As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2025

Registration No. 333-    

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

ADOBE INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   77-0019522
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

345 Park Avenue

San Jose, California 95110

(408) 536-6000

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

 

 

Daniel Durn

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Adobe Inc.

345 Park Avenue

San Jose, California 95110

(408) 536-6000

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

 

 

Copies to:

 

Wade Sherman, Esq.

Emily Ly, Esq.

Adobe Inc.

345 Park Avenue

San Jose, California 95110

(408) 536-6000

 

P. Michelle Gasaway, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

2000 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 200N

Los Angeles, CA 90067

(213) 687-5000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

 

 


PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

ADOBE INC.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

and

Units

 

 

The following are the types of securities that Adobe Inc. may offer, issue and sell, and that any selling security holders may offer and sell, in each case, together or separately, under this prospectus from time to time:

 

   

shares of our common stock;

 

   

shares of our preferred stock, which may be issued in one or more series;

 

   

debt securities, which may be issued in one or more series;

 

   

warrants to purchase debt, equity or other securities;

 

   

purchase contracts to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock or our debt securities, or other securities of third parties, currencies or commodities; and

 

   

units, consisting of one or more warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock, purchase contracts or any combination of such securities.

The securities may be offered by us or by selling security holders in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of the offering. The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents, or through underwriters and brokers or dealers. If agents, underwriters, brokers or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

We will describe in a prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, the securities we are offering and selling, as well as the specific terms of the securities.

You should read this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us and any document we incorporate by reference carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “ADBE.” On January 10, 2025, the closing price on the Nasdaq Global Select Market for our common stock was $405.92.

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus, as well as risks described in other documents that we include or that are incorporated by reference herein, before you invest in these securities.

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

The date of this prospectus is January 13, 2025.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     i  

Adobe Inc.

     1  

Where You Can Find More Information

     2  

Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements

     3  

Risk Factors

     3  

Use of Proceeds

     3  

Description of Securities

     3  

Description of Capital Stock

     4  

Description of Debt Securities

     6  

Description of Warrants

     13  

Description of Purchase Contracts

     13  

Description of Units

     14  

Forms of Securities

     14  

Selling Securityholders

     14  

Plan of Distribution

     14  

Legal Matters

     15  

Experts

     15  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may sell from time to time any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement and/or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. Neither we nor any selling security holder has authorized anyone to provide you with different information.

Neither we nor any selling security holder is making any offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf is accurate only as of the date of such document, as applicable, and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, or, in each case, any such earlier date as may be specified for such information. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Unless we have indicated otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Adobe,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Adobe Inc. and not to any of its existing or future subsidiaries.

 

-i-


ADOBE INC.

Adobe is a global technology company with a mission to change the world through personalized digital experiences. For over four decades, Adobe’s innovations have transformed how individuals, teams, businesses, enterprises, institutions, and governments engage and interact across all types of media. Our products, services and solutions are used around the world to imagine, create, manage, deliver, measure, optimize and engage with content across surfaces and fuel digital experiences. We have a diverse user base that includes consumers, communicators, creative professionals, developers, students, small and medium businesses and enterprises. We are also empowering creators by putting the power of artificial intelligence in their hands, and doing so in ways we believe are responsible. Our products and services help unleash creativity, accelerate document productivity and power businesses in a digital world. We have operations in the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia-Pacific.

Our executive offices and principal facilities are located at 345 Park Avenue, San Jose, California 95110-2704. Our telephone number is 408-536-6000 and our website is www.adobe.com. Any references in this prospectus to our website are inactive textual references only, and the information contained on or that can be accessed through our website (except for the SEC filings expressly incorporated by reference in this prospectus) is not incorporated in, and is not a part of, this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in connection with your investment decision to purchase any securities.

 

-1-


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The SEC maintains an internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including containing the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, including the exhibits and schedules thereto.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, any subsequently filed document deemed incorporated by reference or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. Any information that we file later with the SEC and incorporate by reference into this prospectus will automatically update and supersede the information contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all future filings made with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part (other than information “furnished” under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K (and corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit with respect to such item) or otherwise “furnished” to the SEC, unless otherwise stated) and until the completion of the offering in the relevant prospectus supplement to which this prospectus relates, or the termination of the offering under this prospectus:

 

  (a)

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 29, 2024, filed with the SEC on January 13, 2025 (“Annual Report on Form 10-K”); and

 

  (b)

The description of our common stock included in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on November  19, 1986, as supplemented by any subsequent amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description, including the description of our securities filed as Exhibit 4.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

If requested, we will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, and at no cost to the requester, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference into such documents. You may make a request for this information by contacting our Investor Relations department, by visiting our website at www.adobe.com, by calling (408) 536-4700, by writing to Investor Relations, Adobe Inc., 345 Park Avenue, San Jose, California 95110-2704 or by sending an email to ir@adobe.com. Any references in this prospectus to our website are inactive textual references only, and the information contained on or that can be accessed through our website (except for the SEC filings expressly incorporated by reference in this prospectus) is not incorporated in, and is not a part of, this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in connection with any decision to invest in the securities.

 

-2-


SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “will,” “expects,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “targets,” “estimates,” “looks for,” “looks to,” “continues” or other similar expressions, as well as statements regarding our focus for the future. Each of the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus involves risks, uncertainties and assumptions based on information available to us as of the date of this prospectus. Such risks and uncertainties, many of which relate to matters beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” of this prospectus and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and as may be updated in filings we make from time to time with the SEC. The risks described in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus should be carefully reviewed. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to the forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document, except as required by law.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. Before making a decision to invest in these securities, you should carefully consider the risks described under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 29, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein, and those described in other documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Our management team will have broad discretion in using the net proceeds from our sale of securities under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities that we may offer from time to time under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus for working capital and general corporate purposes. We may also invest the proceeds in certificates of deposit, United States government securities or certain other interest-bearing securities. If we decide to use the net proceeds from a particular offering of securities for a specific purpose, we will describe that in the related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by selling security holders.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units that may be offered and sold from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. However, at the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement and/or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

 

-3-


DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock is based upon our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (“Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), our Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) and applicable provisions of law. We have summarized certain portions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws below. The summary is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, the provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, each of which is filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws for the provisions that are important to you.

Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws summarized in the following paragraphs may have an anti-takeover effect. This may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interests, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by such stockholder.

Copies of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are available upon request. Please see “Where You Can Find More Information” above in this prospectus.

Authorized Capital Stock

Under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Adobe’s authorized capital stock consists of 900,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value, and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. As of January 3, 2025, there were issued and outstanding 435,309,143 shares of Adobe common stock (excluding shares held in Adobe’s treasury). From time to time, we issue employee restricted stock units, performance shares, stock options and other forms of stock-based compensation.

Common Stock

Adobe Common Stock Outstanding. The outstanding shares of our common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Our common stock is listed and principally traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “ADBE.”

Voting Rights. Each holder of shares of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on the applicable record date on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.

Dividend Rights. Subject to any preferential dividend rights granted to the holders of any shares of our preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since April 2005, and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Rights upon Liquidation. Holders of our common stock are entitled to share pro rata, upon any liquidation or dissolution of Adobe, in all remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders after payment or providing for our liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock.

Preemptive Rights. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive right to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any unissued or treasury shares or other securities.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc. is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

 

-4-


Preferred Stock

Under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, without further stockholder action, our board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by the law of the State of Delaware, to provide for the issuance of the shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding).

Certain Provisions of Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws vest the power to call special meetings of stockholders in our chairman of the board, our Chief Executive Officer, our board of directors or stockholders holding shares representing not less than 10% of the outstanding votes entitled to vote at the meeting. Stockholders are not permitted under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

To be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, (i) any stockholder nomination for the board of directors must be delivered to our Secretary not more than 120 and not less than 90 days prior to the date on which we first released our proxy materials for the prior year’s annual meeting, and (ii) any stockholder proposal other than nominations for the board of directors must be delivered to our Secretary not more than 150 and not less than 120 days prior to the date on which we first released our proxy materials for the prior year’s annual meeting; provided that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the anniversary of the previous year’s meeting, a stockholder’s written notice will be timely if it is delivered by the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the announcement of the date of the meeting. Such notice must contain information specified in the Bylaws as to the director nominee or proposal of other business, information about the stockholder making the nomination or proposal and the beneficial owner, if any, on behalf of whom the nomination or proposal is made, including name and address, class and number of shares owned, and representations regarding the intention to make such a proposal or nomination and to solicit proxies in support of it. With respect to director nominees, we may require any proposed nominee to furnish information concerning his or her eligibility to serve as an independent director or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence of the nominee and to provide a statement as to whether such nominee, if elected, intends to comply with our policies and procedures as applicable to the board of directors.

Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL (“Section 203”). In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in various “business combination” transactions with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date of the transactions in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

   

the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved by the board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder obtained such status;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (a) by persons who are directors and also officers and (b) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

-5-


   

on or subsequent to such date the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

A “business combination” is defined to include mergers, asset sales, and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to a stockholder. In general, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts with respect to our company and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between Adobe and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, or such other trustee named therein (the “trustee”), in one or more series established in or pursuant to a board resolution (and set forth in an officer’s certificate) or otherwise set forth in an officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms for the securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

We have summarized certain terms and provisions of the indenture. The summary is not complete. The indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the indenture and applicable board resolution (and set forth in an officer’s certificate), officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture (including the form of debt security) relating to the applicable series of debt securities for the provisions which may be important to you. The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

General

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities which we may issue. We have the right to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt securities by issuing additional debt securities of such series. We may issue debt securities up to any aggregate principal amount as we may authorize from time to time. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any debt securities being offered, including, as applicable:

 

   

the title;

 

   

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal is payable;

 

   

the rate or rates at which the debt securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate shall be determined;

 

   

the date or dates from which interest shall accrue;

 

   

the date or dates on which interest shall be payable;

 

   

the record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable;

 

   

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of and any interest shall be payable;

 

-6-


   

the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which debt securities may be redeemed;

 

   

our obligation, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities;

 

   

if applicable, the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part;

 

   

if other than denominations of $2,000 and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which the debt securities shall be issuable;

 

   

the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of such principal amount which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or provable in bankruptcy;

 

   

whether the debt securities are issuable under Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act and, in such case, any provisions unique to such form of issuance including any transfer restrictions or exchange and registration rights;

 

   

whether the debt securities are issuable as global securities and, in such case, the identity for the depositary;

 

   

any deletion from, modification of or addition to the events of default or covenants provided for with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs;

 

   

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts on the debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted;

 

   

any special tax implications of the debt securities;

 

   

any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any guarantor or co-issuer of the debt securities;

 

   

any special interest premium or other premium;

 

   

whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into common stock or other of our equity securities or a combination thereof and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected;

 

   

the currency in which payments shall be made, if other than U.S. dollars; and

 

   

any and all other terms of the series including any terms which may be required by or advisable under U.S. law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities.

