other disposition does not violate any provisions of Article Five herein required to be performed at the time of such transaction;

(c) the release or discharge of the indebtedness that would have required such Guarantor to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.11 herein other than a release or discharge in connection with enforcement;

(d) the Company exercising its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option as described under Section 8.02 herein or if its obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(e) in connection with the dissolution or liquidation of such Guarantor; and

 

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(2) such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions provided for in this Indenture relating to such release have been complied with.

SECTION 11.06. Waiver of Subrogation.

Until all amounts then due and payable by the Company under this Indenture or the Notes have been paid in full, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives and agrees not to exercise any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Company that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Company’s obligations under the Notes or this Indenture and such Guarantor’s obligations under this Note Guarantee and this Indenture, in any such instance including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of the holders against the Company, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Company, directly or indirectly, in cash or other assets or by set off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and any amounts owing to the Trustee or the holders of Notes under the Notes or this Indenture, shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Trustee or the holders and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of itself or such holders to be credited and applied to the obligations in favor of the Trustee or the holders, as the case may be, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 11.06 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

SECTION 11.07. [Reserved].

SECTION 11.08. No Set Off.

Each payment to be made by a Guarantor hereunder in respect of the Guarantee Obligations shall be payable in the currency or currencies in which such Guarantee Obligations are denominated, and shall be made without set off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.]

SECTION 11.09. [Reserved].

SECTION 11.10. Guarantee Obligations Continuing.

The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be continuing and shall remain in full force and effect until all such obligations have been paid and satisfied in full. Each Guarantor agrees with the Trustee that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, it will from time to time deliver to the Trustee suitable acknowledgments of this continued liability hereunder and under any other instrument or instruments in such form as the Trustee may reasonably request and as will prevent any action brought against it in respect of any default hereunder being barred by any statute of limitations now or hereafter in force and, in the event of the failure of a Guarantor so to do, it hereby irrevocably appoints the Trustee the attorney and agent of such Guarantor to make, execute and deliver such written acknowledgment or acknowledgments or other instruments as may from time to time become necessary or reasonably advisable, in the judgment of the Trustee, to fully maintain and keep in force the liability of such Guarantor hereunder.

SECTION 11.11. Guarantee Obligations Not Reduced.

Subject to Section 11.05, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be satisfied, reduced or discharged solely by the payment of such principal, premium, if any, interest, fees and other monies or amounts as may

 

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at any time prior to discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article Eight be or become owing or payable under or by virtue of or otherwise in connection with the Notes or this Indenture.

SECTION 11.12. Guarantee Obligations Reinstated.

Subject to Section 11.05, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment which would otherwise have reduced the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder (whether such payment shall have been made by or on behalf of the Company or by or on behalf of a Guarantor) is rescinded or reclaimed from any of the holders upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or any Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. If demand for, or acceleration of the time for, payment by the Company or any other Guarantor is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or such Guarantor, all such indebtedness otherwise subject to demand for payment or acceleration shall nonetheless be payable by each Guarantor as provided herein.

SECTION 11.13. Guarantee Obligations Not Affected.

Subject to Section 11.05, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected, impaired or diminished in any way by any act, omission, matter or thing whatsoever, occurring before, upon or after any demand for payment hereunder (and whether or not known or consented to by any Guarantor or any of the holders) which, but for this provision, might constitute a whole or partial defense to a claim against any Guarantor hereunder or might operate to release or otherwise exonerate any Guarantor from any of its obligations hereunder or otherwise affect such obligations, whether occasioned by default of any of the holders or otherwise, including, without limitation:

(a) any limitation of status or power, disability, incapacity or other circumstance relating to the Company or any other Person, including any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, readjustment, composition, dissolution, winding-up or other proceeding involving or affecting the Company or any other Person;

(b) any irregularity, defect, unenforceability or invalidity in respect of any indebtedness or other obligation of the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other document or instrument;

(c) any failure of the Company or any other Guarantor, whether or not without fault on its part, to perform or comply with any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any Note Guarantee, or to give notice thereof to a Guarantor;

