As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 27, 2024

Registration No. 333- ______

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM F-10

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Canada

 

7374

 

Not Applicable

(Province or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number, if applicable)

370-1095 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6,

(604) 664-1078

(Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices)

Cogency Global Inc.

122 E. 42nd Street, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10168

(800) 221-0102

(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States)

Copies to:

Jonathan H. Gardner
Danielle P. Fahey
Kavinoky Cook LLP
726 Exchange Street; Suite 800
Buffalo, NY 14210
(716) 845-6000
  Dennis Peterson
Peterson McVicar LLP
18 King St. E., Suite 902
Toronto, ON M5C 1C4
(647) 259-1790

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:

As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective

Province of British Columbia, Canada

(Principal jurisdiction regulating this offering)

It is proposed that this filing shall become effective (check appropriate box below):

A.

 

upon filing with the Commission, pursuant to Rule 467(a) (if in connection with an offering being made contemporaneously in the United States and Canada).


B.

 

at some future date (check the appropriate box below)




 

1.

pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time not sooner than 7 calendar days after filing).

       

 

2.

pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time 7 calendar days or sooner after filing) because the securities regulatory authority in the review jurisdiction has issued a receipt or notification of clearance on ( ).

       

 

3.

pursuant to Rule 467(b) as soon as practicable after notification of the Commission by the Registrant or the Canadian securities regulatory authority of the review jurisdiction that a receipt or notification of clearance has been issued with respect hereto.

       

 

4.

after the filing of the next amendment to this Form (if preliminary material is being filed).

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the home jurisdiction's shelf prospectus offering procedures, check the following box. ☒


PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS

This short form prospectus is a base shelf prospectus. This short form base shelf prospectus has been filed under legislation in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, that permits certain information about these securities to be determined after this short form base shelf prospectus has become final and that permits the omission from this short form base shelf prospectus of that information. The legislation requires the delivery to purchasers of a prospectus supplement containing the omitted information within a specified period of time after agreeing to purchase any of these securities, except in respect of any sales pursuant to an "at-the-market" distribution as contemplated by National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions.

No securities regulatory authority has expressed an opinion about these securities, and it is an offence to claim otherwise. This short form base shelf prospectus constitutes a public offering of these securities only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale and therein only by persons permitted to sell such securities.

The securities offered under this short form prospectus have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless the securities offered hereunder are registered under the U.S. Securities Act or exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws are available. This short form prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation or an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons. See "Plan of Distribution".

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

Information has been incorporated by reference in this short form base shelf prospectus from documents filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada. Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Chief Financial Officer of HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd. at Suite 2500, 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1B3 (Telephone 604 664-1078), and are also available electronically at www.sedarplus.ca.

SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS

New Issue

 

September 11, 2024

HIVE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

US$300,000,000

Common Shares

Warrants

Subscription Receipts

Units

Debt Securities

Share Purchase Contracts


This short form base shelf prospectus relates to the offering for sale from time to time, during the 25-month period that this prospectus, including any amendments hereto, remains effective, of the securities of HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd. (the "Company", "HIVE", "we" or "our") listed above in one or more series or issuances, with a total offering price of such securities, in the aggregate, of up to US$300,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in Canadian dollars or one or more foreign currencies or composite currencies). The securities may be offered separately or together, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of the sale and set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

In addition, the securities may be offered and issued by the Company in consideration for the acquisition of other businesses, assets or securities. The consideration for any such acquisition may consist of any of the securities separately, a combination of securities or any combination of, among other things, securities, cash and the assumption of liabilities.

The common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under the trading symbol "HIVE" as well as on the Nasdaq Capital Market Exchange ("Nasdaq") under the symbol "HIVE", and on the and on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol "FO0.F". On September 10, 2024, being the last complete trading day prior to the date hereof, the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSXV was C$3.97. On September 10, 2024, being the last complete trading day on Nasdaq prior to the date hereof, the closing price of the Common Shares on Nasdaq was US$2.92.

Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities, subscription receipts, units, warrants and share purchase contracts will not be listed on any securities or stock exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. There is currently no market through which the Company's securities, other than the Common Shares, may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell such securities purchased under this short form prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the Company's securities, other than the Common Shares, in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of the Company's securities and the extent of issuer regulation. See "RISK FACTORS".

Prospective investors should be aware that the acquisition of the securities described herein may have tax consequences both in the United States and in Canada. Such consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, the United States may not be described fully herein. This prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. You should read the tax discussion in any applicable prospectus supplement with respect to any particular offering and consult your own tax advisor with respect to your own particular circumstances.

No underwriter has been involved in the preparation of this prospectus or performed any review of the contents of this prospectus.

This prospectus constitutes a public offering of the securities only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale and only by persons permitted to sell the securities in such jurisdiction. All applicable information permitted under securities legislation to be omitted from this prospectus that has been so omitted will be contained in one or more prospectus supplements that will, except in respect of any sales pursuant to an "at-the-market" distribution as contemplated by National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions ("NI 44-102"), be delivered to purchasers together with this prospectus. Each prospectus supplement will be incorporated by reference into this prospectus for the purposes of securities legislation as of the date of the prospectus supplement and only for the purposes of the distribution of the securities to which the prospectus supplement pertains. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any securities issued pursuant to this prospectus. The Company's securities may be sold pursuant to this prospectus through underwriters or dealers or directly or through agents designated from time to time at amounts and prices and other terms determined by us.

This Prospectus may qualify an "at-the-market distribution" as defined in NI 44-102.

The sale of Common Shares may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at non-fixed prices pursuant to transactions that are deemed to be an "at-the-market" distributions as contemplated by 44-102 and as permitted by applicable law, including sales made directly on the TSXV, the Nasdaq, or other existing trading markets for the Securities, and as set forth in a prospectus supplement for such purpose. See "PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION".


A prospectus supplement will set out the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Company's securities, the amounts, if any, to be purchased by underwriters, the plan of distribution for such securities, including the net proceeds we expect to receive from the sale of such securities, if any, the amounts and prices at which such securities are sold and the compensation of such underwriters, dealers or agents.

Unless stated to the contrary in any prospectus supplement, the Securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to U.S. persons within the meaning of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, except in certain transactions that are registered or exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. In addition, until 40 days after the commencement of an offering of Securities, an offer or sale of the Securities within the United States or to U.S. persons by any dealer, whether or not participating in the offering, may violate the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act if such offer or sale is made otherwise than in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. Each prospectus supplement with respect to the Company's securities being offered will set forth the terms of the offering, including:

  • the person offering the securities;
  • the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or other placement agents;
  • the number and the purchase price of, and form of consideration for, our securities;
  • any proceeds to the Company from such sale; and
  • any commissions, fees, discounts and other items constituting underwriters', dealers' or agents' compensation.

Investment in the securities being offered is highly speculative and involves significant risks that you should consider before purchasing such securities. You should carefully review the risks outlined in this prospectus (including any prospectus supplement) and in the documents incorporated by reference as well as the information under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and consider such risks and information in connection with an investment in the securities. See "RISK FACTORS".

The specific terms of the securities with respect to a particular offering will be set out in one or more prospectus supplements and may include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Common Shares, the number of Common Shares offered, the offering price and any other specific terms; (ii) in the case of warrants, the offering price, the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares or debt securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of these numbers, the exercise price, dates and periods of exercise, the currency in which the warrants are issued and any other specific terms; (iii) in the case of subscription receipts, the number of subscription receipts being offered, the offering price, the procedures for the exchange of the subscription receipts for Common Shares, debt securities or warrants, as the case may be, and any other specific terms; (iv) in the case of debt securities, the specific designation, the aggregate principal amount, the currency or the currency unit for the debt securities being offered, the maturity, the interest provisions, the authorized denominations, the offering price, the covenants, the events of default, any terms for redemption or retraction, any exchange or conversion terms, whether the debt securities are secured, affiliate-guaranteed, senior or subordinated and any other terms specific to the debt securities being offered; (v) in the case of units, the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, warrants, subscription receipts, share purchase contracts or debt securities comprising the units; and (vi) in the case of share purchase contracts, whether the share purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase or sell or both purchase and sell Common Shares, whether the share purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not or paid in instalments, any conditions upon which the purchase or sale will be contingent and the consequences if such conditions are not satisfied, whether the share purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, any provisions relating to the settlement of the share purchase contracts, the date or dates on which the sale or purchase must be made, whether the share purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form and the material income tax consequences of owning, holding and disposing of the share purchase contracts Where required by statute, regulation or policy, and where securities are offered in currencies other than Canadian dollars, appropriate disclosure of foreign exchange rates applicable to the securities will be included in the prospectus supplement describing the securities.


Purchasers are advised that it may not be possible for investors to enforce judgments obtained in Canada against any person or company that is incorporated, continued or otherwise organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction or resides outside of Canada, even if the party has appointed an agent for service of process. Several, but not all, of the Company's subsidiaries, namely HIVE Blockchain Iceland ehf., HIVE Blockchain Switzerland AG, Bikupa Datacenter AB, Bikupa Datacenter 2 AB, Bikupa Real Estate AB, Bikupa Holding AB, Buzz Holdings Inc., HIVE Digital Data Ltd., Liv Eiendom AS, and HIVE Performance Computing Ltd. are incorporated under laws of foreign jurisdictions and some of the Company's directors, namely: Frank Holmes, Dave Perrill, and Susan McGee reside outside of Canada and have appointed the Company at its registered office set forth below as their agent for service of process in Canada.

The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that the Company is incorporated or organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, that some of its officers and directors are residents of a foreign country, that some or all of the underwriters or experts that may be named in a registration statement on Form F-10 that includes this prospectus and that may be filed in the future if an offering is made by the Company in the United States (the "Registration Statement") may be residents of a foreign country, and that all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company and said persons may be located outside the United States.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "SEC") NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Any offering made pursuant to this prospectus is made by a Canadian issuer that is permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States and Canada, to prepare this prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements. Prospective investors should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States. Financial statements incorporated by reference herein have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and may be subject to foreign auditing and auditor independence standards, and thus may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies.

The Company's head office is located at 370-1095 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6, Canada and its registered office is located at Suite 2500, 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1B3.

Investors should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide investors with different information. Information contained on the Company's website shall not be deemed to be a part of this prospectus (including any applicable prospectus supplement) or incorporated by reference herein and should not be relied upon by prospective investors for the purpose of determining whether to invest in the securities. We will not make an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. Investors should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the face page of this prospectus, the date of any applicable prospectus supplement or the date of any documents incorporated by reference herein.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS v
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 1
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 5
CURRENCY PRESENTATION AND EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION 8
THE COMPANY 8
RISK FACTORS 17
USE OF PROCEEDS 20
CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION 24
PRIOR SALES 24
TRADING PRICE AND VOLUME 24
EARNINGS COVERAGE 24
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL 24
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 25
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 30
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 32
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS 33
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE PURCHASE CONTRACTS 35
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 36
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS 37
LEGAL MATTERS 38
AUDITORS, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR 38
AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS 38


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell or seeking an offer to buy the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of such document and that information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of that document, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or of any sale of the Company's securities pursuant thereto. The Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Market data and certain industry forecasts used in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, were obtained from market research, publicly available information and industry publications. We believe that these sources are generally reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of this information is not guaranteed. We have not independently verified such information, and we do not make any representation as to the accuracy of such information.

In this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts and references to "US$" or "$" are to U.S. dollars and references to "C$" are to Canadian dollars. This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain translations of certain U.S. dollar amounts into Canadian dollars solely for your convenience. See "Currency Presentation and Exchange Rate Information".

In this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires, references to "we", "us", "our" or similar terms, as well as references to "HIVE" or the "Company", refer to HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd. together, where context requires, with its subsidiaries and affiliates.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements and other information contained in this prospectus constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian Securities Laws and "forward-looking statements" under U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to:

  • the future price of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, and the other types of digital assets which HIVE may obtain, hold, and/or trade as a result of its business operations;
  • the Company's intended use of net proceeds from the sale of its securities;
  • the number of securities the Company intends to issue;
  • the future pricing for services and solutions in the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries;
  • the liquidity and market price of the Common Shares;
  • the Company's expectations regarding the sufficiency of its capital resources and requirements for additional capital;
  • litigation risks;
  • currency fluctuations;
  • risks related to debt securities being secured;
  • risks related to the decrease of the market price of the Common Shares if the Company's shareholders sell substantial amounts of Common Shares;

  • risks related to future sales or issuances of equity securities diluting voting power and reducing future earnings per share;
  • the absence of a market through which the Company's securities, other than Common Shares, may be sold;
  • the expected annualized run-rate revenue of the HPC line of operations;
  • changes to governmental laws and regulations; and
  • effects of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") outbreak as a global pandemic.

These forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "future", "continue" or similar expressions or the negatives thereof.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this prospectus should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus.

The forward-looking statements in this document are based on what the Company currently believes are reasonable assumptions, including the material assumptions set out in the management discussion and analysis and press releases of the Company (such documents are available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca, in the United States through EDGAR at the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov, or on the Company's website at www.hivedigitaltechnologies.com). Other material factors or assumptions that were applied in formulating the forward-looking statements contained herein include or relate to the following:

  • the business and economic conditions affecting the Company's operations in their current state, including, general levels of economic activity, regulations, taxes and interest rates;
  • information about the Company's use and profitability of the Company's computing power, including the Company's ability to profitably generate cryptocurrencies;
  • the Company's ability to successfully acquire and maintain required regulatory licenses and qualifications;
  • historical prices of cryptocurrencies;
  • the emerging cryptocurrency and blockchain markets and sectors;
  • the Company's ability to maintain good business relationships;
  • the Company's ability to manage and integrate acquisitions;
  • the Company's ability to identify, hire and retain key personnel;
  • the Company's ability to raise sufficient debt or equity financing to support the Company's continued growth;
  • the technology, proprietary and non-proprietary software, data and intellectual property of the Company and third parties in the cryptocurrencies and digital asset sector is able to be relied upon to conduct the Company's business;
  • the Company does not suffer a material impact or disruption from a cybersecurity incident, cyber-attack or theft of digital assets;

  • the Company's continued maintenance and development of data center facilities;
  • continued growth in usage and in the blockchain for various applications;
  • continued development of a stable public infrastructure, with the necessary speed, data capacity and security required to operate blockchain networks;
  • the absence of adverse regulation or law; and
  • the absence of material changes in the legislative, regulatory or operating framework for the Company's existing and anticipated business;
  • development of a new high performance computing business, the Company's strategic partnerships;
  • the cost of energy in each of the jurisdictions where we conduct mining and/or high performance computing operations;
  • the Company's plans to manage its data centers and trading operations from Bermuda; and
  • projected growth and estimates for the high performance computing business.

Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control. Some of the risks that could cause outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include:

  • The Company's cryptocurrency inventory may be exposed to cybersecurity threats and hacks.
  • Regulatory changes or actions may alter the nature of an investment in the Company or restrict the use of cryptocurrencies in a manner that adversely affects the Company's operations.
  • The value of cryptocurrencies may be subject to volatility and momentum pricing risk.
  • Cryptocurrency exchanges and other trading venues are relatively new and, in most cases, largely unregulated and may therefore be more exposed to fraud and failure.
  • Energy costs in the regions where we operate may increase.
  • Possibility of less frequent or cessation of monetization of cryptocurrencies.
  • Limited history of de-centralized financial system.
  • Cryptocurrency network difficulty and impact of increased global computing power.
  • Banks may not provide banking services, or may cut off banking services, to businesses that provide cryptocurrency-related services or that accept cryptocurrencies as payment.
  • The impact of geopolitical events on the supply and demand for cryptocurrencies is uncertain.
  • Political and regulatory risks.
  • Changes to tax laws.
  • Permits and licences.
  • Server failures.
  • Global financial conditions.

  • Tax consequences.
  • Passive foreign investment company regulations could affect U.S. shareholders.
  • Environmental regulations.
  • Environmental liability.
  • The further development and acceptance of the cryptographic and algorithmic protocols governing the issuance of and transactions in cryptocurrencies is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate.
  • Acceptance and/or widespread use of cryptocurrency is uncertain.
  • The Company may be required to sell its inventory of cryptocurrency to pay suppliers.
  • Facility developments.
  • The Company's operations, investment strategies, and profitability may be adversely affected by competition from other methods of investing in cryptocurrencies.
  • The Company's coins may be subject to loss, theft or restriction on access.
  • Incorrect or fraudulent coin transactions may be irreversible.
  • If the award of coins for solving blocks and transaction fees are not sufficiently high, Miners may not have an adequate incentive to continue mining and may cease their mining operations.
  • The price of coins may be affected by the sale of coins by other vehicles investing in coins or tracking cryptocurrency markets.
  • Risk related to technological obsolescence and difficulty in obtaining hardware.
  • Risks related to insurance.
  • Transactional Fees and Demand for Bitcoin.
  • Future Profits/Losses and Production Revenues/Expenses.
  • Property and Other Insurance Risks.
  • Hazards associated with high-voltage electricity transmission and industrial operations may result in suspension of our operations or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
  • Limited Operating History.
  • Future capital needs, uncertainty of additional financing and dilution.
  • Management of growth.
  • Additional funding requirements and dilution.
  • Loss of key employees & contractors.
  • Pandemics.
  • Conflicts of interest.
  • Liquid market for securities.

  • Dividends.
  • Interest rate risk.
  • Currency exchange risk.
  • International conflict.
  • Energy Tariffs in Paraguay.
  • Development and Growth of the HIVE Paraguay Facility and Other Infrastructure Projects.
  • Anticipated 2028 Bitcoin Halving.
  • Tax Decision in respect of the Company's Subsidiaries.
  • Discretion over use of proceeds.
  • Absence of a public market for certain of the securities.
  • Unsecured debt securities.
  • Effect of changes in interest rates on debt securities.
  • Effect of fluctuations in foreign currency markets on debt securities.
  • Trading price of Common Shares and volatility.

Additional information on these and other factors is discussed under the heading "RISK FACTORS" in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein including in the 2024 MD&A (as defined herein) under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" and in the 2024 AIF (as defined herein) under the heading "Risk Factors", as may be modified or superseded by other subsequently filed documents that are also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Information has been incorporated by reference in this short form base shelf prospectus from documents filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada and filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Chief Financial Officer of HIVE at 370-1095 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6, Canada (Telephone (604) 664-1078) Attn: Chief Financial Officer. Such documents are also available without charge to shareholders and other interested parties through the "Investors" portion of the Company's website at www.hivedigitaltechnologies.com as well as on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR+"), at www.sedarplus.ca or in the United States through EDGAR at the website of the SEC at www.SEC.gov. The filings of the Company available on the Company's website, SEDAR+ and EDGAR are not incorporated by reference in this prospectus except as specifically set out herein.

The following documents, filed with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of, this short form base shelf prospectus:

  • the Company's revised annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2024, dated as at June 24, 2024, initially filed on June 24, 2024 and re-filed on June 25, 2024 (the "2024 AIF");

  • the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the notes thereto and the independent auditor's report thereon, filed on June 24, 2024 (the "2024 Annual Financial Statements");
  • the Company's annual management's discussion and analysis for the year ended March 31, 2024, dated as at June 24, 2024 and filed on June 24, 2024 (the "2024 MD&A");
  • the Company's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and filed on August 12, 2024;
  • the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and filed on August 12, 2024 (the "Interim MD&A");
  • the information circular dated October 23, 2023 with respect to the annual general and special meeting of the Company's shareholders ("Shareholders") held on November 29, 2023, filed on November 7, 2023;
  • the material change report April 5, 2024 related to the Company's production figures for the month of March, 2024;
  • the material change report dated May 8, 2024 related to the Company's production figures for the month of April, 2024;
  • the material change report dated June 10, 2024 related to the Company's production figures for the month of May, 2024 and announcement of the acquisition of 1,000 new Bitmain S21 Pro Antminers ("S21 Pro Miners");
  • the material change report dated June 25, 2024 related to the financial review and results for the year ended March 31, 2024;
  • the material change report dated July 8, 2024 related to the Company's production figures for the month of June, 2024;
  • the material change report dated July 22, 2024 related to the Company's plans to construct a 100 MW hydroelectric data center located in Paraguay (the "Planned Paraguay Facility"), and to target an aggregate hash power of 12.1 EH/s;
  • the material change report dated July 31, 2024 related to the Company's execution of definitive agreements to construct the Planned Paraguay Facility; and
  • the material change report dated August 2, 2024 related to the Company's production figures for the month of July, 2024;
  • the material change report dated August 13, 2024 related to the Company's earning report for the quarter ended June 30, 2024;
  • the material change report dated September 5, 2024 related to the Company's production figures for the month of August, 2024;
  • the material change report dated September 5, 2024 related to a correction to the Company's production figures for the month of August, 2024; and
  • the material change report dated September 11, 2024 related to an update to the August 2024 production figures and a report of the sales figures during final period of the Amended 2023 ATM Financing.

Any documents of the type described in Section 11.1 of Form 44-101F1 Short Form Prospectuses filed by the Company with a securities commission or similar authority in any province or territory of Canada subsequent to the date of this short form base shelf prospectus and prior to the expiry of this prospectus, or the completion of the issuance of securities pursuant hereto, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent that any document or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is included in a report that is filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), such document or information shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (in the case of a report on Form 6-K, if and to the extent expressly provided in such report).

A prospectus supplement containing the specific terms of any offering of the Company's securities will be delivered to purchasers of the Company's securities together with this prospectus and will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus as of the date of the prospectus supplement and only for the purposes of the offering of the Company's securities to which that prospectus supplement pertains.

Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, in any prospectus supplement hereto or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document that it modifies or supersedes. The making of a modifying or superseding statement is not to be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

Upon the Company's filing of a new annual information form and the related annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis with applicable securities regulatory authorities during the currency of this prospectus, the previous annual information form, the previous annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis and all interim financial statements, material change reports and information circulars filed prior to the commencement of the Company's financial year in which the new annual information form is filed will be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of the Company's securities under this prospectus. Upon interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management's discussion and analysis being filed by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the duration of this prospectus, all interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management's discussion and analysis filed prior to the new interim consolidated financial statements shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of securities under this prospectus. Upon a new annual information form being filed by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the term of this prospectus for which the related annual comparative consolidated financial statements include at least nine months of financial results of an acquired business for which a business acquisition report was filed by us and incorporated by reference into this prospectus, such business acquisition report shall no longer be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus for the purpose of future offers and sales of the securities hereunder. Upon a new information circular of the Company prepared in connection with an annual general meeting of the Company being filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the currency of this Prospectus, the previous information circular of the Company, if prepared in connection with solely an annual general meeting of the Company, shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Securities hereunder.

References to the Company's website in any documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus do not incorporate by reference the information on such website into this prospectus, and we disclaim any such incorporation by reference.


CURRENCY PRESENTATION AND EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

The high, low, average and closing rates for the US dollar in terms of Canadian dollars for each of the financial periods indicated below, as quoted by the Bank of Canada, were as follows:

 

Three months ended
June 30, 2024

Three months ended
June 30, 2023

Year ended
March 31, 2024

Year ended
March 31, 2023

 

(expressed in Canadian dollars)

High

1.3821

1.3630

1.3875

1.3856

Low

1.3504

1.3150

1.3128

1.2451

Average

1.3683

1.3430

1.3487

1.3230

Closing

1.3687

1.3240

1.3574

1.3533

On September 10, 2024, the daily exchange rate for the US dollar in terms of Canadian dollars, as quoted by the Bank of Canada, was $1.00 = C$1.3599.

DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

In the event the Registration Statement is filed at a future date, the following documents will or will have been filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement, of which when filed at a future date, this prospectus will form a part: (1) the documents listed under "DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE"; (2) the consent of Davidson & Company LLP; (3) powers of attorney from certain of the Company's directors and officers; and (4) the forms of senior and subordinated indenture relating to the debt securities.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the U.S. Exchange Act and applicable Canadian requirements and, in accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the SEC and with securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Under the multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States and Canada, such reports and other information may be prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada, which requirements are different from those of the United States. As a foreign private issuer, the Company is exempt from the rules under the U.S. Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and the Company's officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the U.S. Exchange Act. Reports and other information filed by the Company with, or furnished to, the SEC may be obtained on EDGAR at the SEC's website: www.sec.gov.

THE COMPANY

The following description of the Company is, in some instances, derived from selected information about us contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This description does not contain all of the information about us and our business that you should consider before investing in any securities. You should carefully read the entire prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including the section entitled "RISK FACTORS", as well as the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

Name, Address and Incorporation

The Company was incorporated in the Province of British Columbia on June 24, 1987 under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) under the name "Carmelita Petroleum Limited". The Company changed its name first on September 26, 1996 to "Carmelita Resources Limited", then on July 4, 2000 to "Pierre Enterprises Ltd.", then on February 1, 2011 to "Leeta Gold Corp.", then on September 15, 2017 to "HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd." and finally on July 12, 2023, to "HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.".

The Company's head office is located at 370-1095 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6, Canada, and the Company's registered office is located at Suite 2500, 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1B3.


The Company's Common Shares are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under the trading symbol "HIVE" as well as on Nasdaq under the symbol "HIVE", and on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol "FO0.F".

Subsidiaries

The table below lists the principal subsidiaries of the Company as of the date hereof.

Name

Jurisdiction

Assets Held

HIVE Blockchain Iceland ehf.

Iceland

Computer equipment

HIVE Blockchain Switzerland AG

Switzerland

Cryptocurrency inventory

HIVE Digital Data Ltd.

Bermuda

Cryptocurrency inventory

Bikupa Datacenter AB

Sweden

Computer equipment

Bikupa Datacenter 2 AB

Sweden

Computer equipment

Bikupa Real Estate AB

Sweden

Real estate

9376-9974 Québec Inc.

Québec

Computer equipment

HIVE Atlantic Datacentres Ltd.

New Brunswick

50 MW substation, 30 MW substation, land, buildings, and computer equipment

HIVE Performance Computing Ltd.

Bermuda

High performance computing ("HPC") software products

HIVE Performance Cloud Inc.

Canada

Computer equipment

Note:

(1)

In addition to the subsidiaries noted above, the following corporations are subsidiaries of the Company: Liv Eiendom AS (Norway), wholly owned by HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.; Bikupa Holding AB (Sweden), wholly owned by HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.; HIVE Performance Computing AB (Sweden), wholly owned by HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.; Buzz High Performance Computing Inc. (British Columbia), wholly owned by HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.; Buzz Holdings Inc. (Barbados), wholly owned by HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd. See the 2024 AIF under the heading "Corporate Structure - Intercorporate Relationships".

Summary Description of the Business

The primary business of the Company is the provision of computing capacity which is most commonly, but not exclusively, used to secure a distributed network by creating, verifying, publishing and propagating blocks in the blockchain in exchange for rewards and fees denominated in the native token of that network (i.e. Bitcoin), referred in this Prospectus as "mining" or "cryptocurrency mining".

For the purposes of this section:

"Bitcoin" shall refer to the native token of the Bitcoin Network which utilizes the SHA-256 algorithm. Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer payment system and the digital currency of the same name which uses open source cryptography to control the creation and transfer of such digital currency, with "Bitcoin Network" meaning the network of computers running the software protocol underlying Bitcoin and which network maintains the database of Bitcoin ownership and facilitates the transfer of Bitcoin among parties, and "SHA-256" meaning a cryptographic Hash algorithm. SHA-256 generates an almost-unique 256-bit (32-byte) signature for a text. The most well-known cryptocurrencies that utilize the SHA-256 algorithm are Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash;

"Blockchain" shall refer to an immutable, decentralized public transaction ledger which records transactions, such as financial transactions in cryptocurrency, in chronological order. Bitcoin and Ethereum are examples of well-known and widely distributed blockchains;

"Ether" or "Ethereum" shall refer to the native token of the Ethereum Network which prior to the "Merge" utilized the ethash algorithm. Ethereum is a global, open-source platform for decentralized application, and prior to the "Merge", the "Ethereum Network" meant the network of computers running the software protocol underlying Ethereum and which network maintained the database of Ether ownership and facilitated the transfer of Ether among parties;


"GPU" shall refer to a graphics processing unit, a programmable logic chip (processor) specialized for display functions and effective at solving digital currency hashing algorithms;

"Hash" shall refer to the output of a hash function, i.e. the output of the fundamental mathematical computation of a particular cryptocurrency's computer code which miners ("Miners") execute, and "Petahash" and "Exahash" or "PH" and "EH" mean, respectively, 1x1015 Hashes and 1x1018 Hashes; and

"Hashrate" shall refer to a measure of mining power whereby the expected income from mining is directly proportional to a Miners hashrate normalized by the total hashrate of the network.