Events of Default

When we use the term “Event of Default” in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series, we mean:

(1) default in paying interest on such debt securities when it becomes due and the default continues for a period of 30 days or more;

(2) default in paying principal or premium, if any, on such debt securities when due;

(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant of ours governing such debt securities (other than defaults specified in clause (1) or (2) above) and the default or breach continues for a period of 90 days or more

 

-7-


after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and a responsible officer of the trustee receive written notice from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each such series affected that is then outstanding (all such series voting together as a single class);

(4) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, administration or similar proceedings with respect to us has occurred; or

(5) any other Event of Default set forth in a board resolution (and set forth in an officer’s certificate), officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture relating to such series of debt securities.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4)) under the indenture occurs with respect to the debt securities of a series and is continuing, then the trustee may and, at the direction of the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each such affected series (each such series voting together as a single class), will by written notice, declare the entire principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each such affected series, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, due and payable. If an Event of Default under the indenture specified in clause (4) occurs and is continuing, then the entire principal amount of the outstanding debt securities will automatically become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of all affected series (voting as a single class) may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of all such series, or the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of an affected series may on behalf of the holders of all securities of such series, (1) may waive past defaults, except a default in paying principal or interest on any outstanding debt security, except for nonpayment of the principal and interest on the debt securities of that series that have become due solely as a result of the declaration of acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or a provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of all holders of the debt securities of that series, and (2) rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration if all existing Events of Default, except for nonpayment of the principal of and interest on the debt securities of that series that have become due solely as a result of the declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived and if the rescission of acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or decree.

Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of each series of debt securities affected that is then outstanding (voting together as a single class) may seek to institute a proceeding only after they have made written request, and offered indemnity as the trustee may reasonably require, to the trustee to institute a proceeding and the trustee has failed to do so within 60 days after it received this notice. In addition, within this 60-day period the trustee must not have received directions inconsistent with this written request by holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected. These limitations do not apply, however, to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for the enforcement of the payment of principal, interest or any premium on or after the due dates for such payment.

During the existence of an Event of Default of which a responsible officer of the trustee has actual knowledge or has received written notice from us or any holder of the debt securities, the trustee is required to exercise the rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would under the circumstances in the conduct of that person’s own affairs. The trustee is not under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any of the holders unless the holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity as the trustee may reasonably require against any losses, fees, costs, damages, liabilities, or expenses that may arise from the trustee following such request or direction. Subject to certain provisions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of each series of outstanding debt securities affected (voting together as a single class) 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.

 

-8-


The trustee will, within 45 days after a responsible officer of the trustee has obtained actual knowledge, or has received written notice from us or any holder of the debt securities that any default has occurred, give notice of the default to the holders of the debt securities of that series, unless the default was already cured. Unless there is a default in paying principal or interest when due, the trustee can withhold giving notice to the holders if a responsible officer of the trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of notice is in the interest of the holders.

We are required to furnish to the trustee an annual statement as to compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may amend or modify the indenture or the debt securities without notice to or the consent of any holder of debt securities in order to:

 

   

cure ambiguities, omissions, defects or inconsistencies;

 

   

make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities of a series;

 

   

provide for or add guarantors with respect to the debt securities of any series;

 

   

secure the debt securities of any series;

 

   

establish the form or forms of debt securities of any series;

 

   

provide for uncertificated debt securities of any series in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities of the applicable series;

 

   

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee;

 

   

provide for the assumption by our successor, if any, to our obligations to holders of any outstanding debt securities of any series in compliance with the provisions of the indenture;

 

   

maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

   

conform any provision in the indenture, or in the board resolution (and set forth in an officer’s certificate), officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture establishing the debt securities of any series, or the terms of the debt securities of any series to this “Description of Debt Securities” or the prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum, offering circular or any other document pursuant to which the debt securities of such series were offered;

 

   

make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights of holders of such series in any material respect; or

 

   

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture, or to add any new provisions of the indenture, in respect of one or more series of the debt securities; provided, however, that any such change, elimination or addition shall not apply to any debt security then outstanding on the date that such change, elimination or addition is effective.

Other amendments and modifications of the indenture or the debt securities may be made with the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the amendment or modification (voting together as a single class), and our future compliance with any provision of the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities may be waived by written notice to the trustee by the holders of a majority of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected:

 

   

reduce the principal amount, or extend the fixed maturity, of the debt securities, or alter or waive the redemption provisions of the debt securities (other than the minimum notice requirement) to reduce the

 

-9-


 

amount payable upon the redemption of such debt securities or, in respect of an optional redemption, to modify the times at which such debt securities may be redeemed;

 

   

impair the contractual right of any holder of the debt securities to receive payment of principal or interest on the debt securities on and after the due dates for such principal or interest;

 

   

change the currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid;

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount outstanding of debt securities of any series which must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver or consent to take any action;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the debt securities;

 

   

waive any default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest on, the debt securities (except a rescission and annulment of acceleration and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all series of debt securities affected (all such series voting together as a single class) or of such series of debt securities affected));

 

   

reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the debt securities; or

 

   

contractually subordinate in right of payment to any other indebtedness the debt securities of any series in a manner adverse to the holders of such series.

Covenants

Certain Covenants

The terms of any series of debt securities being offered may include certain covenants for the benefit of the holders of such series of debt securities, which will be applicable (unless waived or amended) so long as any of the debt securities of such series are outstanding, unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement. The specific terms of the covenants, and summaries thereof, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets

The indenture provides that we will not consolidate or combine with or merge with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets (taken as a whole) to any person or persons in a single transaction or through a series of transactions, unless:

 

   

we shall be the continuing person or, if we are not the continuing person, the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the “surviving entity”) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia;

 

   

the surviving entity will expressly assume all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, and will, if required by law to effectuate the assumption, execute a supplemental indenture, in a form satisfactory to the trustee, which will be delivered to the trustee;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

 

   

we or the surviving entity will have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel stating that the transaction or series of transactions and a supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this covenant and that all conditions precedent in the indenture relating to the transaction or series of transactions have been complied with.

 

-10-


The restrictions in the third and fourth bullets above shall not be applicable to:

 

   

the merger or consolidation of us with an affiliate of ours if our board of directors determines in good faith that the purpose of such transaction is principally to change our state of incorporation or convert our form of organization to another form; or

 

   

the merger of us with or into a single direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ours pursuant to Section 251(g) (or any successor provision) of the DGCL (or similar provision of our state of incorporation).

If any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all our and our subsidiaries’ assets (taken as a whole) occurs in accordance with the indenture, the successor person will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor person had been named in our place in the indenture. We will (except in the case of a lease) be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the indenture and any debt securities issued thereunder.

Existence

Except as permitted under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets,” the indenture requires us to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights and franchises; provided, however, that we shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that its preservation is no longer desirable in the conduct of business.

Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance

We may terminate our obligations under the indenture with respect to a series of the debt securities, when:

 

   

either:

 

   

all the debt securities of such series issued that have been authenticated and delivered have been accepted by the trustee for cancellation; or

 

   

all the debt securities of such series issued that have not been accepted by the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year, or we have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by such trustee in our name, and at our expense, and we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee sufficient funds to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such series of debt securities to pay principal, interest and any premium (a “discharge”);

 

   

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under the indenture with respect to such series; and

 

   

we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture with respect to such series have been complied with.

We may elect to have our obligations under the indenture discharged with respect to the outstanding debt securities of any series (“legal defeasance”). Legal defeasance means that we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding debt securities of such series under the indenture and will be discharged from our obligations in respect of such debt securities, except for certain obligations, including:

 

   

the rights of holders of the debt securities to receive principal, interest and any premium when due;

 

-11-


   

our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning issuing temporary debt securities, registration of transfer of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment for debt securities payments held in trust;

 

   

the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee; and

 

   

the defeasance provisions of the indenture.

In addition, we may elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain covenants in the indenture (“covenant defeasance”). Any failure to comply with these obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events, not including non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events, described under “Events of Default” will no longer constitute an event of default for that series.

In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to outstanding debt securities of any series:

 

   

we must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds for the purpose of making the following payments:

 

   

money in an amount;

 

   

U.S. government obligations; or

 

   

a combination of money and U.S. government obligations,

in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the written opinion or based on a written report or certificate of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the trustee to pay and discharge, all of the principal, interest and any premium on that series at due date or maturity or if we have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in our name and at our expense, the redemption date;

 

   

in the case of legal defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that, as a result of an IRS ruling or a change in applicable federal income tax law, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, legal defeasance and discharge to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit, legal defeasance and discharge did not occur;

 

   

in the case of covenant defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit and covenant defeasance did not occur;

 

   

no default with respect to the outstanding debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect to the deposit or, in the case of legal defeasance, no default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency has occurred and is continuing (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (or any substantially concurrent deposit with respect to other indebtedness) and the grant of any lien securing such borrowings);

 

   

the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the indenture (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (or any substantially concurrent deposit with respect to other indebtedness) and the grant of any lien securing such borrowings), or any other material agreement or instrument to which we are a party; and

 

-12-


   

we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent with respect to the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.

Unclaimed Funds

Subject to applicable escheatment laws, all funds deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, interest, premium or additional amounts in respect of the debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the maturity date of such debt securities will be repaid to us upon our request. Thereafter, any right of any holder to such funds shall be enforceable only against us, and the trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Concerning Our Relationship with the Trustee

We may maintain ordinary banking relationships with the trustee and affiliates of the trustee.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:

 

   

debt or equity securities issued by us or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices or such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

   

currencies; or

 

   

commodities.

Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.

 

-13-


The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts may be issued under the indenture.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock, purchase contracts or any combination of such securities.

FORMS OF SECURITIES

Each debt security, warrant and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

Global Securities

Unless we inform you otherwise in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless and until a global security is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor.

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or selling security holders may sell the securities being offered hereby in the following manner or any manner specified in a prospectus supplement:

 

   

directly to one or more purchasers;

 

-14-


   

through agents;

 

   

through underwriters;

 

   

through brokers or dealers; and

 

   

through a combination of any of the above methods of sale.

In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or the selling stockholders or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in any accompanying prospectus supplement, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the securities. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may also provide opinions regarding certain other matters. Any underwriters or sales agents will be advised about legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Adobe Inc. as of November 29, 2024 and December 1, 2023, and for each of the fiscal years in the three fiscal year period ended November 29, 2024, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of November 29, 2024, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

-15-


 

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

 


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses payable by us in connection with the sale of the securities being registered hereby.

 

     Amount to be
Paid
 

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration fee

   $  

Printing expenses

     *

Legal fees and expenses (including Blue Sky fees)

     *

Trustee and transfer agent fees and expenses

     *

Rating Agency fees

     *

Accounting fees and expenses

     *

Nasdaq listing fees

     *

Miscellaneous

     *

TOTAL

   $ *

 

*

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

**

These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances, and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the estimated aggregate amount of expenses payable by us in respect of any offering of securities.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify directors, officers, employees and agents against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent to the corporation, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The DGCL provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto that it shall eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director or officer to the corporation and its stockholders for monetary damages arising out of certain breaches of fiduciary duty.

Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for the elimination of a director’s liability to us and our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Our Bylaws generally provide that we shall indemnify each of our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL and may indemnify certain other persons as set forth in the DGCL.