(d) the taking or enforcing or exercising or the refusal or neglect to take or enforce or exercise any right or remedy from or against the Company or any other Person or their respective assets or the release or discharge of any such right or remedy;

(e) the granting of time, renewals, extensions, compromises, concessions, waivers, releases, discharges and other indulgences to the Company or any other Person;

(f) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, any of the Notes, or any other amendment, variation, supplement, replacement or waiver of, or any consent to departure from, any of the Notes or this Indenture, including, without limitation, any increase or decrease in the principal amount of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes;

(g) any change in the ownership, control, name, objects, businesses, assets, capital structure or constitution of the Company or a Guarantor;

(h) any merger or amalgamation of the Company or a Guarantor with any Person or Persons;

 

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(i) the occurrence of any change in the laws, rules, regulations or ordinances of any jurisdiction by any present or future action of any governmental authority or court amending, varying, reducing or otherwise affecting, or purporting to amend, vary, reduce or otherwise affect, any of the Guarantee Obligations or the obligations of a Guarantor under its Note Guarantee; and

(j) any other circumstance (other than a release of a Guarantor pursuant to Section 11.05 and other than by complete, irrevocable payment), that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Company under this Indenture or the Notes or of a Guarantor in respect of its Note Guarantee hereunder.

SECTION 11.14. Waiver.

Without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 11.01, each Guarantor hereby waives (to the fullest extent permitted by law) notice of acceptance hereof, notice of any liability of any Guarantor hereunder, notice or proof of reliance by the holders upon the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder, and diligence, presentment, demand for payment on the Company, protest, notice of dishonor or non payment of any of the Guarantee Obligations, or other notice or formalities to the Company or any Guarantor of any kind whatsoever.

SECTION 11.15. No Obligation To Take Action Against the Company.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, neither the Trustee nor any other Person shall have any obligation to enforce or exhaust any rights or remedies against the Company or any other Person or any property of the Company or any other Person before the Trustee is entitled to demand payment and performance by any or all Guarantors of their liabilities and obligations under their Note Guarantees or under this Indenture.

SECTION 11.16. Dealing with the Company and Others.

The holders and the Trustee, without releasing, discharging, limiting or otherwise affecting in whole or in part the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor hereunder and without the consent of or notice to any Guarantor, may to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

(a) grant time, renewals, extensions, compromises, concessions, waivers, releases, discharges and other indulgences to the Company or any other Person;

(b) take or abstain from taking security or collateral from the Company or from perfecting security or collateral of the Company;

(c) release, discharge, compromise, realize, enforce or otherwise deal with or do any act or thing in respect of (with or without consideration) any and all collateral, mortgages or other security given by the Company or any third party with respect to the obligations or matters contemplated by this Indenture or the Notes;

(d) accept compromises or arrangements from the Company;

(e) apply all monies at any time received from the Company or from any security upon such part of the Guarantee Obligations as the holders may see fit or change any such application in whole or in part from time to time as the holders may see fit; and

(f) otherwise deal with, or waive or modify their right to deal with, the Company and all other Persons and any security as the holders or the Trustee may see fit.

SECTION 11.17. Default and Enforcement.

If any Guarantor fails to pay in accordance with Section 11.07 hereof, the Trustee may proceed in its name as trustee hereunder in the enforcement of the Note Guarantee of any such Guarantor and such Guarantor’s obligations

 

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thereunder and hereunder by any remedy provided by law, whether by legal proceedings or otherwise, and to recover from such Guarantor the obligations.

SECTION 11.18. Amendment, Etc.

Without limitation to the provisions of Article Nine, no amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Indenture relating to any Guarantor or consent to any departure by any Guarantor or any other Person from any such provision will in any event be effective unless it is signed by such Guarantor and the Trustee.

SECTION 11.19. Costs and Expenses.

Each Guarantor shall pay on demand by the Trustee any and all costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees) incurred by the Trustee, its agents, advisors and counsel or any of the holders in enforcing any of their rights under any Note Guarantee.

