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Exhibit 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AMONG
DOMUS HOLDINGS CORP.,
DOMUS ACQUISITION CORP.,
AND
REALOGY CORPORATION
Dated as of December 15, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I
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THE MERGER
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SECTION 1.01.
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The Merger
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2
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SECTION 1.02.
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Consummation of the Merger
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2
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SECTION 1.03.
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Effects of the Merger
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2
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SECTION 1.04.
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Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws
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2
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SECTION 1.05.
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Directors and Officers
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3
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SECTION 1.06.
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Conversion of Shares
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3
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SECTION 1.07.
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Conversion of Common Stock of Merger
Sub
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3
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SECTION 1.08.
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Withholding Taxes
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3
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SECTION 1.09.
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Subsequent Actions
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3
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ARTICLE II
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DISSENTING SHARES; PAYMENT FOR
SHARES;
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TREATMENT OF EQUITY-BASED
AWARDS
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SECTION 2.01.
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Dissenting Shares
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4
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SECTION 2.02.
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Payment for Shares
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4
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SECTION 2.03.
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Closing of the Company’s Transfer
Books
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5
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SECTION 2.04.
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Treatment of Equity-Based Awards and Deferred
Compensation
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6
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SECTION 2.05.
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Further Actions
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7
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ARTICLE III
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REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
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OF THE COMPANY
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SECTION 3.01.
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Organization and Qualification
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7
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SECTION 3.02.
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Capitalization
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8
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SECTION 3.03.
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Authority for this Agreement; Board
Action
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9
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SECTION 3.04.
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Consents and Approvals; No Violation
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10
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SECTION 3.05.
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Reports; Financial Statements
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11
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SECTION 3.06.
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Absence of Certain Changes
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13
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SECTION 3.07.
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Proxy Statement; Other Filings
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13
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SECTION 3.08.
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Brokers; Certain Expenses
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13
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SECTION 3.09.
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Employee Matters
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13
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SECTION 3.10.
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Employees
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16
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SECTION 3.11.
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Litigation
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17
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SECTION 3.12.
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Tax Matters
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18
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SECTION 3.13.
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Compliance with Law; No Default
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20
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i
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Page
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SECTION 3.14.
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Environmental Matters
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21
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SECTION 3.15.
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Intellectual Property
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23
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SECTION 3.16.
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Real Property
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24
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SECTION 3.17.
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Material Contracts
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25
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SECTION 3.18.
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Insurance
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27
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SECTION 3.19.
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Opinion
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27
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SECTION 3.20.
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Required Vote of Company Stockholders
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27
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SECTION 3.21.
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State Takeover Statutes; Certificate of
Incorporation
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27
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SECTION 3.22.
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Rights Agreement
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28
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SECTION 3.23.
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Spin-Off Documentation; Transition Services
Agreement
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28
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SECTION 3.24.
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Franchisees
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28
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SECTION 3.25.
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Offering Circulars
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29
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ARTICLE IV
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REPRESENTATIONS AND
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WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER
SUB
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SECTION 4.01.
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Organization and Qualification
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29
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SECTION 4.02.
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Authority for this Agreement
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29
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SECTION 4.03.
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Proxy Statement; Other Filings
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29
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SECTION 4.04.
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Consents and Approvals; No Violation
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30
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SECTION 4.05.
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Financing
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30
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SECTION 4.06.
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Guarantee
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31
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SECTION 4.07.
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Solvency
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31
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ARTICLE V
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COVENANTS
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SECTION 5.01.
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Conduct of Business of the Company
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31
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SECTION 5.02.
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Solicitation
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35
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SECTION 5.03.
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Access to Information
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40
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SECTION 5.04.
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Stockholder Approval
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40
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SECTION 5.05.
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Proxy Statement; Other Filings
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41
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SECTION 5.06.
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Reasonable Best Efforts; Consents and
Governmental Approvals
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42
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SECTION 5.07.
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Indemnification and Insurance
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44
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SECTION 5.08.
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Employee Matters
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46
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SECTION 5.09.
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Takeover Laws
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47
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SECTION 5.10.
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Notification of Certain Matters
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47
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SECTION 5.11.
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Financing
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47
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SECTION 5.12.
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Treatment of Certain Debt
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50
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SECTION 5.13.
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Subsequent Filings
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51
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SECTION 5.14.
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Press Releases
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51
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SECTION 5.15.
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Solvency Opinion
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52
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SECTION 5.16.
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Letter of Credit
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52
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ii
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Page
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ARTICLE VI
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CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE
MERGER
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SECTION 6.01.
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Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to
Effect the Merger
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52
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SECTION 6.02.
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Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger
Sub
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53
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SECTION 6.03.
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Conditions to Obligations of the
Company
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54
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ARTICLE VII
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TERMINATION; AMENDMENT;
WAIVER
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SECTION 7.01.
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Termination
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54
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SECTION 7.02.
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Effect of Termination
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56
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SECTION 7.03.
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Fees and Expenses
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57
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SECTION 7.04.
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Maximum Recovery
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59
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SECTION 7.05.
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Amendment
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59
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SECTION 7.06.
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Extension; Waiver; Remedies
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59
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ARTICLE VIII
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MISCELLANEOUS
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SECTION 8.01.
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Representations and Warranties
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60
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SECTION 8.02.
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Entire Agreement; Assignment
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60
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SECTION 8.03.
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Jurisdiction; Venue
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60
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SECTION 8.04.
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Validity
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60
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SECTION 8.05.
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Notices
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61
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SECTION 8.06.
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Governing Law
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62
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SECTION 8.07.
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Descriptive Headings
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62
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SECTION 8.08.
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Parties in Interest
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62
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SECTION 8.09.
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Rules of Construction
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62
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SECTION 8.10.
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Counterparts
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62
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SECTION 8.11.
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Certain Definitions
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62
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iii
Glossary of Defined Terms
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Defined Terms
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Defined in
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409A Authorities
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SECTION 3.09(k)
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6.15% Notes
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SECTION 8.11(a)
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6.50% Notes
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SECTION 8.11(b)
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Acceptability Letters
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SECTION 3.23
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Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement
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SECTION 8.11(c)
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Acquisition Proposal
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SECTION 5.02(i)
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Action
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SECTION 5.07(a)
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Affiliate
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SECTION 8.11(d)
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Agreement
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Preamble
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AJCA
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SECTION 3.09(k)
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Alternative Acquisition Agreement
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SECTION 5.02(e)(i)
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Associate
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SECTION 8.11(d)
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beneficial ownership
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SECTION 8.11(e)
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Breakup Fee
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SECTION 7.03(c)
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Business Day
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SECTION 8.11(f)
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Bylaws
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SECTION 8.11(g)
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Certificate of Incorporation
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SECTION 8.11(h)
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Certificate of Merger
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SECTION 1.02
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Change of Board Recommendation
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SECTION 5.02(e)
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Closing
|
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SECTION 1.02
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Closing Date
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SECTION 1.02
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Code
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SECTION 1.08
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Company
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Preamble
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Company Board Recommendation
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SECTION 3.03(b)
|
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Company Fairness Opinion
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SECTION 3.19
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Company Financial Advisor
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SECTION 3.08
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Company Intellectual Property
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SECTION 3.15
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Company Joint Venture
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SECTION 8.11(i)
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Company Owned Intellectual Property
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SECTION 3.15
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Company SEC Reports
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SECTION 8.11(j)
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Company Securities
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SECTION 3.02(a)
