e424b3
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-132250
PROSPECTUS
Oracle Corporation
Offer to Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2009
5.00% Notes due 2011
5.25% Notes due 2016
for
Floating Rate Notes due 2009
5.00% Notes due 2011
5.25% Notes due 2016
We are offering to exchange up to $1,500,000,000 of our new
Floating Rate Notes due 2009 (the New 2009 Notes)
for up to $1,500,000,000 of our existing Floating Rate Notes due
2009 (the Old 2009 Notes), up to $2,250,000,000 of
our new 5.00% Notes due 2011 (the New 2011
Notes) for up to $2,250,000,000 of our existing
5.00% Notes due 2011 (the Old 2011 Notes) and
up to $2,000,000,000 of our new 5.25% Notes due 2016 (the
New 2016 Notes and, together with the New 2009 Notes
and the New 2011 Notes, the New Notes) for up to
$2,000,000,000 of our existing 5.25% Notes due 2016 (the
Old 2016 Notes and, together with the Old 2009 Notes
and the Old 2011 Notes, the Old Notes). The terms of
the New Notes are identical in all material respects to the
terms of the Old Notes, except that the New Notes will be issued
in a transaction registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the Securities Act), and the transfer
restrictions and registration rights relating to the Old Notes
will not apply to the New Notes.
To exchange your Old Notes for New Notes:
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you are required to make the representations described on
page 42 to us; |
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you must complete and send the letter of transmittal that
accompanies this prospectus to the exchange agent, Citibank,
N.A., by 5:00 p.m., New York time, on June 5,
2006; and |
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you should read the section called The Exchange
Offer for further information on how to exchange your Old
Notes for New Notes. |
See Risk Factors beginning on page 6 for a
discussion of risk factors that should be considered by you
prior to tendering your Old Notes in the exchange offer.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of the
securities to be issued in the exchange offer or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
April 20, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The prospectus incorporates important business and financial
information about the company that is not included in or
delivered with the prospectus. This information is available
without charge to security holders upon written or oral request
to Oracles Investor Relations department by calling
(650) 506-4073, by writing to Investor Relations, Oracle
Corporation, 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood City, California 94065
or by sending an email to investor us@oracle.com. To
obtain timely delivery, security holders must request the
information no later than May 26, 2006, which is five
business days before the expiration date of the Exchange
Offer.
References in this prospectus to Oracle,
the obligor, we, us,
our and our company refer solely to
Oracle Corporation and such references do not include
Oracles consolidated subsidiaries unless explicitly stated
or the context otherwise requires. References to Old
Oracle refer solely to Oracle Systems Corporation.
i
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into
this prospectus include forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by or
include the words believes, expects,
anticipates, intends, plans,
estimates or similar expressions. Oracle claims the
protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements
contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 for all forward-looking statements except those
forward-looking statements made in connection with the exchange
offer. All forward-looking statements are based on the
expectations and projections of the person making such statement
as of the date of such statement about future events. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties,
and assumptions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in
this prospectus under the caption Risk Factors and
in the section entitled Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Factors That May Affect Our Future
Results or the Market Price of Our Stock in Oracles
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, Old
Oracles Annual Report on
Form 10-K/ A and
Old Oracles Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q and in
the section entitled Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Risk Factors in Siebels
Annual Report on
Form 10-K and
Siebels Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q,
incorporated by reference herein. You should understand that the
following important factors, in addition to those discussed in
the incorporated documents and those discussed in this
prospectus, could affect the future results of Oracle and its
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and could cause those
results or other outcomes to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements:
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Economic, political and market conditions could adversely affect
Oracles revenue growth and profitability through
reductions in IT budgets and expenditures. |
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Oracle may fail to achieve its financial forecasts due to such
factors as delays or size reductions in transactions, fewer
large transactions in a particular quarter, unanticipated
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, delays in delivery of
new products or releases, or a decline in renewal rates for
software license updates and product support. |
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Oracle cannot assure market acceptance of new products or new
versions of existing products. |
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Oracle has an active acquisition program and its acquisitions
may not be successful, may involve unanticipated costs or other
integration issues, or may disrupt its existing operations. |
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Periodic changes to Oracles pricing model and sales
organization could temporarily disrupt operations and cause a
decline or delay in sales. |
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Intense competitive forces demand rapid technological advances
and frequent new product introductions, and could require Oracle
to reduce prices. |
The foregoing risks apply to Oracle and its subsidiaries,
including Old Oracle and Siebel.