SECTION 11.20. No Merger or Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Note Guarantee shall operate by way of merger of any of the obligations of a Guarantor under any other agreement, including, without limitation, this Indenture. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Trustee or the holders, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under this Indenture or the Notes, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under this Indenture or the Notes preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the rights, remedies, powers and privileges in the Note Guarantee and under this Indenture, the Notes and any other document or instrument between a Guarantor and/or the Company and the Trustee are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privilege provided by law.

 

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ARTICLE TWELVE

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 12.01. TIA Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 12.02. Notices.

Any notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be sufficiently given if made by hand delivery, by nationally recognized overnight courier service, sent by electronic mail in pdf format, by facsimile or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

if to the Company or a Guarantor:

Western Digital Corporation.

5601 Great Oaks Parkway

San Jose, California

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

Facsimile: (949) 672-9612

if to the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office.

Each of the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee by written notice to each other such Person may designate additional or different addresses for notices to such Person. Any notice or communication to the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date so delivered if personally delivered; when receipt is acknowledged (or, in the case of the Trustee, when receipt is actually acknowledged by a Responsible Officer); if delivered electronically in pdf format; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; five (5) calendar days after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (except that a notice of change of address shall not be deemed to have been given until actually received by the addressee); and next Business Day if by nationally recognized overnight courier service.

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

Any notice or communication mailed to a noteholder shall be sent electronically or mailed to the noteholder by first class mail or other equivalent means at the noteholders’ address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given to the noteholder if so sent within the time prescribed.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to any holder of an interest in a Global Note

 

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(whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) according to the applicable procedures of the Depositary.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a noteholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other noteholders. If a notice or communication is sent in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

SECTION 12.03. Communications by Holders with Other Holders.

Noteholders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other noteholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

SECTION 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture (except for authentication of the Notes by the Trustee on the Issue Date, which shall not require an Opinion of Counsel), the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:

(1) an Officer’s Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to be performed or effected by the Company, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, any and all such conditions precedent have been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

SECTION 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture, other than the Officer’s Certificate required by Section 4.06, shall include:

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with or satisfied; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

SECTION 12.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar.

The Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

SECTION 12.07. Legal Holidays.

If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the original date such payment was due and no interest shall accrue or other penalty shall be payable for the period from and after the date such payment was originally due.

 

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SECTION 12.08. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

This Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 12.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 12.10. No Recourse Against Others.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, partner or member of, or owner of an equity interest in, the Company or of any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

SECTION 12.11. Successors.

All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

SECTION 12.12. Duplicate Originals.

All parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy or counterpart shall be an original, but all of them together shall represent the same agreement.

SECTION 12.13. Severability.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in case any one or more of the provisions in this Indenture, in the Notes or in the Note Guarantees shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, it being intended that all of the provisions hereof shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.

SECTION 12.14. USA PATRIOT Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as each may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

SECTION 12.15. Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without

 

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limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION, as the Company
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

S-1


GUARANTORS

HGST, INC.

WD MEDIA, LLC

WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC

WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

S-2


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

S-3


EXHIBIT A

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

[●]% Senior Notes due 2026

CUSIP No. [●]

ISIN No. [●]

 

No.    $

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for value received promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or its registered assigns, the principal sum of                              on [●].

Interest Payment Dates: [●] and [●], commencing [●].

Record Dates: [●] and [●].

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized Officers.

 

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

A-2


This is one of the [●]% Senior Notes due 2026 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

A-3


(Reverse of Note)

[●]% Senior Notes due 2026

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

SECTION 1. Interest. Western Digital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at [●]% per annum from [●] until maturity. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on [●] and [●] of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day, commencing [●]. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the Issue Date; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a Record Date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand to the extent lawful at the interest rate applicable to the Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 2. Method of Payment. The Company will pay interest on the Notes to the Persons who are registered holders of Notes at the close of business on the [●] or [●], as the case may be, next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in U.S. Legal Tender. Principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the holders of the Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of holders of Notes; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Notes in global form registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee shall be paid in immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be. Until otherwise designated by the Company, the Company’s office or agency in the United States will be the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose.