The Company operates in one segment, being the provision of data servers for the purposes of generating computational power which is commonly used for mining and sale of digital currencies. The Company owns and leases predominantly-green energy-powered data center facilities in Canada, Sweden, and Iceland at which the Company provisions computational power. The Company then applies the computational power primarily for the mining of digital currencies, including Bitcoin, continuously on the cloud. The Company utilizes GPU and ASIC SHA-256 computing equipment for its cryptocurrency operations and is investigating other high efficiency computing applications of its GPU equipment, such as artificial intelligence and graphic rendering as well as private blockchain computing, which are becoming more widespread as the blockchain technology grows and develops.

The Company is in the process of diversifying its business by utilizing its approximately 31,500 GPU-based cards to build systems that can provide computational power on a large scale. In addition, the Company will branch out into the rental of GPU server clusters via marketplaces and is exploring the development of a new service to be known as HIVE Cloud. This cloud service will offer to users a selection of options to access computing resources ranging from a virtual instance of a single GPU to a bare-metal server equipped with up to 10 GPUs to clusters of multiple servers.

As of the date hereof, HIVE operates at nine data center sites. More detailed information regarding the business of the Company as well as its mining operations can be found in the 2024 AIF under the heading "DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS - Description of the Business". The Company's operating and maintenance expenses are composed of electricity to power its computing equipment as well as cooling and lighting and other aspects of operating computer equipment. Other site expenses include leasing costs for the facilities, personnel salaries, internet access, equipment maintenance and software optimization, and facility security, maintenance and management.

The following is a summary of the Company's various data center sites as of August 31, 2024:

Site

Location

Installed Mining Hashpower(1)

Lachute Facility

Québec, Canada

1,280 PH/s

Sweden (Boden) Facility

Boden, Sweden

1,120 PH/s

Sweden (Boden) Facility 2

Boden, Sweden

240 PH/s

Sweden (Robertsfors) Facility

Robertsfors, Sweden

85 PH/s

Sweden (Notviken) Facility

Lulea, Sweden

45 PH/s

Iceland Facility 2

Reykjanesbaer, Iceland

135 PH/s

New Brunswick Facility

New Brunswick, Canada

2,360 PH/s

Montreal Facility

Québec, Canada

N/A

Stockholm Facility

Stockholm, Sweden

N/A

Note:

(1)

The figures provided in this table are approximations, and the actual computational power in use varies due to several factors, including the underlying prices of cryptocurrencies, demand for services, prices of power, replacement, relocation, or retirement of Miners, etc.

The Company's facilities are strategically located in geographical locations where electricity costs are low due to an abundance of green energy, such as hydro power and geothermal energy.


Current Mining Capacity and Revenue

As of August 31, 2024, the Company's daily revenue is approximately US$235,000, generated through an average of 3.61 bitcoin mined per day using 5,270 PH/s of Bitcoin mining capacity from ASICs and, additionally, approximately $20,000 generated from high performance computing. The Company may elect to retire and upgrade existing machines with newer machines to improve hashrate efficiency, instead of focusing on hashrate growth on a forward-looking basis.

During the fourth financial quarter of 2022 and the 2023 financial year, the company elected to replace (the "2022Q4 Replacement") less efficient Miners (38 J/TH or worse) with the purchase and installation of approximately 12,300 BuzzMiners at a cost of approximately $35.0 million. The Company's purchase of 7,000 S21 Miners ("S21 Miners") cost approximately $24.5 million, quickly followed by an additional purchase of an additional 1,000 S21 Miners for $3.5 million (together, the "December 2023 Order"). On June 10, 2024 the Company announced a purchase of 1,000 S21 Pro Miners for $4.2 million (the "June 2024 Order"). See below for details on the S21 Miners and S21 Pro Miners. As of August 31, 2024, the Company's total Bitcoin ASIC mining capacity is 5,270 PH/s, which includes:

Location

Current Capacity

Future Plans for Expansion, Upgrades, Retirement

New Brunswick

2,360 PH/s active. There are approximately 20,000 ASIC Miners operating at this location.

There is 15 MW of additional capacity.

Approximately 6,000 BuzzMiners have been installed at the New Brunswick Facility since Q4 2022 to replace older generation ASICs.

1,500 Bitmain S19 kPro Miners ("S19 kPro Miners") were installed at the New Brunswick Facility to replace the least efficient machines.

As part of the 2022Q4 Replacement, 6,000 S21 Miners have been installed in New Brunswick, composed of 5,000 S21 Miners from the December 2023 Order.

Quebec

1,280 PH/s active. There are approximately 10,500 ASIC Miners operating at this location.

The Company is currently undergoing an upgrade to replace older generation of ASICs. The principal transactions the Company has undertaken in the past twelve months include: (i) the acquisition of approximately 6,000 S19 kPro Miners at a cost of $8.5 million; (ii) 334 S21 Miners from the December 2023 Order; (iii) the acquisition of approximately 3,100 S19 XP Miners at a cost of $9.8 million; (iv) and the acquisition of approximately 1,000 S19 J Pro+ Miners, at a cost of $1.6 million.

Sweden

1,490 PH/s active. There are of approximately 10,000 ASIC Miners operating at the facilities located in Boden, Sweden and Lulea, Sweden in aggregate and an additional approximately 1,000 ASIC Miners operating at the facility located in Robertsfors, Sweden, for a total of 11,000 ASICs in Sweden.

Boden is currently consuming approximately 26 MW and has the infrastructure that can support up to 32 MW.

The Company is evaluating using some of our previous generation equipment to programmatically start to mine when it is profitable to do so, up to the 32 MW of capacity. As of January 31, 2024, the Company has unplugged the active GPUs and plans to re-deploy them depending on prevailing market conditions. Approximately 6,500 BuzzMiners and 2,200 S19 kPro Miners have been installed in the Company's facility in Boden, Sweden, and 400 S19 kPro Miners have been sent to the Company's facility in Notviken, Sweden. The cost of these 2,600 S19 kPro Miners was approximately $3.8 million.

386 S21 Miners have been sent to the HIVE Sweden Facility from the December 2023 Order. Approximately 1,117 S21 Miners were converted into S21 Pro Miners, which were also sent to HIVE Sweden Facility. All 1,000 S21 Pro Miners from the June 2024 Order have been delivered and installed in the HIVE Boden 2 Facility.

On July 22, 2024, the Company announced that it had acquired an additional 500 S21 Pro Miners, which have been delivered to the Company (the "July 2024 Order"). The Company has installed these ASIC Miners at the HIVE Sweden Facility.

As of August 31, 2024, the Company has approximately 24,000 GPUs unplugged. The Company notes that approximately 2,200 GPUs operating HPC workloads are still running in Boden as of July 2024; however, there are no GPUs doing mining as of January 31, 2024.




Iceland

135 PH/s active, with 130 PH of equipment that is currently being curtailed. There are approximately 1,300 ASIC Miners operating at this location.

The Company's facility in Blonduos Iceland was retired January 3, 2024, and most of the 100 PH/s of ASICs were subsequently disposed for a nominal amount. The Company currently has no plans to expand the facility in Reykjanesbaer.

Note:

(1)

In aggregate, HIVE has approximately 41,800 ASIC Miners in active operation as of the date hereof.

Custodial services for digital currencies

HIVE does not self-custody its digital currencies. The Company holds its digital currencies in secure storage wallets, with Fireblocks Inc. ("Fireblocks"), which is headquartered in New York, and also at Bank Frick ("Bank Frick" and together with Fireblocks, the "Custodians"), which is headquartered in Liechtenstein. The Custodians are responsible only for safeguarding the cryptocurrency assets of the Company. Neither the Company nor the Custodians process cryptocurrency asset payments for the Company or for others. Neither of the Custodians uses a sub-custodian and neither is a related party of the Company. Bank Frick is regulated by the Liechtenstein financial market authority and is the foreign equivalent of a Canadian financial institution (as that term is defined in National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemption). The Company is not aware of anything with regards to the Custodians' operations that would adversely affect the issuer's ability to obtain an unqualified audit opinion on its audited financial statements. As at August 31, 2024, the percentages of the Company's cryptocurrency assets held by Fireblocks and Bank Frick were approximately 99% and 1%, respectively. As at August 31, 2024, the quantity and dollar value of the Company's Bitcoin cryptocurrency assets (which compose over 99% of the Company's entire digital currency assets) were 2,567 Bitcoin, with a market value of approximately US$151.4 million.

The Company has conducted due diligence on its Custodians and has not identified any material concerns. It routinely reviews and verifies its asset balances on public blockchain explorers. In order to monitor Fireblocks, the Custodian at which the large majority of the Company's assets are held, the Company relies on system and organization controls provided by a SOC 2 Type II report, undertaken by an independent audit firm. Management of the Company is not aware of any security breaches or other similar incidents involving either of the Custodians which resulted in lost or stolen cryptocurrency assets. In the event of an insolvency or bankruptcy of the Custodians, the Company would write off as losses any unrecoverable cryptocurrency assets.

The Company has chosen to continue to use Bank Frick as custodian due to its track record in the industry. Bank Frick has acted as custodian for the Company since its early stages and was one of the few institutions that readily accepted cryptocurrency companies in Europe after changes in Switzerland greatly limited banks from operating in the cryptocurrency industry. In addition, Bank Frick permits the Company to maintain accounts in both fiat currency as well as cryptocurrency, and consequently, upon sales of cryptocurrency, the proceeds can be deposited into the Company's account with Bank Frick that is denominated in US dollars.

Fireblocks was chosen as the Company's second and primary custodian after they had announced in December 2019 that they had completed an examination and received a SOC 2 Type II certification. In general, a SOC 2 Type II certification is issued by an outside auditor and evaluates the extent to which a vendor complies with five trust principles based on the systems and processes in place. These five principles include the following (collectively, the "Trust Services Criteria"):

  • "Security", which addresses the safeguarding of system resources and assets against unauthorized access;
  • "Availability", which addresses the accessibility of the system as stipulated by the applicable service agreement between vendor and customer;
  • "Processing Integrity", which addresses whether or not a system achieves its purpose;
  • "Confidentiality", which addresses whether access and disclosure of data is restricted to a specified set of persons or organizations; and

  • "Privacy", which addresses the system's collection, use, retention, disclosure and disposal of personal information in conformity with an organization's privacy notice.

The most recent SOC 2 Type II certification received by Fireblocks was based on an examination of its platform for the period from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 (the "2023 SOC 2 Report"). The 2023 SOC 2 Report concluded that the controls implemented by Fireblocks were suitably designed to meet Fireblocks' service commitments and system requirements based on the applicable Trust Services Criteria. As a result of their nature however, the controls implemented by a service organization such as Fireblocks may not always operate effectively or continue to meet the applicable Trust Services Criteria. It is impossible to predict the future applicability of any evaluation regarding the suitability of design or operating effectiveness of the controls used by Fireblocks, as these are subject to the risk that the systems or controls used may change or become ineffective. Additionally, the conclusion of the 2023 SOC 2 Report is based on the assumption that the controls in place were effectively applied by user entities and any subservice organizations engaged by Fireblocks, which may not always be the case.

As of the date hereof, the Company's only material custodian is Fireblocks. The Company relies primarily on Fireblocks as it compiles documented controls that can be provided to the Company, such as the SOC 2 Type II certification, which are viewed as instrumental in providing verification to third parties that appropriate controls have been put in place.

Fireblocks is a wallet infrastructure provider and a digital asset security firm which was backed in its early stages by the investment arm of Fidelity International Ltd. Fireblocks utilizes multi-party computation technology to secure private keys to assist its customers to securely self-custody and transfer cryptocurrency assets among counterparties, and consequently, does not directly hold the Company's cryptocurrency inventory. Fireblocks stores two of the Company's three key shares on servers located in the United States and operated by Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft Corporation, and International Business Machines Corporation; the Company maintains the third key share in the secure enclave of authorized user's mobile devices. All three key shares are required in order to execute a transfer of cryptocurrency from the secure storage wallet.

As at August 31, 2024, the Company had elected to maintain 99% of its cryptocurrency with Fireblocks primarily due to the comfort provided by the SOC 2 Type II certification undertaken by an independent audit firm, and for which Fireblocks undergoes a review on an annual basis. Such reports are not applicable to Bank Frick or other large cryptocurrency custodians at this time. The Company reviews the SOC 2 Type II report to ensure it maintains a secure technology infrastructure and the security systems designed to safeguard cryptocurrency assets are operating effectively. To date, the Company has not identified any material concerns based on its review of the SOC 2 Type II report.

Fireblocks also maintains an insurance policy which covers technology, cyber, and professional liability, and has received an "A" rating by A.M. Best based on the strength of the policy. The Company is not aware of any security breaches or incidents involving Fireblocks, or of any other limitations on Fireblocks's insurance.

The Company further believes that the SOC 2 Type II certification better addresses the commentary of the Canadian Public Accountancy Board and the Canadian Securities Administrators continuing review and guidance in respect of custodial controls and security of cryptocurrency assets.

The Company has not been able to insure its mined digital currency, nor do either of the Custodians maintain any insurance over the cryptocurrency assets they hold, as of the date hereof. The Company views the risk of loss or theft as low, as its assets are maintained in secure storage with its Custodians. Given the novelty of digital currency mining and associated businesses, insurance of this nature is generally not available, or uneconomical for the Company to obtain which leads to the risk of inadequate insurance cover. Further information regarding the Company and its business is set out in the 2024 AIF and 2024 MD&A, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.


Fireblocks License Agreement

The commercial relationship between the Company and Fireblocks is governed by a license agreement entered into on September 28, 2020 (the "Fireblocks License Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Fireblocks License Agreement, the Company is entitled to a non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, and non-transferable license to access the custodial services provided by Fireblocks. Specifically, these services include a cryptocurrency wallet that stores private and public keys, interacts with various blockchains and enables the Company to monitor its balances of assets, as well as a number of optional services the Company may opt-in to from time to time. A full list of the optional services can be found in Appendix A of the Fireblocks License Agreement which has been posted to the Company's SEDAR profile. The Fireblocks License Agreement has been renewed with the current agreement expiring on September 28, 2024.

Either the Company or Fireblocks may terminate the Fireblocks License Agreement at any time by giving written notice if the other party is in breach or default of any material provision, and fails to cure the breach or default within thirty (30) days after being given such notice. If the Company does not pay two consecutive monthly invoices, Fireblocks may suspend, block and/or restrict the Company's access to the system upon providing ten (10) days prior notice of such suspension or termination to the Company.

Coincover

In January, 2023, the Company and Fireblocks entered into a Letter Agreement for the provision of additional services contemplating disaster recovery procedures through Digital Asset Services Ltd (trading as "Coincover") a third-party provider which covers until February 18, 2025. The Company has implemented these services provided by Coincover, effective February 10, 2023.

Coincover use secure Amazon Web Services enterprise storage solutions to store the encrypted backup shards provided by Fireblocks (the recovery package). Coincover also stores, in offline vaults, the RSA private key used in the decryption of the recovery package. These are stored offline in secure facilities on certified FIPS 140-2 Level 3 devices (tamper proof, hardware encrypted).

There are multiple locations, geographically separated for redundancy. All devices are tested on a regularly basis at a minimum quarterly. Coincover employs a strict confidentiality policy around the process, locations and personnel. Duties are segregated ensuring that multiple approved personnel are required to complete a recovery.

Through Coincover's services, HIVE will be able to, together with Coincover, recover lost private key shares held by Fireblocks and/or the Company, in order to have full access to the entire private key share. In addition, HIVE will consent to Fireblocks sharing with Coincover a disaster recovery passphrase, which shall serve as an additional passphrase that is held by Coincover to allow HIVE to recover its private key share.

Offering of HPC Services

The Company has also commenced an expansion into the high-performance computing ("HPC") space through the conversion of certain graphics processing units ("GPU") cards into an on-demand GPU cloud service for companies operating in the Artificial Intelligence ("AI") industry. This cloud service allows users to access a virtual instance of single or multiple GPUs, in order to provide an array of computing power. The Company's primary aim at this time is to provide HPC services to small and medium-sized AI businesses with an efficient and cost-effective alternative with substantial savings from the major cloud service providers. See the 2024 AIF under the heading "GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS - Three Year History - Fiscal 2024 - Growth of HPC Business using GPU compute for AI revenues".

Term Loan

As disclosed in Note 14 of the 2024 Annual Financial Statements, the Company acquired a $11 million (C$13.6 million) term loan in connection with the acquisition of GPU Atlantic in 2022. The facility bears interest at 3.33% per annum and had a maturity date of June 30, 2024. Approximately C$6.82 million (the "Outstanding Loan Amount") of the term loan was outstanding as at June 30, 2024. C$4.20 million of the Outstanding Loan Amount was renewed for a 1-year term bearing interest of 5.31% per annum; C$2.62 million of the Outstanding Loan Amount was renewed for a 2-year term bearing interest at 5.15% per annum.


Paraguay Expansion

On July 22, 2024, the Company announced that it intends to construct a 100MW data center facility located in Paraguay. On July 31, 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Paraguay SPA") among Paraguay Digital Ltd. ("HIVE Paraguay"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and the owners of W3X SA ("W3X"); and (ii) a construction agreement (the "Paraguay Construction Agreement") among the newly acquired Company, W3X, and a local contractor BIT7EVEN SA (the "Contractor"). Management currently anticipates that it will cost approximately US$56 million to construct the facility and approximately US$115 million to acquire ASIC Miners to fully operationalize the facility.

Pursuant to the Paraguay SPA, the Company and HIVE Paraguay will acquire from the Vendors all of the issued and outstanding shares of W3X in consideration for cash of 100 million Paraguayan Guarani (approximately USD$13,000). W3X holds a power contract for the provision of 100 MW of power until December 31, 2027.

Pursuant to the Paraguay Construction Agreement, the Contractor shall design and construct facilities specified for operation of data centres, located on specific sites in Paraguay. The Contractor shall have thirty days from the date of the Paraguay Construction Agreement to prepare and deliver a work plan to HIVE. HIVE is still awaiting the project budget. Upon receipt, HIVE shall have twenty business days to approve or request modifications to the work plan and costs (which shall be paid wholly in cash, in installments). In the event that the Contractor cannot procure the real property on which the sites are to be located, W3X can terminate the Paraguay Construction Agreement without penalty. HIVE may terminate the Paraguay Construction Agreement on fifteen days' notice, shall be required to pay a break fee of USD$2,150,000, but it shall not be required to pay any other amounts in connection with the termination. In the event that the Contractor terminates the Paraguay Construction Agreement, they shall pay a break fee to HIVE of not less than USD$500,000.

Hive has identified a site next to one of the principal substations administered by the Paraguayan National Administration of Electricity ("ANDE"). As described above, HIVE has entered into agreements to construct a facility on this site and the Company currently remains in the preliminary planning stages for such facility. The contracted rate for the supply of energy was issued at $0.039 per kWh; however, in June 2024, ANDE imposed a 14% price increase by way of resolution, bringing the energy cost to $0.044 per kWh. The industry is lobbying the government to revoke the recent increase. See "RISK FACTORS - General Risk Factors - Energy Tariffs in Paraguay".

Previous Financings

2021 At-the-market Financing

Pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated February 2, 2021 to the short form base shelf prospectus dated January 27, 2021 (which was subsequently amended on January 4, 2022) and an equity distribution agreement dated February 2, 2021 (the "2021 Distribution Agreement") between the Company and Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord"), the Company established an at the market financing in Canada and raised an aggregate of US$99,499,217.

2022 Special Warrant Financing

Pursuant the prospectus supplement dated January 7, 2022 to the amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus dated January 4, 2022, the distribution of 19,170,500 units of the Company issuable without any additional payment upon the automatic exercise of 19,170,500 special warrants was qualified (the "Special Warrant Financing"). The Company raised an aggregate of C$115,023,000 under the Special Warrant Financing.


2022 At-the-market Financing

Pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated September 2, 2022 to the amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus dated January 4, 2022 and an equity distribution agreement dated September 2, 2022 (the "2022 Distribution Agreement") between the Company and H.C. Wainwright & Co. ("H.C. Wainwright"), the Company established an at the market financing in the United States (the "2022 ATM Financing"). Pursuant to the 2022 ATM Financing, the Company distributed Common Shares from time to time through H.C. Wainwright, as agent, for the distribution of Common Shares pursuant to the offering of Common Shares in accordance with the terms of the 2022 Distribution Agreement (the "2022 ATM Program"). Sales of Common Shares in the 2022 ATM Financing were deemed to be "at-the-market distributions" as defined in National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions ("NI 44-102"). On February 7, 2022, the Company terminated the 2022 ATM Program. The Company sold an aggregate of 1,306,474 Common Shares at prevailing market prices for gross proceeds of US$3,941,736, and the Company paid a commission in the aggregate of US$118,252 to H.C. Wainwright, pursuant to the 2022 ATM Program.

2023 At-the-market Financing

Pursuant to the amended and restated prospectus supplement, amending and restating the prospectus supplement dated August 17, 2023 to the short form base shelf prospectus dated May 1, 2023 and amended and restated equity distribution agreement dated August 17, 2023 (the "Amended 2023 Distribution Agreement") with Canaccord Genuity LLC, Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. (collectively, the "Agents"), the Company established an at the market financing in Canada and the United States (the "Amended 2023 ATM Financing"). Pursuant to the Amended 2023 ATM Program, the Company distributed Common Shares from time to time through the Agents, for the distribution of Common Shares pursuant to the offering of Common Shares in accordance with the terms of the Amended 2023 Distribution Agreement (the "Amended 2023 ATM Program"). Sales of Common Shares in the Amended 2023 ATM Financing were deemed to be "at-the-market distributions" as defined in National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions ("NI 44-102"). As at March 31, 2024, the Company sold an aggregate of 14,986,724 Common Shares at prevailing market prices for gross proceeds of US$59,500,000, and the Company paid a commission in the aggregate of US$1,800,000 to the Agents, pursuant to the Amended 2023 ATM Program. As of the date of hereof, the Company has sold an additional aggregate of 12,534,457 Common Shares at prevailing market prices for gross proceeds of US$37,348,000, and the Company paid a commission in the aggregate of US$1,120,000 to the Agents, pursuant to the Amended 2023 ATM Program.

2023 Special Warrant Financing

Pursuant the short form prospectus dated January 30, 2024, the distribution of 5,750,000 units of the Company issuable without any additional payment upon the automatic exercise of 5,750,000 special warrants was qualified (the "2023 Special Warrant Financing"). The Company raised an aggregate of C$28,750,000 under the 2023 Special Warrant Financing.

Revenue and Profitability of HPC Hosting

The Company has reported the revenue and profitability of its HPC hosting operations in the 2024 MD&A under the heading "Consolidated Results of Operations on a Quarterly Basis". In Q3 2024, the Company achieved revenues from its HPC hosting operations of approximately $1.1 million, against cost of goods sold of approximately $1.2 million. In Q4 2024, the Company achieved revenues from its HPC hosting operations of approximately $1.8 million, against cost of goods sold of approximately $1.6 million. In Q1 2025, the Company achieved revenues from its HPC hosting operations of approximately $2.6 million, against cost of goods sold of approximately $2.0 million.

2024 Bitcoin Halving

Impact of the 2024 Bitcoin Halving

The 2024 Bitcoin Halving reduced the block reward from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. All things being equal, this has decreased the amount of Bitcoin a Miner earns for the same amount of computational effort, which could lead to reduced revenue unless it is offset by at least the following factors: (i) a rise in Bitcoin's price; (ii) a decrease in the Bitcoin network "difficulty" ("Difficulty"); and (iii) an increase in network transaction fees.


Increased usage of the Bitcoin network could result in higher transaction fees, which miners earn in addition to block rewards; this could partially offset the reduced block rewards. Reduced revenue from mining could decrease HIVE's operating cash flow.

HIVE's generated 449 Bitcoin in the quarter ended June 30, 2024 compared to 658 Bitcoin in the quarter ended March 31, 2024, which management believes was primarily a result of the 2024 Bitcoin Halving. The Company prepared for this Halving by upgrading its ASIC miners in the months leading up to and after the Halving, contributing to the positive results for this recent quarter reported. For the 90 days immediately preceding April 20, 2024 (being the date of the 2024 Bitcoin Halving), the Bitcoin network had an average Difficulty of approximately 80.1 trillion and an average price of approximately USD$58,566; for the 90 days immediately following April 20, 2024, the Bitcoin network had an average Difficulty of approximately 83.8 trillion and an average price of approximately USD$64,301.1 The Company is continuing to assess all of the impacts of the 2024 Bitcoin Halving.

Potential Impact of the Anticipated 2028 Bitcoin Halving on the Company's Strategy and Financial Performance

The 2028 halving will further reduce block rewards to 1.5625 BTC. As was the case for the 2024 Bitcoin Halving, HIVE's financial performance will heavily depend on the prevailing Bitcoin market price, Difficulty, and transaction fees. All other things being equal, upon the 2028 Bitcoin Halving, Bitcoin price appreciation or a rise in transaction fees would be necessary to maintain or improve revenue levels. However, in the event that the Bitcoin price increases, it is expected that Difficulty will also increase, which would negatively impact revenues. Mining of Bitcoin is subject to very low barriers to entry. Bitcoin mining machines are readily available to both large-scale commercial operations and individual purchasers. Operators need only monitor the prevailing Bitcoin price, network Difficulty, and their cost of energy (plus the fixed cost of hardware) in order to determine whether it is profitable to conduct mining operations, all tasks which are easily automated. Consequently, the Company anticipates that the industry will be subject to continued fierce competition.

By 2028, HIVE is expecting to diversify its operations into industry segments other than cryptocurrency mining in order to mitigate some of the risks associated with the 2028 Bitcoin Halving. This could include direct and/or indirect investment into HPC and AI computing and offering traditional data center services.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in the Company's securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk due to the nature of the Company's business and the present stage of its development. The following risk factors, as well as risks currently unknown to us, could materially and adversely affect the Company's future business, operations and financial condition and could cause them to differ materially from the estimates described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company, or its business or financial results, each of which could cause purchasers of the Company's securities to lose part or all of their investment. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face; risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. You should also refer to the risk factors and other information set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement, including the Company's 2024 AIF and the 2024 MD&A and annual financial statements, and the related notes. A prospective investor should carefully consider the risk factors set out below along with the other matters set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Discussions of certain risks affecting the Company in connection with the Company's business are provided in our annual and interim disclosure documents filed with the various securities regulatory authorities which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.


1 https://www.blockchain.com/explorer/charts/difficulty.


General Risk Factors

International conflict

International conflict and other geopolitical tensions and events, including war, military action, terrorism, trade disputes, and international responses thereto have historically led to, and may in the future lead to, uncertainty or volatility in global commodity, energy, and financial markets. Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine has led to sanctions being levied against Russia by the international community and may result in additional sanctions or other international action, any of which may have a destabilizing effect on commodity prices and global economies more broadly. The extent and duration of the current Russian-Ukrainian conflict and related international action cannot be accurately predicted at this time and the effects of such conflict may magnify the impact of the other risks identified in this prospectus supplement, including those relating to commodity price volatility and global financial conditions. The situation is rapidly changing and unforeseeable impacts may materialize and may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

Energy Tariffs in Paraguay

The Company has recently announced plans to construct a datacenter facility located in Paraguay (the "HIVE Paraguay Facility"). The success and profitability of this facility will depend largely on the cost of electricity. In June 2024, the Paraguayan National Administration of Electricity ("ANDE") announced a 14% increase in energy tariffs. It is currently expected that the increase in the energy tariffs will contribute to an increase in operational costs and negatively impact the potential profitability of the HIVE Paraguay Facility. The development of the HIVE Paraguay Facility is currently in the preliminary stages, and management of the Company cannot accurately predict the potential impact of the tariff increase on the Company at this time.

There is a risk that energy tariffs in Paraguay could be subject to further increases by ANDE. These increased costs may not be fully recoverable through increases in the price of our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Prospective investors should carefully consider the potential impact of such increases in energy tariffs when evaluating an investment in the Company.

Development and Growth of the HIVE Paraguay Facility and other Infrastructure Projects

The development of the HIVE Paraguay Facility and any other development and growth projects that HIVE may undertake in the future are and may continue to be subject to execution and capital cost risks, including, but not limited to, risks relating to regulatory approvals; financing and availability of financing; cost escalations; cash flow constraints; construction delays; supply chain constraints; skilled labor and capital constraints; mechanics and other liens; cost reduction plans and strategic reviews. The HIVE Paraguay Facility in particular remains in its preliminary planning stage and it is not yet known what, if any, risks or obstacles may occur during the subsequent planning and construction stages. The occurrence of any of the foregoing risks may have a material adverse effect on HIVE, its liquidity and financial condition, its ability to operate, its workforce and its cash flows.