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Confidentiality Agreement
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SECTION 8.11(k)
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Controlled Group Liability
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SECTION 8.11(l)
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Corporation Law
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Recitals
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Current Employees
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SECTION 5.08(b)
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Debt Financing
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SECTION 4.05
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Debt Financing Commitments
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SECTION 4.05
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Debt Tender Offer
|
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SECTION 5.12(a)
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Deferred Unit Account
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SECTION 2.04(c)
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Delaware Secretary
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SECTION 1.02
|
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Disclosure Letter
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ARTICLE III
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Dissenting Shares
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SECTION 2.01
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Effective Time
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SECTION 1.02
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iv
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Defined Terms
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Defined in
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Environment
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SECTION 3.14(c)(i)
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Environmental Claim
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SECTION 3.14(c)(ii)
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Environmental Law
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SECTION 3.14(c)(iii)
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Environmental Permits
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SECTION 3.14(a)(i)
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Equity Financing
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SECTION 4.05
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Equity Financing Commitments
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SECTION 4.05
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ERISA
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SECTION 8.11(z)
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ERISA Affiliate
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SECTION 3.09(c)
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ESPP
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SECTION 2.04(d)
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Exchange Act
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SECTION 3.04(b)
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Excluded Party
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SECTION 5.02(b)
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Excluded Shares
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SECTION 1.06
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Exempted Superiort Proposal
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SECTION 5.02(e)
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Expenses
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SECTION 7.03(f)
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Financing
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SECTION 4.05
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Financing Commitments
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SECTION 4.05
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Floating Rate Notes
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SECTION 8.11(m)
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Foreign Antitrust Laws
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SECTION 3.04(b)
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Former Parent
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SECTION 8.11(aa)
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Franchisees
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SECTION 3.24
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FTC Act
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SECTION 3.25
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GAAP
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SECTION 8.11(n)
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Governmental Entity
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SECTION 3.04(b)
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Guarantee
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Recitals
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Guarantor
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Recitals
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Hazardous Materials
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SECTION 3.14(c)(iv)
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hereby
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SECTION 8.11(o)
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herein
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SECTION 8.11(o)
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hereinafter
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SECTION 8.11(o)
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HSR Act
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SECTION 3.04(b)
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including
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SECTION 8.11(p)
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Indemnified Persons
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SECTION 5.07(a)
|
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Indenture
|
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SECTION 5.12(a)
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Initiation Date
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SECTION 5.11(b)
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Insurance Amount
|
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SECTION 5.07(b)
|
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Insurance Approvals
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SECTION 8.11(q)
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Insurance Authorities
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SECTION 8.11(r)
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Insurance Department
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SECTION 5.06(c)
|
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Insurance Laws
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SECTION 8.11(s)
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Intellectual Property Rights
|
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SECTION 3.15
|
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knowledge
|
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SECTION 8.11(t)
|
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Laws
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SECTION 3.13
|
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Lender Parties
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SECTION 4.05
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Liens
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SECTION 8.11(u)
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Majority of the Parties
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SECTION 8.11(v)
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Marketing Period
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SECTION 5.11(b)
|
v
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Defined Terms
|
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Defined in
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Material Adverse Effect
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SECTION 8.11(w)
|
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Material Contract
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SECTION 3.17(a)
|
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Merger
|
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SECTION 1.01
|
|
Merger Consideration
|
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SECTION 1.06
|
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Merger Sub
|
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Preamble
|
|
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Plan
|
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SECTION 3.09(k)
|
|
Notes
|
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SECTION 5.12(a)
|
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Notice Period
|
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SECTION 5.02(e)(i)
|
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Offering Circulars
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SECTION 3.25
|
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Option
|
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SECTION 2.04(a)
|
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Option Plan
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|
SECTION 2.04(a)
|
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Original Proposal
|
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SECTION 5.02(e)
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Other Filings
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SECTION 3.07
|
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Outside Date
|
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SECTION 7.01(c)
|
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Owned Real Property
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SECTION 3.16(a)
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Parent
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Preamble
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Parent Breakup Fee
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SECTION 7.03(e)
|
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Parent Disclosure Letter
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ARTICLE IV
|
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Parent Parties
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SECTION 7.04
|
|
Paying Agent
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SECTION 2.02(a)
|
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Payment Fund
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SECTION 2.02(a)
|
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PBGC
|
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SECTION 3.09(d)
|
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Permits
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SECTION 3.13
|
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Permitted Liens
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SECTION 8.11(x)
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Person
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SECTION 8.11(y)
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Plan
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SECTION 8.11(z)
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Predecessor Company
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SECTION 8.11(aa)
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Preferred Shares
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SECTION 3.02(a)
|
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Proxy Statement
|
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SECTION 3.07
|
|
Real Property Leases
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SECTION 3.16(b)
|
|
Related Party Transaction
|
|
SECTION 3.17(a)(xvi)
|
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Release
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SECTION 3.14(c)(v)
|
|
Representatives
|
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SECTION 8.11(bb)
|
|
Required Spinoff Approvals
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SECTION 3.23
|
|
Requisite Stockholder Vote
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SECTION 3.20
|
|
Revised Parent Proposal
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SECTION 5.02(e)
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Rights Agreement
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SECTION 3.22
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RSUs
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SECTION 2.04(b)
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SAR
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SECTION 2.04(a)
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Sarbanes-Oxley Act
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SECTION 3.05(a)
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SEC
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SECTION 3.05(a)
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Securities Act
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SECTION 3.05(a)
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Separation Agreement
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SECTION 8.11(ff)
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Share
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SECTION 1.06
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Shares
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SECTION 1.06
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Solicitation Period End-Date
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SECTION 8.11(cc)
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vi
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Defined Terms
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Defined in
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Solvent
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SECTION 8.11(dd)
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Special Committee
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SECTION 8.11(ee)
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Special Meeting
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SECTION 5.04
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Spin-Off Documents
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SECTION 8.11(ff)
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Subfranchisors
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SECTION 3.24
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Subsidiary
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SECTION 8.11(gg)
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Subsidiary Securities
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SECTION 3.02(b)
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Superior Proposal
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SECTION 5.02(i)
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Superior Transaction Fee
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SECTION 7.03(d)
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Surviving Corporation
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SECTION 1.01
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Takeover Laws
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SECTION 3.03(b)
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Tax
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SECTION 3.12(o)
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Tax Opinion
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SECTION 8.11(hh)
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Tax Sharing Agreement
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SECTION 8.11(ff)
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Transition Services Agreement
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SECTION 8.11(ii)
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Trustee
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SECTION 5.12(a)
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vii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this
" Agreement "), dated as of December 15, 2006, by and
among Domus Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (" Parent
"), Domus Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of Parent (" Merger Sub "), and Realogy
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the " Company ").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of
the Company, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the
Special Committee, has unanimously (with three members abstaining)
determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger, are advisable and fair to, and in the
best interests of, the stockholders of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of
the Company, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the
Special Committee, has unanimously (with three members abstaining)
adopted resolutions approving the acquisition of the Company by
Parent, the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and recommending that the
Company’s stockholders adopt the "agreement of merger" (as
such term is used in Section 251 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the " Corporation Law ") contained in this
Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Merger;
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors
of Parent and Merger Sub have each approved, and the Board of
Directors of Merger Sub has declared it advisable for Merger Sub to
enter into, this Agreement providing for the Merger in accordance
with the Corporation Law, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement, as a condition and inducement to the
Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, Apollo
Management VI, L.P., on behalf of affiliated investment funds (the
" Guarantor ") has provided a guarantee (the "
Guarantee ") in favor of the Company, in the form set forth
on Section 4.06 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, with
respect to the performance by Parent and Merger Sub, respectively,
of their obligations under this Agreement;
WHEREAS, Parent, Merger Sub and
the Company desire to make certain representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements in connection with this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, certain terms are used in
this Agreement as defined subsequently in this Agreement (including
Section 8.11 );
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration
of the mutual covenants, agreements, representations and warranties
set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.01. The Merger .
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, and in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the Corporation Law, at
the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the
Company (the " Merger "). The Company shall be the surviving
corporation in the Merger (the " Surviving Corporation ")
and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease.
SECTION 1.02. Consummation of
the Merger . Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the
" Closing ") will take place at 10:00 a.m., local time,
as promptly as practicable but in no event later than the third
Business Day after the satisfaction or waiver (by the party
entitled to grant such waiver) of the conditions (other than those
conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing,
but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those conditions) (the
date of the Closing, the " Closing Date ") set forth in
Article VI , at the offices of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen
& Katz, 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019;
provided , however , that notwithstanding the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Article VI as of any date, the parties shall not be
required to effect the Closing until the earlier of (a) a date
during the Marketing Period specified by Parent on no less than
three Business Days’ notice to the Company and (b) the
final day of the Marketing Period (subject in each case to the
satisfaction or waiver (by the party entitled to grant such waiver)
of all of the conditions (other than those conditions that by their
nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the
fulfillment or waiver of those conditions) set forth in
Article VI as of the date determined pursuant to this
proviso). Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Merger Sub
and the Company shall cause the Merger to be consummated on the
Closing Date by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware (the " Delaware Secretary "), on or prior to the
Closing Date, a duly executed and verified certificate of merger
(the " Certificate of Merger "), as required by the
Corporation Law, and shall take all such further actions as may be
required by Law to make the Merger effective. The time the Merger
becomes effective in accordance with applicable Law is referred to
as the " Effective Time ."
SECTION 1.03. Effects of the
Merger . The Merger shall have the effects set forth herein and
in the applicable provisions of the Corporation Law.
SECTION 1.04. Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws . The Certificate of Incorporation
shall, by virtue of the Merger, be amended and restated in its
entirety to read as the certificate of incorporation of Merger Sub
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that
Article I thereof shall be amended to properly reflect the
name of the Surviving Corporation. Such certificate of
incorporation, as so amended, shall be the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended
as permitted by Law and such certificate of incorporation. The
bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation
until thereafter amended in accordance with the terms of the bylaws
of the Surviving Corporation, the certificate of incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation and as permitted by Law.
2
SECTION 1.05. Directors and
Officers . The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time and the officers of the Company immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the directors and officers,
respectively, of the Surviving Corporation, and such directors and
officers shall hold office in accordance with and subject to the
certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation.