SECTION 3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

SECTION 4. Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of [●], as amended or supplemented (“Indenture”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) (the “TIA”). The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes and any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture shall be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

SECTION 5. Optional Redemption.

Except as set forth below, we will not be entitled to redeem the Notes at our option.

Notice of any redemption of the Notes in connection with a transaction or an event (including a Change of Control Triggering Event) may, at the Company’s discretion, be given prior to the completion or the occurrence thereof and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more

 

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conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion or occurrence of the related transaction or event. In addition, if such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including, subject to the applicable procedures of DTC, more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. The Company will provide prompt written notice to the holders and the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date rescinding such redemption and notice of redemption shall be rescinded and of no force or effect. Upon the Company’s written request given at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date such notice shall be sent (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period), the Trustee shall (on such date and at or promptly after such time) forward such notice to the holders in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

Prior to [●], 2025, we will be entitled, at our option, to redeem all or a portion of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. In addition, on or after [●], 2025, we may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. Notice of any such redemption must be mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address (or delivered by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC), not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. Calculation of the redemption price will be made by us or on our behalf by such person as we shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

If the optional redemption date is on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest in respect of Notes subject to redemption will be paid on the redemption date to the Person in whose name the Note is registered at the close of business, on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to holders whose Notes will be subject to redemption by the Company.

Applicable Premium” means with respect to a Note at any redemption date, as provided by the Company, the excess of (1) the present value at such redemption date of the Remaining Scheduled Payments on such Note (but excluding accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Adjusted Treasury Rate over (2) the principal amount of such Note on such redemption date.

Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the yields in each statistical release for the immediately preceding week designated “H.15” or any successor publication which is published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under “U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—nominal,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield-to-maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date, in each case calculated on the third Business Day immediately preceding the date that the applicable redemption notice is first mailed or sent, in each case, plus 50 basis points.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes from the redemption date to [●], 2025, that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a maturity most nearly equal to [●], 2025.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, if clause (2) of the Adjusted Treasury Rate definition is applicable, the average of four, or such lesser number as is obtained by the Company, Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.

 

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Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means either J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC and its successors and assigns or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and its successors and assigns.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day immediately preceding the date that the applicable redemption notice is first mailed or sent.

Remaining Scheduled Payments” means the remaining payments of principal of and interest on the Notes that would be due after the redemption date but for such redemption if the Notes matured on [●], 2025. If the redemption date is not an interest payment date, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment on the Notes will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to the redemption date.

SECTION 6. Selection and Notice of Redemption. If the Company is redeeming fewer than all the Notes at any time, the Trustee will select Notes on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate; provided, however, that global Notes will be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC,

The Company will redeem Notes of $2,000 or less in whole and not in part. We will cause notices of redemption to be mailed by first-class mail (or delivered by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address with a copy to the Trustee.

If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, we will issue a new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note surrendered in the name of the holder thereof. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.

SECTION 7. Mandatory Redemption. For the avoidance of doubt, an offer to purchase pursuant to Section 9 hereof shall not be deemed a redemption. The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

SECTION 8. Repurchase at Option of Holder. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, and subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, each holder will have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part (in integral multiples of $1,000, provided that the remaining principal amount of any Note repurchased in part must not be less than $2,000) of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to but excluding, the Change of Control Payment Date.

SECTION 9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company and the Registrar are not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or during a Change of Control Offer if such Note is validly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer and not validly withdrawn. Also, the Company and the Registrar are not required to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or register the

 

A-6


transfer or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part except the unredeemed portion of any Note redeemed in part.

SECTION 10. Persons Deemed Owners. The holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

SECTION 11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees in connection with such Notes may be amended or supplemented with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences or compliance with any provision hereof or thereof may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Without notice to or consent of any holder, the parties thereto may amend or supplement the Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees in connection with such Notes to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to certificated Notes, comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, or make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any holder of a Note.

SECTION 12. Defaults and Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes generally may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency as set forth in the Indenture with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

SECTION 13. Restrictive Covenants. The Indenture contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries to incur indebtedness secured by liens, enter into sale and lease-back transactions and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets and the ability of non-Guarantor Subsidiaries to create, assume, incur or guarantee certain indebtedness. The covenants are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions. The Company must annually report to the Trustee on compliance with such covenants.