We also maintain officer and director insurance coverage against certain liabilities for actions taken in their capacities as such, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In addition, each executive officer and director is

 

II-1


a party to a written agreement which states that we agree to hold each of them harmless against any and all judgments, fines, settlements and expenses related to claims against such person by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, executive officer, employee or other agent of us, and otherwise to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by our Bylaws and under the non-exclusivity provisions of the DGCL.

Under the underwriting agreements filed or to be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits hereto, the underwriters may agree to indemnify us, our directors, certain of our officers and persons, if any, who control us within the meaning of the Securities Act against certain liabilities, subject to certain conditions. We, our directors, certain of our officers and persons, if any, who control us may be entitled to similar indemnity under other agreements entered into with underwriters, agents and dealers involved in the distribution of the securities being registered hereby from time to time.

Item 16. Exhibits

 

  (a)

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:

 

          Incorporated by Reference                
Exhibit
Number
  

Exhibit Description

   Form    Filing Date      Exhibit
Number
     SEC File No.      Filed
Herewith
 
 1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Purchase Contracts and Units)*               
 3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Adobe    8-K      4/26/2011        3.3        000-15175     
 3.2    Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Adobe    8-K      10/9/2018        3.1        000-15175     
 3.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws    8-K      1/18/2022        3.1        000-15175     
 4.1    Specimen Common Stock Certificate    10-K      1/25/2019        4.1        000-15175     
 4.2    Indenture dated as of January 25, 2010 by and between Adobe and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee    S-3      2/26/2016        4.1        333-209764     
 4.3    Form of Global Note    S-3      1/15/2010        4.2        333-164378     
 4.4    Form of Global Note for Adobe Inc.’s 3.250% Notes due 2025, together with Form of Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the Note    8-K      1/26/2015        4.1        000-15175     
 4.5    Forms of Global Notes for Adobe Inc.’s 1.700% Notes due 2023, 1.900% Notes due 2025, 2.150% Notes due 2027, and 2.300% Notes due 2030, together with an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the Notes    8-K      2/3/2020        4.1        000-15175     
 4.6    Forms of Global Notes for Adobe Inc.’s 4.850% Notes due 2027, 4.800% Notes due 2029 and 4.950% Notes due 2034, together with an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the Notes    8-K      4/4/2024        4.1        000-15175     
 4.7    Form of Indenture                  X  

 

II-2


          Incorporated by Reference                
Exhibit
Number
  

Exhibit Description

   Form    Filing Date      Exhibit
Number
     SEC File No.      Filed
Herewith
 
 4.8    Form of Global Note                  X  
 4.9    Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate*               
 4.10    Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants sold separately*               
 4.11    Form of Warrant for Warrants sold separately (included in Exhibit 4.10)*               
 4.12    Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants sold attached to other Securities*               
 4.13    Form of Warrant for Warrants sold attached to other Securities (included in Exhibit 4.12)*               
 4.14    Form of Purchase Contract Agreement relating to Purchase Contracts*               
 4.15    Form of Unit Agreement*               
 5.1    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP                  X  
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP                  X  
23.2    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)                  X  
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of the Registration Statement)                  X  
25.1    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of Computershare Trust Company, N.A.                  X  
107    Filing Fee Table                  X  

 

*

To be filed by amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference from documents filed or to be filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

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

 

II-3


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

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

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

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

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

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

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

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

 

II-4


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

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

(v) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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

 

II-5


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on January 13, 2025.

 

ADOBE INC.

By:

 

 

/s/ DANIEL DURN

  Name:   Daniel Durn
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Finance, Technology, Security and Operations

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Shantanu Narayen and Daniel Durn, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ SHANTANU NARAYEN

Shantanu Narayen

   Chair of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 13, 2025

/s/ DANIEL DURN

Daniel Durn

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Finance, Technology, Security and Operations (Principal Financial Officer)   January 13, 2025

/s/ JILLIAN FORUSZ

Jillian Forusz

   Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 13, 2025

/s/ FRANK CALDERONI

Frank Calderoni

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ CRISTIANO AMON

Cristiano Amon

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ AMY BANSE

Amy Banse

   Director   January 13, 2025

 

II-6


Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ BRETT BIGGS

Brett Biggs

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ MELANIE BOULDEN

Melanie Boulden

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ LAURA DESMOND

Laura Desmond

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ SPENCER NEUMANN

Spencer Neumann

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ KATHLEEN OBERG

Kathleen Oberg

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ DHEERAJ PANDEY

Dheeraj Pandey

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ DAVID RICKS

David Ricks

   Director   January 13, 2025

/s/ DAN ROSENSWEIG

Dan Rosensweig

   Director   January 13, 2025

 

II-7

Exhibit 4.7

 

 

 

ADOBE INC., Issuer

and

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of     , 20

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

  
  
Section 1.01.  

Certain Terms Defined; Rules of Construction

     1  
ARTICLE 2   
SECURITIES   
Section 2.01.  

Forms Generally

     5  
Section 2.02.  

Form of Trustee’s Certification of Authentication

     6  
Section 2.03.  

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     6  
Section 2.04.  

Authentication and Delivery of Securities

     8  
Section 2.05.  

Execution of Securities

     9  
Section 2.06.  

Certificate of Authentication

     9  
Section 2.07.  

Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest

     10  
Section 2.08.  

Registration, Transfer and Exchange

     10  
Section 2.09.  

Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     11  
Section 2.10.  

Cancellation of Securities; Destruction Thereof

     12  
Section 2.11.  

Temporary Securities

     13  
Section 2.12.  

Authenticating Agent

     13  
Section 2.13.  

Global Securities

     14  
Section 2.14.  

CUSIP Numbers

     15  
ARTICLE 3   
COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER   
Section 3.01.  

Payment of Principal and Interest

     16  
Section 3.02.  

Offices for Payments, etc.

     16  
Section 3.03.  

Paying Agents

     17  
Section 3.04.  

Certificate of the Issuer

     17  
Section 3.05.  

Reports by the Issuer

     18  
Section 3.06.  

[Reserved]

     18  
Section 3.07.  

[Reserved]

     18  
Section 3.08.  

Existence

     18  
ARTICLE 4   
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT   
Section 4.01.  

Event of Default; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default

     18  
Section 4.02.  

Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt

     20  
Section 4.03.  

Application of Proceeds

     22  
Section 4.04.  

Suits for Enforcement

     23  
Section 4.05.  

Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings

     23  
Section 4.06.  

Limitations on Suits by Holder

     23  
Section 4.07.  

Unconditional Right of Holders to Institute Certain Suits

     24  

 

i


Section 4.08.  

Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default

     24  
Section 4.09.  

Control by Holders

     24  
Section 4.10.  

Waiver of Past Defaults

     25  
Section 4.11.  

Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances

     25  
Section 4.12.  

Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs

     25  
ARTICLE 5   
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE   
Section 5.01.  

Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default

     26  
Section 5.02.  

Trustee’s Obligations with Respect to the Covenants

     26  
Section 5.03.  

Moneys Held by Trustee

     26  
Section 5.04.  

Reports by the Trustee to Holders

     26  
Section 5.05.  

Certain Rights of the Trustee

     27  
Section 5.06.  

Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc.

     28  
Section 5.07.  

Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim

     29  
Section 5.08.  

Right of Trustee to Rely on Officer’s Certificate, etc.

     29  
Section 5.09.  

Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

     30  
Section 5.10.  

Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee

     30  
Section 5.11.  

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee

     30  
Section 5.12.  

Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     31  
Section 5.13.  

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee

     32  
Section 5.14.  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer

     32  
Section 5.15.  

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     32  
ARTICLE 6   
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS   
Section 6.01.  

Evidence of Action Taken by Holders

     33  
Section 6.02.  

Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date

     33  
Section 6.03.  

Holders to Be Treated as Owners

     34  
Section 6.04.  

Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding

     34  
Section 6.05.  

Right of Revocation of Action Taken

     34  
ARTICLE 7   
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS   
Section 7.01.  

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders

     35  
Section 7.02.  

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     36  
Section 7.03.  

Execution of Amendments or Supplemental Indentures or Waivers

     37  
Section 7.04.  

Effect of Amendment, Supplemental Indenture or Waiver

     38  
Section 7.05.  

Effect of Consent

     38  

 

ii


Section 7.06.  

Notation on Securities in Respect of Amendments, Supplemental Indentures or Waivers

     38  
Section 7.07.  

Conformity with the Trust Indenture Act

     38  
ARTICLE 8   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE   
Section 8.01.  

Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets by the Issuer

     38  
Section 8.02.  

Successor Substituted

     39  
ARTICLE 9   
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS   
Section 9.01.  

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     39  
Section 9.02.  

Legal Defeasance

     40  
Section 9.03.  

Covenant Defeasance

     41  
Section 9.04.  

Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities

     42  
Section 9.05.  

Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent

     42  
Section 9.06.  

Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years

     42  
ARTICLE 10   
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS   
Section 10.01.  

Incorporators, Stockholders, Employees, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability

     42  
Section 10.02.  

Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders

     43  
Section 10.03.  

Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture

     43  
Section 10.04.  

Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders

     43  
Section 10.05.  

Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein

     44  
Section 10.06.  

Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays

     45  
Section 10.07.  

Trust Indenture Act of 1939

     45  
Section 10.08.  

Governing Law and Waiver of Jury Trial

     45  
Section 10.09.  

Counterparts

     45  
Section 10.10.  

Effect of Headings

     45  
Section 10.11.  

Separability

     46  
Section 10.12.  

Force Majeure

     46  
Section 10.13.  

U.S.A. Patriot Act

     46  
ARTICLE 11   
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS   
Section 11.01.  

Applicability of Article

     46  
Section 11.02.  

Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions

     46  
Section 11.03.  

Payment of Securities Called for Redemption

     48  
Section 11.04.  

Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption

     48  

 

iii


Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act

of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of    , 20

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section

Sec. 310(a)(1)

   5.10

(a)(2)

   5.10

(b)

   5.09

Sec. 312(c)

   10.04

Sec. 314(a)

   3.05

(a)(4)

   3.04

(c)(1)

   9.01

(c)(2)

   9.01

(e)

   10.05

Sec. 315(b)

   4.11

Sec. 316(a)(last sentence)

   1.01 (“Outstanding”)

(a)(1)(A)

   4.09

(a)(1)(B)

   4.10

(b)

   4.07

(c)

   6.02

Sec. 317(a)(1)

   4.04

(a)(2)

   4.02

(b)

   3.03

Sec. 318(a)

   5.09

 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

iv


THIS INDENTURE, dated as of    , 20    between ADOBE INC. (the “Issuer”) and COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association and limited purpose trust company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Indenture to provide for the issuance of unsecured debt securities in one or more series (the “Securities”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof;

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make the Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done;

WHEREAS, the Indenture is subject to, and will be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”) that are required to be a part of and govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Certain Terms Defined; Rules of Construction. The following terms (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of the Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. All other terms used in the Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, or the definitions of which are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of the Indenture. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to the Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular. Except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires, references to agreements or instruments, or to statutes or regulations, are to such agreements or instruments, or statutes or regulations, as amended from time to time (or to successor statutes and regulations).