SECTION 1.06. Conversion of
Shares . Each share of common stock of the Company, par value
$0.01 per share (each, a " Share" and collectively, the "
Shares "), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than (x) Shares owned by Parent, Merger
Sub or any Subsidiary of Parent or held in the treasury of the
Company (collectively, the " Excluded Shares "), all of
which, at the Effective Time, shall be cancelled without any
consideration being exchanged therefor, (y) Shares owned by
any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company,
which shall remain outstanding except that the number of such
Shares owned by such Subsidiaries shall be adjusted in the Merger
to maintain relative ownership percentages, and (z) Dissenting
Shares and Shares as to which the treatment in the Merger is
hereafter separately agreed by Parent and the holder thereof, which
Shares shall be treated as so agreed) shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be
converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive in cash
an amount per Share (subject to any applicable withholding Tax
specified in Section 1.08 ) equal to $30.00, without
interest (the " Merger Consideration "), upon the surrender
of such Shares as provided in Section 2.02 . At the
Effective Time all such Shares shall no longer be outstanding and
shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and the
names of the former registered holders shall be removed from the
registry of holders of such shares and, subject to
Section 2.01 , each holder of a Share shall cease to
have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive
the Merger Consideration, without interest, as provided herein.
SECTION 1.07. Conversion of
Common Stock of Merger Sub . Each share of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be
converted into and become one share of common stock of the
Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 1.08. Withholding
Taxes . Parent, the Surviving Corporation and the Paying Agent
shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration
otherwise payable to a holder of Shares, Options, SARs, RSUs, and
units held in Deferred Unit Accounts pursuant to the Merger or this
Agreement, any stock transfer Taxes and such amounts as are
required to be withheld under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the " Code "), or any applicable provision of
state, local or foreign Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so
withheld and remitted to the applicable governmental authority,
such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this
Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the Shares, Options,
SARs, RSUs and units held in Deferred Unit Accounts in respect of
which such deduction and withholding was made.
SECTION 1.09. Subsequent
Actions . If at any time after the Effective Time the Surviving
Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of
sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are
necessary or desirable to continue, vest, perfect or confirm of
record or otherwise the Surviving Corporation’s right, title
or interest in, to or under
3
any of the rights, properties, privileges, franchises or assets
of the Company as a result of, or in connection with, the Merger,
or otherwise to carry out the intent of this Agreement, the
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be
authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the
Company, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances
and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of the Company or
otherwise, all such other actions and things as may be necessary or
desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all right, title and
interest in, to and under such rights, properties, privileges,
franchises or assets in the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to
carry out the intent of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
DISSENTING SHARES; PAYMENT FOR SHARES;
TREATMENT OF EQUITY-BASED AWARDS
SECTION 2.01. Dissenting
Shares . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, Shares that are issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time and which are held by stockholders properly
exercising and perfecting appraisal rights available under
Section 262 of the Corporation Law (the " Dissenting
Shares ") shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for
the right to receive the Merger Consideration, unless and until
such holders shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively
withdrawn or lost their rights to appraisal under the Corporation
Law. Dissenting Shares shall be treated in accordance with
Section 262 of the Corporation Law. If any such holder shall
have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost
such right to appraisal, such holder’s Shares shall thereupon
be converted into and become exchangeable only for the right to
receive, as of the later of the Effective Time and the time that
such right to appraisal shall have been irrevocably lost, withdrawn
or expired, the Merger Consideration without any interest thereon.
The Company shall give Parent and Merger Sub (a) prompt
written notice of any demands for appraisal of any Shares,
attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments
served pursuant to the Corporation Law and received by the Company
relating to rights to be paid the "fair value" of Dissenting
Shares, as provided in Section 262 of the Corporation Law and
(b) the opportunity to participate in and direct all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for appraisal
under the Corporation Law. The Company shall not, except with the
prior written consent of Parent, voluntarily make or agree to make
any payment with respect to any demands for appraisals of capital
stock of the Company, offer to settle or settle any such demands or
approve any withdrawal of any such demands.
SECTION 2.02. Payment for
Shares . (a) At or immediately following the Effective
Time, Parent will deposit or cause to be deposited with a bank or
trust company designated by Parent (and reasonably acceptable to
the Company) (the " Paying Agent ") cash in amounts and at
times necessary to make the payments due pursuant to
Section 1.06 to holders of Shares that are issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (such amounts
being hereinafter referred to as the " Payment Fund "). As
directed by Parent, the Payment Fund shall be invested by the
Paying Agent in (i) direct obligations of the United States of
America, (ii) obligations for which the full faith and credit
of the United States of America is pledged to provide for payment
of all principal and interest or (iii) commercial paper
obligations receiving the highest rating from either Moody’s
Investor Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s, a division
of The McGraw Hill Companies, or a combination thereof, for the
benefit of the Surviving
4
Corporation. The Payment Fund shall not be used for any purpose
other than to fund payments due pursuant to Section 1.06 ,
except as provided in this Agreement.
(b) As
soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each
record holder of a Share, as of the Effective Time which
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Shares (other
than Excluded Shares), a form of letter of transmittal (which shall
specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title
to the Shares shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Shares
to the Paying Agent) and instructions for use in effecting the
surrender of a Share and receiving payment therefor. Following
surrender to the Paying Agent of such letter of transmittal duly
executed, the holder of such Share shall be paid in exchange
therefor cash in an amount (subject to any applicable withholding
Tax as specified in Section 1.08 ) equal to the product
of the number of Shares represented by such letter of transmittal
multiplied by the Merger Consideration, and such Shares shall
forthwith be canceled. No interest will be paid or accrued on the
cash payable upon the surrender of the Shares. If payment is to be
made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Share
surrendered is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that
the letter of transmittal be in proper form for transfer and that
the Person requesting such payment pay any transfer or other Taxes
required by reason of the payment to a Person other than the
registered holder of the Share surrendered or establish to the
satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such Tax has been
paid or is not applicable. From and after the Effective Time and
until surrendered in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 2.02 , each Share shall represent for all
purposes solely the right to receive, in accordance with the terms
hereof, the Merger Consideration in cash, without any interest
thereon.
(c) At
the option of the Surviving Corporation, any portion of the Payment
Fund (including the proceeds of any investments thereof) that
remains unclaimed by the former stockholders of the Company for one
year after the Effective Time shall be repaid to the Surviving
Corporation. Any former stockholders of the Company who have not
complied with this Section 2.02 prior to the end of
such one-year period shall thereafter look only to the Surviving
Corporation (subject to abandoned property, escheat or other
similar Laws) but only as general creditors thereof for payment of
their claim for the Merger Consideration, without any interest
thereon. Neither Parent nor the Surviving Corporation shall be
liable to any holder of Shares for any monies delivered from the
Payment Fund or otherwise to a public official pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. If any
Shares shall not have been surrendered as of a date immediately
prior to such time that unclaimed funds would otherwise become
subject to any abandoned property, escheat or similar Law, any
unclaimed funds payable with respect to such Shares shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the
Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interest of
any Person previously entitled thereto.
SECTION 2.03. Closing of the
Company’s Transfer Books . At the Effective Time, the
stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and no transfer
of Shares shall thereafter be made. If, after the Effective Time,
Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation for transfer,
they shall be canceled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration
as provided in this Article II , subject to applicable
Law in the case of Dissenting Shares.
5
SECTION 2.04. Treatment of
Equity-Based Awards and Deferred Compensation . (a) The
Company shall provide that, immediately prior to the Effective
Time, each option (including options to purchase Shares issued by
the Company in connection with the spin-off of the Company from
Cendant Corporation ) to purchase Shares (an " Option ") and
each stock appreciation right (a " SAR ") granted under the
2006 Equity and Incentive Plan (the " Option Plan ") that is
outstanding and unexercised as of the Effective Time (whether
vested or unvested), except for Options and SARs as to which the
treatment in the Merger is hereafter separately agreed by Parent
and the holder thereof, which Options and SARs shall be treated as
so agreed, shall be cancelled, and the holder thereof shall receive
at the Effective Time from the Company, or as soon as practicable
thereafter from the Surviving Corporation, in consideration for
such cancellation, an amount in cash equal to the product of
(A) the number of Shares previously subject to such Option or
SAR and (B) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration
over the exercise price per Share previously subject to such Option
or SAR, less any required withholding Taxes.
(b) At
the Effective Time, each restricted stock unit granted under the
Option Plan (collectively, the " RSUs "), whether vested or
unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time, except for RSUs as to which the treatment in the Merger is
hereafter separately agreed by Parent and the holder thereof, which
RSUs shall be treated as so agreed, shall cease to represent a
right or award with respect to Shares and shall be cancelled and of
no further force and effect, and the holder thereof shall receive
at the Effective Time, or as soon as practicable thereafter from
the Surviving Corporation, in consideration for such cancellation,
an amount in cash equal to the product of (A) the number of
Shares previously subject to such RSU and (B) the Merger
Consideration, less any required withholding Taxes.