Anticipated 2028 Bitcoin Halving

The "minting" of new Bitcoin is part of the mining process. Each time a block is created, the first transaction in the block issues a certain number of Bitcoin to the Miner who created the block. Every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every 4 years, the amount of Bitcoin issued to miners in the transaction is cut in half. This is called "block reward halving" or "halving". Each halving event may have a potential deleterious impact on the Company's profitability, as fewer Bitcoin will be rewarded for each new block recorded. Based on the fundamentals of Bitcoin mining and historical data on Bitcoin prices and the network Difficulty rate after a halving event, it is unlikely that the network Difficulty rate and price after the halving event would remain at the prevailing level prior to the halving event, when Bitcoin rewards per block are halved; this may offset some of the impact of the halving event. Nevertheless, there is a risk that a future halving event may render the Company unprofitable and unable to continue as a going concern.

The most recent halving event occurred on April 20, 2024 when the block reward decreased from 6.25 Bitcoin to 3.125 Bitcoin, which means that currently there are only 450 newly minted Bitcoin issued per day. Accordingly, the next halving event is expected to occur in 2028 (the "2028 Bitcoin Halving"). See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION - 2024 Bitcoin Halving".


Risks Related to the Offering of Securities

Discretion over use of proceeds

The Company intends to allocate the net proceeds it will receive from an offering as described under "USE OF PROCEEDS" in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement; however, the Company will have discretion in the actual application of the net proceeds. The Company may elect to allocate the net proceeds differently from that described in "USE OF PROCEEDS" in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement if the Company believes it would be in the Company's best interests to do so. The Company's investors may not agree with the manner in which the Company chooses to allocate and spend the net proceeds from an offering. The failure by the Company to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company.

Absence of a public market for certain of the securities

There is no public market for the debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, securities purchase contracts or units and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Company does not currently intend to apply for listing of the debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, securities purchase contracts or units on any securities exchanges. If the debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, securities purchase contracts or units are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering prices depending on prevailing interest rates (as applicable), the market for similar securities and other factors, including general economic conditions and the Company's financial condition. There can be no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for the debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, share purchase contracts or units, or that a trading market for these securities will develop at all.

Unsecured debt securities

The Company carries on its business through corporate subsidiaries, and the majority of its assets are held in corporate subsidiaries. The Company's results of operations and ability to service indebtedness, including the debt securities, are dependent upon the results of operations of these subsidiaries and the payment of funds by these subsidiaries to the Company in the form of loans, dividends or otherwise. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Company's subsidiaries will not have an obligation to pay amounts due pursuant to any debt securities or to make any funds available for payment on debt securities, whether by dividends, interest, loans, advances or other payments. In addition, the payment of dividends and the making of loans, advances and other payments to the Company by its subsidiaries may be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture governing the Company's debt securities is not expected to limit the Company's ability or the ability of its subsidiaries to incur indebtedness. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, such indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries would be structurally senior to the debt securities. As such, in the event of the liquidation of any subsidiary, the assets of the subsidiary would be used first to repay the obligations of the subsidiary, including indebtedness and trade payables, prior to being used by the Company to pay its indebtedness, including any debt securities. See "Description of Debt Securities".

Effect of changes in interest rates on debt securities

Prevailing interest rates will affect the market price or value of any debt securities. The market price or value of any debt securities may decline as prevailing interest rates for comparable debt instruments rise, and increase as prevailing interest rates for comparable debt instruments decline.

Effect of fluctuations in foreign currency markets on debt securities

Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risk. These risks include, without limitation, the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential liquidity restrictions in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.


Trading price of Common Shares and volatility

In recent years, the securities markets in the United States and Canada have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market prices of securities of many companies have experienced wide fluctuations in price that have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. There can be no assurance that continual fluctuations in price will not occur, and the trading price of the Company's shares may be subject to large fluctuations and may decline below the price at which an investor acquired its shares. The trading price may increase or decrease in response to a number of events and factors, which may not be within the Company's control nor be a reflection of the Company's actual operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects. Accordingly, investors may not be able to sell their securities at or above their acquisition cost.

Forward looking statements

Some statements contained in this prospectus are not historical facts, but rather are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such risks and uncertainties include interpretation of results, accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in production, delays in development activities, political risks, the inherent uncertainty or production fluctuations and failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate and working capital requirements, including to fund ongoing operations and/or working capital requirements, to repay indebtedness outstanding from time to time, to complete future acquisitions, including procuring cryptocurrency mining equipment and acquiring or expanding facilities to operate the servers and computer equipment, or for other corporate purposes as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the securities.

We have set milestones in terms of growth which we intend to achieve in the coming years, which includes our intention to expand our HPC business unit. This which will require capital expenditures such as high-performance server racks in additions to any custom infrastructure which may be required to provide services to prospective customers.

Our core business includes sourcing clean energy to sell computational power for Bitcoin mining. We regularly review opportunities, which may include opportunities to procure sites that have been partially constructed with additional capacity that may be developed as an expansion project, for which funding for the construction cost would be required.

More detailed information regarding the use of proceeds from the sale of securities, including any determinable milestones at the applicable time, will be described in a prospectus supplement. We may also, from time to time, issue securities otherwise than pursuant to a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. All expenses relating to an offering of securities and any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents, as the case may be, will be paid out of the proceeds from the sale of such securities, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

During the financial year ended March 31, 2024, the Company had positive annual cash flow from operations. However, the Company expects cash flow from operations to potentially be unstable until the level of activity in its respective relevant business areas increases sufficiently. The Company's cash flow from operations may be affected in the future by the investment it is making to continue to develop its products and services. In the event that the Company experiences negative operating cash flow, among other things: (i) the Company may reduce expenses, or (ii) the Company may sell some of its assets to generate sufficient cash to meet its obligations as they come due. If necessary, the proceeds from the sale of securities may be used to offset any such negative operating cash flow.


In addition, the operations of the Company may be adversely impacted by pandemics and the Company may exercise its discretion in the use of proceeds. In particular, previous pandemics have reduced the availability of and affected the timing of delivery of mining equipment. It has also reduced the mobility of the Company's technical personnel and access to the Company's data centers. Further, when mining equipment does become available, the Company anticipates that it may be subject to increased equipment costs and increased shipping costs, in each case attributable to supply chain disruption caused by pandemics. See "RISK FACTORS - Risks Related to the Offering of Securities - Discretion over use of proceeds."

Business Objectives and Milestones

The Company's business objectives are to increase shareholder value and continue its operations as one of the globally diversified publicly traded data center companies with a focus on digital asset mining and HPC, primarily powered by green energy. The Company's expectations are based on significant assumptions and are subject to significant risks. Readers should carefully review the Use of Proceeds section of this prospectus and should also read the discussions under the headings "CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" and "RISK FACTOR".

The following are the milestones set out by the Company as of the date hereof:

  • The Company has been reviewing sites for potential expansion opportunities. Expansion into both existing and new jurisdictions serve two purposes: first, it diversifies the Company's business operations, mitigating certain regulatory risks that are associated with more focused operations; second, it allows the Company to deploy its resources, including capital, labour, and equipment, more efficiently. The Company intends to satisfy this milestone with the construction of the 100 MW facility to be located in Paraguay at a cost of approximately US$56 million.

In addition, the Company intends to acquire approximately 28,200 S21 Pro Miners (or equivalent spec) at a cost of approximately US$115 million to be delivered and installed at the facility in Paraguay. The Company's target date for the initial energizing of the site is October 31, 2025. The Company anticipates that it will be able to achieve a break-even point on the investment of approximately 750 days on infrastructure and equipment.2

The profitability of the Planned Paraguay Facility will be dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, the prevailing economics of the Bitcoin network and marketplace at the time of completion of construction, government regulation, and availability of power at commercially economic rates. Management currently anticipates that the Planned Paraguay Facility will establish its economic break-even point prior to the 2028 Bitcoin Halving (as defined below). See "RISK FACTORS - General Risk Factors - Energy Tariffs in Paraguay" and "RISK FACTORS - General Risk Factor".

  • In addition to the Planned Paraguay Facility, the Company has been evaluating opportunities in Canada to develop a data center for an approximately 8 MW site. It is contemplated that the total cost to acquire and develop a site, including purchase of equipment, could be approximately CAD$130M. There can be no guarantee that the Company proceeds with the development of such a site on these terms or at all.
  • The Company is undergoing an upgrade of its fleet of equipment. As of June 2024, the Company has approximately 1,100 ASIC Miners in Sweden which are operating at approximately 38 J/TH (or less efficiency, meaning higher than 38 J/TH). All other 38 J/TH ASIC miners have been unplugged and replaced with higher efficiency ASIC miners. All units from the December 2023 Order, June 2024 Order, and July 2024 Order have been fully funded and delivered.

2  The basis for this calculation is as follows: 28,200 S21 Pro Miners generate approximately 6,600 PH/s in aggregate computational power. The average "hashprice" (being the expected value of 1 PH/s of hashing power per day) for the period from the 2024 Bitcoin Halving to August 1, 2024 has been approximately $50/PH/day. Assuming similar economics, we can estimate a 750 day break-even. In a pessimistic scenario of an average hashprice of $40/PH/day, the Company would expect to achieve a break-even period of approximate 1,050 day. In an optimistic scenario with an average hashprice of $60/PH/day, the break-even period would be approximately 580 day breakeven.


Continuously upgrading existing ASICs is part of the Company's strategy to navigate the now completed Halving of Bitcoin rewards on April 20, 2024 (the "2024 Bitcoin Halving") and future Halving events. The upgrade of ASIC Miners globally can be accomplished with an investment of approximately $12.0 million for each 10 MW of new generation ASICs.

During the year ended March 31, 2024, the Company and its manufacturing partner, in collaboration with Intel, has completed its deliveries totaling approximately 12,300 new BuzzMiner units, which added 1,290 PH/s to the Company's operating hashrate. The cost to manufacture the BuzzMiner units were competitive at the time when the BuzzMiner units were ordered and delivered. During this period, large ASIC distributors were offering ASIC Miners at a price up to of approximately $45-$90 per TH. The Company placed orders for the manufacture of 5,800 BuzzMiner units at a competitive prices, which when blended to include the Intel chips and the manufacturing is estimated to $10-45 per TH, depending on the timing of the order.

When HIVE entered into the manufacturing agreements for the BuzzMiners, unit cost were significantly less on a per TH basis and provided greater price stability than what was on the market. Subsequently, Intel terminated their ASIC chip division and the price per TH for ASIC chips has decreased to approximately to under $25 per TH as of Q1 2023.

  • The Company previously expressed its intent to expand its HPC line of operations by a factor of 10, which meant the approximately 450 GPUs which were operating in the Company's beta test in early calendar year 2023 would be expanded to 4,800 GPUs operating in the HPC business unit. The Company for the three month period ended June 30, 2024, achieved a run-rate revenue of $10.4 million per year from its HPC business with GPUs, which successfully meets the Company's interim goal of $10 million of annualized run-rate revenue.3,4

The Company notes that it has 4,800 Nvidia A-series GPUs installed in Tier 3 data centers (composed of A40, A6000, A5000 and A4000 cards) operating in SuperMicro servers, additionally the Company has 96 Nvidia H100 GPUs operating in Dell servers; the total capital expenditures to acquire the 480 SuperMicro servers was approximately $6.5 million (each SuperMicro server houses 10 Nvidia GPUs and thus this is how the Company has converted 4800 Nvidia A-series GPUs to HPC) and purchased 12 Dell servers each with 8 Nvidia H100 GPUs (thus a total of 96 Nvidia H100 GPUs operational for HPC) was approximately $3.4 million.

Currently, if the 4,800 A-series GPUs and the 96 H100 GPUs were all rented at prevailing market rates with 75% utilization5, the Company expects that it could realize $20 million of net annualized run-rate revenue after revenue share with the Company's affiliate GPU market places (or approximately $26 million of gross revenue before revenue share with the Company's affiliate GPU market places).6 Since the Company uses a business-to-business model, it does not control the customer engagement and marketing of the marketplace platforms where the GPUs are rented, therefore the Company notes that while this is a high-margin business, there can be fluctuations in the demand outside of the Company's control. The Company believes that HPC has the potential to be the most profitable and highest revenue generating use of its access to power.


3  The Company calculates run-rate revenue on an annual basis by multiplying the revenue realized per week times 52 weeks per year. As context dictates, the Company may calculate run-rate revenue on an annual basis by multiplying the realized revenue per day times 365 days per year, or per quarter times four quarter per year.

4 Calculated by taking the revenue for the three-month period ended June 30, 2024 of $2.6 million multiplied by four quarters/year.

5  The Company has been able to earn approximately $0.79/hour/card for its 4,000 "A-40" GPU cards, $0.44/hour/card for its 800 "A-5000" GPU cards, and $4.79/hour/card for the 96 "H100" GPU cards. The Company estimates that on average, the rental utilization (i.e. the percentage of time its cards are being rented) is approximately 75%, and the Company retains approximately 80% of the gross revenues on sales with the remaining 20% of the gross revenues being paid to partner marketplaces.

6 The Company is using the benchmarks of its 4,800 A-series GPUs and the 96 H100 GPUs and 75% utilization based on indicative hourly GPU rental pricing from the Company's affiliate GPU marketplaces; however, there is considerable variance observed in empirical data, especially as more GPUs are brought online. These percentages are provided for illustrative purposes, and there can be no guarantee that it will be able to rent all 4800 A-series GPUs at a constant 75% utilization in the future. Annualized run-rate revenue includes the revenue from all GPU cards; annualized net run-rate revenue includes only the share of revenue that HIVE realizes (i.e. after excluding the revenue share with the Company's affiliate GPU market places).


While the Company previously purchased 38,000 data-center grade Nvidia GPUs which are capable of HPC, the Company must procure data center grade servers in order to operate them. Each data center grade server can operate 10 GPUs, therefore the Company purchased 480 SuperMicro servers, capable of operating 4,800 Nvidia A-series GPUs to enable them to have HPC capability. Currently the Company is operating 4,800 of the Nvidia A-Series GPUs, and 96 Nvidia H100 GPUs. The Company has elected to sell some Nvidia A-Series GPUs which are not being used for HPC, to realize a positive return on investment from the sales price combined with the operating income of these GPU cards during their lifecycle.

  • The Company intends to upgrade the HIVE New Brunswick Facility and the HIVE Sweden Facility to Tier 3 HPC data centers. It is currently estimated that the cost to upgrade the infrastructure for the initial 2 MW of power (of the total capacity at each site) will be approximately C$10 million at each site, for a total cost of approximately C$20 million.
  • As of the date hereof, the Company has placed orders to acquire a 64 node cluster of Nvidia H200 GPUs, along with InfiniBand and ethernet connections and storage capacity to conduct hosted GPU HPC operations at the Montreal Facility, but it has not yet taken delivery or paid for such equipment. It is currently estimated that the aggregate cost to configure the Monreal Facility and acquire, install, and deploy the equipment will be approximately $25.65 million.
  • The Company intends to increase its global installed hashrate from 5.5 EH/s as of the date of hereof to 12.1 EH/s once the 100 MW facility in Paraguay is completed. See "USE OF PROCEEDS - 2022 Business Objectives and Milestones".

2022 Business Objectives and Milestones

The Company previously disclosed certain business objective and milestones in its amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus dated January 4, 2022 (the "January 2022 Prospectus"). As previously announced or disclosed by the Company, these business objectives and milestones have now been either completed, achieved, or superseded by other business objectives and milestones. See "USE OF PROCEEDS - Business Objectives and Milestones".

In the January 2022 Prospectus, the Company disclosed that it was targeting a mining capacity of 10.0 EH/S by the end of the calendar 2022 year at an aggregate cost of $500 million. The Company achieved mining capacity of 5.0 EH/s in April 2024 at an aggregate cost of $107 million, and achieved 5.5 EH/s of mining capacity as of August 12, 2023 after the Company's recent purchases of new ASIC miners were delivered, and installed in the existing infrastructure. The Company has revised this target to 12.1 EH/s of Bitcoin cloud mining capacity by December 31, 2025, from its current 5.5 EH/s. The Company estimates that its revised target of an additional 6.1 EH/s with the 100MW facility the Company intends to construct in Paraguay. The Company anticipates that it will cost approximately an additional $171 million to achieve this target, composed of $115 million for ASIC miners and $56 million for construction of the facility. See "THE COMPANY - Paraguay Expansion".

2023 Business Objectives and Milestones

The following table sets forth the business objective and milestones contemplated by the amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus dated May 1, 2023, the progress of achieving these milestones, and a comparison of the actual costs spent against the estimated costs, other than those objective and milestones that the Company has previously announced or disclosed as having been completed or achieved.

Business Objective /
Milestone

Status

Estimated
Costs

Expenditures to Date

Upgrade fleet of ASIC Miners to an efficiency of 30 J/TH(1)

Complete, with more machines purchased than initially budgeted due to attractive deals in the market for low $/TH

$30 million

Approximately $31 million

Review sites for potential expansion opportunities with 40 MW of available power capacity

The Company recently acquired a 6MW site in Sweden in fiscal 2024 and signed a 100 MW PPA in Paraguay as announced in July 2024. The Company is continuing to evaluate further sites.

Revised to $75 million to $85 million

$2.3 million

Expand revenue from HPC line of operations by a factor of 10

All equipment required to complete this milestone is installed and operating, and as of the date hereof the Company has expanded the HPC line of operations by a factor of 10 (that is growing from $1 million to $10 million in annualized run-rate). The Company for the three-month period ending June 30, 2024 realized a revenue of $2.6 million from HPC revenue stream, which successfully meets the Company's interim goal of $10 million of annualized run-rate revenue.

$5.3 million

$10.8 million



Note:

(1)

Note that there is considerable overlap between the goals of increasing efficiency, increasing hashrate, and acquiring new Miners.

CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION

There have been no material changes to the Company's consolidated capitalization since the date of the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 which have not been disclosed in this Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any material changes and the effect of such material changes on the share and loan capitalization of the Company that will result from the issuance of Securities (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to each prospectus supplement.

PRIOR SALES

Information in respect of the Company's Common Shares that we issued within the immediately preceding twelve-month period, including Common Shares that we issued upon the exercise of stock options of the Company ("Options") and the Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of outstanding restricted share units of the Company ("RSUs") and warrants, will be provided as required in each prospectus supplement to this prospectus.

TRADING PRICE AND VOLUME

The Common Shares trade on the: (i) TSXV under the symbol "HIVE"; (ii) Nasdaq under the symbol "HIVE"; and (iii) FSE under the symbol "FO0.F". The Common Shares traded on the OTCQX until June 30, 2021, and on July 1, 2021, HIVE's Common Shares began trading on the Nasdaq. Trading price and volume information for the Company's securities will be provided as required in each prospectus supplement to this prospectus.

EARNINGS COVERAGE

If the Company offers debt securities having a term to maturity in excess of one year under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, the applicable prospectus supplement will include earnings coverage ratios giving effect to the issuance of such securities.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

Overview

The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value. As of the date hereof, there are 118,696,508 Common Shares and no preferred shares issued and outstanding.

In addition, as of the date of this Prospectus, there were: (i) 3,411,300 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options of the Company ("Options") at a weighted average exercise price of C$5.17; (ii) 3,788,156 Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of outstanding restricted share units of the Company ("RSUs"); (iii) 418,974 Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debentures outstanding at a conversion price of C$15.00; and (iv) 3,326,677 Common Shares reserved for issuance on exercise of 3,326,677 issued and outstanding Common Share purchase warrants of the Company with a weighted average exercise price of C$6.67, for a total of 10,945,107 Common Shares on a fully-diluted basis.

Common Shares

All of the Common Shares rank equally as to voting rights, participation in a distribution of the assets of the Company on a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and entitlement to any dividends declared by the Company. The holders of the Common Shares are entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all meetings of shareholders (other than meetings at which only holders of another class or series of shares are entitled to vote).


Each Common Share carries the right to one vote. Subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the preferred shares of the Company, in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, or upon any distribution of the assets of the Company among shareholders being made (other than by way of dividend out of monies properly applicable to the payment of dividends) the holders of the Common Shares are entitled to share equally.

Subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the preferred shares of the Company, the holders of the Common Shares are entitled to receive any dividends declared by the Company in respect of the Common Shares.

Any alteration of the rights attached to our Common Shares must be approved by at least two-thirds of the Common Shares voted at a meeting of our shareholders. Provisions as to the modification, amendment or variation of such rights or provisions are contained in the Company's articles and in the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

Preferred Shares

Preferred shares of the Company do not give the holders any right to receive notice of or vote at general or special meetings of the Company. As of the date of this Prospectus, no preferred shares were issued and outstanding.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

In this section describing the debt securities, the terms "Company" and "HIVE" refer only to HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd. without any of its subsidiaries.

The following description of the terms of debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of debt securities in respect of which a prospectus supplement may be filed. The particular terms and provisions of debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and the extent to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply thereto, will be described in the prospectus supplement filed in respect of such debt securities. Prospective investors should rely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if it is different from the following information.

Debt securities may be offered separately or in combination with one or more other securities of the Company. The Company may, from time to time, issue debt securities and incur additional indebtedness other than through the issue of debt securities pursuant to this prospectus. Convertible debt securities offered under this prospectus may only be convertible into other securities of the Company.

The Company will deliver, along with this prospectus, an undertaking to the securities regulatory authority in each province and territory of Canada that the Company will, if any debt securities are distributed under this prospectus and for so long as such debt securities are issued and outstanding, file the periodic and timely disclosure of any credit supporter similar to the disclosure required under Section 12.1 of Form 44-101F1.

Any prospectus supplement offering guaranteed debt securities will comply with the requirements of Item 12 of Form 44-101F1 or the conditions for an exemption from those requirements and will include a certificate from each credit supporter as required by section 21.1 of Form 44-101F1 and section 5.12 of NI 41-101.

The debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures (each, a "Trust Indenture"), in each case between the Company and a financial institution or trust company organized under the laws of Canada or any province thereof and authorized to carry on business as a trustee (each, a "Trustee").

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities and is not intended to be complete. The particular terms and provisions of the debt securities and a description of how the general terms and provisions described below may apply to the debt securities will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description is subject to the detailed provisions of the applicable Trust Indenture. Accordingly, reference should also be made to the applicable Trust Indenture, a copy of which will be filed by the Company with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in applicable Canadian offering jurisdictions, after it has been entered into, and will be available electronically at www.sedar.com.


General

The applicable Trust Indenture will not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under such Trust Indenture and will not limit the amount of other indebtedness that the Company may incur. The applicable Trust Indenture will provide that the Company may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars or any foreign currency. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company.

The Company may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of debt securities may be reopened for issuance of additional debt securities of such series. The applicable Trust Indenture will also permit the Company to increase the principal amount of any series of the debt securities previously issued and to issue that increased principal amount.

Any prospectus supplement for debt securities supplementing this prospectus will contain the specific terms and other information with respect to the debt securities being offered thereby, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of such debt securities;
  • the percentage of principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued;
  • whether payment on the debt securities will be senior or subordinated to other liabilities or obligations of the Company;
  • the date or dates, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended, on which the Company may issue the debt securities and the date or dates, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended, on which the Company will pay the principal and any premium on the debt securities and the portion (if less than the principal amount) of debt securities to be payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity;
  • whether the debt securities will bear interest, the interest rate (whether fixed or variable) or the method of determining the interest rate, the date from which interest will accrue, the dates on which the Company will pay interest and the record dates for interest payments, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended;
  • the place or places the Company will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, and the place or places where debt securities can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;
  • whether and under what circumstances the Company will be required to pay any additional amounts for withholding or deduction for Canadian taxes with respect to the debt securities, and whether and on what terms the Company will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts;
  • whether the Company will be obligated to redeem or repurchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking or purchase fund or other provisions, or at the option of a holder, and the terms and conditions of such redemption;
  • whether the Company may redeem the debt securities at its option and the terms and conditions of any such redemption;
  • the denominations in which the Company will issue any registered and unregistered debt securities;
  • the currency or currency units for which debt securities may be purchased and the currency or currency units in which the principal and any interest is payable (in either case, if other than Canadian dollars) or if payments on the debt securities will be made by delivery of Common Shares or other property;
  • whether payments on the debt securities will be payable with reference to any index or formula;

  • if applicable, the ability of the Company to satisfy all or a portion of any redemption of the debt securities, any payment of any interest on such debt securities or any repayment of the principal owing upon the maturity of such debt securities through the issuance of securities of the Company or of any other entity, and any restriction(s) on the persons to whom such securities may be issued;
  • whether the debt securities will be issued as global securities (defined below) and, if so, the identity of the depositary (defined below) for the global securities;
  • whether the debt securities will be issued as unregistered securities (with or without coupons), registered securities or both;
  • the periods within which and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company may redeem the debt securities prior to maturity and the price or prices of which, and the currency or currency units in which, the debt securities are payable;
  • any events of default or covenants applicable to the debt securities;
  • any terms under which debt securities may be defeased, whether at or prior to maturity;
  • whether the holders of any series of debt securities have special rights if specified events occur;
  • any mandatory or optional redemption or sinking fund or analogous provisions;
  • the terms, if any, for any conversion or exchange of the debt securities for any other securities of the Company;
  • if applicable, any transfer restrictions in respect of disqualified holders or otherwise;
  • rights, if any, on a change of control;
  • provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of any rights or terms attaching to the debt securities;
  • the Trustee under the Trust Indenture pursuant to which the debt securities are to be issued; whether the Company will undertake to list the debt securities of the series on any securities exchange or automated interdealer quotation system; and
  • any other terms, conditions, rights and preferences (or limitations on such rights and preferences) including covenants and events of default which apply solely to a particular series of the debt securities being offered which do not apply generally to other debt securities, or any covenants or events of default generally applicable to the debt securities which do not apply to a particular series of the debt securities.

The Company reserves the right to include in a prospectus supplement specific terms pertaining to the debt securities which are not within the options and parameters set forth in this prospectus. In addition, to the extent that any particular terms of the debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, the description of such terms set forth in this prospectus shall be deemed to have been superseded by the description of such differing terms set forth in such prospectus supplement with respect to such debt securities.

Unless stated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, no holder of debt securities will have the right to require the Company to repurchase the debt securities and there will be no increase in the interest rate if the Company becomes involved in a highly leveraged transaction or has a change of control.

The Company may issue debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate below the prevailing market rate at the time of issuance, and offer and sell these securities at a discount below their stated principal amount. The Company may also sell any of the debt securities for a foreign currency or currency unit, and payments on the debt securities may be payable in a foreign currency or currency unit. In any of these cases, the Company will describe certain Canadian federal income tax consequences and other special considerations in the applicable prospectus supplement.


Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Company may issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of such series.

Original purchasers of debt securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of the Company will be granted a contractual right of rescission against the Company in respect of the purchase and conversion or exchange of such debt security. The contractual right of rescission will entitle such original purchasers to receive the amount paid on original purchase of the debt security and the amount paid upon conversion or exchange, upon surrender of the underlying securities gained thereby, in the event that this prospectus (as supplemented or amended) contains a misrepresentation, provided that: (i) the conversion or exchange takes place within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the convertible or exchangeable security under this prospectus; and (ii) the right of rescission is exercised within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the convertible or exchangeable security under this prospectus. This contractual right of rescission will be consistent with the statutory right of rescission described under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia), and is in addition to any other right or remedy available to original purchasers under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia) or otherwise at law.

Ranking and Other Indebtedness

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of the Company. The debt securities will be senior or subordinated indebtedness of the Company as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the debt securities are senior indebtedness, they will rank equally and rateably with all other unsecured indebtedness of the Company from time to time issued and outstanding which is not subordinated. If the debt securities are subordinated indebtedness, they will be subordinated to senior indebtedness of the Company as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and they will rank equally and rateably with other subordinated indebtedness of the Company from time to time issued and outstanding as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The Company reserves the right to specify in a prospectus supplement whether a particular series of subordinated debt securities is subordinated to any other series of subordinated debt securities.

The Board may establish the extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of a series of debt securities will be senior or will be subordinated to the prior payment of the Company's other liabilities and obligations and whether the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be guaranteed and the nature and priority of any security.

Registration of Debt Securities

Debt Securities in Book Entry Form

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities of any series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities ("Global Security" or "Global Securities") registered in the name of a designated clearing agency (a "Depositary") or its nominee and held by or on behalf of the Depositary in accordance with the terms of the applicable Trust Indenture. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a Global Security will, to the extent not described herein, be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. The Company anticipates that the provisions described in this section will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary or its nominee will credit, in its book-entry and registration system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the Global Security to the accounts of such participants that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee ("Participants"). Such accounts are typically designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities or by the Company if such debt securities are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through Participants. With respect to the interests of Participants, ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through records maintained by the Depositary or its nominee. With respect to the interests of persons other than Participants, ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through records maintained by Participants or persons that hold through Participants.