 

1


Agent Member” means a member of, or a participant in, the Depositary.

Authenticating Agent means an authenticating agent with respect to any of the series of Securities appointed with respect to all or any series of the Securities by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.12.

Bankruptcy Law means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act hereunder.

Business Day” means, with respect to any Security, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or any other day in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York or the city in which the Trustee’s Corporate Trust Office (or in connection with any payment, the place of payment) is located on which banking institutions are authorized or required by applicable law, regulation, or executive order to close or be closed.

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution and delivery of the Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

company” means a corporation or a limited liability company.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee (i) for bond transfer purposes and for purposes of payments, presentment and surrender of the Securities for the final distributions thereon is 1505 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108, Attention: Corporate Trust Operations -re Adobe Inc. and (ii) for all other purposes is 1505 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108, Attention: CCT Administrator for Adobe Inc.

Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series, for which the Issuer shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, the Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Issuer pursuant to either Section 2.01 or 2.13.

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Global Security means, with respect to any series of Securities, a Security executed by the Issuer and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to a safekeeping agreement with the Depositary, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in global form without interest coupons in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

2


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

Holder” means the registered holder of any Security on the books of the Registrar.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate) or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.

Issuer” means, unless otherwise explicitly provided herein, the Person named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter “Issuer” shall mean such successor Person.

Issuer Order has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04.

Notice of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(c).

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

Officer” means any of the following: chair of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, president, controller, secretary, any assistant secretary or general counsel of the Issuer.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer. Such opinion may include customary qualifications and assumptions.

 

3


Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01.

Outstanding”, when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under the Indenture, except:

(a) Securities cancelled by the Trustee or accepted by the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption, discharge or defeasance of which moneys in the necessary amount to pay all amounts then due shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the Holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), provided that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

(c) Securities in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered, or which shall have been paid, pursuant to the terms of Section 2.09 unless and until the Trustee and the Issuer receive proof satisfactory to them that the substituted Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01.

Patriot Act means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-56, as amended, and signed into law October 26, 2001.

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

principal” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to include “and premium, if any”.

Property” means any property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including shares of capital stock.

Register” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.08.

Registrar” means a Person engaged to maintain the Register.

 

4


Resolution of the Board of Directors means a copy of the resolution certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer of the Trustee within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of the Indenture and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge and familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of the Indenture, or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under the Indenture.

Surviving Entity” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.01.

Trustee” means the Person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof and any successor trustee under the Indenture pursuant to Article 5.

Trust Indenture Act” 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” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

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

ARTICLE 2

SECURITIES

Section 2.01. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with the Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to a Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), or in an Officer’s Certificate, or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legends, notations or endorsements as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by such officer’s execution of the Securities.

 

5


The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by such officer’s execution of such Securities.

Section 2.02. Form of Trustees Certification of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the following form:

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

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
as Trustee
by:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. Subject to compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein, in the Officer’s Certificate, in any indenture supplemental hereto and in any amendment hereto or thereto, the aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), or in an Officer’s Certificate, or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

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

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.11 or 11.03);

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

(d) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable on such Interest Payment Dates;

(e) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;

 

6


(f) the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable (if other than as provided in Section 3.02);

(g) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer;

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(i) if other than denominations of $2,000 and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(j) the percentage of the principal amount at which the Securities will be issued, and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 4.02;

(k) whether the Securities are issuable under Rule 144A or Regulation S and, in such case, any provisions unique to such form of issuance including any transfer restrictions or exchange and registration rights;

(l) whether the Securities are issuable as one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the identity for the Depositary for such series;

(m) any deletion from, modification of or addition to the Events of Default or covenants provided for with respect to the Securities of the series;

(n) any provisions granting special rights to Holders when a specified event occurs;

(o) whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;

(p) any special tax implications of the Securities, including provisions for Original Issue Discount Securities;

(q) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series;

(r) any guarantor or co-issuer of the Securities of the series;

(s) any special interest premium or other premium;

 

7


(t) whether the Securities are convertible or exchangeable into common stock or other equity securities of the Issuer or a combination thereof and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected;

(u) the currency in which payments shall be made, if other than U.S. dollars; and

(v) any and all other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture) including any terms which may be required by or advisable under U.S. law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities in that series.

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination, issue date and issue price, and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), or in an Officer’s Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time, and unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuance of additional Securities of such series, subject to applicable U.S. federal income tax provisions. Additional Securities of a series will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, Securities then Outstanding of such series.

Any additional Securities shall be established in or pursuant to a Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), or in an Officer’s Certificate, or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case, which shall include:

(i) the aggregate principal amount of such additional Securities to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indenture;

(ii) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number, if any, of such additional Securities; and

(iii) whether such additional Securities shall be transfer restricted Securities or have any registration or exchange rights.

Section 2.04. Authentication and Delivery of Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of the Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Issuer, signed in the name of the Issuer by any one of its Officers (an “Issuer Order”). The Trustee, in accordance with such written order, shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.

In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under the Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 5.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a certified copy of any Resolution or Resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the action taken pursuant to the resolution or resolutions delivered under clause 2.04(b) below;

 

8


(b) a copy of any Resolution or Resolutions of the Board of Directors relating to such series, in each case certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer;

(c) an executed supplemental indenture, if any;

(d) in lieu of a supplemental indenture, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the form and terms of the Securities as required pursuant to Section 2.01 and 2.03, respectively, and prepared in accordance with Section 10.05;

(e) an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 10.05, to the effect that

(i) the form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to a Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), or by an Officer’s Certificate, or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 and 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of the Indenture; and

(ii) such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in the documents referred to in clause (i) above or such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or board of trustees, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees or Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability.

Section 2.05. Execution of Securities. The Securities shall be signed in the name of the Issuer by any one of its Officers. Such signature may be the manual or facsimile signature of the Officer. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

In case any Officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such Officer of the Issuer; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such person as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper Officer of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Indenture any such person was not such an Officer.

Section 2.06. Certificate of Authentication. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form recited herein, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, shall be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

 

9


Section 2.07. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities shall be issuable as registered securities without coupons and in denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officer of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

The principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest, if any, from the date and shall be payable on the dates, in each case, established as contemplated by Section 2.03.

The Person in whose name any Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names Outstanding Securities for such series are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Holders not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of any particular series, or, if no such date is so specified, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.

Section 2.08. Registration, Transfer and Exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more Registrars. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar. The Issuer will keep or cause to be kept at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02 a register or registers (the “Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will register, and will register the transfer of, Securities as in this Article provided. The Register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times the Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.

 

10


Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount.

Any Security or Securities of any series may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of the same series in other authorized denominations, in an equal aggregate principal amount. Securities of any series to be exchanged shall be surrendered at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously Outstanding.

All Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing, together with signature guarantees for such Holder or attorney.

The Issuer or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.

Neither the Issuer nor the Trustee shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed, or (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Security where public notice has been given that such Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.

In addition to the transfer requirements provided in this Section 2.08, any Security or Securities will be subject to such further transfer restrictions as may be contained in a Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), or in an Officer’s Certificate or in an indenture supplemental hereto applicable to such series of Securities.

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

Section 2.09. Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon the receipt of an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

 

11


Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Issuer or the Trustee 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. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof. In case the mutilated, deleted, destroyed, or lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may pay the Security instead of issuing a substitute Security.

Every substitute Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this section by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, 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 (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) the Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced or destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.10. Cancellation of Securities; Destruction Thereof. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it in accordance with its customary practices; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of the Indenture.

On written request of the Issuer at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall deliver evidence to the Issuer of the Securities cancelled by the Trustee. In the absence of such request, the Trustee shall cancel Securities held by it in accordance with its customary procedures and deliver evidence of cancellation to the Issuer. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

12


Section 2.11. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable as registered Securities without coupons, of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of the Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities.

Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.02, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 2.12. Authenticating Agent. So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and shall be valid and binding for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in the Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuer and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately. Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time (and upon written request by the Issuer shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Issuer. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Issuer. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.

 

13


Section 2.13. Global Securities. If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Section 2.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as one or more Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.04, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that shall (i) represent, and be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities to be represented by a Global Security, (ii) be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in the transfer provisions of the Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to nominees of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary”.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.08, a Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.08, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Issuer or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered Global Security will be limited to Agent Members that have accounts with the Depositary or Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members. Upon the issuance of a registered Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the Agent Members’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the Securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary, with respect to interests of Agent Members, and on the records of Agent Members, with respect to interests of Persons holding through Agent Members.

So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered Global Security, that Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Securities represented by the Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as described in this Section 2.13, Agent Members will not be entitled to have the Securities represented by the Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or Holders of the Securities under the Indenture. Accordingly, each Agent Member owning a beneficial interest in a registered Global Security must rely on the procedures of the Depositary for that registered Global Security and, if that Person is not an Agent Member, on the procedures of the Agent Member through which the Person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a Holder under the Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary or its nominee may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person (including any Agent Member and any Person that holds a beneficial interest in a Global Security through an Agent Member) to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the Securities, and nothing herein will impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered Global Security. None of the Issuer, the Trustee or any other agent of the Issuer, or any agent of the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

 

14


If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, this Section 2.13 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Issuer will execute, and subject to Section 2.08, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Issuer may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 2.13 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event, the Issuer will execute and subject to Section 2.08, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate evidencing such determination by the Issuer, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee in writing. The Issuer and the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such instructions from the Depositary. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

In connection with any proposed exchange of Securities in definitive registered form for a Global Security, the Depositary shall provide to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may conclusively rely on information provided to it in writing by the Depositary and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

Section 2.14. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

15


ARTICLE 3

COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

Section 3.01. Payment of Principal and Interest.

(a) The Issuer covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and interest on each of the Securities of such series at the place or places, at the respective times and in the manner provided in such Securities. The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal on each series of Securities at the rate specified in the terms of such series of Securities to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful. Unless otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the due date of any principal of or interest on any Securities, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee (or paying agent) money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such amounts, provided that if the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer is acting as paying agent, it will, on or before each due date, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient to pay such amounts until paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in the Indenture. In each case the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of its compliance with this paragraph.

(b) An installment of principal or interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee (or paying agent, other than the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer) holds by 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment. If the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer acts as paying agent, an installment of principal or interest will be considered paid on the due date only if paid to the Holders.

(c) Payments in respect of the Securities represented by the Global Security are to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder of the Global Security. With respect to certificated Securities, the Issuer will make all payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts within the United States as specified by the Holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each Holder’s registered address.

Section 3.02. Offices for Payments, etc. So long as any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Issuer will maintain in New York City, NY or in the City of St. Paul, MN, or such other Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Issuer, the following for each series: an office or agency (a) where the Securities may be presented for payment, (b) where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in the Indenture provided and (c) where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities or of the Indenture may be given or served. The Issuer will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 2.03, the Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, as the office to be maintained by it for each such purpose. In case the Issuer shall fail to so designate or maintain any such office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the applicable Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and the Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, notices and demands.

 

16


Section 3.03. Paying Agents. Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section,

(a) that it will hold all sums received by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series or of the Trustee,

(b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable,

(c) pay any such sums so held in trust by it to the Trustee upon the Trustee’s written request at any time during the continuance of the failure referred to in clause 3.03(b) above, and

(d) that it will perform all other duties of paying agent as set forth in the Indenture.