(c) At
the Effective Time, all deferred amounts held in the unit accounts
denominated in Shares under the Officer Deferred Compensation Plan
and the Non-Employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (each, a
" Deferred Unit Account "), except for deferred amounts as
to which the treatment in the Merger is hereafter separately agreed
by Parent and the holder thereof, which deferred amounts shall be
treated as so agreed, shall be converted into an obligation to pay
cash with a value equal to the product of (i) the Merger
Consideration and (ii) the number of Shares deemed held in
such Deferred Unit Account. Such obligation shall be payable or
distributable in accordance with the terms of the agreement, plan
or arrangement relating to the Deferred Unit Account, less any
required withholding Taxes.
(d) The
Company shall take all action as is necessary to cause the
Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the " ESPP ")
to be suspended effective as of a date not later than the end of
the calendar month of the date of this Agreement, such that the
"offering period" in effect as of the date of this Agreement will
be the final offering period under the ESPP, and, as of the
Effective Time and subject to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the Company shall terminate the
ESPP.
(e) The
Board of Directors of the Company (or the appropriate committee
thereof) shall, and such Board of Directors (or committee thereof)
shall cause the Company to, take any actions necessary to
effectuate the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2.04 , including amending the plans under which
such awards or rights are granted; it being understood that the
intention of the parties is that following the Effective Time no
holder of an
6
Option, SAR, RSU or units in Deferred Unit Accounts or any
participant in any Plan, including the ESPP, or other employee
benefit arrangement of the Company shall have any right thereunder
to acquire (or receive amounts measured by reference to) any
capital stock (including any "phantom" stock or stock appreciation
rights) of the Company, any Subsidiary or the Surviving
Corporation. Prior to the Effective Time (and to the extent
requested by Parent, at the time that the amounts provided by this
Section 2.04 are paid to the holders of the Options, SARs,
RSUs and units in Deferred Unit Accounts), the Company shall
deliver to the holders of the Options, SARs, RSUs and units in
Deferred Unit Accounts appropriate notices, in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to Parent, setting forth such holders’
rights pursuant to this Agreement.
SECTION 2.05. Further
Actions . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective
Time, there shall have been declared, made or paid any dividend or
distribution on the Shares or the issued and outstanding Shares
shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a
different class by reason of any stock split, reverse stock split,
stock dividend, reclassification, redenomination, recapitalization,
split-up, combination, exchange of shares or other similar
transaction, the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately
adjusted and as so adjusted shall, from and after the date of such
event, be the Merger Consideration, subject to further adjustment
in accordance with this Section 2.05 ; provided
that nothing herein shall be construed to permit the Company to
take any action with respect to its securities that is prohibited
or not expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE COMPANY
Except as disclosed in the section
of the disclosure letter dated the date of this Agreement and
delivered by the Company to Parent with respect to this Agreement
prior to the date of this Agreement (the " Disclosure Letter
") that specifically relates to, or is reasonably apparent on its
face to relate to, such Section of Article III below,
the Company represents and warrants to each of Parent and Merger
Sub as follows:
SECTION 3.01. Organization and
Qualification . The Company and each of its Significant
Subsidiaries (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S-X) is a duly organized and validly existing
corporation or other legal entity in good standing under the Laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, with all
corporate or similar power and authority to own its properties and
conduct its business as currently conducted. The Company and each
of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified and in good standing as a
foreign corporation authorized to do business in each of the
jurisdictions in which the character of the properties owned or
held under lease by it or the nature of the business transacted by
it makes such qualification necessary, except as has not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has heretofore
made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of the
certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or similar governing
documents) as currently in effect for the Company and each of its
Significant Subsidiaries. Other than the Subsidiaries set forth in
Section 3.01 of the Disclosure
7
Letter, neither the Company nor any of its Significant
Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, owns any interest in any
Person (other than (i) interests in Subsidiaries that are not
Significant Subsidiaries; or (ii) interests in other Persons
that are immaterial, in each case, having a value not in excess of
$250,000).
SECTION 3.02.
Capitalization . (a) The authorized capital stock of
the Company consists of (A) 750,000,000 Shares, and (B)
7,500,000 shares of preferred stock of the Company, par value $0.01
per share (the " Preferred Shares "), 750,000 of which have
been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock. As of the close of business on the day immediately preceding
the date of this Agreement, 214,556,169 Shares and no Preferred
Shares, were issued and outstanding; and 811,966 Shares, and no
Preferred Shares, were held in the Company’s treasury. Also
as of such date, there were (i) Options to purchase 27,911,892
Shares and no Preferred Shares; 2,472,824 Shares and no Preferred
Shares covering RSUs; 1,108,343 Shares and no Preferred Shares
covering SARs; and 114,411 Shares and no Preferred Shares covering
Deferred Unit Accounts; and (ii) 38,897,395 Shares and no
Preferred Shares (plus all Shares in the Company treasury) were
reserved for issuance under the Company’s 2006 Equity and
Incentive Plan, and 250,000 Shares and no Preferred Shares were
reserved for issuance under each of the Company’s Employee
Stock Purchase Plan and Employee Savings Plan. Since such date, the
Company has not issued any Shares or Preferred Shares other than
the issuance of Shares upon the exercise of Options outstanding on
such date, has not granted any options, restricted stock or RSUs,
warrants or rights or entered into any other agreements or
commitments to issue any Shares, Preferred Shares or derivatives of
Shares, and has not split, combined or reclassified any of its
shares of capital stock. All of the outstanding Shares have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable and are free of preemptive rights. Section
3.02(a ) of the Disclosure Letter contains a true, correct and
complete list, as of December 13, 2006, of each Option, SAR,
RSU, unit held in Deferred Unit Accounts, and other equity-based
award outstanding, including the number of Shares issuable
thereunder or to which such award pertains, the expiration date and
exercise or conversion price, if applicable, related thereto and,
if applicable, the Plan pursuant to which each such Option, SAR,
RSU, Restricted Share unit in Deferred Unit Accounts or other
equity-based award was granted. Except for the Options, SARs, RSUs
and units held in Deferred Unit Accounts, in each case as set forth
in Section 3.02(a ) of the Disclosure Letter, there are
no outstanding (i) securities of the Company convertible into
or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities or
ownership interests in the Company; (ii) options, warrants,
rights or other agreements or commitments to acquire from the
Company, or obligations of the Company to issue, any capital stock,
voting securities or other ownership interests in (or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting
securities or other ownership interests in) the Company;
(iii) obligations of the Company to grant, extend or enter
into any subscription, warrant, right, convertible or exchangeable
security or other similar agreement or commitment relating to any
capital stock, voting securities or other ownership interests in
the Company (the items in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii),
together with the capital stock of the Company, being referred to
collectively as " Company Securities "); or
(iv) obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
make any payments directly or indirectly based (in whole or in
part) on the price or value of the Shares or Preferred Shares.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any outstanding
stock appreciation rights (other than as set forth in
Section 3.02(a) of the Disclosure Letter), phantom
stock, performance based rights or similar rights or obligations.
There are no outstanding obligations, commitments or arrangements,
contingent or otherwise, of the Company or any of
8
its Subsidiaries to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
Company Securities. There are no voting trusts or other agreements
or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party with respect to the voting of capital stock of the
Company. No Shares are represented by certificates and no holder of
Shares has the right to request that any Shares be represented by
certificates.
(b) The
Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries is the record and
beneficial owner of all the equity interests of each Significant
Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of any Lien, including
any limitation or restriction on the right to vote, pledge or sell
or otherwise dispose of such equity interests (other than any such
restrictions as may be deemed to be imposed by generally applicable
federal or state securities laws), and the capital structure
(including ownership) of each of the Company’s Significant
Subsidiaries is set forth in Section 3.02(b) of the
Disclosure Letter. There are no outstanding (i) securities of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities
or ownership interests in any Significant Subsidiary of the
Company; (ii) options, restricted stock, warrants, rights or
other agreements or commitments to acquire from the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, or obligations of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or
other ownership interests in (or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities or other
ownership interests in) any Significant Subsidiary of the Company;
(iii) obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
grant, extend or enter into any subscription, warrant, right,
convertible or exchangeable security or other similar agreement or
commitment relating to any capital stock, voting securities or
other ownership interests in any Significant Subsidiary of the
Company (the items in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), together
with the capital stock of such Subsidiaries, being referred to
collectively as " Subsidiary Securities "); or
(iv) obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
make any payment directly or indirectly based (in whole or in part)
on the value of any shares of capital stock of any Significant
Subsidiary of the Company. There are no outstanding obligations,
commitments or arrangements, contingent or otherwise, of the
Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries to purchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire any outstanding Subsidiary Securities. There
are no voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which
the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party with
respect to the voting of capital stock of any Significant
Subsidiary of the Company.
(c)
Section 3.02(c) of the Disclosure Letter sets forth, as
of the date of this Agreement, a true, correct and complete list of
each Company Joint Venture (other than immaterial Company Joint
Ventures).
SECTION 3.03. Authority for
this Agreement; Board Action . (a) The Company has all
necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Merger. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company, and no other
corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, other than, with respect to completion of the
Merger, the adoption of the agreement of merger (as such term is
used in Section 251 of the Corporation Law) contained in this
Agreement by the Requisite Stockholder Vote, prior to the
consummation of the Merger. This Agreement has been
9
duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and,
assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by each of
Parent and Merger Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding
agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’
rights and to general equity principles.