So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the applicable Trust Indenture and payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities represented by a Global Security will be made by the Company to the Depositary or its nominee. The Company expects that the Depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, will credit Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Security as shown on the records of such Depositary or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security held through such Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such Participants.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depositary to direct Participants, by direct Participants to indirect Participants and by direct and indirect Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial owners of debt securities may wish to take certain steps to augment transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the debt securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults and proposed amendments to the Trust Indenture.

Owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such debt securities in certificated non-book-entry form, and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable Trust Indenture, and the ability of a holder to pledge a debt security or otherwise take action with respect to such holder's interest in a debt security (other than through a Participant) may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate.

No Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless: (i) the Depositary is no longer willing or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as Depositary and the Company is unable to locate a qualified successor; (ii) the Company at its option elects, or is required by law, to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary or the book-entry system ceases to exist; or (iii) if provided for in the Trust Indenture, after the occurrence of an event of default thereunder (provided the Trustee has not waived the event of default in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture), Participants acting on behalf of beneficial holders representing, in aggregate, a threshold percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding advise the Depositary in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through the Depositary is no longer in their best interest.

If one of the foregoing events occurs, such Global Security shall be exchanged for certificated non-book-entry debt securities of the same series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security and registered in such names and denominations as the Depositary may direct.

The Company, any underwriters, dealers or agents and any Trustee identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, as applicable, will not have any liability or responsibility for (i) records maintained by the Depositary relating to beneficial ownership interests in the debt securities held by the Depositary or the book-entry accounts maintained by the Depositary, (ii) maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to any such beneficial ownership interests, or (iii) any advice or representation made by or with respect to the Depositary and contained in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or Trust Indenture with respect to the rules and regulations of the Depositary or at the direction of Participants.

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. or its successor will act as Depositary for any debt securities represented by a Global Security.

Debt Securities in Certificated Form

A series of the debt securities may be issued in definitive form, solely as registered securities, solely as unregistered securities or as both registered securities and unregistered securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, unregistered securities will have interest coupons attached.


In the event that the debt securities are issued in certificated non-book-entry form, and unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities (other than a Global Security) will be made at the office or agency of the Trustee or, at the option of the Company, by the Company by way of cheque mailed or delivered to the address of the person entitled at the address appearing in the security register of the Trustee or electronic funds wire or other transmission to an account of the person entitled to receive such payments. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest, if any, will be made to the persons in whose name the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the day or days specified by the Company.

At the option of the holder of debt securities, registered securities of any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. If, but only if, provided in an applicable prospectus supplement, unregistered securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of any series may be exchanged for registered securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In such event, unregistered securities surrendered in a permitted exchange for registered securities between a regular record date or a special record date and the relevant date for payment of interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest, and interest will not be payable on such date for payment of interest in respect of the registered security issued in exchange for such unregistered security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, unregistered securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement may indicate the places to register a transfer of the debt securities in definitive form. Except for certain restrictions to be set forth in the Trust Indenture, no service charge will be payable by the holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities in definitive form, but the Company may, in certain instances, require a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection with these transactions.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

This section describes the general terms that will apply to any warrants for the purchase of Common Shares, or equity warrants, or for the purchase of debt securities, or debt warrants.

We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and warrants sold with other securities may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agency agreements to be entered into by us and one or more banks or trust companies acting as warrant agent.

The Company will deliver an undertaking to the securities regulatory authority in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, that it will not distribute warrants that, according to their terms as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, are "novel" specified derivatives within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, separately to any member of the public in Canada, unless such prospectus supplement containing the specific terms of the warrants to be distributed separately is first approved by or on behalf of the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada where the warrants will be distributed.

This summary of some of the provisions of the warrants is not complete. The statements made in this prospectus relating to any warrant agreement and warrants to be issued under this prospectus are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the applicable warrant agreement. You should refer to the warrant indenture or warrant agency agreement relating to the specific warrants being offered for the complete terms of the warrants. A copy of any warrant indenture or warrant agency agreement relating to an offering or warrants will be filed by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in the applicable Canadian offering jurisdictions after we have entered into it, and will be available electronically on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we offer will describe the particular terms of those warrants and include specific terms relating to the offering.


Original purchasers of warrants (if offered separately) will have a contractual right of rescission against us in respect of the exercise of such warrant. The contractual right of rescission will entitle such original purchasers to receive, upon surrender of the underlying securities acquired upon exercise of the warrant, the total of the amount paid on original purchase of the warrant and the amount paid upon exercise, in the event that this prospectus (as supplemented or amended) contains a misrepresentation, provided that: (i) the exercise takes place within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the warrant under the applicable prospectus supplement; and (ii) the right of rescission is exercised within 180 days of the date of purchase of the warrant under the applicable prospectus supplement. This contractual right of rescission will be consistent with the statutory right of rescission described under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia), and is in addition to any other right or remedy available to original purchasers under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia) or otherwise at law.

In an offering of warrants, or other convertible securities, original purchasers are cautioned that the statutory right of action for damages for a misrepresentation contained in the prospectus is limited, in certain provincial and territorial securities legislation, to the price at which the warrants, or other convertible securities, are offered to the public under the prospectus offering. This means that, under the securities legislation of certain provinces and territories, if the purchaser pays additional amounts upon conversion, exchange or exercise of such securities, those amounts may not be recoverable under the statutory right of action for damages that applies in those provinces or territories. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for the particulars of these rights, or consult with a legal advisor.

Equity Warrants

The particular terms of each issue of equity warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This description will include, where applicable:

  • the designation and aggregate number of equity warrants;
  • the price at which the equity warrants will be offered;
  • the currency or currencies in which the equity warrants will be offered;
  • the date on which the right to exercise the equity warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;
  • the number of Common Shares that may be purchased upon exercise of each equity warrant and the price at which and currency or currencies in which the Common Shares may be purchased upon exercise of each equity warrant;
  • the terms of any provisions allowing or providing for adjustments in (i) the number and/or class of shares that may be purchased, (ii) the exercise price per share or (iii) the expiry of the equity warrants;
  • whether we will issue fractional shares;
  • whether we have applied to list the equity warrants or the underlying shares on a stock exchange;
  • the designation and terms of any securities with which the equity warrants will be offered, if any, and the number of the equity warrants that will be offered with each security;
  • the date or dates, if any, on or after which the equity warrants and the related securities will be transferable separately;
  • whether the equity warrants will be subject to redemption or call and, if so, the terms of such redemption or call provisions;
  • material Canadian federal income tax consequences of owning the equity warrants;
  • any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the equity warrants; and

  • any other material terms or conditions of the equity warrants.

Debt Warrants

The particular terms of each issue of debt warrants will be described in the related prospectus supplement. This description will include, where applicable:

  • the designation and aggregate number of debt warrants;
  • the price at which the debt warrants will be offered;
  • the currency or currencies in which the debt warrants will be offered;
  • the designation and terms of any securities with which the debt warrants are being offered, if any, and the number of the debt warrants that will be offered with each security;
  • the date or dates, if any, on or after which the debt warrants and the related securities will be transferable separately;
  • the principal amount and designation of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of each debt warrant and the price at which and currency or currencies in which that principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise of each debt warrant;
  • the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;
  • the minimum or maximum amount of debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
  • whether the debt warrants will be subject to redemption or call, and, if so, the terms of such redemption or call provisions;
  • material Canadian federal income tax consequences of owning the debt warrants;
  • whether we have applied to list the debt warrants or the underlying debt securities on an exchange;
  • any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the debt warrants; and
  • any other material terms or conditions of the debt warrants.

Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities subject to the warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

HIVE may issue units, which may consist of one or more of Common Shares, warrants or any other security specified in the relevant prospectus supplement. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each of the securities included in the unit. In addition, the relevant prospectus supplement relating to an offering of units will describe all material terms of any units offered, including, as applicable:

  • the designation and aggregate number of units being offered;
  • the price at which the units will be offered;
  • the designation, number and terms of the securities comprising the units and any agreement governing the units;
  • the date or dates, if any, on or after which the securities comprising the units will be transferable separately;

  • whether we will apply to list the units or any of the individual securities comprising the units on any exchange;
  • material Canadian income tax consequences of owning the units, including, how the purchase price paid for the units will be allocated among the securities comprising the units; and
  • any other material terms or conditions of the units.

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS

We may issue subscription receipts separately or in combination with one or more other securities, which will entitle holders thereof to receive, upon satisfaction of certain release conditions (the "Release Conditions") and for no additional consideration, Common Shares, warrants, debt securities or any combination thereof. Subscription receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more subscription receipt agreements (each, a "Subscription Receipt Agreement"), the material terms of which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, each to be entered into between the Company and an escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent") that will be named in the relevant prospectus supplement. Each Escrow Agent will be a financial institution organized under the laws of Canada or a province thereof and authorized to carry on business as a trustee. If underwriters, dealers, or agents are used in the sale of any subscription receipts, one or more of such underwriters or agents may also be a party to the Subscription Receipt Agreement governing the subscription receipts sold to or through such underwriter or agent.

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of subscription receipts that may be issued hereunder and is not intended to be complete. The statements made in this prospectus relating to any Subscription Receipt Agreement and subscription receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the applicable Subscription Receipt Agreement. Prospective investors should refer to the Subscription Receipt Agreement relating to the specific subscription receipts being offered for the complete terms of the subscription receipts. We will file a copy of any Subscription Receipt Agreement relating to an offering of subscription receipts with the applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada after it has been entered into it.

General

The prospectus supplement and the Subscription Receipt Agreement for any subscription receipts that we may offer will describe the specific terms of the subscription receipts offered. This description may include, but may not be limited to, any of the following, if applicable:

  • the designation and aggregate number of subscription receipts being offered;
  • the price at which the subscription receipts will be offered;
  • the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, warrants and/or debt securities to be received by the holders of subscription receipts upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions, and any procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers;
  • the Release Conditions that must be met in order for holders of subscription receipts to receive, for no additional consideration, the Common Shares, warrants and/or debt securities;
  • the procedures for the issuance and delivery of the Common Shares, warrants and/or debt securities to holders of subscription receipts upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions;
  • whether any payments will be made to holders of subscription receipts upon delivery of the Common Shares, warrants and/or debt securities upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions;
  • the identity of the Escrow Agent;
  • the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will hold all or a portion of the gross proceeds from the sale of subscription receipts, together with interest and income earned thereon (collectively, the "Escrowed Funds"), pending satisfaction of the Release Conditions;

  • the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Escrow Agent will hold the Common Shares, warrants and/or debt securities pending satisfaction of the Release Conditions;
  • the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will release all or a portion of the Escrowed Funds to the Company upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions;
  • if the subscription receipts are sold to or through underwriters or agents, the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will release a portion of the Escrowed Funds to such underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their fees or commissions in connection with the sale of the subscription receipts;
  • procedures for the refund by the Escrow Agent to holders of subscription receipts of all or a portion of the subscription price of their subscription receipts, plus any pro rata entitlement to interest earned or income generated on such amount, if the Release Conditions are not satisfied;
  • any contractual right of rescission to be granted to initial purchasers of subscription receipts in the event that this prospectus, the prospectus supplement under which such subscription receipts are issued or any amendment hereto or thereto contains a misrepresentation;
  • any entitlement of HIVE to purchase the subscription receipts in the open market by private agreement or otherwise;
  • whether we will issue the subscription receipts as Global Securities and, if so, the identity of the Depositary for the Global Securities;
  • whether we will issue the subscription receipts as unregistered bearer securities, as registered securities or both;
  • provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of the Subscription Receipt Agreement or any rights or terms of the subscription receipts, including upon any subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other material change of the Common Shares, warrants or other HIVE securities, any other reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or any distribution of property or rights to all or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares;
  • whether we will apply to list the subscription receipts on any exchange;
  • material Canadian federal income tax consequences of owning the subscription receipts; and
  • any other material terms or conditions of the subscription receipts.

Original purchasers of subscription receipts will have a contractual right of rescission against us in respect of the conversion of the subscription receipts. The contractual right of rescission will entitle such original purchasers to receive the amount paid on original purchase of the subscription receipts upon surrender of the underlying securities gained thereby, in the event that this prospectus (as supplemented or amended) contains a misrepresentation, provided that: (i) the conversion takes place within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the subscription receipts under this prospectus; and (ii) the right of rescission is exercised within 180 days of the date of purchase of the subscription receipts under this prospectus. This contractual right of rescission will be consistent with the statutory right of rescission described under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia), and is in addition to any other right or remedy available to original purchasers under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia) or otherwise at law.


Rights of Holders of Subscription Receipts Prior to Satisfaction of Release Conditions

The holders of subscription receipts will not be, and will not have the rights of, Shareholders. Holders of subscription receipts are entitled only to receive Common Shares, warrants and/or debt securities on exchange of their subscription receipts, plus any cash payments, if any, all as provided for under the Subscription Receipt Agreement and only once the Release Conditions have been satisfied. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied, holders of subscription receipts shall be entitled to a refund of all or a portion of the subscription price therefor and their pro rata share of interest earned or income generated thereon, if provided for in the Subscription Receipt Agreement, all as provided in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

Escrow

The Subscription Receipt Agreement will provide that the Escrowed Funds will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent, and such Escrowed Funds will be released to the Company (and, if the subscription receipts are sold to or through underwriters or agents, a portion of the Escrowed Funds may be released to such underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their fees in connection with the sale of the subscription receipts) at the time and under the terms specified by the Subscription Receipt Agreement. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied, holders of subscription receipts will receive a refund of all or a portion of the subscription price for their subscription receipts, plus their pro-rata entitlement to interest earned or income generated on such amount, if provided for in the Subscription Receipt Agreement, in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement. Common Shares, warrants and or debt securities may be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent and will be released to the holders of subscription receipts following satisfaction of the Release Conditions at the time and under the terms specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

Modifications

The Subscription Receipt Agreement will specify the terms upon which modifications and alterations to the subscription receipts issued thereunder may be made by way of a resolution of holders of subscription receipts at a meeting of such holders or consent in writing from such holders. The number of holders of subscription receipts required to pass such a resolution or execute such a written consent will be specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also specify that we may amend any Subscription Receipt Agreement and the subscription receipts without the consent of the holders of the subscription receipts to cure any ambiguity, to cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision or in any other manner that will not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of outstanding subscription receipts or as otherwise specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue share purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us a specified number of Common Shares, as applicable, at a future date or dates.

The price per Common Share and the number of Common Shares, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the share purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula or method set forth in the share purchase contracts. We may issue share purchase contracts in accordance with applicable laws and in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we may determine.

The share purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a share purchase contract and beneficial interests in debt securities, or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities or obligations of the subsidiaries, securing the holders' obligations to purchase the Common Shares under the share purchase contracts, which we refer to in this prospectus as share purchase units. The share purchase contracts may require the Company to make periodic payments to the holders of the share purchase units or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or refunded and may be paid on a current or on a deferred basis. The share purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under those contracts in a specified manner.


Holders of share purchase contracts are not shareholders of HIVE. The particular terms and provisions of share purchase contracts offered by any prospectus supplement, and the extent to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply to them, will be described in the prospectus supplement filed in respect of such share purchase contracts. This description will include, where applicable: (i) whether the share purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, Common Shares, as applicable, and the nature and amount of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts; (ii) any conditions upon which the purchase or sale will be contingent and the consequences if such conditions are not satisfied; (iii) whether the share purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value or performance of Common Shares; (iv) any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the share purchase contracts; (v) the date or dates on which the sale or purchase must be made, if any; (vi) whether the share purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form; (vii) the material income tax consequences of owning, holding and disposing of the share purchase contracts; and (viii) any other material terms and conditions of the share purchase contracts including, without limitation, transferability and adjustment terms and whether the share purchase contracts will be listed on a stock exchange.

The Company will deliver an undertaking to the securities regulatory authority in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, that it will not distribute share purchase contracts that, according to their terms as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, are "novel" specified derivatives within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, separately to any member of the public in Canada, unless such prospectus supplement containing the specific terms of the share purchase contracts to be distributed separately is first approved by or on behalf of the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada where the share purchase contracts will be distributed.

Original purchasers of share purchase contracts will be granted a contractual right of rescission against the Company in respect of the conversion, exchange or exercise of such share purchase contract. The contractual right of rescission will entitle such original purchasers to receive the amount paid upon conversion, exchange or exercise, upon surrender of the underlying securities gained thereby, in the event that this prospectus (as supplemented or amended) contains a misrepresentation, provided that: (i) the conversion, exchange or exercise takes place within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security under this prospectus; and (ii) the right of rescission is exercised within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security under this prospectus. This contractual right of rescission will be consistent with the statutory right of rescission described under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia), and is in addition to any other right or remedy available to original purchasers under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia) or otherwise at law.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Company may sell the securities of the Company offered by this prospectus (collectively, the "Securities"), separately or together, to or through underwriters, dealers or agents purchasing as principals for public offering and sale by them and also may sell Securities to one or more other purchasers directly or through agents. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters or agents, the purchase price or prices of the Securities (or the manner of determination thereof if offered on a non-fixed price basis, including sales in transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market distributions" as defined in NI 44-102), and the proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Securities.

The Securities may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices which may be changed or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The prices at which the Securities may be offered may vary as between purchasers and during the period of distribution. If, in connection with the offering of Securities at a fixed price or prices, the underwriters have made a reasonable effort to sell all of the Securities at the initial offering price fixed in the applicable prospectus supplement, the public offering price may be decreased and thereafter further changed, from time to time, to an amount not greater than the initial public offering price fixed in such prospectus supplement, in which case the compensation realized by the underwriters will be decreased by the amount that the aggregate price paid by purchasers for the Securities is less than the gross proceeds paid by the underwriters to the Company.


The sale of Common Shares may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at non-fixed prices pursuant to transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market distributions" as defined in NI 44-102, including sales made directly on the TSXV, Nasdaq, or other existing trading markets for the Common Shares. Sales of Common Shares under an "at-the-market distribution", if any, will be made pursuant to an accompanying prospectus supplement. The volume and timing of any "at-the-market distributions" will be determined at the Company's sole discretion.

Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on the resale of the Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions under the U.S. Securities Act.

Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the Securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under securities legislation, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Such underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.

Unless otherwise specified in the relevant prospectus supplement, in connection with any offering of Securities, other than an "at-the-market distribution", the underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the distribution of Securities may over-allot or effect transactions intended to maintain or stabilize the market price of the Securities offered at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be interrupted or discontinued at any time. No underwriter involved in an "at-the-market distribution", no affiliate of such an underwriter and no person or company acting jointly or in concert with such an underwriter may over-allot Common Shares in connection with the distribution or may effect any other transactions that are intended stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Shares in connection with an "at-the-market distribution" including selling an aggregate number or principal amount of securities that would result in the underwriter creating an over-allocation position in the securities.

Unless stated to the contrary in any prospectus supplement, the Securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to U.S. persons within the meaning of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, except in certain transactions that are registered or exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. In addition, until 40 days after the commencement of an offering of Securities, an offer or sale of the Securities within the United States or to U.S. persons by any dealer, whether or not participating in the offering, may violate the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act if such offer or sale is made otherwise than in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. Each prospectus supplement with respect to the Company's securities being offered will set forth the terms of the offering, including:

  • the person offering the securities;
  • the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or other placement agents;
  • the number and the purchase price of, and form of consideration for, our securities;
  • any proceeds to the Company from such sale; and
  • any commissions, fees, discounts and other items constituting underwriters', dealers' or agents' compensation.

CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The applicable prospectus supplement may describe certain Canadian federal income tax consequences to an investor who is a non-resident of Canada or to an investor who is a resident of Canada of acquiring, owning and disposing of any of the Company's securities offered thereunder.


The applicable prospectus supplement may also describe certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of any of the Securities offered thereunder by an initial investor who is a U.S. person (within the meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), including, to the extent applicable, such consequences relating to debt securities payable in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, issued at an original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes or containing early redemption provisions or other special items.

Prospective investors should be aware that the acquisition of the securities described herein may have tax consequences both in the United States and in Canada. Such consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, the United States may not be described fully herein. This prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. Investors should read the tax discussion in any prospectus supplement with respect to a particular offering and consult their own tax advisors with respect to their own particular circumstances.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters related to the Company's securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon on the Company's behalf by Peterson McVicar LLP, with respect to matters of Canadian law. Certain legal matters relating to United States law related to the Company's securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon on behalf of the Company by Kavinoky Cook, LLP. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with any offering of securities may be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel to be designated at the time of the offering by such underwriters, dealers or agents.

AUDITORS, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The auditor of the Company is Davidson & Company LLP at its offices located at 1200 - 609 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G6.

The transfer agent and registrar of the Company is Computershare Investor Services Inc. with its principal offices in Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario.

AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS

Purchasers are advised that it may not be possible for investors to enforce judgments obtained in Canada against any person or company that is incorporated, continued or otherwise organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction or resides outside of Canada, even if the party has appointed an agent for service of process.

Certain directors of the Company reside outside of Canada. Frank Holmes, Dave Perrill, and Susan McGee have appointed the following agents for service of process:

Name of Person Name and Address of Agent
Frank Holmes HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.
370-1095 West Pender Street,
Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6, Canada
Dave Perrill
Susan McGee


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR
PURCHASERS

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Hive Digital Technologies Ltd. ("we", "us" or "our company") is subject to the provisions of Part 5, Division 5 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Act").

Under Section 160 of the Act, we may, subject to Section 163 of the Act:

(1) indemnify an individual who:

 

·

is or was a director or officer of our company;


 

·

is or was a director or officer of another corporation (i) at a time when such corporation is or was an affiliate of our company; or (ii) at our request, or


 

·

at our request, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity,

and including, subject to certain limited exceptions, the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual (collectively, an "eligible party"), against all eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable; and

(2) after final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding, where:

"eligible penalty" means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, and eligible proceeding.

"eligible proceeding" means a proceeding in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation (a) is or may be joined as a party, or (b) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding.

"proceeding" includes any legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed.

Under Section 161 of the Act, and subject to Section 163 of the Act, we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses, and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.

Under Section 162 of the Act, and subject to Section 163 of the Act, we may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of the proceeding, provided that we must not make such payments unless we first receive from the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited under Section 163 of the Act, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.


Under Section 163 of the Act, we must not indemnify an eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable or pay the expenses of an eligible party in respect of that proceeding under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, if any of the following circumstances apply:

· if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, we were prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our memorandum or articles;

· if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, we are prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our memorandum or articles;

· if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our company or the associated corporation, as the case may be; or

· in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party's conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.

If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of our company or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, we must not either indemnify the eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable, or pay the expenses of the eligible party under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, in respect of the proceeding.

Under Section 164 of the Act, and despite any other provision of Part 5, Division 5 of the Act and whether or not payment of expenses or indemnification has been sought, authorized or declined under Part 5, Division 5 of the Act, on application of our company or an eligible party, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may do one or more of the following:

· order us to indemnify an eligible party against any liability incurred by the eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

· order us to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

·  order the enforcement of, or payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by us;

· order us to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining an order under Section 164 of the Act; or

·  make any other order the court considers appropriate.

Section 165 of the Act provides that we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party or the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation.

Under our articles, and subject to the Act, we must indemnify a director, former director or alternate director and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each director and alternate director is deemed to have contracted with our company on the terms of the indemnity contained in our articles.

Under our articles, and subject to the Act, we may agree to indemnify and may indemnify any person (including an eligible party). We have entered into indemnity agreements with certain of our directors and officers.


Pursuant to our articles, the failure of an eligible party to comply with the Act or our articles does not, of itself, invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under our articles.

Under our articles, we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of a person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:

 

·

is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of our company;


 

·

is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation (i) at a time when such corporation is or was an affiliate of our company; or (ii) at our request, or


 

·

at our request, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director, alternate director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity,

against any liability incurred by him or her as a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.


Exhibits

The following exhibits have been filed as part of this Registration Statement:

Exhibit
No.
Description
   
4.1 Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on 40-F filed with the SEC on June 24, 2023 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.2 Revised Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on 40-F/A filed with the SEC on June 26, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.3 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's Annual on Report 40-F filed with the SEC on June 24, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.4 Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended March 31, 2024  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Registrant's Annual Report 40-F filed with the SEC on June 24, 2023 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.5 Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.6 Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.7 Information Circular dated October 23, 2023 with respect to the annual general an special meeting of the Registrant's shareholders held on November 29, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on November 14, 2023 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.8 Material Change Report April 5, 2024 related to the Registrant's production figures for the month of March, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.10 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.9 Material Change Report dated May 8, 2024 related to the Registrant's production figures for the month of April, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on  May 31, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.10  Material Change Report dated June 10, 2024 related to the Registrant's production figures for the month of May, 2024 and announcement of the acquisition of 1,000 new Bitmain S21 Pro Antminers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on  June 21, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.11  Material Change Report dated June 25, 2024 related to the financial review and results for the year ended March 31, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).



4.12  Material Change Report dated July 8, 2024 related to the Registrant's production figures for the month of June, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99._  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on July 9, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.13  Material Change Report dated July 22, 2024 related to the Registrant's plans to construct a 100 MW hydroelectric data center located in Paraguay and to target an aggregate hash power of 12.1 EH/s (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on  July 31, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.14  Material Change Report dated July 31, 2024 related to the Registrant's execution of definitive agreements to construct the Planned Paraguay Facility (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 12, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.15  Material Change Report dated August 2, 2024 related to the Registrant's production figures for the month of July, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 12, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.16  Material Change Report dated August 13, 2024 related to the Registrant's earnings report for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 11, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.17  Material Change Report dated September 5, 2024 related to the Registrant's production figures for the month of August, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 11, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.18  Material Change Report dated September 5, 2024 related to a correction of the Registrant's production figures for the month of August, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 11, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
4.19 Material Change Report dated September 11, 2024 related to an update to the August 2024 production figures and a report of the sales figures during the final period of the Amended 2023 ATM Financing (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2  to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 18, 2024 (File No. 001-40398)).
   
5.1 Consent of Davidson & Company LLP
   
6.1 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement)
   
7.1 Form of Senior Indenture
   
7.2 Form of Subordinated Indenture
   
107 Calculation of Filing Fee Table

PART III

UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

Item 1. Undertaking.

The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the SEC staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the SEC staff, information relating to the securities registered pursuant to this Form F-10 or to transactions in said securities.

Item 2. Consent to Service of Process.



(a)

Concurrently with the initial filing of this Registration Statement, the Registrant filed with the SEC a written irrevocable consent and power of attorney on Form F-X.

(b)

Any change to the name or address of the Registrant's agent for service shall be communicated promptly to the SEC by amendment to Form F-X referencing the file number of this Registration Statement.

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 of the requirements for filing on Form F-10 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Canada, on September 26, 2024.

  HIVE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
   
  By: /s/ Aydin Kilic
  Name: Aydin Kilic
  Title: President & CEO


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Frank Holmes, Aydin Kilic, or Darcy Daubaras, or any one of them, as such person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each of whom may act alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, and any and all additional registration statements (including amendments and post-effective amendments thereto) in connection with any increase in the amount of securities registered with the SEC, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents and in connection therewith, with the SEC, 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 and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

Signature Title Date
 
 
/s/ Frank Holmes
Frank Holmes
 
 
 
Director and Executive Chairman
September 26, 2024
 
 
 
/s/ Aydin Kilic
Aydin Kilic
 
 
 
President and CEO
(Principal Financial Officer)
September 26, 2024
 
 
 
/s/ Darcy Daubaras
Darcy Daubaras
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
September 26, 2024
 
 

/s/ Dave Perrill
Dave Perrill
 
 
 
Director
September 26, 2024





/s/ Susan McGee
Susan McGee

 
Director
September 26, 2024

 

/s/ Marcus New

Marcus New

  

 

Director

September 26, 2024



AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned has signed this Registration Statement, in the capacity of the duly authorized representative of the Registrant in the United States, on September 26, 2024.

COGENCY GLOBAL INC.

as authorized representative for HIVE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

   

By:

/s/ Colleen A. De Vries

 

Name: Colleen A. De Vries

 

Title: Sr. Vice President on behalf of Cogency Global Inc.




 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-10 (this "Registration Statement") of HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd. (the "Company") of our report dated June 24, 2024 relating to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, which appears as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended March 31, 2024.

We also consent to reference to us under the heading "Interests of Experts," which appears in the Annual Information Form filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended March 31, 2024,  and the Amended Annual Information Form, which was filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 40-F/A, which are incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement.