The Issuer shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

If an Issuer shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the Securities of any series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge, or defeasance, with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Issuer or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this section is subject to the provisions of Section 9.05 and 9.06.

Section 3.04. Certificate of the Issuer. The Issuer will furnish to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal year ended November 28, 2025) a brief certificate (which need not comply with Section 10.05) from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer or the treasurer of the Issuer as to his, her, or their knowledge of the Issuer’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture), or if there has been a default, specifying the default and its nature and status.

 

17


Section 3.05. Reports by the Issuer. The Issuer will furnish to the Trustee any document or report the Issuer is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act within 15 days after such document or report is filed with the Commission; provided that, in the each case, the delivery of materials to the Trustee by electronic means or filing documents pursuant to the Commission’s “EDGAR” system (or any successor electronic filing system) shall be deemed to constitute “furnishing to” the Trustee for purposes of this Section 3.05. Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including regarding the Issuer’s compliance with any of the Issuer’s covenants under the Indenture or the Securities (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Issuer’s compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the SEC or EDGAR or any website under the Indenture or participate in any conference calls.

Section 3.06. [Reserved]

Section 3.07. [Reserved]

Section 3.08. Existence. Except as permitted under Article 8, the Issuer covenants to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights and franchises; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if it determines that its preservation is no longer desirable in the conduct of business.

ARTICLE 4

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 4.01. Event of Default; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default. An “Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series means the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days or more;

(b) default in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, on the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise;

 

18


(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant of the Issuer governing the Securities of such series (other than defaults specified in clause (a) or (b) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days or more after either the Issuer receives written notice from the Trustee, or the Issuer and a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receive written notice from the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each such series affected that is then Outstanding (all such series voting together as a single class) thereby, specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

(d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its Property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Issuer, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

(e) the Issuer shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its Property, or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(f) any other Event of Default provided in the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate) under which such series of Securities is established or in the form of Security for such series.

If an Event of Default described in clause 4.01(a), 4.01(b), 4.01(c) or 4.01(f) above occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, the Trustee may, and at the direction of the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each such series affected that is then Outstanding hereunder (each such series voting together as a single class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), shall declare the entire principal (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 such series) of all Outstanding Securities of each such series, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default described in clause 4.01(d) or 4.01(e) above occurs and is continuing, then the entire principal amount of the Outstanding Securities will automatically become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all series of Outstanding Securities affected (all such series voting together as a single class) may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of all such series, or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of Outstanding Securities affected may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, in each case, by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee:

 

19


(a) waive all past defaults (other than the nonpayment of the principal of and interest on the Securities (or the Securities of such series) that have become due solely by the declaration of acceleration); and

(b) rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its consequences if all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and interest on the Securities (or the Securities of such series) that have become due solely by the declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived, and such rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree.

For all purposes under the Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

Section 4.02. Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt. The Issuer covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series when such interest shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of such series or upon any redemption or by declaration or otherwise, then upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Securities of such series for principal or interest, as the case may be (with interest to the date of such payment upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses and liabilities incurred by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of its negligence or willful misconduct, as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any series to the Holders, whether or not the principal of and interest on the Securities of such series be overdue.

In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or other obligor upon such Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the Property of the Issuer or other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

 

20


In case there shall be pending proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities of any series under Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or its Property or such other obligor, or in case of any other comparable judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or Property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of any 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 pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (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 such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of such series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, except as a result of negligence or willful misconduct, as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction) and of the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of such series, or to the creditors or Property of the Issuer or such other obligor,

(b) unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the Holders of the Securities of such series in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, and

(c) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any trustee, receiver, or liquidator, custodian or other similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or willful misconduct, as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 5.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 5.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding shall be unpaid for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

 

21


Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding except, as aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar Person.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under the Indenture, or under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof on any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the payment of the reasonable expenses, disbursements and compensation of the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of the Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Securities in respect to which such action was taken, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of such Securities parties to any such proceedings.

Section 4.03. Application of Proceeds. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of any series shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected and stamping (or otherwise noting) thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of like series if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses applicable to such series in respect of which moneys have been collected, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys and of all expenses and liabilities incurred by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or willful misconduct, as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 5.07;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

 

22


THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest or Yield to Maturity, without preference or priority of principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

Section 4.04. Suits for Enforcement. In case an Event of Default has occurred, has not been waived and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by the Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in the Indenture or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by the Indenture or by law.

Section 4.05. Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings. In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under the Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

Section 4.06. Limitations on Suits by Holder. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of the Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon or under or with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each such series affected that is then Outstanding (voting together as a single class) shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (iii) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as it may reasonably require against any losses, fees, costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, including expenses, damages,

 

23


liabilities and costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) incurred in connection with any action, claim or suit brought to enforce the Trustee’s right to indemnification; (iv) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding; and (v) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected then Outstanding. It is understood and intended, and expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of any series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of the Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holder, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or to enforce any right under the Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of the applicable series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Section 4.07. Unconditional Right of Holders to Institute Certain Suits. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Indenture and any provision of any Security, the contractual right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 4.08. Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default. Except as provided in Section 4.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders 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.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to Section 4.06, every power and remedy given by the Indenture or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 4.09. Control by Holders. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected (voting together as a single class) at the time Outstanding 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 each such series by the Indenture; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of the Indenture. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.01, the Trustee shall have the

 

24


right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or financial risk, or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders of the Securities of all series so affected not joining in the giving of said direction, it being understood that (subject to Section 5.01) the Trustee shall have no duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders.

Nothing in the Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction or directions by Holders.

Section 4.10. Waiver of Past Defaults. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 4.01, 4.07 and 7.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all series of Outstanding Securities affected (all such series voting together as a single class) may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of all such series, or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of Outstanding Securities affected may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, waive an existing default and its consequences, and shall provide written notice of such waiver to the Issuer and to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee. Upon such waiver, the default will cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured, but no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 4.11. Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall give to the Holders of any series, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Register, notice by mail of all defaults of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has obtained actual knowledge or has received written notice thereof, which have occurred with respect to such series, such notice to the Holders to be transmitted within 45 days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has obtained actual knowledge or has received written notice of the default, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” or “defaults” for the purposes of this section being hereby defined to mean any event or condition which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default); provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the 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 or trustees and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of such series.

Section 4.12. Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under the Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit (other than the Trustee) to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees, against any party litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by a Holder to enforce payment of principal of or interest on any Security on the respective due dates.

 

25


ARTICLE 5

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01. Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default. (a) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee are as provided by the Trust Indenture Act and as set forth herein. Whether or not expressly so provided, every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee is subject to this Article.

(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in the Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into the Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge or shall have received written notice from the Issuer or any Holder of Securities of any series has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise those rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) No provision of the 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.

Section 5.02. Trustees Obligations with Respect to the Covenants. The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Issuer’s compliance with the covenants contained in Article 4 or with respect to any reports or other documents filed under the Indenture; provided, however, that nothing herein shall relieve the Trustee of any obligations to monitor the Issuer’s timely delivery of all reports and certificates required under Sections 3.04 and 3.05 of the Indenture and to fulfill its obligations under Article 5 hereof.

Section 5.03. Moneys Held by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.06 hereof, all moneys 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. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be liable for interest on any money received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Issuer in writing to pay thereon.

Section 5.04. Reports by the Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with May 15, 2025, the Trustee will mail to each Holder, as provided in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), a brief report dated as of such May 15, if required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a), and file such reports with each stock exchange upon which its Securities are listed and with the Commission if, and to the extent, required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d).

The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

26


A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with the Issuer, with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission.

Section 5.05. Certain Rights of the Trustee. Subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 315(a) through (d):

(a) In the absence of willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may rely, and will be protected in acting or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but, in the case of any document which is specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof, the Trustee shall examine the document to determine whether it conforms to the requirements of the Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein). The Trustee, in its discretion, may make further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it sees fit.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel conforming to Section 10.05 and the Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the certificate and opinion.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed by the Trustee with due care.

(d) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity as it may reasonably require against any losses, fees, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(e) The Trustee will not be liable in its individual capacity for any action it takes, suffers or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in accordance with the direction of the Holders in accordance with Section 4.09 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 the Indenture.

(f) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and any advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will 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.

 

27


(g) No provision of the Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of its rights or powers.

(h) The Trustee shall not be liable in its individual capacity for an error in judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or other officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

(i) The Trustee shall not be personally 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 the Indenture.

(j) The Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or depositing of the Indenture or any agreement referred to herein or any financing statement or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, or to see to the maintenance of any such re-recording or re-filing or re-depositing thereof.

(k) The Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice from the Issuer or any Holder of the Securities or obtained actual knowledge thereof. In the absence of receipt of such notice or actual knowledge, the Trustee may conclusively assume that there is no default or Event of Default.

(l) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(m) The Trustee shall have no obligation to pursue any action that is not in accordance with applicable law.

(n) The permissive rights or powers of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.

(o) The Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the ratings of the Issuer and any guarantors or their affiliates or any other party or making any request upon any rating agency.

(p) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities, limitations of liability and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be compensated, reimbursed, and 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 5.06. Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc. The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

 

28


Section 5.07. Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim.

(a) The Issuer will pay the Trustee compensation as agreed upon in writing for its services. The compensation of the Trustee is not limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer will reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee, (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other Persons not regularly in its employ) except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct, as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each predecessor Trustee, its directors, officers, employees and agents for, and to hold each of them harmless against, any loss, cost, damage, fee, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the Indenture or the trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties hereunder and under the Securities, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim of liability in the premises and the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability and of complying with any process served upon it or any of its officers, except to the extent such loss liability or expense is due to the negligence or willful misconduct, as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, of the Trustee or such predecessor Trustee.

Anything in the Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(b) To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee will have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or Property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or Property held in trust to pay principal of, and interest on particular Securities.

The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 5.07 shall survive the resignation and removal of the Trustee, the termination or assignment of this Indenture, payment of the Securities, satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, and shall extend to any co- trustee or separate trustee.

Section 5.08. Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers Certificate, etc. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.05, whenever in the administration of the trusts of the Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of the Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

29


Section 5.09. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Issuer shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 5.10. Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee. The Indenture must always have a Trustee that satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a) and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

Section 5.11. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer and by mailing notice thereof by first class mail (or electronically in accordance with DTC’s procedures) to Holders of the applicable series of Securities at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 4.12, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(a) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator 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;

 

30


then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee upon at least 30 days’ advance written notice with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities 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 such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(b) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series with the consent of the Issuer by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor Trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 6.01 of the action in that regard taken by the Holders.

(c) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 5.11 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 5.12.

(d) Any successor Trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series.

Section 5.12. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 5.11 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor Trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor Trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 9.06, pay over to the successor Trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder and shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations.

If a successor Trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto prepared by and at the expense of the Issuer which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) 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

 

31


which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of the 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 supplemental indenture shall constitute such trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts under separate indentures.

Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor Trustee as provided in this Section 5.12, the Issuer shall mail notice thereof by first-class mail to the Holders of any series for which such successor Trustee is acting as trustee at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Register. If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by the preceding sentence may be combined with the notice called for by Section 5.11. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.

Section 5.13. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or sells or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation, national banking association, or other entity, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation, national banking association, or entity without any further act will be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee in the Indenture.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by the Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities of such series or in the Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

Section 5.14. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. The Trustees shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.

Section 5.15. Trustees Disclaimer. The Trustee (i) makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of the Indenture or the Securities, (ii) is not accountable for the Issuer’s use or application of the proceeds from the Securities and (iii) is not responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except for the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee shall

 

32


not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance, observance, or breach of any covenants, conditions, representations, warranties or agreements on the part of the Issuer but the Trustee may require full information and advice as to the performance of the aforementioned covenants in accordance with the provisions hereof. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to any statement in the prospectus or any other document in connection with the sale of the Securities.

ARTICLE 6

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 6.01. Evidence of Action Taken by Holders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by the Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Holders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee.

If the Issuer shall solicit from the Holders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Issuer may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Issuer shall have no obligation to do so. 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 the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series who have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Holders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of the Indenture and (subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.05) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article.

Section 6.02. Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.05, the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Securities shall be proved by the Register or by a certificate of the registrar thereof. The Issuer may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action referred to in Section 6.01, which record date may be set at any time or from time to time by notice to the Trustee, for any date or dates (in the case of any adjournment or reconsideration) not more than 60 days nor less than five days prior to the proposed date of such vote or consent, and thereafter, notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, only Holders of such series of record on such record date shall be entitled to so vote or give such consent or revoke such vote or consent. Notice of such record date may be given before or after any request for any action referred to in Section 6.01 is made by the Issuer.

 

33


Section 6.03. Holders to Be Treated as Owners. Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and, subject to the provisions of the Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer, the Trustee, nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such Person, or upon his order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.

Section 6.04. Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under the Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned, or has received written notice that such Securities are so owned, 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 so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above- described Persons; and, subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.05, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

Section 6.05. Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 6.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in the Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the applicable Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in

 

34


this Article, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in the Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action.

ARTICLE 7

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 7.01. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities or enter into an indenture supplemental hereto without notice to or the consent of any Holder to:

(a) cure ambiguities, omissions, defects or inconsistencies;

(b) make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Securities of a series;

(c) provide for or add guarantors with respect to the Securities of any series;

(d) secure the Securities of any series;

(e) establish the form or forms of Securities of any series;

(f) provide for uncertificated Securities of any series in addition to or in place of certificated Securities of the applicable series;

(g) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee;

(h) provide for the assumption by a successor corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company of the Issuer’s obligations to the Holders of the Securities of any series, in each case in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(i) maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(j) conform any provision in the Indenture, or in the Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing the Securities of any series, or the terms of the Securities of any series to the prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum, offering circular or any other document pursuant to which the Securities of such series were offered;

(k) make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights of the Holders of such series in any material respect; or

 

35


(l) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture, or to add any new provisions of the Indenture, in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided, however, that any such change, elimination or addition shall not apply to any Security then Outstanding on the date that such change, elimination or addition is effective.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any Property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such amendment or supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Indenture or otherwise.

Any amendment or supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this section may be executed without notice to and without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 7.02.

Section 7.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. (a) With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture (voting together as a single class), or, in the case of a particular series, with the consent of Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of such series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, the Issuer, when authorized by a Resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, 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 the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series and such Holders may waive future compliance by the Issuer with a provision of the Indenture or the Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), without the consent of each affected Holder of a particular series, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not:

(i) reduce the principal amount, or extend the fixed maturity, of the Securities, or alter or waive the redemption provisions of the Securities (other than the minimum notice requirement) to reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of Securities or, in respect of an optional redemption, to modify the times at which the Securities may be redeemed;

(ii) impair the contractual right of any Holder of the Securities to receive payment of principal or interest on the Securities on and after the due dates for such principal or interest;

(iii) change the currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid;

(iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount Outstanding of Securities of any series which must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver or consent to take any action;

 

36


(v) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the Securities;

(vi) waive any default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest on, the Securities (except a rescission and annulment of acceleration and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all series of Outstanding Securities affected (all such series voting together as a single class) (or of such series of Outstanding Securities affected) pursuant to Section 4.01);

(vii) reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the Securities; or

(viii) contractually subordinate in right of payment to any other indebtedness the Securities of any series in a manner adverse to the Holders of such series.

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

Section 7.03. Execution of Amendments or Supplemental Indentures or Waivers. Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of a Resolution of the Board of Directors (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate) certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 6.01, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver unless such supplemental indenture or waiver affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.01 and 5.05, shall receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized and permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver constitutes the valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Issuer as conclusive evidence that any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver executed pursuant to this Article 7 complies with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; provided, however, that such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel need not be provided in connection with the execution of an amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver that establishes the terms of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Issuer shall mail a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders of each series affected thereby at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register of the Issuer, setting forth in general terms the substance of such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

37


Section 7.04. Effect of Amendment, Supplemental Indenture or Waiver. Upon the execution of any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver pursuant to the provisions hereof, the Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under the Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of each series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of the Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 7.05. Effect of Consent. After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it will bind every Holder unless it is of the type requiring the consent of each Holder affected. If the amendment, supplement or waiver is of the type requiring the consent of each Holder affected, the amendment, supplement or waiver will bind each Holder that has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security that evidences the same debt as the Security of the consenting Holder.

Section 7.06. Notation on Securities in Respect of Amendments, Supplemental Indentures or Waivers. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series, as to any matter provided for by such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver or as to any action taken at any such meeting. If the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Issuer, to any modification of the Indenture contained in any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver may be prepared by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding.

Section 7.07. Conformity with the Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

ARTICLE 8

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 8.01. Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets by the Issuer. (a) The Issuer shall not merge or consolidate or combine with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its and its subsidiaries’ assets (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons in a single transaction or through a series of transactions, unless:

 

38


(i) the Issuer shall be the continuing Person or, if the Issuer is not the continuing Person, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Surviving Entity”) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

(ii) the Surviving Entity shall expressly assume all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Securities and the Indenture, and shall, if required by law to effectuate the assumption, execute a supplemental indenture in form satisfactory to the Trustee which will be delivered to the Trustee;

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(iv) the Issuer or the Surviving Entity will have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the transaction or series of transactions and a supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this Section 8.01 and that all conditions precedent in the Indenture relating to the transaction or series of transactions have been complied with.

(a) The restrictions in paragraph Sections 8.01(a)(iii) and 8.01(a)(iv) shall not be applicable to:

(i) the merger or consolidation of the Issuer with an affiliate of the Issuer if the Board of Directors determines in good faith that the purpose of such transaction is principally to change the state of incorporation of the Issuer or convert the form of organization of the Issuer to another form; or

(ii) the merger of the Issuer with or into a single direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to Section 251(g) (or any successor provision) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (or similar provision of the Issuer’s state of incorporation).

Section 8.02. Successor Substituted. If any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s and its subsidiaries’ assets (taken as a whole) occurs in accordance with the Indenture, the successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer under the Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named herein as the Issuer and the Issuer shall (except in the case of a lease) be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Securities.

ARTICLE 9

DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 9.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. The Issuer may terminate its obligations under the Indenture with respect to a series of Securities when:

 

39


(a) either: (i) all the Securities of such series issued that have been authenticated and delivered have been accepted by the Trustee for cancellation (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09); or (ii) all the Securities of such series issued that have not been accepted by the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year, or the Issuer has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by such Trustee in the Issuer’s name, and at the Issuer’s expense, and the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee sufficient funds to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such series of Securities to pay principal, interest and any premium (a “discharge”);

(b) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under the Indenture with respect to such series; and

(c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under the Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to such series have been complied with.

If the foregoing conditions are met, the Trustee, on written demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments prepared by the Issuer acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging the Indenture with respect to such series except as to:

(1) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series, and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any;

(2) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities;

(3) rights of Holders to receive payments when due of principal thereof and interest thereon;

(4) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder;

(5) the rights of the Holders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the Property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them; and

(6) the rights of the Issuer to be repaid any money pursuant to Sections 9.05 and 9.06.

Section 9.02. Legal Defeasance. Following the deposit referred to in Section 9.01, the Issuer will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from its obligations in respect of the Securities of each such series and the Indenture with respect thereto, other than its obligations in Article 2 and Sections 3.01, 3.02, 5.07, 5.11, and listed in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of Section 9.01, provided the following conditions have been satisfied:

(a) The Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds for the purpose of making the following payments, in cash or Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 9.06), in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the written opinion or based on a written report or certificate of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, all of the principal, interest and any premium on that series at due date or maturity or if the Issuer has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense, the redemption date;

 

40


(b) The Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that, as a result of an IRS ruling or a change in applicable federal income tax law, the Holders of the Securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge did not occur;

(c) No default with respect to the outstanding Securities of that series has occurred and is continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect to the deposit or, in the case of legal defeasance, no default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency has occurred and is continuing (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (or any substantially concurrent deposit with respect to other indebtedness) and the grant of any lien securing such borrowings);

(d) The defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Indenture (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (or any substantially concurrent deposit with respect to other indebtedness) and the grant of any lien securing such borrowings), or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound; and

(e) The Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance have been complied with;

Thereafter, the Trustee upon request will acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under the Securities and the Indenture except for the surviving obligations specified above.

Section 9.03. Covenant Defeasance. Following the deposit referred to in Section 9.01, the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Securities of that series and the Indenture with respect thereto set forth in Sections 3.04, and 3.05 of the Indenture, and any other provisions as may be specified in the Board Resolution (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing that series, will terminate and Section 4.01(c) of the Indenture, and any other provisions as may be specified in the Board Resolution (and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate), Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing that series, will no longer constitute an Event of Default, provided the following conditions have been satisfied:

(a) The Issuer has complied with clauses (a), (c), (d), and (e) of Section 9.02; and

(b) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit and covenant defeasance did not occur.

 

41


Thereafter, the Trustee upon request will acknowledge in writing the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance (each, a “defeasance”) of the Issuer’s obligations under the Securities of that series and the Indenture as specified.

Section 9.04. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 9.06, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest. Such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 9.05. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of the Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to the Issuer or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.

Section 9.06. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

ARTICLE 10

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 10.01. Incorporators, Stockholders, Employees, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

42


Section 10.02. Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders. Nothing in the Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.

Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the agreements of the Issuer in the Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors and assigns.