(b) The
Company’s Board of Directors (at a meeting or meetings duly
called and held, and acting upon the unanimous recommendation of
the Special Committee) has unanimously (with three members
abstaining) (i) determined that this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, are
advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the
stockholders of the Company; (ii) approved this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, including the agreement of
merger (as such term is used in Section 251 of the Corporation
Law) contained in this Agreement; (iii) directed that this
Agreement be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for their
adoption and resolved to recommend the approval and adoption of
this Agreement (including the agreement of merger contained herein)
and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, by
the stockholders of the Company (including the recommendation of
the Special Committee, the " Company Board Recommendation
"); (iv) irrevocably taken all necessary steps to render
Section 203 of the Corporation Law inapplicable to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Merger; and (v) irrevocably
resolved to elect, to the extent permitted by Law, for the Company
not to be subject to any "moratorium," "control share acquisition,"
"business combination," "fair price" or other form of anti-takeover
Laws or regulations (collectively, " Takeover Laws ") of any
jurisdiction that may purport to be applicable to this Agreement or
the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.04. Consents and
Approvals; No Violation . (a) Neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) violate or
conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or the respective
certificates of incorporation or bylaws or other similar governing
documents of any Subsidiary of the Company; (ii) assuming all
consents, approvals and authorizations contemplated by clause
(i) through (v) of subsection (b) below have been
obtained, and all filings described in such clauses have been made,
conflict with or violate any Law; (iii) except as set forth on
Section 3.04(a)(iii ) of the Disclosure Letter,
violate, or conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision
of, or require any consent, waiver or approval, or result in a
default or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation,
modification or acceleration (or an event that, with the giving of
notice, the passage of time or otherwise, would constitute a
default or give rise to any such right) under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, lease,
license, agreement, contract, indenture or other instrument or
obligation to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective properties or assets may be bound (other than
under a Plan); (iv) result (or, with the giving of notice, the
passage of time or otherwise, would result) in the creation or
imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; or (v) violate any order, writ, injunction,
decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or by which any of their respective assets
are bound, except, in case of clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and
(v), as would not
10
be and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger, by the Company do not and will not
require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or
filing with or notification to, any foreign, federal, state or
local government or subdivision thereof, or governmental, judicial,
legislative, executive, administrative or regulatory authority,
agency, commission, tribunal or body (a " Governmental
Entity ") except (i) the pre-merger notification
requirements under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act
of 1976, as amended (the " HSR Act ") or applicable foreign
antitrust, competition or investment Laws (" Foreign Antitrust
Laws "), (ii) the applicable requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (the " Exchange Act "),
(iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the
Delaware Secretary, (iv) any Insurance Approvals and
(v) any such consent, approval, authorization, permit, filing
or notification the failure of which to make or obtain
(A) would not prevent or materially delay the Company’s
performance of its obligations under this Agreement or (B) has
not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. As of the date of
this Agreement, the Company is not aware of any fact, event or
circumstance specifically relating to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates that could reasonably be expected to
prevent or materially delay the receipt of any consent, approval,
authorization or permit of any Governmental Entity required
pursuant to Article VI to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 3.05. Reports;
Financial Statements . (a) The Company has timely filed or
furnished all forms, reports, statements, certifications and other
documents required to be filed or furnished by it with or to the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC "), all of
which have complied, as to form, as of their respective filing
dates in all material respects with all applicable requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (the " Securities Act "),
the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder (the " Sarbanes-Oxley
Act "). None of the Company SEC Reports, including any
financial statements or schedules included or incorporated by
reference therein, at the time filed or furnished, contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. No executive officer of the Company
has failed in any respect to make the certifications required of
him or her under Section 302 or 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
with respect to any Company SEC Report. The Company has made
available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of all
material written correspondence between the SEC, on the one hand,
and the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand. As
of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding or
unresolved comments in comment letters received from the SEC staff
with respect to the Company SEC Reports. To the knowledge of the
Company none of the Company SEC Reports is the subject of ongoing
SEC review or outstanding SEC comment. None of the Company’s
Subsidiaries is required to file periodic reports with the SEC
pursuant to the Exchange Act.
11
(b) The
audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements (including
the related notes thereto) of the Company included (or incorporated
by reference) in the Company SEC Reports, as amended or
supplemented prior to the date of this Agreement, have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis and
fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of their respective
dates, and the consolidated income, stockholders’ equity,
results of operations and changes in consolidated financial
position or cash flows for the periods presented therein (subject,
in the case of unaudited statements, to normal and recurring
year-end adjustments that are not expected to be material in amount
or effect). All of the Company’s Subsidiaries are
consolidated for accounting purposes.
(c) The
Company (i) has implemented and maintains disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange
Act) to ensure that material information relating to the Company,
including its consolidated Subsidiaries, is made known to the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company by
others within those entities and (ii) has disclosed, based on
its most recent evaluation prior to the date of this Agreement, to
the Company’s outside auditors and the audit committee of the
Company’s Board of Directors (A) any significant
deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of
internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that would reasonably be
expected to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information and
(B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
(d) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of
the Company, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountant
or representative of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has
received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of any material
complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral,
regarding deficiencies in the accounting or auditing practices,
procedures, methodologies or methods of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls,
including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim
that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in
questionable accounting or auditing practices. No attorney
representing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not
employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has reported
evidence of a material violation of federal or state securities
Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Company
or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board
of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof or to any
director or officer of the Company.
(e) Except
as expressly disclosed in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to
the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any liabilities of any nature, whether accrued,
absolute, fixed, contingent or otherwise (including as may be owing
under indemnity or contribution arrangements), whether due or to
become due and whether or not required to be recorded or reflected
on a balance sheet under GAAP that would, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than such liabilities
(i) as and to the extent reflected or reserved against on the
consolidated balance sheet of the Company dated as of
September 30, 2006 (including the notes thereto) included in
the Company SEC Reports, or (ii) that have been
12
incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice since September 30, 2006.
SECTION 3.06. Absence of
Certain Changes . (a) Except as expressly set forth in the
Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement or in
Section 3.06(a) of the Disclosure Letter, since
September 30, 2006, the Company and its Subsidiaries have
conducted their respective businesses in all material respects in
the ordinary course consistent with past practice and neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has as of the date of this
Agreement (i) taken any action that, if taken after the date
of this Agreement without the prior written consent of Parent,
would constitute a breach of Section 5.01(c), (d)(i), (e),
(f), (g), (i), (j), (k) ,(n), (o)(ii), (p), or (aa ) or (ii)
agreed or committed to do any of the foregoing.
(b) Since
September 30, 2006, except as expressly set forth in the
Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement, the
Company and its Subsidiaries have not suffered any Material Adverse
Effect, and there has not been any change, condition, event or
development that would reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.07. Proxy Statement;
Other Filings . The letter to stockholders, notice of meeting,
proxy statement and form of proxy that will be provided to
stockholders of the Company in connection with the Merger
(including any amendments or supplements) and any schedules
required to be filed with the SEC in connection therewith
(collectively, the " Proxy Statement "), at the time the
Proxy Statement is first mailed and at the time of the Special
Meeting, and any other document to be filed by the Company with the
SEC in connection with the Merger (the " Other Filings "),
at the time of its filing with the SEC, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not misleading, except that no representation or warranty is made
by the Company with respect to information supplied in writing by
Parent or Merger Sub or any Affiliate of Parent or Merger Sub
specifically for inclusion therein. The Proxy Statement and the
Other Filings will comply as to form in all material respects with
the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder.
SECTION 3.08. Brokers; Certain
Expenses . No agent, broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other firm or Person is or shall be entitled, as a
result of any action, agreement or commitment of the Company or any
of its Affiliates, to any broker’s, finder’s, financial
advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection
with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except
Evercore Group L.L.C. (the " Company Financial Advisor "),
whose fees and expenses shall be paid by the Company. A true and
correct copy of the engagement letter with the Company Financial
Advisor in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby has
been delivered to Parent and has not been subsequently, modified,
waived, supplemented or amended.
SECTION 3.09. Employee
Matters . (a) Section 3.09(a) of the Disclosure
Letter contains a true, correct and complete list of all Plans and
indicates those Plans that are subject to the Laws of any
jurisdiction outside the United States (excluding any such
non-United States plans that are statutory plans). Prior to the
date of this Agreement, the Company has made
13
available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of each of
the following, as applicable, with respect to each material Plan:
(i) the plan document or agreement or, with respect to any
Plan (or an amendment thereof) that is not in writing, a written
description of the material terms thereof; (ii) the trust
agreement, insurance contract or other documentation of any related
funding arrangement; (iii) the summary plan description; (iv)
the two most recent annual reports, actuarial reports and/or
financial reports; (v) the most recent required Internal
Revenue Service Form 5500, including all schedules thereto;
(vi) any material communication to or from any Governmental
Entity or to or from any Plan participant; (vii) all material
amendments or material modifications to any such documents;
(viii) the most recent determination letter received from the
Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Plan that is intended
to be a "qualified plan" under Section 401 of the Code; and
(ix) any comparable documents with respect to Plans subject to
any foreign Laws that are required to be prepared or filed under
the applicable Laws of such foreign jurisdiction.