GIVEN THESE UNCERTAINTIES, ORACLE CAUTIONS INVESTORS NOT TO
PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. ORACLE
DISCLAIMS ANY INTENT OR OBLIGATION TO UPDATE PUBLICLY ANY
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, WHETHER AS A RESULT OF NEW
INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS OR OTHERWISE.
ii
SUMMARY
This summary highlights the more detailed information
included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you
should read the entire prospectus and the documents incorporated
herein carefully.
References in this prospectus to Oracle,
the obligor, we, us,
our and our company refer solely to
Oracle Corporation and such references do not include
Oracles consolidated subsidiaries unless explicitly stated
or the context otherwise requires. References to Old
Oracle refer solely to Oracle Systems Corporation.
The Company
The Oracle Business
Oracle is the worlds largest enterprise software company.
Through its subsidiaries, Oracle develops, manufactures,
markets, distributes, and services database and middleware
software as well as applications software designed to help its
customers manage and grow their business operations.
Oracles goal is to offer customers scalable, reliable,
secure and integrated database, middleware and applications
software that provides transactional efficiencies, adapts to an
organizations unique needs, and allows better ways to
access and manage information at a low total cost of ownership.
Corporate Structure
Oracle Corporation is a holding corporation with no business
operations and no significant assets other than ownership of its
direct and indirect subsidiaries, which include Oracle Systems
Corporation (Old Oracle), Siebel Systems, Inc.
(Siebel) and each of their domestic and foreign
subsidiaries around the world. A current simplified
organizational chart of Oracle follows:
Oracle Corporation, or Oracle, was initially formed
as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Old Oracle. Prior to
January 31, 2006, Oracles name was Ozark Holding Inc.
and Old Oracles name was Oracle Corporation. On
January 31, 2006, in connection with the acquisition of
Siebel, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle was merged with and
into Old Oracle, with Old Oracle surviving as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Oracle (the Reorganization). In
addition, another wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle was merged
with and into Siebel, with Siebel surviving as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Oracle. As a result, Oracle became the parent
company of Old Oracle and Siebel, and the changes to the names
of Oracle and Old Oracle were effected.
Oracle and Old Oracle were co-issuers of the Old Notes. As
provided in the indenture governing the Old Notes and the New
Notes, Old Oracle was discharged from all obligations and
covenants under the indenture and the Old Notes upon completion
of the Reorganization and Oracle became the sole obligor on the
Old Notes. Oracle will be the sole issuer of and obligor on the
New Notes.
Long-Term Debt Rating
Moodys Investors Service, Inc., Standard &
Poors Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings currently rate
Oracles long-term debt A3, A- and A-, respectively. A
rating reflects only the views of a rating agency and is not a
recommendation to buy, sell or hold the notes. Any rating can be
revised upward or downward or
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withdrawn at any time by a rating agency if it decides the
circumstances warrant that change. Each rating should be
evaluated independently of any other rating.