 

Vancouver, Canada     /s/ DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP
September 27, 2024 Chartered Professional Accountants



 

Exhibit 7.1

HIVE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

and

_________________________________,

Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of _________, ___

Providing for Issuance of Senior Debt Securities in Series

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Page

Article I. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION 5

 
Section 1.01 Definitions 5
Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions 13
Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee 13
Section 1.04 Acts of Securityholders 14
Section 1.05 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company 15
Section 1.06 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver 16
Section 1.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act 16
Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents 16
Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns 16
Section 1.10 Separability Clause 16
Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture 16
Section 1.12 Governing Law 17
Section 1.13 Counterparts 17
Section 1.14 Judgment Currency 17
Section 1.15 Legal Holidays 17
Section 1.16 Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities and Jury Trial 17
   
Article II. SECURITY FORMS 18
   
Section 2.01 Forms Generally 18
Section 2.02 Forms of Securities 18
Section 2.03 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication 19
Section 2.04 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security 19
   
Article III. THE SECURITIES 21
   
Section 3.01 General Title; General Limitations; Issuable in Series; Terms of Particular Series 21
Section 3.02 Denominations 24
Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication and Delivery and Dating 24
Section 3.04 Temporary Securities 25
Section 3.05 Registration, Transfer and Exchange 26
Section 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities 27
Section 3.07 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved 27
Section 3.08 Persons Deemed Owners 28
Section 3.09 Cancellation 29
Section 3.10 CUSIP and CINS Numbers 29
Section 3.11 Computation of Interest 29
Section 3.12  Delayed Issuance of Securities 29



Article IV. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE 30
   
Section 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 30
Section 4.02 Application of Trust Money 31
Section 4.03   31
Section 4.04 Defeasance Upon Deposit of Funds or Government Obligations 31
Section 4.05 Reinstatement 33
   
Article V. REMEDIES 33
   
Section 5.01 Events of Default 33
Section 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment 35
Section 5.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee 36
Section 5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 37
Section 5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities 37
Section 5.06 Application of Money Collected 38
Section 5.07 Limitation on Suits 38
Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest 39
Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies 39
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative 39
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver 39
Section 5.12 Control by Securityholders 39
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults 40
Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs 40
Section 5.15 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws 40
   
Article VI. THE TRUSTEE 40
   
Section 6.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities 40
Section 6.02 Notice of Defaults 42
Section 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustee 42
Section 6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities 43
Section 6.05 May Hold Securities 43
Section 6.06 Money Held in Trust 44
Section 6.07 Compensation and Reimbursement 44
Section 6.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests 44
Section 6.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility 45
Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal 45
Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 47
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business 47
Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company 47
Section 6.14  Appointment of Authenticating Agent 48



Article VII. SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY 49
   
Section 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders 49
Section 7.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Securityholders 49
Section 7.03 Reports by Trustee 51
Section 7.04 Reports by Company 51
   
Article VIII. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER 51
   
Section 8.01 Consolidation, Merger, Amalgamation, Conveyance or Transfer on Certain Terms 51
Section 8.02 Successor Person Substituted 52
   
Article IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES 52
   
Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders 52
Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders 54
Section 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures 55
Section 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures 55
Section 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act 55
Section 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures 55
Section 9.07 Notice of Supplemental Indentures 55
Section 9.08 Revocation and Effect of Consents, Waivers and Actions 56
   
Article X. COVENANTS 56
   
Section 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest 56
Section 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency 56
Section 10.03 Money for Security Payments to Be Held in Trust 57
Section 10.04 Statement as to Compliance 58
Section 10.05 Legal Existence 58
Section 10.06 Waiver of Certain Covenants 58
   
Article XI. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES 59
   
Section 11.01 Applicability of Article 59
Section 11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee 59
Section 11.03 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed 59
Section 11.04 Notice of Redemption 60
Section 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price 60
Section 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date 61
Section 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part 61
Section 11.08 Provisions with Respect to Any Sinking Funds 61
Section 11.09 Rescission of Redemption 62
   
Article XII. GUARANTEES 63
   
Section 12.01 Guarantees 63


INDENTURE

This INDENTURE between HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd., a company organized pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (hereinafter called the "Company"), having its principal office at 370-1095 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6,, and, as trustee (hereinafter called the "Trustee"), is made and entered into as of ____________, ___.

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of its debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, to be issued in one or more fully registered series.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be incorporated into this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company in accordance with its terms have been done.

AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

To set forth or to provide for the establishment of the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are and are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed as follows, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a series thereof, as the case may be:

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.01 Definitions.  For all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(b) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act or by Commission rule under the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them herein;

(c) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in Canada and any accounting rules or interpretations promulgated by the Commission as, in each case at the date of this Indenture; and


(d) all references in this instrument to designated "Articles", "Sections" and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed.  The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Certain terms, used principally in Article VI, are defined in that Article.

"Act," when used with respect to any Securityholder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.

"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 specified 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.

"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to authenticate Securities under Section 6.14.

"Board of Directors" means (i) the board of directors of the Company, (ii) any duly authorized committee of such board, (iii) any committee of officers of the Company or (iv) any officer of the Company acting, in the case of clause (iii) or (iv), pursuant to authority granted by the board of directors of the Company or any committee of such board.

"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

"Business Day" means, with respect to any series of Securities, unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, in an indenture supplemental hereto or an Officer's Certificate with respect to a particular series of Securities, each day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the pertinent Place or Places of Payment, including, but not limited to New York, Montreal and Toronto, or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located are authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.

"Closing Price" of the Common Stock or other Marketable Security, as the case may be, shall mean the last reported sale price of such stock or other Marketable Security (regular way) as shown on the Composite Tape of the Nasdaq (or, if such stock or other Marketable Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, on the principal national securities exchange on which such stock or other Marketable Security is listed or admitted to trading, including the NYSE), or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on the Nasdaq (or, if such stock or other Marketable Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, on the principal national securities exchange on which such stock or other Marketable Security is listed or admitted to trading, including the NYSE), or if such stock or other Marketable Security is not so reported, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by any member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, selected from time to time by the Company for that purpose.


"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

"Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, without par value, of the Company authorized at the date of this Indenture as originally signed, or any other class of stock resulting from successive changes or reclassifications of such Common Stock, and in any such case including any shares thereof authorized after the date of this Indenture.

"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor.

"Company Request", "Company Order" and "Company Consent" mean a written request, order or consent, respectively, signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, General Counsel, Secretary or any Vice President, and delivered to the Trustee.

"Conversion Price" means, with respect to any series of Securities which are convertible into Common Stock or other Marketable Securities, the price per share of Common Stock or the price per designated unit of other Marketable Security at which the Securities of such series are so convertible as set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series (or in any indenture supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to Section 9.01(9) with respect to such series), as the same may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with an indenture supplemental hereto.

"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at

_____________________,

Attn: ________________

"Current Market Price" on any date shall mean the average of the daily Closing Prices per share of Common Stock or of such other Marketable Securities for any 30 consecutive Trading Days selected by the Company prior to the day in question, which 30 consecutive Trading Day period shall not commence more than 45 Trading Days prior to the day in question.

"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

"Depository" means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.04 or 3.01, with respect to Securities of any series issuable or issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation.


"Discharged" has the meaning specified in Section 4.03.

"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Article V.

"Federal Bankruptcy Act" has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(5).

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as such principles are in effect in Canada as of the date of this Indenture.

"Global Security", when used with respect to any series of Securities issued hereunder, means a Security which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depository or pursuant to the Depository's instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and an indenture supplemental hereto, if any, or Board Resolution and pursuant to a Company Request, which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due, and interest rate or method of determining interest.

"Guarantee" means the guarantees specified in Section 12.01(a).

"Guarantor" means any Person who guarantees any series of Securities issued hereunder as specified in Section 12.01(a).

"Holder", when used with respect to any Security, means a Securityholder, which means a Person in whose name a security is registered in the Security Register.

"Indenture" or "this Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01.

"Interest", with respect to the Securities, means interest on the Securities; provided, that, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, the term means interest payable after Maturity.

"Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any series of Securities, means the Stated Maturity of any installment of interest on those Securities.

"Marketable Security" means any common stock, debt security or other security of a Person which is (or will, upon distribution thereof, be) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE Amex, NASDAQ or any other national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or approved for quotation in any system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices in the United States or for which there is a recognized market maker or trading market.


"Maturity", when used with respect to any Securities, means the date on which the principal of any such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether on a Repayment Date, at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

"NASDAQ" shall mean the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market.

"NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, General Counsel, Secretary or any Vice President, and delivered to the Trustee.  Wherever this Indenture requires that an Officers' Certificate be signed also by a financial expert or an accountant or other expert, such financial expert, accountant or other expert (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) may be in the employ of the Company, and shall be acceptable to the Trustee.

"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, which is delivered to the Trustee.

"Original Issue Discount Security" means (i) any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and (ii) any other security which is issued with "original issue discount" within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.

"Outstanding", when used with respect to the Securities or Securities of any series, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) such Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) such Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(c) such Securities in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, or which shall have been paid pursuant to the terms of Section 3.06 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a Person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company).

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Securities Outstanding have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) the principal amount of any Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of the taking of such action upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and (ii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding.  In determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee knows to be owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right to act as owner with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.


"Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.  The Company initially authorizes the Trustee to act as Paying Agent for the Securities on its behalf.  The Company may at any time and from time to time authorize one or more Persons to act as Paying Agent in addition to or in place of the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities issued under this Indenture.

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

"Place of Payment" means with respect to any series of Securities issued hereunder, the city or political subdivision so designated with respect to the series of Securities in question in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01.

"Predecessor Securities" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

"Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

"Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price specified in the Security at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

"Redemption Rescission Event" shall mean the occurrence of (a) any general suspension of trading in, or limitation on prices for, securities on the principal national securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock or Marketable Securities are registered and listed for trading (or, if shares of Common Stock or Marketable Securities are not registered and listed for trading on any such exchange, in the over-the-counter market) for more than six-and-one-half (6-1/2) consecutive trading hours, (b) any decline in either the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500 Index (or any successor index published by Dow Jones & Company, Inc. or S&P) by either (i) an amount in excess of 10%, measured from the close of business on any Trading Day to the close of business on the next succeeding Trading Day during the period commencing on the Trading Day preceding the day notice of any redemption of Securities is given (or, if such notice is given after the close of business on a Trading Day, commencing on such Trading Day) and ending at the time and date fixed for redemption in such notice or (ii) an amount in excess of 15% (or if the time and date fixed for redemption is more than 15 days following the date on which such notice of redemption is given, 20%), measured from the close of business on the Trading Day preceding the day notice of such redemption is given (or, if such notice is given after the close of business on a Trading Day, from such Trading Day) to the close of business on any Trading Day at or prior to the time and date fixed for redemption, (c) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks by Federal or state authorities in the United States or (d) the occurrence of an act of terrorism or commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States which in the reasonable judgment of the Company could have a material adverse effect on the market for the Common Stock or Marketable Securities.


"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date means the date specified in such Security as the Regular Record Date.

"Repayment Date", when used with respect to any Security to be repaid, means the date fixed for such repayment pursuant to such Security.

"Repayment Price", when used with respect to any Security to be repaid, means the price at which it is to be repaid pursuant to such Security.

"Required Currency", when used with respect to any Security, has the meaning set forth in Section 1.14.

"Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

"Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Company, means any of the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, General Counsel, Secretary or any Vice President (or any equivalent of the foregoing officers).

"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Service or any successor to the rating agency business thereto.

"Security" or "Securities" means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of indebtedness, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered from time to time under this Indenture.

"Security Register" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.05.


"Security Registrar" means the Person who keeps the Security Register specified in Section 3.05.  The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as Security Registrar for the Securities on its behalf.  The Company may at any time and from time to time authorize any Person to act as Security Registrar in place of the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities issued under this Indenture.

"Securityholder" means a Person in whose name a security is registered in the Security Register.

"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 12 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.07.

"Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation more than 50% of the voting stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by such Person, and any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person owns more than 50% of the equity interests or has the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body.

"Trading Day" shall mean, with respect to the Common Stock or a Marketable Security, so long as the common stock or such Marketable Security, as the case may be, is listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, a day on which the Nasdaq is open for the transaction of business, or, if the Common Stock or such Marketable Security, as the case may be, is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock or such Marketable Security, as the case may be, is listed is open for the transaction of business, or, if the Common Stock or such Marketable Security, as the case may be, is not so listed or admitted for trading on any national securities exchange, a day on which the member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority selected by the Company to provide pricing information for the Common Stock or such Marketable Security is open for the transaction of business.

"Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that, in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

"Trustee" means the Person named as the Trustee in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean and include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.  If at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.


"Vice President" when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "vice president", including without limitation, an assistant vice president.

"Voting Stock", as applied to the stock of any corporation, means stock of any class or classes (however designated) having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or other governing body) of such corporation other than stock having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency.

"Yield to Maturity" means the yield to maturity on a series of Securities, calculated by the Company at the time of issuance of such series of Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, in accordance with accepted financial practice.

Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.  Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any (including any covenants compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent), provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such Counsel all such conditions precedent, if any (including any covenants compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent), have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than annual statements of compliance provided pursuant to Section 10.04) shall include:

(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) 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;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he 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; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.  In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons may certify or give an opinion as to the other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.


Any certificate of an officer of the Company or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous.  Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.04 Acts of Securityholders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Securityholders or Securityholders of any series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Securityholders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing or may be embodied in or evidenced by an electronic transmission which identifies the documents containing the proposal on which such consent is requested and certifies such Securityholders' consent thereto and agreement to be bound thereby; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  If any Securities are denominated in coin or currency other than that of the United States, then for the purposes of determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities have taken any action as herein described, the principal amount of such Securities shall be deemed to be that amount of United States dollars that could be obtained for such principal amount on the basis of the spot rate of exchange into United States dollars for the currency in which such Securities are denominated (as evidenced to the Trustee by an Officers' Certificate) as of the date the taking of such action by the Holders of such requisite principal amount is evidenced to the Trustee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence.  If any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, then for the purposes of determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities have taken any action as herein described, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed to be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof as of the date the taking of such action by the Holders of such requisite principal amount is evidenced to the Trustee as provided in the first sentence of this Section 1.04(a).  Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Securityholders signing such instrument or instruments.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.


(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness to such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof.  Where such execution is by an officer of a corporation or a member of a partnership, on behalf of such corporation or partnership, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so.  Such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such action or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.01.  If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Securities outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Securities outstanding shall be computed as of the record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date, and that no such authorization, agreement or consent may be amended, withdrawn or revoked once given by a Holder, unless the Company shall provide for such amendment, withdrawal or revocation in conjunction with such solicitation of authorizations, agreements or consents or unless and to the extent required by applicable law.

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

Section 1.05 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Securityholders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:


(a)  the Trustee by any Securityholder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration; or

(b) the Company by the Trustee or by any Securityholder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (except as provided in Section 5.0 1(4) or, in the case of a request for repayment, as specified in the Security carrying the right to repayment) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, or at the address last furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 1.06 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver.  Where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice to Securityholders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein or in such Security expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first−class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Securityholders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Securityholder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Securityholders.  Where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Securityholders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

In case, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike, work stoppage or otherwise, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to any Securityholder when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any method of notification as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

Section 1.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.  If and to the extent that any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision (an "incorporated provision") included in this Indenture by operation of, any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.  The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns.  All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company and the Guarantors, if any, shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.10 Separability Clause.  In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.


Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture.  Nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any Authenticating Agent or Paying Agent, the Security Registrar and the Holders of Securities (or such of them as may be affected thereby), any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.12 Governing Law.  This Indenture shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Section 1.13 Counterparts.  This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.14 Judgment Currency.  The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of any series (the "Required Currency") into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the "Judgment Currency"), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in the City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding that on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.  For purposes of the foregoing, "New York Banking Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in the City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

Section 1.15 Legal Holidays.  In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 3.07, Stated Maturity or Maturity with respect to any Security or other day on which principal or interest is due, shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security) payment of principal or interest need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 3.07 or Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or other such day, Redemption Date, date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 3.07, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be, to the next succeeding Business Day.


Section 1.16 Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities and Jury Trial.  The Company and each Guarantor agree that any suit, action or proceeding against the Company or any Guarantor arising out of or based upon this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in any State or Federal court in The City of New York, New York, and waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or proceeding.  The Company and each Guarantor shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York an office or agency to act as its authorized agent (the "Authorized Agent") upon whom process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture, any Security or the transactions contemplated herein or thereby which may be instituted in any State or Federal court in The City of New York, New York, and expressly accepts the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and of any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain such 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.  The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office as the Authorized Agent and appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such process so long as such Corporate Trust Office remains the Authorized Agent.  The Company and each Guarantor further agree to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of ten years from the date of this Indenture.  If for any reason the Authorized Agent shall cease to be available to act as such authorized agent for the Company and any Guarantor, the Company and each Guarantor agree to designate a new agent in the State of New York on the terms and for the purpose of this Section 1.16.  The Company and each Guarantor hereby represent and warrant that the Authorized Agent has accepted such appointment and has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company and each Guarantor agree to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid.  Service of process upon the Authorized Agent shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company.

ARTICLE II.
SECURITY FORMS

Section 2.01 Forms Generally.  The Securities shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon, as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.  Any portion of the text of any Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Security.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities, subject, with respect to the Securities of any series, to the rules of any securities exchange on which such Securities are listed.


Section 2.02 Forms of Securities.  Each Security shall be in one of the forms approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto.  Prior to the delivery of a Security to the Trustee for authentication in any form approved by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee the Board Resolution by or pursuant to which such form of Security has been approved, which Board Resolution shall have attached thereto a true and correct copy of the form of Security which has been approved thereby or, if a Board Resolution authorizes a specific officer or officers to approve a form of Security, a certificate of such officer or officers approving the form of Security attached thereto.  Any form of Security approved by or pursuant to a Board Resolution must be acceptable as to form to the Trustee, such acceptance to be evidenced by the Trustee's authentication of Securities in that form or a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and delivered to the Company.

Section 2.03 Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.  The form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication for any Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be substantially as follows:

TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

[TRUSTEE]

_____________________________

by

Authorized Signatory

Dated ________________________

Section 2.04 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.02 and 3.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 3.03 and the Company Order delivered to the Trustee or its agent thereunder, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Company shall specify in a Company Order, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depository or pursuant to the Depository's instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: "Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of the Depository to Issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of the nominee of the Depository or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depository (and any payment is made to the nominee of the Depository or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depository), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, the nominee of the Depository, has an interest herein."


(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.04 or of Section 3.05, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (iii) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for individual Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 3.05, only to a nominee of the Depository for such Global Security, or to the Depository, or a successor Depository for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a nominee of such successor Depository.

(i) (i) If at any time the Depository for a Global Security notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time the Depository for the Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor Depository with respect to such Global Security.  If a successor Depository for such Global Security is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver, individual Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security.

(ii) The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities.  In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver individual Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security or Securities representing such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.


(iii) If specified by the Company pursuant to Sections 2.02 and 3.02 with respect to Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depository Thereupon the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (1) to each Person specified by such Depository a new Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person's beneficial interest as specified by such Depository in the Global Security; and (2) to such Depository a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

(iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations.  Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent.  Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depository for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Security Registrar.  The Trustee or the Security Registrar shall deliver at its Corporate Trust Office such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

ARTICLE III.
THE SECURITIES

Section 3.01 General Title; General Limitations; Issuable in Series; Terms of Particular Series.  The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered and Outstanding under this Indenture is not limited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series as from time to time may be authorized by the Board of Directors.  There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, subject to Section 3.12, prior to the issuance of Securities of any such series:

(a) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from Securities of any other series);

(b) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;


(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of such series is payable;

(d) the rate or rates (or manner of calculation thereof) at which the Securities of such series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(e) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of such series shall be payable;

(f) the period or periods within which, the Redemption Price or Prices or the Repayment Price or Prices, as the case may be, at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series may be redeemed or repaid (including the applicability of Section 11.09), as the case may be, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or the Holder;

(g) the obligation, if any, of the Company to purchase Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series shall be purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(h) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of such series shall be issuable;

(i) provisions, if any, with regard to the conversion or exchange of the Securities of such series, at the option of the Holders thereof or the Company, as the case may be, for or into new Securities of a different series or other securities;

(j) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies or units based on or related to currencies in which the Securities of such series shall be denominated and in which payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Securities shall or may be payable;

(k) if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency (including a composite currency) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

(l) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency (including a composite currency) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;


(m) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 and 11.07 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.03, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(n) provisions, if any, with regard to the exchange of Securities of such series, at the option of the Holders thereof, for other Securities of the same series of the same aggregate principal amount or of a different authorized series or different authorized denomination or denominations, or both;

(o) provisions, if any, with regard to the appointment by the Company of an Authenticating Agent in one or more places other than the location of the office of the Trustee with power to act on behalf of the Trustee and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of the Securities of any one or more series in connection with such transactions as shall be specified in the provisions of this Indenture or in or pursuant to such Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto;

(p) the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series, if other than the principal amount thereof, which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.04;

(q) any Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series, if not set forth herein, and any additions, deletions or other changes to the Events of Default set forth herein that shall be applicable to the Securities of such series;

(r) any covenant solely for the benefit of the Securities of such series and any additions, deletions or other changes to the provisions of Article VIII, Article X or Section 1.01 or any definitions relating to such Article that would otherwise be applicable to the Securities of such series;

(s) if Section 4.03 of this Indenture shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series and if Section 4.03 shall be applicable to any covenant or Event of Default established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto as described above that has not already been established herein;

(t) if the Securities of such series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities; and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities;

(u) if the Securities of such series shall be guaranteed, the terms and conditions of such Guarantees and provisions for the accession of the guarantors to certain obligations hereunder; and


(v) any other terms of such series, including, without limitations, any restrictions on transfer related thereto all upon such terms as may be determined in or pursuant to such Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series.

The form of the Securities of each series shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or in the indenture supplemental hereto creating such series.  The Securities of each series shall be distinguished from the Securities of each other series in such manner, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, as the Board of Directors may determine.

Unless otherwise provided with respect to Securities of a particular series, the Securities of any series may only be issuable in registered form, without coupons.

Any terms or provisions in respect of the Securities of any series issued under this Indenture may be determined pursuant to this Section by providing for the method by which such terms or provisions shall be determined.

Section 3.02 Denominations.  The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations and currency as shall be provided in the provisions of this Indenture or in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or the indenture supplemental hereto creating such series.  In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of that series shall be issuable only in fully registered form in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication and Delivery and Dating.  The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any Responsible Officer.  The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication; and the Trustee shall, upon Company Order, authenticate and deliver such Securities as in this Indenture provided and not otherwise.

Prior to any such authentication and delivery, the Trustee shall be provided with the Officers' Certificate required to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 1.02, and the Board Resolution and any certificate relating to the issuance of the series of Securities required to be furnished pursuant to Section 2.02, an Opinion of Counsel substantially to the effect that:

(a) all instruments furnished to the Trustee conform to the requirements of the Indenture and constitute sufficient authority hereunder for the Trustee to authenticate and deliver such Securities;


(b) the form and terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(c) all laws and requirements with respect to the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities have been complied with, the Company has the corporate power to issue such Securities and such Securities have been duly authorized and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authentication and delivery by the Trustee, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms (subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws and legal principles affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general equitable principles, whether applied in an action at law or in equity) and entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, equally and ratably with all other Securities, if any, of such series Outstanding;

(d) when applicable, the Indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

(e) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and, if the authentication and delivery relates to a new series of Securities created by an indenture supplemental hereto, also stating that all laws and requirements with respect to the form and execution by the Company of the supplemental indenture with respect to that series of Securities have been complied with, the Company has corporate power to execute and deliver any such supplemental indenture and has taken all necessary corporate action for those purposes and any such supplemental indenture has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws and legal principles affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general equitable principles, whether applied in an action at law or in equity).

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue thereof will adversely affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Security for any series, all Securities shall be dated the date of their authentication.

No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.09, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.


Section 3.04 Temporary Securities.  Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and, upon receipt of the documents required by Section 3.03, together with a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, without charge to the Holder; and upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of such series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and terms.  Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of such series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.05 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.  The Company shall keep or cause to be kept a register or registers (herein sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities, or of Securities of a particular series, and of transfers of Securities or of Securities of such series.  Any such register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.  At all reasonable times the information contained in such register or registers shall be available for inspection by the Trustee at the office or agency to be maintained by the Company as provided in Section 10.02.  There shall be only one Security Register per series of Securities.

Subject to Section 2.04, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in a Place of Payment, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of such series of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount and Stated Maturity and of like tenor and terms.

Subject to Section 2.04, at the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of such series of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount and Stated Maturity and of like tenor and terms, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Securityholder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.


Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

Unless otherwise provided in the Security to be registered for transfer or exchanged, no service charge shall be made on any Securityholder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may (unless otherwise provided in such Security) require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 9.06 or 11.07 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 11.03 and ending at the close of business on the date of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part.

Section 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.  If (i) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of like tenor, series, Stated Maturity and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.


Section 3.07 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.  Unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 3.01, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Any interest on any Security which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and, except as hereinafter provided, such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or clause (b) below:

(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names any such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner (the "Special Record Date").  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause (a) provided.  Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to the Holder of each such Security at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.  Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).

(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (b), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

If any installment of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date for any Security called for redemption pursuant to Article XI is not paid or duly provided for on or prior to the Redemption Date in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section, such interest shall be payable as part of the Redemption Price of such Securities.


Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 3.08 Persons Deemed Owners.  The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any), and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Section 3.09 Cancellation.  All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or credit against a sinking fund shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not already canceled, shall be promptly canceled by it.  The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee.  No Security shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee shall dispose of all canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of such disposition to the Company upon its written request therefor.

Section 3.10 CUSIP and CINS Numbers.  The Company in issuing any Securities may use "CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on such Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on such Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers in such notices of redemption.

Section 3.11 Computation of Interest.  Unless otherwise provided as contemplated in Section 3.01, interest on the Securities shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30 day months.

Section 3.12 Delayed Issuance of Securities.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for the Company to deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate, Board Resolution, indenture supplemental hereto, Opinion of Counsel or Company Order otherwise required pursuant to Sections 1.02, 2.02, 3.01 and 3.03 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued; provided that any subsequent request by the Company to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company that as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers' Certificate or other certificates delivered pursuant to Sections 1.02 and 2.02 shall be true and correct as if made on such date.


A Company Order, Officers' Certificate or Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto delivered by the Company to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph may provide that Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time in the aggregate principal amount, if any, established for such series pursuant to such procedures reasonably acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order upon the telephonic, electronic or written order of Persons designated in such Company Order, Officers' Certificate, indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution (any such telephonic or electronic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Persons) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Company Order, Officers' Certificate, indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution, such terms and conditions of said Securities as are specified in such Company Order, Officers' Certificate, indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution.

ARTICLE IV.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE;
DEFEASANCE

Section 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.  Unless pursuant to Section 3.01 provision is made that this Section shall not be applicable to the Securities of any series, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or in the form of Security for such series), and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when:

(a) either:

(i) all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (x) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06 and (y) Securities of such series for whose payment money in the Required Currency has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to the Trustee canceled or for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee canceled or for cancellation:

(A) have become due and payable, or

(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the Required Currency sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee canceled or for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;


(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee with respect to that series under Section 6.07 shall survive and the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 4.02, 10.02 and 10.03 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 4.02 Application of Trust Money.  Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money, property and securities deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section 4.03 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the series of Securities in respect of which it was deposited and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money, property or securities deposited with and held by it as provided in Section 4.03 and this Section 4.02 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent satisfaction and discharge, Discharge (as defined below) or covenant defeasance, provided that the Trustee shall not be required to liquidate any securities in order to comply with the provisions of this paragraph.