(b) With
respect to each Plan, (i) all payments due from the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries to date have been timely made and all
material amounts properly accrued to date or as of the Effective
Time as liabilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which
are not yet due have been properly recorded on the books of the
Company and, to the extent required by GAAP, adequate reserves are
reflected on the financial statements of the Company, (ii) all
premiums due or payable with respect to insurance policies funding
any Plan, for any period through the date of this Agreement, have
been timely made or paid in full, (iii) each such Plan which
is an "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA) and intended to qualify under Section
401 of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from
the Internal Revenue Service or is a successor plan or spin-off
plan from a Cendant employee benefit plan that has received a
favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service
(or an application for a determination letter from the Internal
Revenue Service has been requested and pending, and, to the
Company’s knowledge, nothing has occurred and no circumstance
exists that has or would reasonably be expected to cause the
Internal Revenue Service to not issue a favorable determination
letter) with respect to such qualification and covering all Tax Law
changes up to and including the Economic Growth and Tax Relief
Reconciliation Act of 2001, and, to the Company’s knowledge,
nothing has occurred since the date of such letter that has or
would reasonably be expected to adversely affect such
qualification, (iv) with respect to any Plan maintained
outside the United States, all applicable foreign qualifications or
registration requirements have been satisfied, except where any
failure to comply would not result in any material liability to the
Company or its Subsidiaries, (v) there are no material
actions, suits or claims pending (other than routine claims for
benefits) or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened with
respect to such Plan, any fiduciaries of such Plan with respect to
their duties to any Plan, or against the assets of such Plan or any
trust maintained in connection with such Plan and (vi) such
Plan has been operated and administered in compliance in all
material respects with its terms and all applicable Laws and
regulations, including ERISA and the Code. There is not now, and to
the knowledge of the Company there are no existing circumstances
that would reasonably be expected to give rise to, any requirement
for the posting of security with respect to a Plan or the
imposition of any pledge, lien, security interest or encumbrance on
the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) under ERISA or
the Code, or similar Laws of foreign jurisdictions.
14
(c) Neither
the Company nor its Subsidiaries nor any trade or business, whether
or not incorporated (an " ERISA Affiliate "), that, together
with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries would be deemed to be a
"single employer" within the meaning of Section 4001(b) of ERISA,
(i) maintains or contributes to, or has maintained or
contributed to, (x) any "employee benefit plan" within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA that is subject to
Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the
Code or (y) a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of
Section 3(37) and 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or a "multiple employer plan"
within the meaning of Sections 4063/4064 of ERISA or Section 413(c)
of the Code or (ii) has incurred or reasonably expects to
incur any material liability pursuant to Title I or Title IV of
ERISA (including any Controlled Group Liability) or any foreign Law
or regulation relating to employee benefit plans, whether
contingent or otherwise.
(d) With
respect to each Plan that is subject to Title IV or
Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code:
(i) there does not exist any accumulated funding deficiency
within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or
Section 302 of ERISA, whether or not waived; (ii) no
reportable event within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA for
which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived has
occurred; (iii) all premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (the " PBGC ") have been timely paid in full;
and (iv) the PBGC has not instituted proceedings to terminate
any such Plan and, to the Company’s knowledge, no condition
exists that presents a risk that such proceedings will be
instituted or which would constitute grounds under
Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any such Plan.
(e) With
respect to each Plan that is a "multiemployer plan," no complete or
partial withdrawal from such Plan has been made by the Company or
any Subsidiary, or by any other Person, that could result in any
material liability to the Company or any Subsidiary, whether such
liability is contingent or otherwise, and if the Company or any
Subsidiary were to withdraw from any such Plan, such withdrawal
would not result in any material liability to the Company or any
Subsidiary.
(f) With
respect to each Plan that is a "multiple employer" plan,
(i) the Company has performed all of its respective
obligations under such Plan and (ii) the Company does not
have, and no event has occurred or circumstances exist that could
result in, any liability other than liability limited to the
participation of any Company employee or former Company employee in
the ordinary course. Section 3.09(f) of the Disclosure
Letter identifies each Plan that is a "multiple employer" plan and
indicates the date upon which employees of the Company and former
employees of the Company will no longer be eligible to participate
in such Plan.
(g) No
Plan is under audit or, to the knowledge of the Company, is the
subject of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the
U.S. Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation,
the SEC or any other Governmental Entity, nor, to the knowledge of
the Company, is any such audit or investigation pending or, to the
Company’s knowledge, threatened. With respect to each Plan
for which financial statements are required by ERISA, there has
been no material adverse change in the financial status of such
Plan since the date of the most recent such statements provided to
Parent by the Company.
15
(h) Neither
the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will, either alone
or in conjunction with any other event (whether contingent or
otherwise), (i) result in any payment or benefit becoming due
or payable, or required to be provided, to any director, employee
or independent contractor of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (ii) increase the amount or value of any benefit
or compensation otherwise payable or required to be provided to any
such director, employee or independent contractor,
(iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment,
vesting or funding of any such benefit or compensation or
(iv) result in any amount failing to be deductible by reason
of Section 280G of the Code. No plan provides for a "gross up"
or similar payments in respect of any Taxes that may become payable
under Section 409A or Section 4999(a) of the Code.
(i) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material liability
with respect to an obligation to provide benefits, including death
or medical benefits (whether or not insured) with respect to any
Person beyond their retirement or other termination of service
other than coverage mandated by Section 4980B of the Code or
state Law. Except as would not result in material liability to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, there has been no written
communication to employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries that
promises or guarantees such employees retiree health or life
insurance benefits or other retiree death benefits on a permanent
basis. Each Plan can be amended or terminated at any time in
accordance with the terms of such plan. No Plan is intended to meet
the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.
(j) Each
individual who renders services to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries who is classified by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, as applicable, as having the status of an independent
contractor or other non-employee status for any purpose (including
for purposes of taxation and tax reporting and under Plans) is to
the knowledge of the Company properly so characterized.
(k) Each
Plan that is a "nonqualified deferred compensation plan" within the
meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code (a " Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Plan ") and any award thereunder, in each
case that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, has been
operated in compliance in all material respects with
Section 409A of the Code since January 1, 2005, based
upon a good faith, reasonable interpretation of
(A) Section 409A of the Code and (B)(1) the proposed
regulations issued thereunder or (2) Internal Revenue Service
Notice 2005-1 (clauses (A) and (B), together, the " 409A
Authorities "). Except as would not have or reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect, no Plan that would be a Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Plan subject to Section 409A of the Code but for
the effective date provisions that are applicable to
Section 409A of the Code, as set forth in Section 885(d) of
the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, as amended (the "
AJCA "), has been "materially modified" within the meaning
of Section 885(d)(2)(B) of the AJCA after October 3,
2004, based upon a good faith, reasonable interpretation of the
AJCA and the 409A Authorities.
SECTION 3.10. Employees .
(a) Except as expressly disclosed in the Company SEC Reports
filed prior to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any collective
bargaining agreement or any labor union
16
contract. To the knowledge of the Company, (i) the
employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries are not represented
by a work’s council or a labor organization, and
(iii) there are no activities or proceedings of any labor
union to organize any employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened labor strike, walkout, work stoppage, slowdown,
governmental investigation or lockout with respect to employees of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no such strike,
walkout, slowdown, governmental investigation or lockout has
occurred with respect to the Company or the Predecessor Company
since December 31, 2003.
(b) Neither
the Company, any of its Subsidiaries nor the Predecessor Company is
a party to, or otherwise bound by, any consent decree with, or
citation by, any Governmental Entity relating to its current or
former employees, officers or directors or employment
practices.
(c) Except
as would not be reasonably expected to result in any material
liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable local, state, federal and foreign Laws
relating to labor and employment, including but not limited to Laws
relating to discrimination, disability, labor relations, hours of
work, payment of wages and overtime wages, pay equity, immigration,
workers compensation, working conditions, employee scheduling,
occupational safety and health, family and medical leave, and
employee terminations.
(d) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability
or obligation which remains unsatisfied under the Worker Adjustment
and Retraining Notification Act or any state or local Laws
regarding the termination or layoff of employees.
SECTION 3.11. Litigation .