Oracle is a Delaware corporation. The principal executive
offices of Oracle are located at 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood
City, California 94065, and the telephone number is
(650) 506-7000. Oracle maintains a website at
www.oracle.com where general information about the company is
available. The contents of the website are not incorporated into
this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms
a part.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
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Securities Offered |
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We are offering up to $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of New 2009 Notes, up to $2,250,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of New 2011 Notes and up to $2,000,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of New 2016 Notes, all of which have been
registered under the Securities Act. |
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The Exchange Offer |
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We are offering to issue the New Notes in exchange for a like
principal amount of your Old Notes. We are offering to issue the
New Notes to satisfy our obligations contained in the
registration rights agreement entered into when the Old Notes
were sold in transactions permitted by Rule 144A and
Regulation S under the Securities Act and therefore not
registered with the SEC. For procedures for tendering, see
The Exchange Offer. |
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Tenders, Expiration Date, Withdrawal |
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The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. New York City
time on June 5, 2006 unless it is extended. If you decide
to exchange your Old Notes for New Notes, you must acknowledge
that you are not engaging in, and do not intend to engage in, a
distribution of the New Notes. If you decide to tender your Old
Notes in the exchange offer, you may withdraw them at any time
prior to June 5, 2006. If we decide for any reason not to
accept any Old Notes for exchange, your Old Notes will be
returned to you without expense to you promptly after the
exchange offer expires. |
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences |
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Your exchange of Old Notes for New Notes in the exchange offer
will not result in any income, gain or loss to you for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. See Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange
Offer. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the New
Notes in the exchange offer. |
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Exchange Agent |
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Citibank, N.A. is the exchange agent for the exchange offer. |
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Failure to Tender Your Old Notes |
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If you fail to tender your Old Notes in the exchange offer, you
will not have any further rights under the registration rights
agreement, including any right to require us to register your
Old Notes or to pay you additional interest. |
You will be able to resell the New Notes without registering
them with the SEC if you meet the requirements described
below
Based on interpretations by the SECs staff in no-action
letters issued to third parties, we believe that New Notes
issued in exchange for Old Notes in the exchange offer may be
offered for resale, resold or
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otherwise transferred by you without registering the New Notes
under the Securities Act or delivering a prospectus, unless you
are a broker-dealer receiving securities for your own account,
so long as:
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you are not one of our affiliates, which is defined
in Rule 405 of the Securities Act; |
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you acquired the Old Notes to be exchanged for New Notes in the
exchange offer in the ordinary course of your business; and |
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you do not have any arrangement with any person to participate
in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act)
of the Old Notes or the New Notes. |
If you are an affiliate of Oracle, or you are engaged in, intend
to engage in or have any arrangement or understanding with
respect to, the distribution of New Notes acquired in the
exchange offer, you (1) should not rely on our
interpretations of the position of the SECs staff and
(2) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale transaction.
If you are a broker-dealer and receive New Notes for your own
account in the exchange offer:
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you must represent that you do not have any arrangement with us
or any of our affiliates to distribute the New Notes; |
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you must acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of the New Notes you receive from us
in the exchange offer; the letter of transmittal states that by
so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, you will not be
deemed to admit that you are an underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act; and |
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you may use this prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, for a period of 180 days
from the date the registration statement is declared effective,
in connection with the resale of New Notes received in exchange
for Old Notes acquired by you as a result of market-making or
other trading activities. |
For a period of 90 days after the consummation of the
exchange offer, we will make this prospectus available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale described
above.
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES
The terms of the New Notes and the Old Notes are identical in
all material respects, except that the New Notes will be issued
in a transaction registered under the Securities Act, and the
transfer restrictions and registrations rights relating to Old
Notes will not apply to the New Notes.
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Maturity Date |
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January 13, 2009 for the New 2009 Notes |
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January 15, 2011 for the New 2011 Notes |
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January 15, 2016 for the New 2016 Notes |
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Interest Rates |
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Floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 0.23% for the New
2009 Notes |
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Fixed rate of 5.00% for the New 2011 Notes |
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Fixed rate of 5.25% for the New 2016 Notes |
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Interest Payment Dates |
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Each January 13, April 13, July 13 and
October 13, beginning on the interest payment date next
occurring after the initial issuance of the New 2009 Notes. |
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Each January 15 and July 15, beginning on the interest
payment date next occurring after the initial issuance of the
New 2011 Notes and New 2016 Notes. |
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Ranking |
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The New Notes will be unsecured obligations and will rank
equally with Oracles existing and future senior
indebtedness. All existing and future liabilities of
subsidiaries of Oracle will be effectively senior to the New
Notes. |
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Optional Redemption |
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Some or all of the New 2009 Notes may be redeemed at any time on
or after January 16, 2007 at the principal amount of the
New 2009 Notes being redeemed, plus accrued interest. Some or
all of the New 2011 Notes and the New 2016 Notes may be redeemed
at any time, at the make-whole premium indicated
under the heading Description of the New Notes
Optional Redemption. |
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Governing Law |
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New York |
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Further Issuances |
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Oracle may create and issue further Notes of a series ranking
equally and ratably with applicable series of New Notes offered
by this prospectus in all respects, so that such additional
Notes of each series will be consolidated and form a single
series with the applicable series of Old Notes and New Notes and
will have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange of New Notes
for Old Notes. |
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth Oracles ratio of earnings
to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated and pro forma
ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the year ended
May 31, 2005 and the nine months ended February 28,
2006.