Section 4.03 Defeasance Upon Deposit of Funds or Government Obligations.  Unless pursuant to Section 3.01 provision is made that this Section shall not be applicable to the Securities of any series, at the Company's option, either (a) the Company and the Guarantors, if any, shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to any series of Securities after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied or (b) the Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 10.05 and Article VIII (and any other Sections or covenants applicable to such Securities that are determined pursuant to Section 3.01 to be subject to this provision), the Guarantors, if any, shall be released from the Guarantees and clause (d) of Section 5.01 of this Indenture (and any other Events of Default applicable to such Securities that are determined pursuant to Section 3.01 to be subject to this provision) shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities at any time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied:


(a) the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (i) money in an amount, or (ii) the equivalent in securities of the government which issued the currency in which the Securities are denominated or government agencies backed by the full faith and credit of such government which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide freely available funds on or prior to the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, in the opinion (with respect to (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including mandatory sinking fund payments) and any premium of, interest on and any repurchase or redemption obligations with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series on the dates such installments of interest or principal or repurchase or redemption obligations are due (before such a deposit, if the Securities of such series are then redeemable or may be redeemed in the future pursuant to the terms thereof, in either case at the option of the Company, the Company may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 11.02, a notice of its election to redeem all of the Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article XI);

(b) no Event of Default or event (including such deposit) which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company's exercise of its option under this Section 4.03 and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised, and, in the case of Securities being Discharged, accompanied by a ruling to that effect from the Internal Revenue Service, unless, as set forth in such Opinion of Counsel, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law since the date of this Indenture such that a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service is no longer required;

(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit referred to in paragraph (a) above was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with.


If the Company, at its option, with respect to a series of Securities, satisfies the applicable conditions pursuant to either clause (a) or (b) of the first sentence of this Section, then (A), in the event the Company satisfies the conditions to clause (a) and elects clause (a) to be applicable, each of the Guarantors, if any, shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, its respective guarantee of the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series and (B) in either case, each of the Guarantors, if any, shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenants applicable to such Securities that are determined pursuant to Section 3.01 to be subject to this provision, and any Events of Default applicable to such series of Securities that are determined pursuant to Section 3.01 to be subject to this provision shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities at any time thereafter.

"Discharged" means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal and any premium of and any interest on such Securities when such payments are due; (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 4.02, 6.07, 10.02 and 10.03; (C) the Company's right of redemption, if any, with respect to any Securities of such series pursuant to Article XI, in which case the Company may redeem the Securities of such series in accordance with Article XI by complying with such Article and depositing with the Trustee, in accordance with Section 11.05, an amount of money sufficient, together with all amounts held in trust pursuant to Section 4.02 with respect to Securities of such series, to pay the Redemption Price of all the Securities of such series to be redeemed; and (D) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.  A "Discharge" shall mean the meeting by the Company of the foregoing requirements.

Section 4.04 Reinstatement.  If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money, property or securities in accordance with Section 4.02 of this Indenture, 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 and, if applicable, the Guarantors' obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.01 or 4.03 of this Indenture, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money, property or securities in accordance with Section 4.02 of this Indenture; provided that, if the Company has made any payment of principal of or interest on any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money, property or securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.


ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES

Section 5.01 Events of Default.  "Event of Default", wherever used herein, means with respect to any series of Securities any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution creating such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series:

(a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation when the same becomes due by the terms of the Securities of such series; or

(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture in respect of the Securities of such series (other than a covenant or warranty in respect of the Securities of such series a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), all of such covenants and warranties in the Indenture which are not expressly stated to be for the benefit of a particular series of Securities being deemed in respect of the Securities of all series for this purpose, and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 33-1/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or             

(e) the entry of an order for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof under Title 11, United States Code (the "Federal Bankruptcy Act") or any analogous law of Canada by a court having jurisdiction in the premises or a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof a bankrupt or insolvent under any other applicable federal, state or provincial law, or the entry of a decree or order approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof under the Federal Bankruptcy Act or any analogous law of Canada or any other applicable federal, state or provincial law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or


(f) the consent by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under the Federal Bankruptcy Act or any other applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof in furtherance of any such action; or

(g) any other Event of Default provided in the indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution under which such series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such series.

Section 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.  If an Event of Default described in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (g) (if the Event of Default under clause (d) or (g) is with respect to less than all series of Securities then Outstanding) of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing with respect to any series, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33-1/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series acting as a separate class), by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all the Securities of such series and all accrued interest thereon to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (g) (if the Event of Default under clause (d) or (g) is with respect to all series of Securities then Outstanding), of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 3 3-1/3% in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class), by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities then Outstanding and all accrued interest thereon to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  If an Event of Default of the type set forth in clause (e) or (f) of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing, the principal of and any interest on the Securities then Outstanding shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made with respect to the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:


(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(i) all overdue installments of interest on the Securities of such series; and

(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor by the terms of the Securities of such series, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful; and

(iii) interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor by the terms of the Securities of such series to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful; and

(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07; and

(v) all Events of Default with respect to such series of Securities, other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Securities of such series which have become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.  The Company covenants that if:

(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series when such interest becomes due and payable; or

(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof; or

(c) default is made in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation when the same becomes due by the terms of the Securities of any series; and any such default continues for any period of grace provided with respect to the Securities of such series, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holder of any such Security (or the Holders of any such series in the case of clause (b) above), the whole amount then due and payable on any such Security (or on the Securities of any such series in the case of clause (b) above) for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, with interest, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and upon overdue installments of interest, at such rate or rates as may be prescribed therefor by the terms of any such Security (or of Securities of any such series in the case of clause (b) above); and, in addition thereto, 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 and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07.


If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series and collect the money adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.  In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or portion thereof determined pursuant to Section 3.01(16) to be provable in bankruptcy) (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary and advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07) and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make such payment to the Trustee and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.


Section 5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.  All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities of any series may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities of such series or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities of the series in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.06 Application of Money Collected.  Any money collected by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of such series and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07.

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities of that series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively.

THIRD: To the Company.

Section 5.07 Limitation on Suits.  No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series;

(b) the Holders of not less than 3 3-1/3% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and


(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60 day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities of such series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and proportionate benefit of all the Holders of all Securities of such series.

Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.  Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.  If the Trustee or any Securityholder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.  No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.  No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders, as the case may be.

Section 5.12 Control by Securityholders.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to 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 with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:


(a) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would conflict with this Indenture or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed would involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction, and

(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.  The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default not theretofore cured:

(a) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation with respect to the Securities of such series, or

(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article IX cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs.  All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, 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, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series to which the suit relates, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on an Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be).

Section 5.15 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.  The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) 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.


ARTICLE VI.
THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.  (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities:

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to Securities of such series, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but 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 be under a duty to examine the same 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).

(b) In case an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution relating to such series of Securities, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and


(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 6.02 Notice of Defaults.  Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of all defaults hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment or analogous obligation with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.01(4) with respect to Securities of such series no such notice to Securityholders of such series shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.  For the purpose of this Section, the term "default", with respect to Securities of any series, means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustee.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;


(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or an Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, 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, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(h) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default (as defined in Section 6.02) or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series for which it is acting as Trustee unless either (1) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee assigned to the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee (or any successor division or department of the Trustee) shall have actual knowledge of such default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities;

(i) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; and

(j) 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, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

Section 6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.  The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.  The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.


Section 6.05 May Hold Securities.  The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, the Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 6.08 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or any Guarantor, if applicable, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

Section 6.06 Money Held in Trust.  Subject to the provisions of Section 10.03 hereof, all moneys in any currency or currency received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

Section 6.07 Compensation and Reimbursement.  The Company agrees:

(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or bad faith; and

(c) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or (f), the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

The Company's obligations under this Section 6.07 and any lien arising hereunder shall survive the resignation or removal of any Trustee, the discharge of the Company's obligations pursuant to Article IV of this Indenture and/or the termination of this Indenture.

Section 6.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.  The Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act during the period of time provided for therein.  In determining whether the Trustee has a conflicting interest as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of any series, there shall be excluded this Indenture with respect to Securities of any particular series of Securities other than that series.  Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application referred to in the second to last paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.


Section 6.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.  There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Securities, which shall be either:

(a) a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any State, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority, or

(b) a corporation or other Person organized and doing business under the laws of a foreign government that is permitted to act as Trustee pursuant to a rule, regulation or order of the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, and subject to supervision or examination by authority of such foreign government or a political subdivision thereof substantially equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to United States institutional trustees; in either case having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company shall serve as trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder.  If at any time the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.

Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal.

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 6.11.

(b) The Trustee may resign with respect to any series of Securities at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Company.  If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(c) The Trustee may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.  If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the removed Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.


(d) If at any time:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act pursuant to Section 6.08 with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of that series for at least six months, unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.09 with respect to any series of Securities and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or

(iv) the Trustee shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee, with respect to the series, or in the case of clause (iv), with respect to all series, or (ii) subject to Section 5.14, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the series, or, in the case of clause (iv), with respect to all series.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities for any cause, the Company, by Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee for that series of Securities.

If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to such series of Securities shall be appointed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to such series and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company with respect to such series.  If no successor Trustee with respect to such series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Securityholders of such series and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, subject to Section 5.14, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of that series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.


(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Securities of that series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its principal Corporate Trust Office.

Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.  Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor Trustee shall become effective with respect to any series as to which it is resigning or being removed as Trustee, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to any such series; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such predecessor Trustee shall, upon payment of its reasonable charges, if any, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the predecessor Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such predecessor trustee hereunder with respect to all or any such series, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 607.  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the predecessor Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not being succeeded shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such indenture supplemental hereto shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

No successor Trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible with respect to that series under this Article.

Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.  Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.  In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.


Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.  At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding the Trustee, with the approval of the Company, may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issuance, exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.06, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.  Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.  Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as an Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and, if other than the Company itself, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority.  If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and, if other than the Company, to the Company.  The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and, if other than the Company, to the Company.  Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee, with the approval of the Company, may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.  No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.


The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

[Name of Authenticating Agent]

_________________________

by

As Authenticating Agent

_________________________

As Authorized Agent

Dated ____________________

ARTICLE VII.
SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY
TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders.  The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) Semi-annually, not more than 15 days after December 15 and June 15 in each year in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, a list of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of such December 15 and June 15, as applicable, and


(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar for Securities of a series, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.

Section 7.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Securityholders.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.01 and the names and addresses of Holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar, if so acting.  The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) If three or more Holders of Securities of any series (hereinafter referred to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security of such series for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of such series or with the Holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), or

(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such series or all Securities, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.  If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder of a Security of such series or to all Securityholders, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless, within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or all Securityholders, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law.  Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion.  If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all Securityholders of such series or all Securityholders, as the case may be, with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.


(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 7.02(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.02(b).

Section 7.03 Reports by Trustee.

(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the issuance of Securities, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, at the Company's expense, to all Holders as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, as provided in Trust Indenture Act 313(c), a brief report dated as of May 15 in accordance with and with respect to the matters required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a).

(b) The Trustee shall transmit by mail, at the Company's expense, to all Holders as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, as provided in Trust Indenture Act 313(c), a brief report in accordance with and with respect to the matters required by Trust Indenture Act Section 3 13(b).

(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be furnished to the Company and, in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d), be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed, and also with the Commission.

Section 7.04 Reports by Company.  The Company shall file with the Trustee, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.  The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a).  Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is 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 is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).


ARTICLE VIII.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

Section 8.01 Consolidation, Merger, Amalgamation, Conveyance or Transfer on Certain Terms.  Except as otherwise set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution creating such series of Securities or in the form of security for such Series, the Company shall not consolidate with, merge into, or amalgamate with any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

(a) the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be organized and existing under the laws of Canada or any province thereof, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture (as supplemented from time to time) on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such indenture supplemental hereto comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.02 Successor Person Substituted.  Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 8.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein.  In the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company as the predecessor shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved, wound up or liquidated at any time thereafter.

ARTICLE IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders.  Except as otherwise set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution creating such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series, without the consent of the Holders of any Securities, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:


(a) to evidence the succession of another corporation or Person to the Company or any Guarantor, if any, and the assumption by any such successor of the respective covenants of the Company or any Guarantor herein and in the Securities contained; or

(b) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor, if any, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of any or all series (and if such covenants or the surrender of such right or power are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included or such surrenders are expressly being made solely for the benefit of one or more specified series); or

(c) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; or

(d) to add to this Indenture such provisions as may be expressly permitted by the TIA, excluding, however, the provisions referred to in Section 3 16(a)(2) of the TIA as in effect at the date as of which this instrument was executed or any corresponding provision in any similar federal statute hereafter enacted; or

(e) to establish any form of Security, as provided in Article II, to provide for the issuance of any series of Securities as provided in Article III and to set forth the terms thereof, and/or to add to the rights of the Holders of the Securities of any series; or

(f) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by another corporation as a successor Trustee hereunder with respect to one or more series of Securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to Section 6.11; or

(g) to add any additional Events of Default in respect of the Securities of any or all series (and if such additional Events of Default are to be in respect of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of one or more specified series); or

(h) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities and to provide for bearer Securities; provided that uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of such Internal Revenue Code; or

(i) to provide for the terms and conditions of conversion into Common Stock or other Marketable Securities of the Securities of any series which are convertible into Common Stock or other Marketable Securities, if any; or


(j) to secure the Securities of any series; or

(k) to add Guarantees in respect of any series or all of the Securities; or

(l) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of the Holders of any or all series of Securities; or

(m) to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

No supplemental indenture for the purposes identified in clauses (b), (c) or (e) above may be entered into if to do so would adversely affect the rights of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series in any material respect.

Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders.  Except as otherwise set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution creating such series of Securities or in the form of security for such Series, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures (acting as one class), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee (in accordance with Section 1.04 hereof), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

(a) change the Maturity of the principal of, or the Stated Maturity of any premium on, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest or any premium thereon, or change the method of computing the amount of principal thereof or interest thereon on any date or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Maturity or the Stated Maturity, as the case may be, thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or alter the provisions of this Indenture so as to affect adversely the terms, if any, of conversion of any Securities into Common Stock or other securities; or

(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences, provided for in this Indenture; or

(c) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02, Section 5.13 or Section 10.06, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; or


(d) impair or adversely affect the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on, or with respect to, the Securities of any series on or after the Stated Maturity of such Securities (or in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); or

(e) amend or modify Section 12.01 of this Indenture in any manner adverse to the rights of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of any series.

For purposes of this Section 9.02, if the Securities of any series are issuable upon the exercise of warrants, each holder of an unexercised and unexpired warrant with respect to such series shall be deemed to be a Holder of Outstanding Securities of such series in the amount issuable upon the exercise of such warrant.  For such purposes, the ownership of any such warrant shall be determined by the Company in a manner consistent with customary commercial practices.  The Trustee for such series shall be entitled to rely on an Officers' Certificate as to the principal amount of Securities of such series in respect of which consents shall have been executed by holders of such warrants.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Securityholders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.  In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.  Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby to the extent provided therein.

Section 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.  Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of TIA as then in effect.


Section 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.  Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Company shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities.

Section 9.07 Notice of Supplemental Indentures.  Promptly after the execution by the Company, any affected Guarantor and the Trustee of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Securityholders of each Outstanding Security affected, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, setting forth in general terms the substance of such Supplemental Indenture.  Any failure by the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment or waiver.

Section 9.08 Revocation and Effect of Consents, Waivers and Actions.  Until an amendment, waiver or other action by Securityholders becomes effective, a consent to it or any other action by a Securityholder of any series hereunder is a continuing consent by such Securityholder and every subsequent Securityholder of that Security, even if notation of the consent, waiver or action is not made on such Security.  However, any such Securityholder or subsequent Securityholder may revoke the consent, waiver or action as to such Securityholder's Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the consent of the requisite aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series affected then outstanding has been obtained and not revoked.  After an amendment, waiver or action becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder of the affected series, except as provided in Section 9.02.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to consent to any amendment or waiver.  If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the first two sentences of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Securityholders after such record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.

ARTICLE X.
COVENANTS

Section 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. With respect to each series of Securities, the Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities in accordance with their terms and this Indenture, and will duly comply with all the other terms, agreements and conditions contained in, or made in the Indenture for the benefit of, the Securities of such series.

Section 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served and where any Securities with conversion privileges, if any, may be presented and surrendered for conversion. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and of any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain such 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.


Unless otherwise set forth in, or pursuant to, a Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby initially designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities, the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as the Company's office or agency for each such purpose in such city.

Section 10.03 Money for Security Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent for any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on, any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on, any Securities of such series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal (and premium, if any) or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee for any series of Securities to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(b) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any such payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of such series; and

(c) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.


The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent in respect of each and every series of Securities as to which it seeks to discharge this Indenture or, if for any other purpose, all sums so held in trust by the Company in respect of all Securities, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease. The Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company mail to the Holders of the Securities as to which the money to be repaid was held in trust, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, a notice that such moneys remain unclaimed and that, after a date specified in the notice, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date on which the notice was first mailed to the Holders of the Securities as to which the money to be repaid was held in trust, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining will be paid to the Company free of the trust formerly impressed upon it.

Section 10.04 Statement as to Compliance. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company stating that: a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture and under the terms of the Securities has been made under his supervision; and

(b) to the best of his knowledge, based on such review, the Company has fulfilled all its obligations under this Indenture and has complied with all conditions and covenants on its part contained in this Indenture through such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, covenant or condition, specifying each such default known to him and the nature and status thereof.

For the purpose of this Section 10.04, default and compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

Section 10.05 Legal Existence. Subject to Article VIII, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in respect of any series of Securities, in any particular instance, to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in Sections 10.04 or 10.05 or set forth in a Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to the Securities of such series, unless otherwise specified in such Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected by such waiver (voting as one class) shall, by Act of such Securityholders delivered to the Company and the Trustee (in accordance with Section 1.04 hereof), either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Section 10.06 shall permit the waiver of compliance with any covenant or condition set forth in such Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto which, if in the form of an indenture supplemental hereto, would not be permitted by Section 9.02 without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.


ARTICLE XI.
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES.

Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The Company may reserve the right to redeem and pay before Stated Maturity all or any part of the Securities of any series, either by optional redemption, sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation or otherwise, by provision therefor in the form of Security for such series established and approved pursuant to Section 2.02 and on such terms as are specified in such form or in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to Securities of such series as provided in Section 3.01. Redemption of Securities of any series shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and, to the extent that this Article does not conflict with such terms, the succeeding Sections of this Article. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, except in the case of redemption pursuant to a sinking fund, the Trustee shall not make any payment in connection with the redemption of Securities until the close of business on the Redemption Date.

Section 11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities redeemable at the election of the Company shall be evidenced by, or pursuant to authority granted by, a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series and the Tranche (as defined in Section 11.03) to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (ii) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

Section 11.03 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of like tenor and terms of any series (a "Tranche") are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such Tranche not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may include provision for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of Securities of such Tranche of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series. Unless otherwise provided in the terms of a particular series of Securities, the portions of the principal of Securities so selected for partial redemption shall be equal to the minimum authorized denomination of the Securities of such series, or an integral multiple thereof, and the principal amount which remains outstanding shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series. If less than all the Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Tranche of Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Company. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Security selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.


Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either, (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement as being an Affiliate of the Company.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 11.04 Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 15 (unless otherwise provided in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto establishing the relevant series) nor more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the Redemption Price;

(c) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of the Securities to be redeemed;

(d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security, and that interest, if any, thereon shall cease to accrue from and after said date;

(e) the place where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, which shall be the office or agency of the Company in the Place of Payment;


(f) that the redemption is on account of a sinking or purchase fund, or other analogous obligation, if that be the case;

(g) if such Securities are convertible into Common Stock or other securities, the Conversion Price or other conversion price and the date on which the right to convert such Securities into Common Stock or other securities will terminate; and

(h) if applicable, that the redemption may be rescinded by the Company, at its sole option, pursuant to Section 11.09 of this Indenture upon the occurrence of a Redemption Rescission Event.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided that if the Trustee is asked to give such notice it shall be given at least five Business Days prior notice.

Section 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to any Redemption Date and subject to Section 11.09, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date. If any Security to be redeemed is converted into Common Stock or other securities, any money so deposited with the Trustee or a Paying Agent shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then so segregated and held in trust by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.

Section 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, subject to Section 11.09, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and any rights to convert such Securities shall terminate. Upon surrender of such Securities for redemption in accordance with the notice and subject to Section 11.09, such Securities shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price. Unless otherwise provided with respect to such Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, installments of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Security, or as otherwise provided in such Security.

Section 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the office or agency of the Company in the Place of Payment with respect to that series (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and Stated Maturity and of like tenor and terms, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.


Section 11.08 Provisions with Respect to Any Sinking Funds. Unless the form or terms of any series of Securities shall provide otherwise, in lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to such series of Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (1) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities of such series theretofore acquired by the Company or converted by the Holder thereof into Common Stock or other securities, or (2) receive credit for any Securities of such series (not previously so credited) acquired by the Company (including by way of optional redemption (pursuant to the sinking fund or otherwise but not by way of mandatory sinking fund redemption)) or converted by the Holder thereof into Common Stock or other securities and theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and if it does so then (i) Securities so delivered or credited shall be credited at the applicable sinking fund Redemption Price with respect to Securities of such series, and (ii) on or before the 60th day next preceding each sinking fund Redemption Date with respect to such series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee (A) an Officers' Certificate specifying the portions of such sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and by delivery or credit of Securities of such series acquired by the Company or converted by the Holder thereof, and (B) such Securities, to the extent not previously surrendered. Such Officers' Certificate shall also state the basis for such credit and that the Securities for which the Company elects to receive credit have not been previously so credited and were not acquired by the Company through operation of the mandatory sinking fund, if any, provided with respect to such Securities and shall also state that no Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series has occurred and is continuing. All Securities so delivered to the Trustee shall be canceled by the Trustee and no Securities shall be authenticated in lieu thereof. If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) with respect to any series of Securities made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments with respect to Securities of such series made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request), unless otherwise provided by the terms of such series of Securities, that cash shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund Redemption Date with respect to Securities of such series next following the date of such payment to the redemption of Securities of such series at the applicable sinking fund Redemption Price with respect to Securities of such series, together with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption, with the effect provided in Section 11.06. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 11.03, for redemption on such sinking fund Redemption Date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to utilize that cash and shall thereupon cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series for the sinking fund to be given in the manner provided in Section 11.04 (and with the effect provided in Section 11.06) for the redemption of Securities in part at the option of the Company. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment with respect to Securities of such series received by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.08. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to Securities of any series held by the Trustee at the Maturity of Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Securities of such series at Maturity.


On or before each sinking fund Redemption Date provided with respect to Securities of any series, the Company shall pay to the Trustee in cash a sum equal to all accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund Redemption Date pursuant to this Section 11.08.

Section 11.09 Rescission of Redemption. In the event that this Section 11.09 is specified to be applicable to a series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 and a Redemption Rescission Event shall occur following any day on which a notice of redemption shall have been given pursuant to Section 11.04 hereof but at or prior to the time and date fixed for redemption as set forth in such notice of redemption, the Company may, at its sole option, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the close of business on that day which is two Trading Days following such Redemption Rescission Event and (ii) the time and date fixed for redemption as set forth in such notice, rescind the redemption to which such notice of redemption shall have related by making a public announcement of such rescission (the date on which such public announcement shall have been made being hereinafter referred to as the "Rescission Date"). The Company shall be deemed to have made such announcement if it shall issue a release to the Dow Jones News Service, Reuters Information Services or any successor news wire service. From and after the making of such announcement, the Company shall have no obligation to redeem Securities called for redemption pursuant to such notice of redemption or to pay the Redemption Price therefor and all rights of Holders of Securities shall be restored as if such notice of redemption had not been given. As promptly as practicable following the making of such announcement, the Company shall telephonically notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent of such rescission. The Company shall give notice of any such rescission by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed as promptly as practicable but in no event later than the close of business on that day which is five Trading Days following the Rescission Date to each Holder of Securities at the close of business on the Rescission Date and to the Trustee and the Paying Agent. Each notice of rescission shall (A) state that the redemption described in the notice of redemption has been rescinded and (B) state that such form must be properly completed and received by the Company no later than the close of business on a date that shall be 15 Trading Days following the date of the mailing of such notice of rescission.

ARTICLE XII.
GUARANTEES.

Section 12.01 Guarantees. (a) Any series of Securities may be guaranteed by one or more of the Subsidiaries of the Company or other Persons. The terms and the form of any such Guarantee will be established in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01 for the particular series of Securities. Each Guarantor, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, will fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee, to each Holder of Securities (including each Holder of Securities issued under the Indenture after the date of this Indenture) and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Securities when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Securities and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities. Each of the Guarantors further agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional irrespective of the absence or existence of any action to enforce the same, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any other Guarantor (except to the extent such judgment is paid) or any waiver or amendment of the provisions of this Indenture or the Securities to the extent that any such action or any similar action would otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (except that each such waiver or amendment shall be effective in accordance with its terms).


(b) Each of the Guarantors further agrees that each Guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance and not merely of collection.

(c) Each of the Guarantors further agrees to waive presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company or any other Person, and also waives diligence, notice of acceptance of its Guarantee, presentment, demand for payment, notice of protest for nonpayment, the filing of claims with a court in the event of merger, amalgamation or bankruptcy of the Company or any other Person and any right to require a proceeding first against the Company or any other Person. The obligations of the Guarantors shall not be affected by any failure or policy on the part of the Trustee to exercise any right or remedy under this Indenture or the Securities of any series.

(d) The obligation of each Guarantor to make any payment hereunder may be satisfied by causing the Company or any other Person to make such payment. If any Holder of any Security or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company or any Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or any Guarantor, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, the Guarantee of such Guarantor, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(e) Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder of Securities in enforcing any of their respective rights under its Guarantees.

(f) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of each of the Guarantees shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the relevant Guarantor without rendering the relevant Guarantee under this Indenture voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

[Signature page follows]


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

HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.

By: ________________________

Name: ______________________

Title: _______________________

[TRUSTEE], as Trustee

By: ________________________

Name: ______________________

Title: _______________________



Exhibit 7.2

HIVE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

and

_____________________________

Trustee

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of _________, ___

 

Providing for Issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities in Series



Table of Contents


 

 

Page

   
Article I. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION 6
   
Section 1.01 Definitions 6
Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions 14
Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee 15
Section 1.04 Acts of Securityholders 16
Section 1.05 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company 17
Section 1.06 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver 17
Section 1.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act 18
Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents 18
Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns 18
Section 1.10 Separability Clause 18
Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture 18
Section 1.12 Governing Law 18
Section 1.13 Counterparts 18
Section 1.14 Judgment Currency 18
Section 1.15 Legal Holidays 19
Section 1.16 Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities and Jury Trial  19
   
Article II. SECURITY FORMS 20
   
Section 2.01 Forms Generally 20
Section 2.02 Forms of Securities 20
Section 2.03 Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication 20
Section 2.04 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security 21
   
Article III. THE SECURITIES 23
   
Section 3.01 General Title; General Limitations; Issuable in Series; Terms of Particular Series 23
Section 3.02 Denominations 26
Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication and Delivery and Dating 26
Section 3.04 Temporary Securities 27
Section 3.05 Registration, Transfer and Exchange 28
Section 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities 29
Section 3.07 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved 29
Section 3.08 Persons Deemed Owners 30
Section 3.09 Cancellation 31
Section 3.10 CUSIP and CINS Numbers 31
Section 3.11 Computation of Interest 31
Section 3.12 Delayed Issuance of Securities 31
   
Article IV. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE 32



Section 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 32
Section 4.02 Application of Trust Money 33
Section 4.03 Defeasance Upon Deposit of Funds or Government Obligations 33
Section 4.04 Reinstatement 35
   
Article V. REMEDIES 35
   
Section 5.01 Events of Default 35
Section 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment 37
Section 5.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee 38
Section 5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 39
Section 5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities 39
Section 5.06 Application of Money Collected 40
Section 5.07 Limitation on Suits 40
Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest  41
Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies 41
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative 41
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver 41
Section 5.12 Control by Securityholders 41
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults 42
Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs 42
Section 5.15 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws 42
   
Article VI. THE TRUSTEE 42
   
Section 6.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities 42
Section 6.02 Notice of Defaults 44
Section 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustee 44
Section 6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities 45
Section 6.05 May Hold Securities 45
Section 6.06 Money Held in Trust 46
Section 6.07 Compensation and Reimbursement 46
Section 6.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests 46
Section 6.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility 47
Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal 47
Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 49
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business 49
Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company 50
Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent 50
 
Article VII. SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY 51
   
Section 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders 51



Section 7.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Securityholders 52
Section 7.03 Reports by Trustee 53
Section 7.04 Reports by Company 53
   
Article VIII. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER 54
   
Section 8.01 Consolidation, Merger, Amalgamation, Conveyance or Transfer on Certain Terms 54
Section 8.02 Successor Person Substituted 54
   
Article IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES 54
   
Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders 54
Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders 56
Section 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures 57
Section 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures 57
Section 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act 57
Section 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures 58
Section 9.07 Notice of Supplemental Indentures 58
Section 9.08 Revocation and Effect of Consents, Waivers and Actions 58
Section 9.09 Subordination Unimpaired 58
   
Article X. COVENANTS 58
   
Section 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest 58
Section 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency 59
Section 10.03 Money for Security Payments to Be Held in Trust 59
Section 10.04 Statement as to Compliance 60
Section 10.05 Legal Existence 61
Section 10.06 Waiver of Certain Covenants 61
   
Article XI. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES 61
   
Section 11.01 Applicability of Article 61
Section 11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee 61
Section 11.03 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed 62
Section 11.04 Notice of Redemption 62
Section 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price 63
Section 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date 63
Section 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part 64
Section 11.08 Provisions with Respect to Any Sinking Funds 64
Section 11.09 Rescission of Redemption 65
   
Article XII. SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES 66
   
Section 12.01 Agreement of Subordination 66
Section 12.02 Payments to Securityholders 66
Section 12.03 Subrogation of Securities 67



Section 12.04 Authorization by Securityholders 68
Section 12.05 Notice to Trustee 68
Section 12.06 Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness 69
Section 12.07 No Impairment of Subordination 69
Section 12.08 Rights of Trustee 70
Section 12.09 Applicable to Paying Agents 70
   
Article XIII. GUARANTEES 70
   
Section 13.01 Guarantees 70


INDENTURE

This INDENTURE between HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd., a company organized pursuant to  the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (hereinafter called the "Company"), having its principal office at 370-1095 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6, and, as trustee (hereinafter called the "Trustee"), is made and entered into as of ____________, ___.