SECTION 14. No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, partner or member of, or owner of any equity interest in, the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees in connection with such Notes or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

SECTION 15. Note Guarantees. This Note will be entitled to the benefits of certain Note Guarantees made for the benefit of the holders of such Note. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the holders.

SECTION 16. Trustee Dealings with the Company. Subject to certain limitations specified in the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee.

SECTION 17. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

A-7


SECTION 18. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entirety), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

SECTION 19. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

SECTION 20. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

 

(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee or transferee)

 

(Insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee or transferee)
and irrevocably appoint                                                                            agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Dated:                                                         Signed:   

 

         (Sign exactly as name appears on the other side of this Note)
Signature Guarantee:      

 

      Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee)

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Indenture, check the box below:

Section 4.09 [                ]

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount (must be $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in principal amount, provided that the remaining principal amount of any Note purchased in part must not be less than $2,000 in principal amount): $

 

Dated:                                                      Signed:   

 

         (Sign exactly as name appears on the other side of this Note)
     

 

Signature Guarantee:       Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee)

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF LEGEND

Each Global Note authenticated and delivered hereunder shall also bear the following legend:

THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR NOMINEE. THIS NOTE IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.15 OF THE INDENTURE.

 

B-1

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

January 29, 2018

Western Digital Corporation

5601 Great Oaks Parkway

San Jose, California 95119

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Western Digital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the Guarantors (as defined below) in connection with the Company’s offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (excluding the documents incorporated by reference therein, the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of an indeterminate aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”). The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by HGST, Inc., a Delaware corporation, WD Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Western Digital (Fremont), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Western Digital Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantors” and, together with the Company, the “Registrants”). The Notes will be issued under an indenture (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Indenture includes the guarantees of the Notes by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees”).

In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have reviewed the following documents:

(a) the Registration Statement and the documents incorporated by reference therein; and

(b) a form of the Indenture, including the form of the Notes.

In addition, we have reviewed the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of all such corporate records of the Company and the Guarantors and such other documents, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed and have not verified the accuracy as to factual matters of each document we have reviewed.

 

LOGO


Western Digital Corporation, p. 2

 

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that when the Notes have been duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and duly issued and delivered by the Company, (a) the Notes will be the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and (b) the Guarantees will be the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Guarantors, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of any Registrant, (a) we have assumed that such Registrant and each other party to such agreement or obligation is validly existing, has corporate or limited liability company power to enter into such agreement or obligation and has satisfied or, prior to the issuance of the Notes, will satisfy those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it (except that no such assumption is made as to any of the Registrants regarding matters of the federal law of the United States of America, the law of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware that in our experience normally would be applicable to general business entities with respect to such agreement or obligation), (b) we express no opinion with respect to the effect of any mandatory choice of law rules and (c) such opinions are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

We note that (i) the waiver of defenses contained in Sections 11.06 and 11.13 of the Indenture may be ineffective to the extent that any such defense involves a matter of public policy in the State of New York and (ii) the enforceability of indemnification provisions may be subject to public policy considerations.

In rendering the foregoing opinions, we have further assumed that the Notes and the Indenture will conform to the forms thereof that we have reviewed and will be offered, issued and delivered in accordance with applicable law and any requirements therefor set forth in any corporate action authorizing the Notes or the Indenture and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the federal law of the United States of America, the law of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware.

We hereby consent to the use of our name in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement under the heading “Legal Matters” and to the use of this opinion letter as a part (Exhibit 5.1) of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The opinions expressed herein are rendered on and as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to


Western Digital Corporation, p. 3

 

advise you or any other person, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinions expressed herein.