Except as may be expressly disclosed in the Company SEC Reports
filed prior to the date of this Agreement, there is no claim,
action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, mediation or governmental
investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened against (or for which the Company has assumed liability
pursuant to the Separation Agreement or otherwise) the Company, any
of its Subsidiaries or the Predecessor Company, or any properties
or assets of the Company, any Subsidiaries of the Company or the
Predecessor Company, including by way of indemnity or contribution,
other than any such claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration,
mediation or governmental investigation that (i) does not
involve an amount in controversy in excess of $3,000,000,
(ii) does not seek material injunctive relief and
(iii) if resolved in accordance with plaintiff’s
demands, would not have or reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their
respective properties or assets is subject to any material
outstanding order, writ, injunction or decree. To the knowledge of
the Company, no officer or director of the Company or its
Subsidiaries is a defendant in any claim, action, suit, proceeding,
arbitration, mediation or governmental investigation in connection
with his or her status as an officer or director of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, except for such non-governmental actions
as have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. There
are no SEC legal actions, audits, inquiries or investigations,
other governmental actions, audits, inquiries or investigations by
other Governmental Entities or material internal investigations
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, in each
case regarding any accounting practices of the Company or
17
any of its Subsidiaries or the Predecessor Company or any
malfeasance by any director or executive officer of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or the Predecessor Company.
SECTION 3.12. Tax Matters .
Except as may be expressly disclosed in the Company SEC Reports
filed prior to the date of this Agreement:
(a) The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely filed (or there
has been filed on its behalf) all material returns and reports
relating to Taxes required to be filed by applicable Law with
respect to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries or any of their
income, properties or operations as of the date of this Agreement.
All such returns are true, correct and complete in all material
respects and accurately set forth all items required to be
reflected or included in such returns by applicable federal, state,
local or foreign Tax Laws, rules or regulations. The Company and
each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid all material Taxes
attributable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that were
due and payable without regard to whether such Taxes have been
assessed or have been shown on such Tax returns. The Company has
made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of all
material income Tax returns, and any amendments thereto, filed by
or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
member of a group of corporations including the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, as well as for Former Parent relating to the
Predecessor Company, and any correspondence with any Taxing
authority relating thereto, for the taxable years ending 1997
through 2005.
(b) The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries have made adequate provisions
in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, in the consolidated
financial statements included in the Company SEC Reports for the
payment of all material Taxes for which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may be liable for the periods covered thereby that
were not yet due and payable as of the dates thereof, regardless of
whether the liability for such Taxes is disputed.
(c) All
federal income Tax returns and all material state, local and
foreign Tax returns of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
have been audited and settled, or are closed to assessment, for all
years through 1997. There is no claim or assessment pending or, to
the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any alleged material
deficiency in Taxes, and neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has been informed in writing of the commencement of
any audit or investigation with respect to any material liability
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Taxes. No issue has
been raised in writing in any prior examination or audit that was
not resolved favorably and that, by application of similar
principles, reasonably can be expected to result in the assertion
of a material deficiency for any other Tax period not so examined
or audited and for which the statute of limitations (taking into
account extensions) has not expired. There are no agreements in
effect to extend the period of limitations for the assessment or
collection of any material amount of Tax for which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries may be liable.
(d) Except
as has not had and would not be reasonably expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the
Company and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld from payments to
their employees, independent contractors, creditors, shareholders
and any other applicable Person (and timely paid to the appropriate
Tax authority)
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proper and accurate amounts for all periods through the date of
this Agreement in compliance in all material respects with all Tax
withholding provisions of applicable federal, state, local and
foreign Laws (including income, social security, and employment Tax
withholding for all types of compensation).
(e)
Except pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement and the Separation
Agreement, there is no material obligation of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to contribute to the payment of any Tax or any
portion of a Tax (or any amount calculated with reference to any
portion of a Tax) of any Person other than the Company or its
Subsidiaries, including under Treasury Regulations
Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or
foreign law), as transferee or successor, by contract or
otherwise.
(f) In
the six years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, no
claim for any material amount of Taxes that remains unresolved has
been made by any authority in a jurisdiction where neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries filed Tax returns that the
Company or such Subsidiary (as relevant) is or may be subject to
taxation by that jurisdiction.
(g) The
Company is not a United States real property holding corporation
within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code.
(h) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in a
transaction which is listed, or otherwise reportable, within the
meaning of Section 6011 of the Code and Treasury Regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(i) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has executed any closing
agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any
predecessor provision thereof, or any similar provision of state or
local Law.
(j) The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries has disclosed on its federal
income Tax returns all positions taken therein that could give rise
to a substantial understatement of federal income Tax within the
meaning of Section 6662 of the Code.
(k) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has agreed or is required
or has requested to make any material adjustments pursuant to
Section 481(a) of the Code or any similar provision of state or
local Law by reason of a change in accounting method initiated by
it or any other relevant party, and neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries has any knowledge that the Internal Revenue
Service has proposed in writing any such adjustment or change in
accounting method. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has any application pending with any Governmental Entity requesting
permission for any changes in accounting methods.
(l)
Section 3.12(l) of the Disclosure Letter lists each
foreign Subsidiary for which an election has been made pursuant to
Section 7701 of the Code and regulations thereunder to be
treated as other than its default classification for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, and except as set forth on such schedule each
foreign Subsidiary will be classified for U.S. federal income tax
purposes according to its default classification.
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(m) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into a
transaction under which gain or income has been realized but the
taxation of such gain has been deferred under any provision of
federal, state, local or foreign Tax Law or by agreement with any
Tax authority (including for example an installment sale, a
deferred intercompany transaction or a gain recognition agreement),
or a transaction under which previously used Tax losses or credits
may be recaptured (including for example a dual consolidated loss
or an excess loss account), in each case if such gain recognition
or such loss or credit recapture, if triggered, would give rise to
a material Tax liability.
(n) (x) The
distribution by Former Parent on July 31, 2006 of all of the
capital stock of the Company (and any distributions by any
Subsidiaries of the Company related thereto) qualified as a
reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(D) and Section 355
of the Code, and (y) neither the Company, any Affiliate of the
Company, nor any other Person has taken or failed to take any
action that would reasonably be expected to cause (A) any such
distributions not to qualify as reorganizations or (B) any
stock or securities of the Company to not be treated as "qualified
property" for the purposes of Section 361(c)(2) of the
Code.
(o) For
purposes of this Agreement, " Tax " shall mean all taxes,
charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, and other assessments,
including any income, alternative minimum or add-on tax, estimated,
gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, transfer, transactions,
intangibles, ad valorem, value-added, escheat, franchise,
registration, title, license, capital, paid-up capital, profits,
withholding, employee withholding, payroll, worker’s
compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, employment,
excise, severance, stamp, transfer occupation, premium, recording,
real property, personal property, federal highway use, commercial
rent, environmental (including taxes under Section 59A of the
Code) or windfall profit tax, custom, duty or other tax, fee or
other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together
with any interest, penalties, related liabilities, fines or
additions to tax that may become payable in respect thereof imposed
by any country, any state, county, provincial or local government
or subdivision or agency thereof.
SECTION 3.13. Compliance with
Law; No Default . Except as would not reasonably be expected to
be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor the Predecessor
Company is or has during the past three years been in conflict
with, in default with respect to or in violation of any statute,
law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, decree,
stipulation, determination, award or requirement of a Governmental
Entity (" Laws ") applicable to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or the Predecessor Company or by which any property or
asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is, or the
Predecessor Company was, bound or affected. The Company and each of
its Subsidiaries have all material permits, licenses,
authorizations, consents, certificates, approvals and franchises
from Governmental Entities required to own, lease and operate their
properties and conduct their businesses in all material respects as
currently conducted (" Permits "), and there has occurred no
violation of, suspension, reconsideration, imposition of penalties
or fines, imposition of additional conditions or requirements,
default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under, or
event giving rise to any right of termination, amendment or
cancellation of, with or without notice or lapse of time or both,
any such Permit. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in
material compliance with the terms of such Permits. No event has
occurred and no circumstance exists that would reasonably
20
be expected to result in the revocation, cancellation,
non-renewal or adverse modification of any such Permit.
SECTION 3.14. Environmental
Matters . (a) (i) Except as has not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect: (A) each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and the Predecessor Company (B) is and has been
in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and (C) has
received and is and has been in compliance with all Permits
required under Environmental Laws for the conduct of its business
(" Environmental Permits ").
(ii)
Except as set forth in Section 3.14(a)(ii) of the
Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
nor the Predecessor Company has been or is presently the subject of
any material Environmental Claim and, to the knowledge of the
Company, no material Environmental Claim is pending or threatened
against either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the
Predecessor Company or against any Person whose liability for the
Environmental Claim was or may have been retained or assumed either
contractually or by operation of law by either the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries.
(iii)
Except as set forth on Section 3.14(a)(iii) of the
Disclosure Letter or as has not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect, to the knowledge of the Company, neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor the Predecessor Company nor
any other Person has managed, used, stored, or disposed of
Hazardous Materials on, at or beneath any properties currently
leased, operated or used or previously owned, leased, operated or
used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the Predecessor
Company, and no Hazardous Materials are present at such properties,
in circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the
basis for a material Environmental Claim against either the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries.
(iv)
Except as set forth on Section 3.14(a)(iv) of the
Disclosure Letter or as has not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect, to the knowledge of the Company, no properties
presently owned, leased or operated by either the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries contain any landfills, surface impoundments,
disposal areas, underground storage tanks, aboveground storage
tanks, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated
biphenyls, radioactive materials or other Hazardous Materials that
would be reasonably expected to give rise to material closure,
remediation, removal or retirement costs.