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of its debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, to be issued in one or more fully registered series.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be incorporated into this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company in accordance with its terms have been done.

AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

To set forth or to provide for the establishment of the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are and are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed as follows, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a series thereof, as the case may be:

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.01 Definitions.  For all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(b) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act or by Commission rule under the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them herein; provided that, 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 to be excluded, as the case may be;

(c) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in Canada and any accounting rules or interpretations promulgated by the Commission as, in each case at the date of this Indenture; and


(d) all references in this instrument to designated "Articles", "Sections" and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed.  The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Certain terms, used principally in Article VI, are defined in that Article.

"Act," when used with respect to any Securityholder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.

"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 specified 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.

"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to authenticate Securities under Section 6.14.

"Board of Directors" means (i) the board of directors of the Company, (ii) any duly authorized committee of such board, (iii) any committee of officers of the Company or (iv) any officer of the Company acting, in the case of clause (iii) or (iv), pursuant to authority granted by the board of directors of the Company or any committee of such board.

"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

"Business Day" means, with respect to any series of Securities, unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, in an indenture supplemental hereto or an Officer's Certificate with respect to a particular series of Securities, each day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the pertinent Place or Places of Payment, including, but not limited to New York, Montreal and Toronto, or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located are authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.

"Closing Price" of the Common Stock or other Marketable Security, as the case may be, shall mean the last reported sale price of such stock or other Marketable Security (regular way) as shown on the Composite Tape of the Nasdaq (or, if such stock or other Marketable Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, on the principal national securities exchange on which such stock or other Marketable Security is listed or admitted to trading, including the NYSE), or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on the Nasdaq (or, if such stock or other Marketable Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, on the principal national securities exchange on which such stock or other Marketable Security is listed or admitted to trading, including the NYSE), or if such stock or other Marketable Security is not so reported, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by any member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, selected from time to time by the Company for that purpose.


"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

"Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, without par value of the Company authorized at the date of this Indenture as originally signed, or any other class of stock resulting from successive changes or reclassifications of such Common Stock, and in any such case including any shares thereof authorized after the date of this Indenture.

"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor.

"Company Request", "Company Order" and "Company Consent" mean a written request, order or consent, respectively, signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, General Counsel, Secretary or any Vice President, and delivered to the Trustee.

"Conversion Price" means, with respect to any series of Securities which are convertible into Common Stock or other Marketable Securities, the price per share of Common Stock or the price per designated unit of other Marketable Security at which the Securities of such series are so convertible as set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series (or in any indenture supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to Section 9.01(9) with respect to such series), as the same may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with an indenture supplemental hereto.

"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at

_____________________,

Attn:  ________________

"Current Market Price" on any date shall mean the average of the daily Closing Prices per share of Common Stock or of such other Marketable Securities for any 30 consecutive Trading Days selected by the Company prior to the day in question, which 30 consecutive Trading Day period shall not commence more than 45 Trading Days prior to the day in question.

"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.


"Depository" means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.04 or 3.01, with respect to Securities of any series issuable or issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation.

"Discharged" has the meaning specified in Section 4.03.

"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Article V.

"Federal Bankruptcy Act" has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(5).

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as such principles are in effect in Canada as of the date of this Indenture.

"Global Security", when used with respect to any series of Securities issued hereunder, means a Security which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depository or pursuant to the Depository's instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and an indenture supplemental hereto, if any, or Board Resolution and pursuant to a Company Request, which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due, and interest rate or method of determining interest.

"Guarantee" means the guarantees specified in Section 13.01(a).

"Guarantor" means any Person who guarantees any series of Securities issued hereunder as specified in Section 13.01(a).

"Holder", when used with respect to any Security, means a Securityholder, which means a Person in whose name a security is registered in the Security Register.

"Indenture" or "this Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01.

"Interest", with respect to the Securities, means interest on the Securities; provided, that, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, the term means interest payable after Maturity.

"Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any series of Securities, means the Stated Maturity of any installment of interest on those Securities.

"Marketable Security" means any common stock, debt security or other security of a Person which is (or will, upon distribution thereof, be) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE Amex, NASDAQ or any other national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or approved for quotation in any system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices in the United States or for which there is a recognized market maker or trading market.


"Maturity", when used with respect to any Securities, means the date on which the principal of any such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether on a Repayment Date, at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

"NASDAQ" shall mean the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market.  "NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, General Counsel, Secretary or any Vice President, and delivered to the Trustee.  Wherever this Indenture requires that an Officers' Certificate be signed also by a financial expert or an accountant or other expert, such financial expert, accountant or other expert (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) may be in the employ of the Company, and shall be acceptable to the Trustee.

"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, which is delivered to the Trustee.

"Original Issue Discount Security" means (i) any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and (ii) any other security which is issued with "original issue discount" within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.

"Outstanding", when used with respect to the Securities or Securities of any series, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) such Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) such Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(c) such Securities in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, or which shall have been paid pursuant to the terms of Section 3.06 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a Person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company).


In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Securities Outstanding have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) the principal amount of any Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of the taking of such action upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and (ii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding.  In determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee knows to be owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right to act as owner with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

"Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.  The Company initially authorizes the Trustee to act as Paying Agent for the Securities on its behalf.  The Company may at any time and from time to time authorize one or more Persons to act as Paying Agent in addition to or in place of the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities issued under this Indenture.

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

"Place of Payment" means with respect to any series of Securities issued hereunder, the city or political subdivision so designated with respect to the series of Securities in question in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01.

"Predecessor Securities" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

"Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

"Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price specified in the Security at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

"Redemption Rescission Event" shall mean the occurrence of (a) any general suspension of trading in, or limitation on prices for, securities on the principal national securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock or Marketable Securities are registered and listed for trading (or, if shares of Common Stock or Marketable Securities are not registered and listed for trading on any such exchange, in the over-the-counter market) for more than six-and-one-half (6-1/2) consecutive trading hours, (b) any decline in either the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500 Index (or any successor index published by Dow Jones & Company, Inc. or S&P) by either (i) an amount in excess of 10%, measured from the close of business on any Trading Day to the close of business on the next succeeding Trading Day during the period commencing on the Trading Day preceding the day notice of any redemption of Securities is given (or, if such notice is given after the close of business on a Trading Day, commencing on such Trading Day) and ending at the time and date fixed for redemption in such notice or (ii) an amount in excess of 15% (or if the time and date fixed for redemption is more than 15 days following the date on which such notice of redemption is given, 20%), measured from the close of business on the Trading Day preceding the day notice of such redemption is given (or, if such notice is given after the close of business on a Trading Day, from such Trading Day) to the close of business on any Trading Day at or prior to the time and date fixed for redemption, (c) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks by Federal or state authorities in the United States or (d) the occurrence of an act of terrorism or commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States which in the reasonable judgment of the Company could have a material adverse effect on the market for the Common Stock or Marketable Securities.


"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date means the date specified in such Security as the Regular Record Date.

"Repayment Date", when used with respect to any Security to be repaid, means the date fixed for such repayment pursuant to such Security.

"Repayment Price", when used with respect to any Security to be repaid, means the price at which it is to be repaid pursuant to such Security.

"Required Currency", when used with respect to any Security, has the meaning set forth in Section 1.14.

"Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

"Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Company, means any of the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, General Counsel, Secretary or any Vice President (or any equivalent of the foregoing officers).

"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Service or any successor to the rating agency business thereto.

"Security" or "Securities" means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of indebtedness, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered from time to time under this Indenture.

"Security Register" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.05.


"Security Registrar" means the Person who keeps the Security Register specified in Section 3.05.  The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as Security Registrar for the Securities on its behalf.  The Company may at any time and from time to time authorize any Person to act as Security Registrar in place of the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities issued under this Indenture.

"Securityholder" means a Person in whose name a security is registered in the Security Register.

"Senior Indebtedness" of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, means the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether outstanding at the date hereof or hereafter incurred or created:

(i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (including any indebtedness secured by a mortgage, conditional sales contract or other lien which is (a) given to secure all or part of the purchase price of property subject thereto, whether given to the vendor of such property or to another or (b) existing on property at the time of acquisition thereof);

(ii) all indebtedness of such Person evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar interests sold by such Person for money;

(iii) all lease obligations of such Person which are capitalized on the books of such Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(iv) all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in either of the preceding clauses (i) or (ii) and all lease obligations of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (iii) assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by such Person or in effect guaranteed by such Person through an agreement to purchase, contingent or otherwise; and

(v) all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in any of the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) and all renewals or extensions of lease obligations of the kinds described in either of the preceding clauses (iii) and (iv); unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, guarantee, lease, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument or lease creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee of the same expressly provides that such indebtedness, lease, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to the Securities or the Guarantees, as the case may be.

"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 12 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.07.


"Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation more than 50% of the voting stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by such Person, and any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person owns more than 50% of the equity interests or has the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body.

"Trading Day" shall mean, with respect to the Common Stock or a Marketable Security, so long as the common stock or such Marketable Security, as the case may be, is listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, a day on which the Nasdaq is open for the transaction of business, or, if the Common Stock or such Marketable Security, as the case may be, is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock or such Marketable Security, as the case may be, is listed is open for the transaction of business, or, if the Common Stock or such Marketable Security, as the case may be, is not so listed or admitted for trading on any national securities exchange, a day on which the member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority selected by the Company to provide pricing information for the Common Stock or such Marketable Security is open for the transaction of business.

"Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that, in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

"Trustee" means the Person named as the Trustee in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean and include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.  If at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

"Vice President" when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "vice president", including without limitation, an assistant vice president.

"Voting Stock", as applied to the stock of any corporation, means stock of any class or classes (however designated) having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or other governing body) of such corporation other than stock having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency.

"Yield to Maturity" means the yield to maturity on a series of Securities, calculated by the Company at the time of issuance of such series of Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, in accordance with accepted financial practice.

Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.  Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any (including any covenants compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent), provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such Counsel all such conditions precedent, if any (including any covenants compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent), have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.


Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than annual statements of compliance provided pursuant to Section 10.04) shall include:

(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) 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;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he 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; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.  In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons may certify or give an opinion as to the other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate of an officer of the Company or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous.  Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.


Section 1.04 Acts of Securityholders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Securityholders or Securityholders of any series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Securityholders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing or may be embodied in or evidenced by an electronic transmission which identifies the documents containing the proposal on which such consent is requested and certifies such Securityholders' consent thereto and agreement to be bound thereby; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  If any Securities are denominated in coin or currency other than that of the United States, then for the purposes of determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities have taken any action as herein described, the principal amount of such Securities shall be deemed to be that amount of United States dollars that could be obtained for such principal amount on the basis of the spot rate of exchange into United States dollars for the currency in which such Securities are denominated (as evidenced to the Trustee by an Officers' Certificate) as of the date the taking of such action by the Holders of such requisite principal amount is evidenced to the Trustee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence.  If any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, then for the purposes of determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities have taken any action as herein described, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed to be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof as of the date the taking of such action by the Holders of such requisite principal amount is evidenced to the Trustee as provided in the first sentence of this Section 1.04(a).  Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Securityholders signing such instrument or instruments.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness to such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof.  Where such execution is by an officer of a corporation or a member of a partnership, on behalf of such corporation or partnership, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so.  Such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such action or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.01.  If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Securities outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Securities outstanding shall be computed as of the record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date, and that no such authorization, agreement or consent may be amended, withdrawn or revoked once given by a Holder, unless the Company shall provide for such amendment, withdrawal or revocation in conjunction with such solicitation of authorizations, agreements or consents or unless and to the extent required by applicable law.


(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

Section 1.05 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Securityholders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:

(a) the Trustee by any Securityholder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration; or

(b) the Company by the Trustee or by any Securityholder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (except as provided in Section 5.0 1(4) or, in the case of a request for repayment, as specified in the Security carrying the right to repayment) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument, Attention:  Chief Financial Officer, or at the address last furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 1.06 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver.  Where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice to Securityholders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein or in such Security expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first−class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Securityholders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Securityholder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Securityholders.  Where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Securityholders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.


In case, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike, work stoppage or otherwise, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to any Securityholder when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any method of notification as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

Section 1.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.  If and to the extent that any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision (an "incorporated provision") included in this Indenture by operation of, any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.  The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns.  All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company and the Guarantors, if any, shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.10 Separability Clause.  In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture.  Nothing in this Indenture or in any Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any Authenticating Agent or Paying Agent, the Security Registrar and the Holders of Securities (or such of them as may be affected thereby), any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.12 Governing Law.  This Indenture shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Section 1.13 Counterparts.  This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.14 Judgment Currency.  The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of any series (the "Required Currency") into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the "Judgment Currency"), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in the City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding that on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.  For purposes of the foregoing, "New York Banking Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in the City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.


Section 1.15 Legal Holidays.  In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 3.07, Stated Maturity or Maturity with respect to any Security or other day on which principal or interest is due, shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security) payment of principal or interest need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 3.07 or Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or other such day, Redemption Date, date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 3.07, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be, to the next succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.16 Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities and Jury Trial.  The Company and each Guarantor agree that any suit, action or proceeding against the Company or any Guarantor arising out of or based upon this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in any State or Federal court in The City of New York, New York, and waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or proceeding.  The Company and each Guarantor shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York an office or agency to act as its authorized agent (the "Authorized Agent") upon whom process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture, any Security or the transactions contemplated herein or thereby which may be instituted in any State or Federal court in The City of New York, New York, and expressly accepts the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and of any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain such 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.  The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office as the Authorized Agent and appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such process so long as such Corporate Trust Office remains the Authorized Agent.  The Company and each Guarantor further agree to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of ten years from the date of this Indenture.  If for any reason the Authorized Agent shall cease to be available to act as such authorized agent for the Company and any Guarantor, the Company and each Guarantor agree to designate a new agent in the State of New York on the terms and for the purpose of this Section 1.16.  The Company and each Guarantor hereby represent and warrant that the Authorized Agent has accepted such appointment and has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company and each Guarantor agree to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid.  Service of process upon the Authorized Agent shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company.


ARTICLE II.
SECURITY FORMS

Section 2.01 Forms Generally.  The Securities shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon, as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.  Any portion of the text of any Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Security.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities, subject, with respect to the Securities of any series, to the rules of any securities exchange on which such Securities are listed.

Section 2.02 Forms of Securities.  Each Security shall be in one of the forms approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto.  Prior to the delivery of a Security to the Trustee for authentication in any form approved by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee the Board Resolution by or pursuant to which such form of Security has been approved, which Board Resolution shall have attached thereto a true and correct copy of the form of Security which has been approved thereby or, if a Board Resolution authorizes a specific officer or officers to approve a form of Security, a certificate of such officer or officers approving the form of Security attached thereto.  Any form of Security approved by or pursuant to a Board Resolution must be acceptable as to form to the Trustee, such acceptance to be evidenced by the Trustee's authentication of Securities in that form or a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and delivered to the Company.

Section 2.03 Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.  The form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication for any Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be substantially as follows:


TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

[TRUSTEE]

 

_____________________________

by

Authorized Signatory

 

Dated ________________________

Section 2.04 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.02 and 3.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 3.03 and the Company Order delivered to the Trustee or its agent thereunder, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Company shall specify in a Company Order, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depository or pursuant to the Depository's instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:  "Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of the Depository to Issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of the nominee of the Depository or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depository (and any payment is made to the nominee of the Depository or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depository), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, the nominee of the Depository, has an interest herein."

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.04 or of Section 3.05, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (iii) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for individual Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 3.05, only to a nominee of the Depository for such Global Security, or to the Depository, or a successor Depository for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a nominee of such successor Depository.


(i) (i) If at any time the Depository for a Global Security notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time the Depository for the Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor Depository with respect to such Global Security.  If a successor Depository for such Global Security is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver, individual Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security.

(ii) The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities.  In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver individual Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security or Securities representing such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(iii) If specified by the Company pursuant to Sections 2.02 and 3.02 with respect to Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depository Thereupon the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (1) to each Person specified by such Depository a new Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person's beneficial interest as specified by such Depository in the Global Security; and (2) to such Depository a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities delivered to Holders thereof.


(iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations.  Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent.  Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depository for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Security Registrar.  The Trustee or the Security Registrar shall deliver at its Corporate Trust Office such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

ARTICLE III.
THE SECURITIES

Section 3.01 General Title; General Limitations; Issuable in Series; Terms of Particular Series.  The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered and Outstanding under this Indenture is not limited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series as from time to time may be authorized by the Board of Directors.  There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, subject to Section 3.12, prior to the issuance of Securities of any such series:

(a) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from Securities of any other series);

(b) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of such series is payable;

(d) the rate or rates (or manner of calculation thereof) at which the Securities of such series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(e) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of such series shall be payable;

(f) the period or periods within which, the Redemption Price or Prices or the Repayment Price or Prices, as the case may be, at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series may be redeemed or repaid (including the applicability of Section 11.09), as the case may be, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or the Holder;


(g) the obligation, if any, of the Company to purchase Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series shall be purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(h) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of such series shall be issuable;

(i) provisions, if any, with regard to the conversion or exchange of the Securities of such series, at the option of the Holders thereof or the Company, as the case may be, for or into new Securities of a different series or other securities;

(j) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies or units based on or related to currencies in which the Securities of such series shall be denominated and in which payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Securities shall or may be payable;

(k) if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency (including a composite currency) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

(l) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency (including a composite currency) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(m) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 and 11.07 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.03, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(n) provisions, if any, with regard to the exchange of Securities of such series, at the option of the Holders thereof, for other Securities of the same series of the same aggregate principal amount or of a different authorized series or different authorized denomination or denominations, or both;

(o) provisions, if any, with regard to the appointment by the Company of an Authenticating Agent in one or more places other than the location of the office of the Trustee with power to act on behalf of the Trustee and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of the Securities of any one or more series in connection with such transactions as shall be specified in the provisions of this Indenture or in or pursuant to such Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto;


(p) the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series, if other than the principal amount thereof, which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.04;

(q)  any Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series, if not set forth herein, and any additions, deletions or other changes to the Events of Default set forth herein that shall be applicable to the Securities of such series;

(r) any covenant solely for the benefit of the Securities of such series and any additions, deletions or other changes to the provisions of Article VIII, Article X or Section 1.01 or any definitions relating to such Article that would otherwise be applicable to the Securities of such series;

(s) if Section 4.03 of this Indenture shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series and if Section 4.03 shall be applicable to any covenant or Event of Default established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto as described above that has not already been established herein;

(t) any amendments or modifications to the subordination provisions in Article XII;

(u) if the Securities of such series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities; and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities;

(v) if the Securities of such series shall be guaranteed, the terms and conditions of such Guarantees and provisions for the accession of the guarantors to certain obligations hereunder; and

(w) any other terms of such series, including, without limitations, any restrictions on transfer related thereto all upon such terms as may be determined in or pursuant to such Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series.

The form of the Securities of each series shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or in the indenture supplemental hereto creating such series.  The Securities of each series shall be distinguished from the Securities of each other series in such manner, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, as the Board of Directors may determine.

Unless otherwise provided with respect to Securities of a particular series, the Securities of any series may only be issuable in registered form, without coupons.


Any terms or provisions in respect of the Securities of any series issued under this Indenture may be determined pursuant to this Section by providing for the method by which such terms or provisions shall be determined.

Section 3.02 Denominations.  The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations and currency as shall be provided in the provisions of this Indenture or in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or the indenture supplemental hereto creating such series.  In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of that series shall be issuable only in fully registered form in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication and Delivery and Dating.  The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any Responsible Officer.  The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication; and the Trustee shall, upon Company Order, authenticate and deliver such Securities as in this Indenture provided and not otherwise.

Prior to any such authentication and delivery, the Trustee shall be provided with the Officers' Certificate required to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 1.02, and the Board Resolution and any certificate relating to the issuance of the series of Securities required to be furnished pursuant to Section 2.02, an Opinion of Counsel substantially to the effect that:

(a) all instruments furnished to the Trustee conform to the requirements of the Indenture and constitute sufficient authority hereunder for the Trustee to authenticate and deliver such Securities;

(b) the form and terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(c) all laws and requirements with respect to the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities have been complied with, the Company has the corporate power to issue such Securities and such Securities have been duly authorized and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authentication and delivery by the Trustee, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms (subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws and legal principles affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general equitable principles, whether applied in an action at law or in equity) and entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, equally and ratably with all other Securities, if any, of such series Outstanding;


(d) when applicable, the Indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

(e) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and, if the authentication and delivery relates to a new series of Securities created by an indenture supplemental hereto, also stating that all laws and requirements with respect to the form and execution by the Company of the supplemental indenture with respect to that series of Securities have been complied with, the Company has corporate power to execute and deliver any such supplemental indenture and has taken all necessary corporate action for those purposes and any such supplemental indenture has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws and legal principles affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general equitable principles, whether applied in an action at law or in equity).

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue thereof will adversely affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Security for any series, all Securities shall be dated the date of their authentication.

No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.09, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 3.04 Temporary Securities.  Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and, upon receipt of the documents required by Section 3.03, together with a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, without charge to the Holder; and upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of such series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and terms.  Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of such series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.


Section 3.05 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.  The Company shall keep or cause to be kept a register or registers (herein sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities, or of Securities of a particular series, and of transfers of Securities or of Securities of such series.  Any such register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.  At all reasonable times the information contained in such register or registers shall be available for inspection by the Trustee at the office or agency to be maintained by the Company as provided in Section 10.02.  There shall be only one Security Register per series of Securities.

Subject to Section 2.04, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in a Place of Payment, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of such series of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount and Stated Maturity and of like tenor and terms.

Subject to Section 2.04, at the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of such series of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount and Stated Maturity and of like tenor and terms, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Securityholder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

Unless otherwise provided in the Security to be registered for transfer or exchanged, no service charge shall be made on any Securityholder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may (unless otherwise provided in such Security) require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 9.06 or 11.07 not involving any transfer.


The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 11.03 and ending at the close of business on the date of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part.

Section 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.  If (i) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of like tenor, series, Stated Maturity and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 3.07 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.  Unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 3.01, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Any interest on any Security which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and, except as hereinafter provided, such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or clause (b) below:


(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names any such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner (the "Special Record Date").  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause (a) provided.  Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to the Holder of each such Security at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.  Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).

(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (b), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

If any installment of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date for any Security called for redemption pursuant to Article XI is not paid or duly provided for on or prior to the Redemption Date in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section, such interest shall be payable as part of the Redemption Price of such Securities.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 3.08 Persons Deemed Owners.  The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any), and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.


Section 3.09 Cancellation.  All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or credit against a sinking fund shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not already canceled, shall be promptly canceled by it.  The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee.  No Security shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee shall dispose of all canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of such disposition to the Company upon its written request therefor.

Section 3.10 CUSIP and CINS Numbers.  The Company in issuing any Securities may use "CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on such Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on such Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers in such notices of redemption.

Section 3.11 Computation of Interest.  Unless otherwise provided as contemplated in Section 3.01, interest on the Securities shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30 day months.

Section 3.12 Delayed Issuance of Securities.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for the Company to deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate, Board Resolution, indenture supplemental hereto, Opinion of Counsel or Company Order otherwise required pursuant to Sections 1.02, 2.02, 3.01 and 3.03 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued; provided that any subsequent request by the Company to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company that as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers' Certificate or other certificates delivered pursuant to Sections 1.02 and 2.02 shall be true and correct as if made on such date.

A Company Order, Officers' Certificate or Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto delivered by the Company to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph may provide that Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time in the aggregate principal amount, if any, established for such series pursuant to such procedures reasonably acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order upon the telephonic, electronic or written order of Persons designated in such Company Order, Officers' Certificate, indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution (any such telephonic or electronic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Persons) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Company Order, Officers' Certificate, indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution, such terms and conditions of said Securities as are specified in such Company Order, Officers' Certificate, indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution.


ARTICLE IV.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE;
DEFEASANCE

Section 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.  Unless pursuant to Section 3.01 provision is made that this Section shall not be applicable to the Securities of any series, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or in the form of Security for such series), and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when:

(a) either:

(i) all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (x) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06 and (y) Securities of such series for whose payment money in the Required Currency has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to the Trustee canceled or for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee canceled or for cancellation:

(A) have become due and payable, or

(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the Required Currency sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee canceled or for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Securities of such series; and


(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee with respect to that series under Section 6.07 shall survive and the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 4.02, 10.02 and 10.03 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 4.02 Application of Trust Money.  Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money, property and securities deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section 4.03 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the series of Securities in respect of which it was deposited and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money, property or securities deposited with and held by it as provided in Section 4.03 and this Section 4.02 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent satisfaction and discharge, Discharge (as defined below) or covenant defeasance, provided that the Trustee shall not be required to liquidate any securities in order to comply with the provisions of this paragraph.

Section 4.03 Defeasance Upon Deposit of Funds or Government Obligations.  Unless pursuant to Section 3.01 provision is made that this Section shall not be applicable to the Securities of any series, at the Company's option, either (a) the Company and the Guarantors, if any, shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to any series of Securities after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied or (b) the Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 10.05 and Article VIII (and any other Sections or covenants applicable to such Securities that are determined pursuant to Section 3.01 to be subject to this provision), the Guarantors, if any, shall be released from the Guarantees and clause (d) of Section 5.01 of this Indenture (and any other Events of Default applicable to such Securities that are determined pursuant to Section 3.01 to be subject to this provision) shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities at any time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied:

(a) the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (i) money in an amount, or (ii) the equivalent in securities of the government which issued the currency in which the Securities are denominated or government agencies backed by the full faith and credit of such government which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide freely available funds on or prior to the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, in the opinion (with respect to (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including mandatory sinking fund payments) and any premium of, interest on and any repurchase or redemption obligations with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series on the dates such installments of interest or principal or repurchase or redemption obligations are due (before such a deposit, if the Securities of such series are then redeemable or may be redeemed in the future pursuant to the terms thereof, in either case at the option of the Company, the Company may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 11.02, a notice of its election to redeem all of the Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article XI);


(b) no Event of Default or event (including such deposit) which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company's exercise of its option under this Section 4.03 and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised, and, in the case of Securities being Discharged, accompanied by a ruling to that effect from the Internal Revenue Service, unless, as set forth in such Opinion of Counsel, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law since the date of this Indenture such that a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service is no longer required;

(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit referred to in paragraph (a) above was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with.

If the Company, at its option, with respect to a series of Securities, satisfies the applicable conditions pursuant to either clause (a) or (b) of the first sentence of this Section, then (A), in the event the Company satisfies the conditions to clause (a) and elects clause (a) to be applicable, each of the Guarantors, if any, shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, its respective guarantee of the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series and (B) in either case, each of the Guarantors, if any, shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenants applicable to such Securities that are determined pursuant to Section 3.01 to be subject to this provision, and any Events of Default applicable to such series of Securities that are determined pursuant to Section 3.01 to be subject to this provision shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities at any time thereafter.


"Discharged" means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal and any premium of and any interest on such Securities when such payments are due; (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 4.02, 6.07, 10.02 and 10.03; (C) the Company's right of redemption, if any, with respect to any Securities of such series pursuant to Article XI, in which case the Company may redeem the Securities of such series in accordance with Article XI by complying with such Article and depositing with the Trustee, in accordance with Section 11.05, an amount of money sufficient, together with all amounts held in trust pursuant to Section 4.02 with respect to Securities of such series, to pay the Redemption Price of all the Securities of such series to be redeemed; and (D) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.  A "Discharge" shall mean the meeting by the Company of the foregoing requirements.