 

Very truly yours,
CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
By:   /s/ Sung K. Kang
  Sung K. Kang, a Partner
EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

Western Digital Corporation

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 

 

     Year ended           Adjusted
pro forma
year ended
June 30,
2017(2)
    Three months
ended
September 29,
2017
    Pro forma
three months
ended
September 29,
2017(1)
    Adjusted pro
forma three
months ended
September 29,
2017(2)
 
     June 28,
2013
     June 27,
2014
     July 3,
2015
     July 1,
2016
    June 30,
2017
    Pro forma
year ended
June 30,
2017(1)
         
     (in millions)  

Computation of earnings:

                       

Income before provision for income taxes

   $ 1,222      $ 1,752      $ 1,577      $ 153     $ 769     $ 868     $ 1,198     $ 710     $ 735     $ 813  

Fixed charges

     75        75        69        285       871       772       441       209       184       106  

Undistributed equity in income from 50%-or-less-owned affiliates

                          (1     (6     (6     (6     (1     (1     (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings

   $ 1,297      $ 1,827      $ 1,646      $ 437     $ 1,634     $ 1,634     $ 1,634     $ 918     $ 918     $ 918  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Computation of fixed charges:

                       

Interest expense

   $ 54      $ 56      $ 49      $ 266     $ 847     $ 748     $ 417     $ 205     $ 180     $ 102  

Interest relating to lease guarantee of 50%-or-less-owned affiliates

                                6       6       6                    

Estimated interest portion of operating lease expense (3)

     21        19        20        19       18       18       18       4       4       4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed charges

   $ 75      $ 75      $ 69      $ 285     $ 871     $ 772     $ 441     $ 209     $ 184     $ 106  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     17.3x        24.4x        23.9x        1.5x       1.9x       2.1x       3.7x       4.4x       5.0x       8.7x  

 

(1) Pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges gives effect to the issuance of the notes offered hereby and the application of the net proceeds therefrom to redeem a portion of our currently outstanding 10.500% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “2024 Unsecured Notes”). For each increase (decrease) of one-eighth of a percent (0.125 percent) in the interest rate assumed for the notes, pro forma interest expense would increase (decrease) by $3 million.
(2) Adjusted pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges represents pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to (A) (x) the purchase of 2024 Unsecured Notes currently outstanding in a cash tender offer (the “2024 Tender Offer”) and, if the 2024 Tender Offer is not consummated, or if we purchase less than all of the outstanding 2024 Unsecured Notes in the 2024 Tender Offer, the redemption of any 2024 Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding using available cash on hand and the net proceeds from this offering of the notes, and (y) the redemption of our 7.375% senior secured notes due 2023 currently outstanding, using available cash on hand and the net proceeds from the proposed offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2024 and the proposed increase in the size of our $4.073 billion Term Loan A by up to $2.0 billion and (B) the pricing of $2.963 billion of new U.S. dollar-denominated term B-3 loans at an interest rate of LIBOR + 2.00% and the voluntary prepayment of our Euro-denominated term B-2 loans in full using cash on hand. For each increase (decrease) of one-eighth of a percent (0.125 percent) in the interest rate assumed for the notes, pro forma interest expense would increase (decrease) by $3.0 million.
(3) Interest is estimated at 33% of rental charges, which considers industry benchmarks and assumption of average debt service cost over the assumed life of the related property.
EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors

Western Digital Corporation:

We consent to the use of our reports dated August 28, 2017, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Western Digital Corporation and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017 and July 1, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2017, and the related financial statement schedule, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, which reports appear in the June 30, 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP

January 29, 2018

Irvine, California

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Western Digital Corporation for the registration of its senior notes and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 12, 2016, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of SanDisk Corporation included in the Current Report on Form 8-K/A of Western Digital Corporation filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 25, 2016.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

San Jose, California

January 29, 2018

EX-25.1

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER

THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

31-0841368

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

 

800 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota

  55402
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Paula Oswald

U.S. Bank National Association

633 West Fifth Street, 24th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071

(213) 615-6043

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   33-0956711

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

5601 Great Oaks Parkway

San Jose, California

  95119
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

Senior Notes due 2026

Guarantees for the Senior Notes due 2026

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

 

 

 


GUARANTORS

 

Exact Name of Additional Registrant
As Specified in its Charter*

   State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization
     I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
     Primary Standard
Industrial
Classification Code

Number
     Address, including Zip
Code, and Telephone
Number,
including Area Code, of
Principal Executive
Offices

HGST, Inc.