(v)
No material Lien imposed by any Governmental Entity pursuant to any
Environmental Law is currently outstanding and no material
financial assurance obligation is in force as to any property
leased or operated by either the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
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(vi)
Except as set forth in Section 3.14(a)(vi) of the
Disclosure Letter the Company and its Subsidiaries have no material
obligation or liability relating to or arising under Environmental
Law by contract or agreement.
(b) The
Company and its Subsidiaries have made available to Parent complete
copies of all material compliance and site audits, reports,
studies, assessments and results of investigations in the
possession or control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
with respect to all currently or previously owned, leased or
operated properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
the Predecessor Company.
(c) For
purposes of the Agreement:
(i)
" Environment " means any ambient, workplace or indoor air,
surface water, drinking water, groundwater, land surface (whether
below or above water), subsurface strata, sediment, plant or animal
life, natural resources, and the sewer, septic and waste treatment,
storage and disposal systems servicing real property or physical
buildings or structures.
(ii)
" Environmental Claim " means any claim, cause of action,
investigation or notice by any Person or any Governmental Entity
alleging potential liability (including potential liability for
investigatory costs, cleanup or remediation costs, governmental or
third party response costs, natural resource damages, property
damage, personal injuries, or fines or penalties) based on or
resulting from (a) the presence or Release of any Hazardous
Materials at any location, whether or not owned or operated by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (b) any violation of
any Environmental Law.
(iii) "
Environmental Law " means any Law (including common law) or
any binding agreement, memorandum of understanding or commitment
letter issued or entered by or with any Governmental Entity or
Person relating to: (a) the Environment, including pollution,
contamination, cleanup, preservation, protection and reclamation of
the Environment, (b) exposure of employees or third parties to any
Hazardous Materials, (c) any Release or threatened Release of
any Hazardous Materials, including investigation, assessment,
testing, monitoring, containment, removal, remediation and cleanup
of any such Release or threatened Release, (d) the management
of any Hazardous Materials, including the use, labeling,
processing, disposal, storage, treatment, transport, or recycling
of any Hazardous Materials or (e) the presence of Hazardous
Materials in any building, physical structure, product or
fixture.
(iv)
" Hazardous Materials " means any pollutant, contaminant,
constituent, chemical, raw material, product or by product, mold,
petroleum or any fraction thereof, asbestos or asbestos-containing
material, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead paint, insecticide,
fungicide, rodenticide, pesticide, any hazardous, industrial or
solid waste, and any toxic, radioactive, infectious or hazardous
substance, material, or agent, including all substances, materials
or wastes which is capable of causing harm to the environment,
natural resources or human health and safety or is otherwise
defined, regulated or classified under any Environmental Law.
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(v)
" Release " means any release, spill, emission, leaking,
pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal,
leaching or migration into the indoor or outdoor Environment, or
into or out of any property, including movement through air, soil,
surface water, groundwater or property.
SECTION 3.15. Intellectual
Property . Except as otherwise set forth in the second sentence
of this Section 3.15 , the Company and its Subsidiaries
own, or are validly licensed or otherwise have the right to use,
all patents, patent rights, inventions and discoveries (whether or
not patentable or reduced to practice), trademarks, trade names,
trade dresses, corporate names, company names, business names,
fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and
other source or business identifiers, and the goodwill symbolized
thereby, copyrights, trade secrets and all other confidential or
proprietary information and know-how, whether or not reduced to
writing or any other tangible form, and other proprietary
intellectual property rights and computer programs arising under
the Laws of the United States (including any state or territory),
any other country or group of countries or any political
subdivision of any of the foregoing, whether registered or
unregistered (collectively, " Intellectual Property Rights
") used in the business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company as of the date of this Agreement, other than such
Intellectual Property Rights that are not material to the business
of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (the "
Company Intellectual Property "). Except as set forth in
Section 3.15 of the Disclosure Letter, or as would not
be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries
taken as whole, (A) during the past twelve months, no written
claim of invalidity or conflicting ownership rights with respect to
any Company Intellectual Property that is owned by the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company (the " Company Owned Intellectual
Property ") has been made by a third party to the Company and
no such Company Intellectual Property is the subject of any pending
or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit,
claim, investigation, arbitration, interference, petition to
cancel, reexamination, reissue, opposition or other similar
proceeding, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no third party
is infringing, misappropriating, or otherwise violating any of the
Company Owned Intellectual Property, (B) during the past
twelve months, no Person has given written notice to the Company or
the Predecessor Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or the
Predecessor Company that the use of any Company Intellectual
Property by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the
Predecessor Company, or that any other activity by any of the
foregoing, is or may be infringing or has or may have infringed any
domestic or foreign registered patent, patent application,
trademark, service mark, trade name, trade dress or copyright or
design right, or that the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company
has misappropriated any trade secret or other confidential
information, (C) to the knowledge of the Company, the making,
using, importation, offering for sale, selling, manufacturing,
marketing, licensing, reproduction, distribution, or publishing of
any method, process, machine, manufacture or product included in
the Company Intellectual Property, or any other activity
undertaken, by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, does
not infringe any domestic or foreign registered patent, patent
application, trademark, service mark, trade name, trade dress,
copyright or other Intellectual Property Right of any third party,
and does not misappropriate any trade secrets or other confidential
information of any third party, (D) (i) neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary of the Company has performed prior acts or is engaged in
current conduct or use, and (ii) to the knowledge of the
Company, there exists no prior act or current use by any third
party, that, in the case of either (i) or (ii), would void or
invalidate any Company Owned Intellectual Property, and
(E) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the
23
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the
Company will not cause the forfeiture or termination or give rise
to a right of first offer, forfeiture or termination of any of the
Company Owned Intellectual Property or impair the right of Parent
to make, use, sell, license or dispose of, or to bring any action
for the infringement of, any Company Owned Intellectual
Property.
SECTION 3.16. Real Property
. (a) Section 3.16(a ) of the Disclosure Letter sets
forth a true, correct and complete list of all real property owned
by the Company (the " Owned Real Property "). With respect
to each Owned Real Property, (i) either the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company has good and marketable title in fee
simple to such Owned Real Property, free and clear of all Liens
other than Permitted Liens, (ii) there are no outstanding
options or rights of first refusal in favor of any other party to
purchase such Owned Real Property or any portion thereof and
(iii) there are no material leases, subleases, licenses,
options, rights, concessions or other agreements affecting any
portion of such Owned Real Property, except as may be set forth in
Section 3.16(a) of the Disclosure Letter. The Company
has heretofore delivered to Parent true, correct and complete
copies of all material leases pursuant to which the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries leases all or a portion of any Owned Real
Property to a third party. Except as has not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect, (i) each such lease is valid, binding and
in full force and effect and all rent and other sums and charges
payable to the Company and its Subsidiaries as landlords thereunder
are current, (ii) there are no purchase options, rights of
first refusal or similar rights outstanding with respect to any of
the Owned Real Properties, and (iii) no termination event or
condition or uncured default of a material nature on the part of
the Company or, if applicable, its Subsidiary or, to the knowledge
of the Company, the tenant thereunder exists under any such lease.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received
written notice of any pending, and to the knowledge of the Company
there is no threatened, condemnation with respect to any of the
Owned Real Properties.
(b) The
leases filed as exhibits to the Company SEC Reports filed prior to
the date of this Agreement are all material leases, subleases and
other agreements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
uses or occupies or has the right to use or occupy, now or in the
future, any real property. The Company has heretofore delivered to
Parent true, correct and complete copies of all such leases
(including all modifications and amendments thereto). Except as has
not had and would not be reasonably expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, each lease,
sublease and other agreement under which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries uses or occupies or has the right to use or occupy,
now or in the future, (the " Real Property Leases ") is
valid, binding and in full force and effect and all rent and other
sums and charges payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
as tenants thereunder are current and (ii) no termination
event or condition or uncured default of a material nature on the
part of the Company or, if applicable, its Subsidiary or, to the
knowledge of the Company, the landlord thereunder exists under any
Real Property Lease. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has a
good and valid leasehold interest in each parcel of real property
leased by it free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted
Liens. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received
written notice of any pending, and to the knowledge of the Company
there is no threatened, condemnation with respect to any property
leased pursuant to any of the Real Property Leases.
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SECTION 3.17. Material
Contracts . (a) Section 3.17(a ) of the Disclosure
Letter lists, and the Company has made available to Parent, as of
the date of this Agreement, true, correct and complete copies of
(including all amendments or modification to), all contracts,
agreements, commitments, arrangements, leases (including with
respect to personal property) and other instruments to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties or assets is bound (other than Plans) that:
(i)
are or would be required to be filed by the Company as a "material
contract" pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act or disclosed by the Company on a Current
Report on Form 8-K;
(ii)
contain covenants that prohibit the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (or which, immediately following the cons
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