Section 10.04. Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders. Any notice or demand which by any provision of the Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders to or on the Issuer may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to Adobe Inc., 345 Park Avenue, San Jose, California 95110-2704 Attention: Treasurer and a copy of such notice or demand shall be sent to the Issuer’s General Counsel at the same address. Any notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Holder to or upon the Trustee shall be given or made by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail or overnight delivery addressed to the applicable Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and shall be deemed effective upon the Trustee’s actual receipt thereof. The Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be required, to rely upon and comply with instructions and directions sent by e-mail, facsimile and other similar unsecured electronic methods by Persons reasonably believed by the Trustee to be authorized to give instructions and directions on behalf of the Issuer or any Person. The Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the Person who sent such instructions or directions is, in fact, a Person authorized to give instructions or directions on behalf of the Issuer; and the Trustee shall have no liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by the Issuer as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such instructions or directions. The Issuer agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

Where the Indenture provides for notice to Holders, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Register (or, in the case of Global Securities, given in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary). In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where the Indenture 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 Holders 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 or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Issuer and Holders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of the Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

 

43


Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 10.05. Officers Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein. Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of the Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the 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 have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of the Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in the Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in the Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (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 such Person, 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 or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

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

Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate, or report or opinion of or representations or statements by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate, report, or opinion or representations or statements with respect to the accounting matters upon which his, her or their certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

 

44


Any certificate, report or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

Section 10.06. Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.01 pursuant to a Resolution of the Board of Directors, and as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to the Indenture, if the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of any series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any such Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal 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 date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

Section 10.07. Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 10.08. Governing Law and Waiver of Jury Trial. The Indenture and each Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 10.09. Counterparts. The Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. This Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute one and the same instrument. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

Section 10.10. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

45


Section 10.11. Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in the Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect or impair any other provisions of the Indenture or of such Securities, but the Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

Section 10.12. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, any provision of any present or future law or regulation of any governmental authority, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, national emergency, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, disease, epidemic or pandemic, quarantine, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 10.13. U.S.A. Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

ARTICLE 11

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

Section 11.01. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.

Section 11.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Register. Any notice which is mailed or transmitted in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail or electronic delivery (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures), or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series.

 

46


The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, any condition precedent to such redemption, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date (subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption) interest on the Securities to be redeemed or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption, on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed shall be prepared and given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request, prepared by the Issuer and given by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer; provided, however, that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee at least five Business Days prior to the date that such notice is to be delivered to Holders (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notice, as provided in the preceding paragraph.

If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee deems appropriate and fair. Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof. No Securities of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of the Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed. For so long as the Securities are held by the Depositary, the redemption of the Securities shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Depositary.

Any notice of redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion of a refinancing transaction or other corporate transaction. In addition, if a redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the Issuer may, in its discretion, delay the redemption date until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed. The Issuer shall provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Securities in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

 

47


At least one Business Day prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.03) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption.

Section 11.03. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. Subject, in each case, to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption, if notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue and such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under the Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, subject, in each case, to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in said notice of redemption, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that any payment of interest becoming due on or before the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant record date.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by the Security.

Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

Section 11.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. 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 Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

48


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the Indenture to be duly executed as of the date set forth above.

 

ADOBE INC.
as Issuer
by:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
by:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

49

Exhibit 4.8

FORM OF NOTES DUE 

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.


ADOBE INC.

% Notes due

 

No.      CUSIP No.:  
     ISIN No.:  
     $  

ADOBE INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), for value received promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns the principal sum of    DOLLARS ($    ) on    ,    .

Interest Payment Dates:    and    (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing on    ,    .

Interest Record Dates:    and    (each, an “Interest Record Date”).

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

 

ADOBE INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

2


This is one of the Notes of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:    ,    

 

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

3


(REVERSE OF NOTE)

ADOBE INC.

% Notes due

1. Interest.

Adobe Inc. (the “Issuer”) promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum described above. Cash interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid; or, if no interest has been paid, from    ,    . Interest on this Note will be paid to, but not including, the relevant Interest Payment Date. The Issuer will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, commencing    ,    . Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months in a manner consistent with Rule 11620(b) of the FINRA Uniform Practice Code.

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal from time to time on demand at the rate borne by the Notes and on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) to the extent lawful.

2. Paying Agent.

Initially, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”) will act as paying agent. The Issuer may change any paying agent without notice to the Holders.

3. Indenture; Defined Terms.

This Note is one of the    % Notes due    (the “Notes”) issued under an indenture, dated as of    , 2025 (the “Base Indenture”), by and between the Issuer and the Trustee, and established pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate dated    ,    , issued pursuant to Section 2.01 and Section 2.03 thereof (together, with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). This Note is a “Security” and the Notes are “Securities” under the Indenture.

For purposes of this Note, unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms herein are used as defined in the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) (the “TIA”) as in effect on the date on which the Indenture was qualified under the TIA. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Notes are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of them. To the extent the terms of the Indenture and this Note are inconsistent, the terms of the Indenture shall govern.

4. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 thereafter. A Holder shall register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Issuer may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay certain transfer taxes or similar governmental charges payable in connection therewith as permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer need not issue, authenticate, register the transfer of or exchange any Notes or portions thereof for a period of fifteen (15) days before the mailing of a notice of redemption, nor need the Issuer register the transfer or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part.

 

4


5. Amendment; Supplement; Waiver.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Notes and the provisions of the Indenture relating to the Notes may be amended or supplemented and any existing default or Event of Default or compliance with certain provisions may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all series of Outstanding Securities (including the Notes) under the Indenture that are affected by such amendment, supplement or waiver (voting together as a single class), or with the consent of Holders of a majority of the Notes at the time Outstanding. Without notice to or consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or supplement the Indenture and the Notes to, among other things: cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights of the Holders in any material respect; or change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture, or to add any new provisions of the Indenture (provided, however, that any such change, elimination or addition shall not apply to any Note then Outstanding on the date that such change, elimination or addition is effective).

6. Redemption.

Prior to the Par Call Date (as defined below), the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(i) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes being redeemed, discounted to the redemption date (assuming that the Notes being redeemed matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below), plus   basis points, less (b) interest accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption; and

(ii) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed to, but not including, the redemption date.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem such Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes being redeemed to, but not including, the redemption date.

Par Call Date” means    ,     (     months prior to the maturity date of the Notes).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to the Notes and the Indenture.

 

5


Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Issuer in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Issuer after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Issuer shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the applicable Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields–one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life–and shall interpolate to the applicable Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Issuer shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the applicable Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the applicable Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the applicable Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the applicable Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the applicable Par Call Date, the Issuer shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the applicable Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the applicable Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

 

6


The Issuer’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee will not be responsible or liable for determining, confirming or verifying any of Issuer’s calculations, including the calculation of the Treasury Rate.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with DTC’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense; provided, however, that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee at least 5 Business Days prior to the date that such notice is to be delivered (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notice. Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date (subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption), interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee deems appropriate and fair.

7. Defaults and Remedies.

If an Event of Default (other than certain bankruptcy Events of Default with respect to the Issuer) under the Indenture occurs with respect to the Notes and is continuing, then, unless the principal of all of the Notes shall have already become due and payable, if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice of the Event of Default or has obtained actual knowledge thereof, the Trustee may, and at the direction of the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of each series of Outstanding Securities (including the Notes) affected (each such series voting as a single class), shall by written notice, declare the entire principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately. If a bankruptcy Event of Default with respect to the Issuer occurs and is continuing, then the entire principal amount of the Outstanding Notes will automatically become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. Holders of Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee is not obligated to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it has received security or indemnity as it reasonably requires. The Indenture permits, subject to certain limitations therein provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding to direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of Notes notice of certain continuing defaults or Events of Default if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

8. Authentication.

This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on this Note.

 

7


9. Abbreviations.

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of a Note or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

10. CUSIP Numbers.

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes as a convenience to the Holders of the Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as printed on the Notes and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.

11. Governing Law and Waiver of Jury Trial.

The Indenture and this Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint       agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him, her or them.

 

 

Date:

 

  

 

  

Your Signature:

  

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

     

 

      Signature      
           

Signature Guarantee:

 

        

 

     

 

Signature must be guaranteed   

Signature

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Physical Notes or a part of another Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of decrease in
principal amount of this
Global Note

 

Amount of increase in
principal amount of this
Global Note

 

Principal amount of

this Global Note following
such decrease (or increase)

 

Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee

Exhibit 5.1

SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

ONE MANHATTAN WEST

NEW YORK, NY 10001

——————

 

TEL: (212) 735-3000

FAX: (212) 735-2000

www.skadden.com

  

FIRM/AFFILIATE

OFFICES

——————

BOSTON

CHICAGO

HOUSTON

LOS ANGELES

PALO ALTO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WILMINGTON

——————

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

FRANKFURT

HONG KONG

LONDON

MUNICH

PARIS

SÃO PAULO

SEOUL

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

TOKYO

TORONTO

January 13, 2025

Adobe Inc.

345 Park Avenue

San Jose, California 95110

 

  Re:

Adobe Inc.

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special United States counsel to Adobe Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in one or more series, (iii) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”), which may be issued


Adobe Inc.

January 13, 2025

Page 2

 

in one or more series under an indenture (the “Indenture”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or other securities (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein, (v) purchase contracts (“Purchase Contracts”) obligating the holders thereof to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to such holders, shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, or other securities, currencies or commodities at a future date or dates, which may be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase contract agents to be named therein; (vi) units of the Company (“Units”), each consisting of one or more Warrants, Debt Securities, shares of Preferred Stock, shares of Common Stock, Purchase Contracts or any combination of such securities, which may be issued pursuant to one or more agreements proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more unit agents to be named therein and (vii) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock and indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants or settlement of any Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units, including such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Units and Indeterminate Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:

(a) the Registration Statement;

(b) the form of Indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;

(c) an executed copy of a certificate of the Company’s Assistant Secretary, dated the date hereof (the “Secretarys Certificate”);

(d) a copy of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of January 13, 2025, and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;

(e) a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as in effect as of the date hereof and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate; and


Adobe Inc.

January 13, 2025

Page 3

 

(f) a copy of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors held on January 8-9, 2025, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate.

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials, including the facts and conclusions set forth in the Secretary’s Certificate.

We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws of the State of New York, and (ii) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”). The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.

As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Indenture and the supplemental indentures and officer’s certificates establishing the terms of the Debt Securities pursuant thereto, the Warrant Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement.

The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 6 below presume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Securities referred to therein: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (iii) the applicable Transaction Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company, including any duly authorized committee thereof, shall have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company; and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of such Securities have been duly established


Adobe Inc.

January 13, 2025

Page 4

 

in conformity with the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, so as not to violate any applicable law, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or its properties, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or its properties.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. With respect to any shares of Common Stock offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Common Stock (the “Offered Common Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) if the Offered Common Stock is to be certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Common Stock are duly executed and countersigned or, if the Offered Common Stock is to be issued in uncertificated form, a resolution of the Board of Directors has duly authorized the issuance of the Offered Common Stock in uncertificated form and (c) the shares of Offered Common Stock are registered in the Company’s share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Common Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.0001 per share of Common Stock.

2. With respect to the shares of any series of Preferred Stock offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Preferred Stock of such series (the “Offered Preferred Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Board of Directors of the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has duly adopted a Certificate of Designations for the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the DGCL (the “Certificate”), (c) the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware has duly occurred, (d) if the Offered Preferred Stock is to be certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are duly executed and countersigned and (e) the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are registered in the Company’s share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Preferred Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.0001 per share of Preferred Stock.

3. With respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Debt Securities of such series (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; (c) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters have been approved and established in conformity with the applicable Transaction Documents and (d) the certificates evidencing the Offered Debt


Adobe Inc.