     Delaware        48-1280899        3572      5601 Great Oaks
Parkway
                         

San Jose, California
95119

(408) 717-6000

WD Media, LLC

     Delaware        94-2914864        3695      5601 Great Oaks
Parkway
                         

San Jose, California
95119

(408) 717-6000

Western Digital (Fremont), LLC

     Delaware        20-0120906        3572      5601 Great Oaks
Parkway
                         

San Jose, California
95119

(408) 717-6000

Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

     Delaware        95-2647125        3572      5601 Great Oaks
Parkway
                          San Jose, California
95119
                          (408) 717-6000

 

* The name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of the agent for service for each of the additional registrants are the same as Western Digital Corporation.

 

2


FORM T-1

 

Item 1. GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

 

  a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Washington, D.C.

 

  b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes

 

Item 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

 

Items 3-15 Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

 

Item 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

 

  1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.*

 

  2. A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

 

  3. A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3.

 

  4. A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.**

 

  5. A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.

 

  6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

 

  7. Report of Condition of the Trustee as of September 30, 2017 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

 

* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to Amendment No. 2 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-128217 filed on November 15, 2005.
** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to registration statement on form S-3ASR, Registration Number 333-199863 filed on November 5, 2014.

 

3


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Los Angeles, California on the 29th day of January, 2018.

 

By:  

/s/ Paula Oswald

  Paula Oswald
  Vice President

 

4


Exhibit 2

 

LOGO

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

    
       Washington, DC 20219

CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE

I, Keith A. Noreika, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:

1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.

“U.S. Bank National Association,” Cincinnati, Ohio (Charter No. 24), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking on the date of this certificate.

 

  

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today,

 

June 7, 2017, I have hereunto subscribed

 

my name and caused my seal of office to

 

be affixed to these presents at the U.S.

 

Department of the Treasury, in the City

 

of Washington, District of Columbia.

   LOGO

LOGO

   Acting Comptroller of the Currency

 

5


Exhibit 3

 

LOGO

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

    
       Washington, DC 20219

CERTIFICATE OF FIDUCIARY POWERS

I, Keith A. Noreika, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:

1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.

2. “U.S. Bank National Association,” Cincinnati, Ohio (Charter No. 24), was granted, under the hand and seal of the Comptoroller, the right to act in all fiduciary capacities authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved September 28, 1962, Stat. 668, 12 USC 92a, and that the authority so granted remains in full force and effect on the date of this certificate.

 

  

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today,

 

June 7, 2017, I have hereunto subscribed

 

my name and caused my seal of office to

 

be affixed to these presents at the U.S.

 

Department of the Treasury, in the City

 

of Washington, District of Columbia.

   LOGO

LOGO

   Acting Comptroller of the Currency

 

6


Exhibit 6

CONSENT

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: January 29, 2018

 

By:  

/s/ Paula Oswald

  Paula Oswald
  Vice President

 

7


Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

As of 9/30/2017

($000’s)

 

     9/30/2017  

Assets

  

Cash and Balances Due From

   $ 20,502,653  

Depository Institutions

  

Securities

     110,797,206  

Federal Funds

     24,647  

Loans & Lease Financing Receivables

     277,953,611  

Fixed Assets

     4,538,527  

Intangible Assets

     12,820,876  

Other Assets

     25,614,306  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 452,251,826  

Liabilities

  

Deposits

   $ 353,914,855  

Fed Funds

     992,263  

Treasury Demand Notes

     0  

Trading Liabilities

     989,885  

Other Borrowed Money

     31,965,947  

Acceptances

     0  

Subordinated Notes and Debentures

     3,300,000  

Other Liabilities

     14,438,977  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 405,601,927  

Equity

  

Common and Preferred Stock

     18,200  

Surplus

     14,266,915  

Undivided Profits

     31,565,657  

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

     799,127  
  

 

 

 

Total Equity Capital

   $ 46,649,899  

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

   $ 452,251,826  

 

8