Section 4.04 Reinstatement.  If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money, property or securities in accordance with Section 4.02 of this Indenture, 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 and, if applicable, the Guarantors' obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.01 or 4.03 of this Indenture, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money, property or securities in accordance with Section 4.02 of this Indenture; provided that, if the Company has made any payment of principal of or interest on any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money, property or securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES

Section 5.01 Events of Default.  "Event of Default", wherever used herein, means with respect to any series of Securities any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution creating such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series:


(a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation when the same becomes due by the terms of the Securities of such series; or

(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture in respect of the Securities of such series (other than a covenant or warranty in respect of the Securities of such series a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), all of such covenants and warranties in the Indenture which are not expressly stated to be for the benefit of a particular series of Securities being deemed in respect of the Securities of all series for this purpose, and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 3 3-1/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or             

(e) the entry of an order for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof under Title 11, United States Code (the "Federal Bankruptcy Act") or any analogous law of Canada by a court having jurisdiction in the premises or a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof a bankrupt or insolvent under any other applicable federal, state or provincial law, or the entry of a decree or order approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof under the Federal Bankruptcy Act or any analogous law of Canada or any other applicable federal, state or provincial law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(f) the consent by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under the Federal Bankruptcy Act or any other applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof in furtherance of any such action; or


(g) any other Event of Default provided in the indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution under which such series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such series.

Section 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.  If an Event of Default described in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (g) (if the Event of Default under clause (d) or (g) is with respect to less than all series of Securities then Outstanding) of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing with respect to any series, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33-1/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series acting as a separate class), by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all the Securities of such series and all accrued interest thereon to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (g) (if the Event of Default under clause (d) or (g) is with respect to all series of Securities then Outstanding), of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 3 3-1/3% in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class), by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities then Outstanding and all accrued interest thereon to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  If an Event of Default of the type set forth in clause (e) or (f) of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing, the principal of and any interest on the Securities then Outstanding shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made with respect to the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(i) all overdue installments of interest on the Securities of such series; and

(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor by the terms of the Securities of such series, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful; and


(iii) interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor by the terms of the Securities of such series to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful; and

(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07; and

(v) all Events of Default with respect to such series of Securities, other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Securities of such series which have become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.  The Company covenants that if:

(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series when such interest becomes due and payable; or

(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof; or

(c) default is made in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation when the same becomes due by the terms of the Securities of any series; and any such default continues for any period of grace provided with respect to the Securities of such series, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holder of any such Security (or the Holders of any such series in the case of clause (b) above), the whole amount then due and payable on any such Security (or on the Securities of any such series in the case of clause (b) above) for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, with interest, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and upon overdue installments of interest, at such rate or rates as may be prescribed therefor by the terms of any such Security (or of Securities of any such series in the case of clause (b) above); and, in addition thereto, 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 and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series and collect the money adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.


If an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.  In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or portion thereof determined pursuant to Section 3.01(16) to be provable in bankruptcy) (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary and advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07) and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make such payment to the Trustee and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

Section 5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.  All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities of any series may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities of such series or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities of the series in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.


Section 5.06 Application of Money Collected.  Any money collected by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of such series and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07.

SECOND:  To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities of that series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively.

THIRD:  To the Company.

Section 5.07 Limitation on Suits.  No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series;

(b) the Holders of not less than 33-1/3% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60 day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities of such series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and proportionate benefit of all the Holders of all Securities of such series.


Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.  Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder. 

Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.  If the Trustee or any Securityholder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.  No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.  No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders, as the case may be.

Section 5.12 Control by Securityholders.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to 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 with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:

(a) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would conflict with this Indenture or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed would involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction, and

(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.


Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.  The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default not theretofore cured:

(a) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation with respect to the Securities of such series, or

(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article IX cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs.  All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, 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, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series to which the suit relates, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on an Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be).

Section 5.15 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.  The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) 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.

ARTICLE VI.
THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.  (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities:


(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to Securities of such series, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but 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 be under a duty to examine the same 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).

(b) In case an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution relating to such series of Securities, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.


(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 6.02 Notice of Defaults.  Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of all defaults hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment or analogous obligation with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.01(4) with respect to Securities of such series no such notice to Securityholders of such series shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.  For the purpose of this Section, the term "default", with respect to Securities of any series, means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustee.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or an Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;


(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, 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, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(h) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default (as defined in Section 6.02) or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series for which it is acting as Trustee unless either (1) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee assigned to the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee (or any successor division or department of the Trustee) shall have actual knowledge of such default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities;

(i) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; and

(j) 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, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

Section 6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.  The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.  The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.05 May Hold Securities.  The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, the Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 6.08 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or any Guarantor, if applicable, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.


Section 6.06 Money Held in Trust.  Subject to the provisions of Section 10.03 hereof, all moneys in any currency or currency received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

Section 6.07 Compensation and Reimbursement.  The Company agrees:

(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or bad faith; and

(c) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or (f), the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

The Company's obligations under this Section 6.07 and any lien arising hereunder shall survive the resignation or removal of any Trustee, the discharge of the Company's obligations pursuant to Article IV of this Indenture and/or the termination of this Indenture.

Section 6.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.  The Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act during the period of time provided for therein.  In determining whether the Trustee has a conflicting interest as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of any series, there shall be excluded this Indenture with respect to Securities of any particular series of Securities other than that series.  Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application referred to in the second to last paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.


Section 6.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.  There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Securities, which shall be either:

(a) a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any State, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority, or

(b) a corporation or other Person organized and doing business under the laws of a foreign government that is permitted to act as Trustee pursuant to a rule, regulation or order of the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, and subject to supervision or examination by authority of such foreign government or a political subdivision thereof substantially equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to United States institutional trustees; in either case having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company shall serve as trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder.  If at any time the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.

Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal.

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 6.11.

(b) The Trustee may resign with respect to any series of Securities at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Company.  If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(c) The Trustee may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.  If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the removed Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(d) If at any time:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act pursuant to Section 6.08 with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of that series for at least six months, unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, or


(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.09 with respect to any series of Securities and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or

(iv) the Trustee shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee, with respect to the series, or in the case of clause (iv), with respect to all series, or (ii) subject to Section 5.14, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the series, or, in the case of clause (iv), with respect to all series.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities for any cause, the Company, by Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee for that series of Securities.

If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to such series of Securities shall be appointed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to such series and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company with respect to such series.  If no successor Trustee with respect to such series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Securityholders of such series and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, subject to Section 5.14, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of that series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.

(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Securities of that series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its principal Corporate Trust Office.


Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.  Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor Trustee shall become effective with respect to any series as to which it is resigning or being removed as Trustee, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to any such series; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such predecessor Trustee shall, upon payment of its reasonable charges, if any, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the predecessor Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such predecessor trustee hereunder with respect to all or any such series, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 607.  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the predecessor Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not being succeeded shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such indenture supplemental hereto shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

No successor Trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible with respect to that series under this Article.

Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.  Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.  In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.


Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.  At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding the Trustee, with the approval of the Company, may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issuance, exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.06, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.  Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.  Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as an Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and, if other than the Company itself, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority.  If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and, if other than the Company, to the Company.  The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and, if other than the Company, to the Company.  Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee, with the approval of the Company, may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.  No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.


The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

[Name of Authenticating Agent]

 

_________________________

 

by

As Authenticating Agent

 

_________________________

 

As Authorized Agent

 

Dated ____________________

ARTICLE VII.
SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY
TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders.  The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after December 15 and June 15 in each year in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, a list of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of such December 15 and June 15, as applicable, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar for Securities of a series, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.


Section 7.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Securityholders.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.01 and the names and addresses of Holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar, if so acting.  The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) If three or more Holders of Securities of any series (hereinafter referred to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security of such series for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of such series or with the Holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), or

(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such series or all Securities, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.  If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder of a Security of such series or to all Securityholders, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless, within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or all Securityholders, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law.  Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion.  If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all Securityholders of such series or all Securityholders, as the case may be, with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.


(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 7.02(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.02(b).

Section 7.03 Reports by Trustee.

(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the issuance of Securities, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, at the Company's expense, to all Holders as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, as provided in Trust Indenture Act 313(c), a brief report dated as of May 15 in accordance with and with respect to the matters required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a).

(b) The Trustee shall transmit by mail, at the Company's expense, to all Holders as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, as provided in Trust Indenture Act 313(c), a brief report in accordance with and with respect to the matters required by Trust Indenture Act Section 3 13(b).

(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be furnished to the Company and, in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d), be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed, and also with the Commission.

Section 7.04 Reports by Company.  The Company shall file with the Trustee, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.  The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a).  Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is 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 is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).


ARTICLE VIII.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

Section 8.01 Consolidation, Merger, Amalgamation, Conveyance or Transfer on Certain Terms.  Except as otherwise set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution creating such series of Securities or in the form of security for such Series, the Company shall not consolidate with, merge into, or amalgamate with any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

(a) the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be organized and existing under the laws of Canada or any province thereof, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture (as supplemented from time to time) on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such indenture supplemental hereto comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.02 Successor Person Substituted.  Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 8.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein.  In the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company as the predecessor shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved, wound up or liquidated at any time thereafter.

ARTICLE IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders.  Except as otherwise set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution creating such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series, without the consent of the Holders of any Securities, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:


(a) to evidence the succession of another corporation or Person to the Company or any Guarantor, if any, and the assumption by any such successor of the respective covenants of the Company or any Guarantor herein and in the Securities contained; or

(b) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor, if any, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of any or all series (and if such covenants or the surrender of such right or power are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included or such surrenders are expressly being made solely for the benefit of one or more specified series); or

(c) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; or

(d) to add to this Indenture such provisions as may be expressly permitted by the TIA, excluding, however, the provisions referred to in Section 3 16(a)(2) of the TIA as in effect at the date as of which this instrument was executed or any corresponding provision in any similar federal statute hereafter enacted; or

(e) to establish any form of Security, as provided in Article II, to provide for the issuance of any series of Securities as provided in Article III and to set forth the terms thereof, and/or to add to the rights of the Holders of the Securities of any series; or

(f) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by another corporation as a successor Trustee hereunder with respect to one or more series of Securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to Section 6.11; or

(g) to add any additional Events of Default in respect of the Securities of any or all series (and if such additional Events of Default are to be in respect of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of one or more specified series); or

(h) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities and to provide for bearer Securities; provided that uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of such Internal Revenue Code; or

(i) to provide for the terms and conditions of conversion into Common Stock or other Marketable Securities of the Securities of any series which are convertible into Common Stock or other Marketable Securities, if any; or

(j) to secure the Securities of any series; or

(k) to add Guarantees in respect of any series or all of the Securities; or


(l) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of the Holders of any or all series of Securities; or

(m) to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

No supplemental indenture for the purposes identified in clauses (b), (c) or (e) above may be entered into if to do so would adversely affect the rights of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series in any material respect.

Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders.  Except as otherwise set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto or Board Resolution creating such series of Securities or in the form of security for such Series, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures (acting as one class), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee (in accordance with Section 1.04 hereof), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

(a) change the Maturity of the principal of, or the Stated Maturity of any premium on, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest or any premium thereon, or change the method of computing the amount of principal thereof or interest thereon on any date or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Maturity or the Stated Maturity, as the case may be, thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or alter the provisions of this Indenture so as to affect adversely the terms, if any, of conversion of any Securities into Common Stock or other securities; or

(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences, provided for in this Indenture; or

(c) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02, Section 5.13 or Section 10.06, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; or


(d) impair or adversely affect the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on, or with respect to, the Securities of any series on or after the Stated Maturity of such Securities (or in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); or

(e) amend or modify Section 13.01 of this Indenture in any manner adverse to the rights of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of any series; or

(f) make any change in the terms of the subordination of the Securities in a manner adverse in any material respect to the Holders of any Series of Outstanding Securities.

For purposes of this Section 9.02, if the Securities of any series are issuable upon the exercise of warrants, each holder of an unexercised and unexpired warrant with respect to such series shall be deemed to be a Holder of Outstanding Securities of such series in the amount issuable upon the exercise of such warrant.  For such purposes, the ownership of any such warrant shall be determined by the Company in a manner consistent with customary commercial practices.  The Trustee for such series shall be entitled to rely on an Officers' Certificate as to the principal amount of Securities of such series in respect of which consents shall have been executed by holders of such warrants.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Securityholders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.  In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.  Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby to the extent provided therein.

Section 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.  Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of TIA as then in effect.


Section 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.  Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Company shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities.

Section 9.07 Notice of Supplemental Indentures.  Promptly after the execution by the Company, any affected Guarantor and the Trustee of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Securityholders of each Outstanding Security affected, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, setting forth in general terms the substance of such Supplemental Indenture.  Any failure by the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment or waiver.

Section 9.08 Revocation and Effect of Consents, Waivers and Actions.  Until an amendment, waiver or other action by Securityholders becomes effective, a consent to it or any other action by a Securityholder of any series hereunder is a continuing consent by such Securityholder and every subsequent Securityholder of that Security, even if notation of the consent, waiver or action is not made on such Security.  However, any such Securityholder or subsequent Securityholder may revoke the consent, waiver or action as to such Securityholder's Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the consent of the requisite aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series affected then outstanding has been obtained and not revoked.  After an amendment, waiver or action becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder of the affected series, except as provided in Section 9.02.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to consent to any amendment or waiver.  If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the first two sentences of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Securityholders after such record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.

Section 9.09 Subordination Unimpaired.  This Indenture may not be amended at any time to alter the subordination, as provided herein, of any of the Securities then Outstanding without the written consent of the requisite holders of each series of debt securities representing Senior Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with terms of the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness) then outstanding that would be adversely affected thereby.

ARTICLE X.
COVENANTS.

Section 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. With respect to each series of Securities, the Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities in accordance with their terms and this Indenture, and will duly comply with all the other terms, agreements and conditions contained in, or made in the Indenture for the benefit of, the Securities of such series.


Section 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.  The Company will maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served and where any Securities with conversion privileges, if any, may be presented and surrendered for conversion.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and of any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain such 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Unless otherwise set forth in, or pursuant to, a Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby initially designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities, the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as the Company's office or agency for each such purpose in such city.

Section 10.03 Money for Security Payments to Be Held in Trust.  If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent for any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on, any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on, any Securities of such series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal (and premium, if any) or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee for any series of Securities to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section that such Paying Agent will:

(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;


(b) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any such payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of such series; and

(c) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent in respect of each and every series of Securities as to which it seeks to discharge this Indenture or, if for any other purpose, all sums so held in trust by the Company in respect of all Securities, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.  The Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company mail to the Holders of the Securities as to which the money to be repaid was held in trust, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, a notice that such moneys remain unclaimed and that, after a date specified in the notice, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date on which the notice was first mailed to the Holders of the Securities as to which the money to be repaid was held in trust, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining will be paid to the Company free of the trust formerly impressed upon it.

Section 10.04 Statement as to Compliance.  The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company stating that: a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture and under the terms of the Securities has been made under his supervision; and

(b) to the best of his knowledge, based on such review, the Company has fulfilled all its obligations under this Indenture and has complied with all conditions and covenants on its part contained in this Indenture through such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, covenant or condition, specifying each such default known to him and the nature and status thereof.


For the purpose of this Section 10.04, default and compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

Section 10.05 Legal Existence.  Subject to Article VIII, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence.

Section 10.06 Waiver of Certain Covenants.  The Company may omit in respect of any series of Securities, in any particular instance, to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in Sections 10.04 or 10.05 or set forth in a Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to the Securities of such series, unless otherwise specified in such Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected by such waiver (voting as one class) shall, by Act of such Securityholders delivered to the Company and the Trustee (in accordance with Section 1.04 hereof), either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.  Nothing in this Section 10.06 shall permit the waiver of compliance with any covenant or condition set forth in such Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto which, if in the form of an indenture supplemental hereto, would not be permitted by Section 9.02 without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.

ARTICLE XI.
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES. 

Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The Company may reserve the right to redeem and pay before Stated Maturity all or any part of the Securities of any series, either by optional redemption, sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation or otherwise, by provision therefor in the form of Security for such series established and approved pursuant to Section 2.02 and on such terms as are specified in such form or in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to Securities of such series as provided in Section 3.01.  Redemption of Securities of any series shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and, to the extent that this Article does not conflict with such terms, the succeeding Sections of this Article.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, except in the case of redemption pursuant to a sinking fund, the Trustee shall not make any payment in connection with the redemption of Securities until the close of business on the Redemption Date. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.  The election of the Company to redeem any Securities redeemable at the election of the Company shall be evidenced by, or pursuant to authority granted by, a Board Resolution.  In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series and the Tranche (as defined in Section 11.03) to be redeemed.


In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (ii) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

Section 11.03 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.  If less than all the Securities of like tenor and terms of any series (a "Tranche") are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such Tranche not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may include provision for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of Securities of such Tranche of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.  Unless otherwise provided in the terms of a particular series of Securities, the portions of the principal of Securities so selected for partial redemption shall be equal to the minimum authorized denomination of the Securities of such series, or an integral multiple thereof, and the principal amount which remains outstanding shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series.  If less than all the Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Tranche of Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Company.The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Security selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either, (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement as being an Affiliate of the Company.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 11.04 Notice of Redemption.  Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 15 (unless otherwise provided in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto establishing the relevant series) nor more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the Redemption Price;


(c) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of the Securities to be redeemed;

(d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security, and that interest, if any, thereon shall cease to accrue from and after said date;

(e) the place where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, which shall be the office or agency of the Company in the Place of Payment;

(f) that the redemption is on account of a sinking or purchase fund, or other analogous obligation, if that be the case;

(g) if such Securities are convertible into Common Stock or other securities, the Conversion Price or other conversion price and the date on which the right to convert such Securities into Common Stock or other securities will terminate; and

(h) if applicable, that the redemption may be rescinded by the Company, at its sole option, pursuant to Section 11.09 of this Indenture upon the occurrence of a Redemption Rescission Event.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided that if the Trustee is asked to give such notice it shall be given at least five Business Days prior notice.

Section 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.  On or prior to any Redemption Date and subject to Section 11.09, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.  If any Security to be redeemed is converted into Common Stock or other securities, any money so deposited with the Trustee or a Paying Agent shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then so segregated and held in trust by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.

Section 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.  Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, subject to Section 11.09, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and any rights to convert such Securities shall terminate.  Upon surrender of such Securities for redemption in accordance with the notice and subject to Section 11.09, such Securities shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price.  Unless otherwise provided with respect to such Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, installments of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.


If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Security, or as otherwise provided in such Security.

Section 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part.  Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the office or agency of the Company in the Place of Payment with respect to that series (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and Stated Maturity and of like tenor and terms, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

Section 11.08 Provisions with Respect to Any Sinking Funds.  Unless the form or terms of any series of Securities shall provide otherwise, in lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to such series of Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (1) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities of such series theretofore acquired by the Company or converted by the Holder thereof into Common Stock or other securities, or (2) receive credit for any Securities of such series (not previously so credited) acquired by the Company (including by way of optional redemption (pursuant to the sinking fund or otherwise but not by way of mandatory sinking fund redemption)) or converted by the Holder thereof into Common Stock or other securities and theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and if it does so then (i) Securities so delivered or credited shall be credited at the applicable sinking fund Redemption Price with respect to Securities of such series, and (ii) on or before the 60th day next preceding each sinking fund Redemption Date with respect to such series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee (A) an Officers' Certificate specifying the portions of such sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and by delivery or credit of Securities of such series acquired by the Company or converted by the Holder thereof, and (B) such Securities, to the extent not previously surrendered.  Such Officers' Certificate shall also state the basis for such credit and that the Securities for which the Company elects to receive credit have not been previously so credited and were not acquired by the Company through operation of the mandatory sinking fund, if any, provided with respect to such Securities and shall also state that no Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series has occurred and is continuing.  All Securities so delivered to the Trustee shall be canceled by the Trustee and no Securities shall be authenticated in lieu thereof.

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) with respect to any series of Securities made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments with respect to Securities of such series made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request), unless otherwise provided by the terms of such series of Securities, that cash shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund Redemption Date with respect to Securities of such series next following the date of such payment to the redemption of Securities of such series at the applicable sinking fund Redemption Price with respect to Securities of such series, together with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption, with the effect provided in Section 11.06.  The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 11.03, for redemption on such sinking fund Redemption Date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to utilize that cash and shall thereupon cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series for the sinking fund to be given in the manner provided in Section 11.04 (and with the effect provided in Section 11.06) for the redemption of Securities in part at the option of the Company.  Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment with respect to Securities of such series received by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.08.  Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to Securities of any series held by the Trustee at the Maturity of Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Securities of such series at Maturity.


On or before each sinking fund Redemption Date provided with respect to Securities of any series, the Company shall pay to the Trustee in cash a sum equal to all accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund Redemption Date pursuant to this Section 11.08.

Section 11.09 Rescission of Redemption.  In the event that this Section 11.09 is specified to be applicable to a series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 and a Redemption Rescission Event shall occur following any day on which a notice of redemption shall have been given pursuant to Section 11.04 hereof but at or prior to the time and date fixed for redemption as set forth in such notice of redemption, the Company may, at its sole option, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the close of business on that day which is two Trading Days following such Redemption Rescission Event and (ii) the time and date fixed for redemption as set forth in such notice, rescind the redemption to which such notice of redemption shall have related by making a public announcement of such rescission (the date on which such public announcement shall have been made being hereinafter referred to as the "Rescission Date").  The Company shall be deemed to have made such announcement if it shall issue a release to the Dow Jones News Service, Reuters Information Services or any successor news wire service.  From and after the making of such announcement, the Company shall have no obligation to redeem Securities called for redemption pursuant to such notice of redemption or to pay the Redemption Price therefor and all rights of Holders of Securities shall be restored as if such notice of redemption had not been given.  As promptly as practicable following the making of such announcement, the Company shall telephonically notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent of such rescission.  The Company shall give notice of any such rescission by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed as promptly as practicable but in no event later than the close of business on that day which is five Trading Days following the Rescission Date to each Holder of Securities at the close of business on the Rescission Date and to the Trustee and the Paying Agent.  Each notice of rescission shall (A) state that the redemption described in the notice of redemption has been rescinded and (B) state that such form must be properly completed and received by the Company no later than the close of business on a date that shall be 15 Trading Days following the date of the mailing of such notice of rescission.


ARTICLE XII.
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 12.01 Agreement of Subordination.  The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Securities issued hereunder by his acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XII; and each Securityholder, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Securities issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

The provisions of this Article XII define the subordination of the Securities, as obligations of the Company, with respect to Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as defined for the Company.  All such provisions shall also be deemed to apply in the same way (mutatis mutandis) to each Guarantor, with appropriate corresponding references to the Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor.  No provision of this Article XII shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

Section 12.02 Payments to Securityholders.  In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company continuing beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior Indebtedness of the Company, then, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, except sinking fund payments made by the acquisition of Securities under Section 11.08 prior to the happening of such default and payments made pursuant to Article IV hereof from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to the happening of such default.

Upon any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities (except payments made pursuant to Article IV hereof from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to the happening of such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization); and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of and kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provisions of this Article XII, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the holders of the Securities or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness of the Company held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness of the Company may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness of the Company in full, in money or money's worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, before any payment or distribution is made to the holders of the Securities or to the Trustee.


In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness of the Company may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness of the Company in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.  For purposes of this Article XII, the words, "cash, property or securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XII with respect to the Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness of the Company is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Company (other than leases) and of leases which are assumed are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment.  The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article 8 hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 12.02 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article VIII hereof.  Nothing in this Section 12.02 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.07.

Section 12.03 Subrogation of Securities.  Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the rights of the holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Indebtedness of the Company until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Company of any cash, property or securities to which the holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XII no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company by holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness of the Company.  It is understood that the provisions of this Article XII are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Company, on the other hand.


Nothing contained in this Article XII or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of its Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of its Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XII of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XII, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, and the holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the holders of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII.

Section 12.04 Authorization by Securityholders.  Each holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee in his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article XII appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 12.05 Notice to Trustee.  The Company shall give promptly written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XII or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XII, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date not fewer than three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security) the Trustee shall not have received, with respect to such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 12.05, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date.


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereinbefore set forth, nothing shall prevent any payment by the Company or the Trustee to the Securityholders of monies in connection with a redemption of Securities if (i) notice of such redemption has been given pursuant to Article XI or Section 4.01 hereof prior to the receipt by the Trustee of written notice as aforesaid, and (ii) such notice of redemption is given not earlier than 60 days before the redemption date.  The Trustee conclusively shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders.  In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness of the Company held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XII, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Section 12.06 Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness.  The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XII in respect of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and nothing elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XII, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company if it shall pay over or deliver to holders of Securities, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or otherwise.

Section 12.07 No Impairment of Subordination.  No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charge with.


Section 12.08 Rights of Trustee.  Nothing in this Article XII shall apply to claims of or payments to, the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.07 or 4.02.

Section 12.09 Applicable to Paying Agents.  The term "Trustee" as used in this Article XII, shall (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including the Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if the Paying Agent were named in this Article XII in addition to in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Sections 12.06 and 12.08 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

ARTICLE XIII.
GUARANTEES. 

Section 13.01 Any series of Securities may be guaranteed by one or more of the Subsidiaries of the Company or other Persons.  The terms and the form of any such Guarantee will be established in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01 for the particular series of Securities.  Each Guarantor, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, will fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee, on a subordinated basis, to each Holder of Securities (including each Holder of Securities issued under the Indenture after the date of this Indenture) and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Securities when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Securities and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities. The obligations of each Guarantor under any such Guarantee will be junior and subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor in the same manner and to the same extent as the Securities are subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer.

(a) Each of the Guarantors further agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional irrespective of the absence or existence of any action to enforce the same, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any other Guarantor (except to the extent such judgment is paid) or any waiver or amendment of the provisions of this Indenture or the Securities to the extent that any such action or any similar action would otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (except that each such waiver or amendment shall be effective in accordance with its terms).

(b) Each of the Guarantors further agrees that each Guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance and not merely of collection.

(c) Each of the Guarantors further agrees to waive presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company or any other Person, and also waives diligence, notice of acceptance of its Guarantee, presentment, demand for payment, notice of protest for nonpayment, the filing of claims with a court in the event of merger, amalgamatio or bankruptcy of the Company or any other Person and any right to require a proceeding first against the Company or any other Person.  The obligations of the Guarantors shall not be affected by any failure or policy on the part of the Trustee to exercise any right or remedy under this Indenture or the Securities of any series.


(d) The obligation of each Guarantor to make any payment hereunder may be satisfied by causing the Company or any other Person to make such payment.  If any Holder of any Security or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company or any Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or any Guarantor, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, the Guarantee of such Guarantor, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(e) Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder of Securities in enforcing any of their respective rights under its Guarantees.

(f) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of each of the Guarantees shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the relevant Guarantor without rendering the relevant Guarantee under this Indenture voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

[Signature page follows]


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

HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.

 

By:  ________________________

Name:  ______________________

Title:  _______________________

[TRUSTEE], as Trustee

 

By:  ________________________

Name:  ______________________

Title:  _______________________

 



Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Table

Form F-10

(Form Type)

HIVE Digital Technologies, Ltd.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

In US Dollars

  Security Type Security Class or
Title
Fee
Calculation
Amount
Registered
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price per
Unit
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
Fee Rate Amount of
Registration
Fee
Fees to be Paid Equity Common Shares 457(o) (1) (1)      
  Other Warrants 457(o) (1) (1)      
  Other Subscription Receipts 457(o) (1) (1)      
  Other Units 457(o) (1) (1)      
  Debt Debt Securities 457(o) (1) (1)      
  Other Share Purchase Contracts 457(o) (1) (1)      
  Unallocated (Universal) Shelf ___ 457(o) $300,000,000
(1)
(1) $300,000,000
(2)
$0.00014760 $44,280
Fees Previously Paid

-


-


-


-


-


-


-


-
Total Offering Amounts      $300,000,000   $44,280
Total Fees Previously Paid          -
Total Fee Offsets         -
Net Fee Due         $44,280


(1) There are being registered under this Registration Statement such indeterminate number of (i) common shares, (ii) preferred shares, (iii) debt securities, (iv) warrants, (v) subscription receipts and/or (vi) units comprised of one or more of the securities listed above in any combination as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $300,000,000. The proposed maximum initial offering price per security will be determined, from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the securities registered under this Registration Statement.

(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").



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