January 13, 2025

Page 5

 

Securities have been issued in a form that complies with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents and have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and any other applicable Transaction Documents and issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

4. With respect to any Warrants offered by the Company (the “Offered Warrants”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities for which the Offered Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

5. With respect to any Purchase Contracts offered by the Company (the “Offered Purchase Contracts”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities relating to such Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and any other securities, currencies, or commodities relating to such Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized for sale by the Company and (c) the Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement, the Offered Purchase Contracts, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

6. With respect to any Units offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Units (the “Offered Units”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants or Purchase Contracts included in such Offered Units have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) certificates (as applicable) evidencing the Offered Units have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document, the Offered Units, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.


Adobe Inc.

January 13, 2025

Page 6

 

The opinions stated herein are subject to the following assumptions and qualifications:

(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and governmental orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);

(b) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;

(c) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;

(d) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provisions purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;

(e) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Document to the extent that such section purports to bind any Opinion Party to the exclusive jurisdiction of any particular federal court or courts;

(f) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document;

(g) the opinions stated herein are limited to the agreements and documents specifically identified in the opinions contained herein (the “Specified Documents”) without regard to any agreement or other document referenced in any such Specified Document (including agreements or other documents incorporated by reference or attached or annexed thereto) and without regard to any other agreement or document relating to any such Specified Document that is not a Transaction Document;

(h) we have assumed that any agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment. Further, we do not express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process;


Adobe Inc.

January 13, 2025

Page 7

 

(i) subsequent to the effectiveness of the Indenture and immediately prior to the issuance of any series Offered Debt Securities, the Indenture has not been amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in any way that affects or relates to such series of Offered Debt Securities other than by the applicable Transaction Documents relating to such series of Offered Debt Securities;

(j) this opinion letter shall be interpreted in accordance with customary practice of United States lawyers who regularly give opinions in transactions of this type;

(k) we have assumed that the choice of New York law to govern any Transaction Documents and that such choice is and will be a valid and legal provision;

(l) we have assumed that the Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the trustee in substantially the form reviewed by us; and

(m) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.

In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have also assumed that:

(a) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities: (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject, (ii) contravened or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iii) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iii) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and

(b) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.


Adobe Inc.

January 13, 2025

Page 8

 

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the use of our report dated January 13, 2025, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Adobe Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, incorporated herein by reference, and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Santa Clara, California

January 13, 2025

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

National Banking Association   04-3401714

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

150 Royall Street, Canton, MA   02021
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Law Department

Computershare Trust Company, National Association

150 Royall Street, Canton, MA

02021

(781) 575-2000

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

ADOBE INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware    77-0019522

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

345 Park Avenue

San Jose, California

   95110
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


Item 1.

General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a)

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

340 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10017-2613

 

  (b)

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.

Affiliations with the obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe such affiliation.

None.

 

Items 3-15.

No responses are included for Items 3-15 of this Form T-1 because, to the best of the trustee’s knowledge, neither the obligor nor any guarantor is in default under any Indenture for which the trustee acts as trustee and the trustee is not a foreign trustee as provided under Item 15.

 

Item 16.

List of exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility.

1. A copy of the articles of association of the trustee. (See Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-200089).

2. A copy of the certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business.

3. A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Computershare Trust Company, National Association.

4. A copy of the existing bylaws of the trustee, as now in effect. (See Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-200089).

5. Not applicable

6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

8. Not applicable

9. Not applicable


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the trustee, Computershare Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association, organized and existing under the laws of the United States, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of St. Paul, and State of Minnesota, on the 13th day of January, 2025.

 

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Maddy Hughes

 

Name: Maddy Hughes

Title: Vice President


EXHIBIT 2

 

A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Computershare Trust Company, National Association, dated January 6, 2025.

LOGO


EXHIBIT 3

 

A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Computershare Trust Company, National Association, dated January 6, 2025.

 

LOGO


EXHIBIT 6

 

CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321 (b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and in connection with the proposed issue of debt securities, Computershare Trust Company, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefore.

 

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Maddy Hughes

  Title: Vice President

 

January 13, 2025


EXHIBIT 7

 

Consolidated Report of Condition of

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

150 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021

at the close of business June 30, 2024.

 

    

Dollar Amounts

In Thousands

 

ASSETS

  

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

  

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

     4,112  

Interest-bearing balances

     370,129  

Securities:

  

Held-to-maturity securities

     -0-  

Available-for-sale securities

     -0-  

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

  

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

     -0-  

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     -0-  

Loans and lease financing receivables:

  

Loans and leases held for sale

     -0-  

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     -0-  

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     -0-  

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

     -0-  

Trading assets

     -0-  

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

     8,047  

Other real estate owned

     -0-  

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

     -0-  

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

     -0-  

Intangible assets:

  

Goodwill

     134,206  

Other intangible assets

     462,169  

Other assets

     147,180  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,125,843  
  

 

 

 


LIABILITIES

  

Deposits:

  

In domestic offices

     -0-  

Noninterest-bearing

     -0-  

Interest-bearing

     -0-  

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

  

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

     -0-  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     -0-  

Trading liabilities

     -0-  

Other borrowed money:

  

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

     -0-  

Not applicable

  

Not applicable

  

Subordinated notes and debentures

     -0-  

Other liabilities

     173,588  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     173,588  

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

     0  

Common stock

     500  

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

     850,876  

Retained earnings

     100,879  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     -0-  

Other equity capital components

     -0-  

Total bank equity capital

     952,255  

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     -0-  

Total equity capital

     952,255  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity capital

     1,125,843  

I, Greg Brandt, Assistant Controller of the above named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

/s/ Greg Brandt

Greg Brandt
Assistant Controller
0000796343S-3ASREX-FILING FEES00000 0000796343 2025-01-13 2025-01-13 0000796343 1 2025-01-13 2025-01-13 0000796343 2 2025-01-13 2025-01-13 0000796343 3 2025-01-13 2025-01-13 0000796343 4 2025-01-13 2025-01-13 0000796343 5 2025-01-13 2025-01-13 0000796343 6 2025-01-13 2025-01-13 iso4217:USD
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form
S-3
(Form Type)
Adobe Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
 
                         
     Security
Type
 
Security
Class
Title
  Fee
 Calculation 
or Carry
Forward
Rule
  Amount
 Registered 
  Proposed
 Maximum 
Offering
Price Per
Unit
  Maximum
 Aggregate 
Offering
Price
   Fee
 Rate 
  Amount of
 Registration 
Fee
 
Carry
 Forward 
Form
Type
 
Carry
 Forward 
File
Number
  Carry
 Forward 
Initial
effective
date
  Filing Fee
Previously
Paid In
 Connection 
with Unsold
Securities to
be Carried
Forward
 
Newly Registered Securities
                         
Fees to Be Paid   Equity   Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
(1)
  Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)
(2)
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(2)
 
 
(2)
 
         
  Equity   Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
(1)
  Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)
(2)
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(2)
 
 
(2)
 
               
  Debt   Debt Securities
(1)
  Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)
(2)
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(2)
 
 
(2)
 
               
  Other   Warrants
(1)
  Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)
(2)
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(2)
 
 
(2)
 
               
  Other   Purchase Contracts
(1)
  Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)
(2)
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(2)
 
 
(2)
 
               
  Other   Units
(1)
  Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)
(2)
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(2)
 
 
(2)
 
               
                         
Fees Previously Paid   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A          
 
Carry Forward Securities
                         
Carry Forward Securities   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A       N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A
                   
    Total Offering Amounts     
N/A
   
N/A
         
                   
    Total Fees Previously Paid         
N/A
         
                   
    Total Fee Offsets         
N/A
         
                   
    Net Fee Due               
N/A
               
 
(1)
The securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately, together or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder with the other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any securities that are issuable upon the redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the registrant will pay
“pay-as-you-go
registration fees” in accordance with Rule 456(b). The registrant will calculate the registration fee applicable to an offer of securities pursuant to this registration statement based on the fee payment rate in effect on the date of such fee payment.
(3)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issued upon redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
v3.24.4
Submission
Jan. 13, 2025
Submission [Line Items]  
Central Index Key 0000796343
Registrant Name Adobe Inc.
Form Type S-3
Submission Type S-3ASR
Fee Exhibit Type EX-FILING FEES
v3.24.4
Offerings
Jan. 13, 2025
Offering: 1  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Rule 457(r) true
Security Type Equity
Security Class Title Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Offering Note
(1)
The securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately, together or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder with the other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any securities that are issuable upon the redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the registrant will pay
“pay-as-you-go
registration fees” in accordance with Rule 456(b). The registrant will calculate the registration fee applicable to an offer of securities pursuant to this registration statement based on the fee payment rate in effect on the date of such fee payment.
(3)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issued upon redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
Offering: 2  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Rule 457(r) true
Security Type Equity
Security Class Title Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Offering Note
(1)
The securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately, together or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder with the other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any securities that are issuable upon the redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the registrant will pay
“pay-as-you-go
registration fees” in accordance with Rule 456(b). The registrant will calculate the registration fee applicable to an offer of securities pursuant to this registration statement based on the fee payment rate in effect on the date of such fee payment.
(3)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issued upon redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
Offering: 3  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Rule 457(r) true
Security Type Debt
Security Class Title Debt Securities
Offering Note
(1)
The securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately, together or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder with the other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any securities that are issuable upon the redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the registrant will pay
“pay-as-you-go
registration fees” in accordance with Rule 456(b). The registrant will calculate the registration fee applicable to an offer of securities pursuant to this registration statement based on the fee payment rate in effect on the date of such fee payment.
(3)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issued upon redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
Offering: 4  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Rule 457(r) true
Security Type Other
Security Class Title Warrants
Offering Note
(1)
The securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately, together or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder with the other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any securities that are issuable upon the redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the registrant will pay
“pay-as-you-go
registration fees” in accordance with Rule 456(b). The registrant will calculate the registration fee applicable to an offer of securities pursuant to this registration statement based on the fee payment rate in effect on the date of such fee payment.
(3)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issued upon redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
Offering: 5  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Rule 457(r) true
Security Type Other
Security Class Title Purchase Contracts
Offering Note
(1)
The securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately, together or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder with the other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any securities that are issuable upon the redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the registrant will pay
“pay-as-you-go
registration fees” in accordance with Rule 456(b). The registrant will calculate the registration fee applicable to an offer of securities pursuant to this registration statement based on the fee payment rate in effect on the date of such fee payment.
(3)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issued upon redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
Offering: 6  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Rule 457(r) true
Security Type Other
Security Class Title Units
Offering Note
(1)
The securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately, together or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder with the other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any securities that are issuable upon the redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the registrant will pay
“pay-as-you-go
registration fees” in accordance with Rule 456(b). The registrant will calculate the registration fee applicable to an offer of securities pursuant to this registration statement based on the fee payment rate in effect on the date of such fee payment.
(3)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issued upon redemption, exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
v3.24.4
Fees Summary
Jan. 13, 2025
USD ($)
Fees Summary [Line Items]  
Total Offering $ 0
Previously Paid Amount 0
Total Fee Amount 0
Total Offset Amount 0
Net Fee $ 0

Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 Click Here for more Adobe Charts.
Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 Click Here for more Adobe Charts.