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For the Nine | |
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Months Ended | |
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February 28, | |
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For the Year Ended May 31, | |
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2006 | |
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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27x |
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29x |
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25x |
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68x |
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64x |
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47x |
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62x |
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Pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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10x |
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9x |
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For purposes of calculating this ratio, earnings consist of the
sum of (a) pre-tax income from continuing operations before
adjustment for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries
or income or loss from equity investees, (b) fixed charges,
(c) amortization of capitalized interest,
(d) distributed income of equity investees, and
(e) Oracles share of pre-tax losses of equity
investees for which charges arising from guarantees are included
in fixed charges, minus (a) interest capitalized,
(b) preference security dividend requirements of
consolidated subsidiaries and (c) minority interest in
pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed
charges. Fixed charges means the sum of the following:
(a) interest expensed and capitalized, (b) amortized
premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to
indebtedness, (c) an estimate of the interest within rental
expense, and (d) preference security dividend requirements
of consolidated subsidiaries.
The calculation of the pro forma ratio assumes a blended
interest rate on the Notes of 5.1% per annum with the Notes
outstanding from the beginning of the period presented.
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RISK FACTORS
In considering whether to exchange your Old Notes for the New
Notes, you should carefully consider all the information that
has been included or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. In particular, you should carefully consider the
risk factors described below.
Risks Related to the Exchange Offer
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If you do not exchange your Old Notes for New Notes in the
exchange offer, these Old Notes will continue to be subject to
restrictions on transfer. |
If you do not exchange your Old Notes for New Notes in the
exchange offer, you will continue to be subject to the
restrictions on transfer described in the legend on your Old
Notes and the offering memorandum related to the private
offering of the Old Notes. The restrictions on transfer of your
Old Notes arise because we issued the Old Notes in a private
offering exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act. In general, you may only
offer or sell the Old Notes if they are registered under the
Securities Act or are offered and sold under an exemption from
these requirements. Except as required by the registration
rights agreement, we do not intend to register sales of the Old
Notes under the Securities Act. For further information
regarding the consequences of failing to tender your Old Notes
in the exchange offer, see the discussion under the caption
The Exchange Offer Consequences of Failure to
Exchange.
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The issuance of the New Notes may adversely affect the
market for the Old Notes. |
To the extent that Old Notes are tendered for exchange and
accepted in the exchange offer, the trading market, if any, for
the untendered and tendered but unaccepted Old Notes could be
adversely affected due to a reduction in market liquidity and
there could be a significant diminution in value of the Old
Notes as compared to the value of the New Notes.
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In some instances you may be obligated to deliver a
prospectus in connection with resales of the New Notes. |
Based on certain no-action letters issued by the staff of the
SEC to third parties unrelated to us, we believe that you may
offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the New Notes
without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, except in the instances
described in this prospectus under The Exchange
Offer Resale of the New Notes. For example, if
you exchange your Old Notes in the exchange offer for the
purpose of participating in a distribution of the New Notes, you
may be deemed to have received restricted securities and, if so,
will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale transaction.
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You must comply with the exchange offer procedures in
order to receive freely tradable New Notes. |
We will not accept your Old Notes for exchange if you do not
follow the exchange offer procedures. Delivery of New Notes in
exchange for Old Notes tendered and accepted for exchange
pursuant to the exchange offer will be made only after timely
receipt by the exchange agent of the following:
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certificates for Old Notes or a confirmation of a book-entry
transfer of Old Notes into the exchange agents account at
DTC, as depositary; |
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a completed and signed letter of transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), with any required signature guarantees, or, in the
case of tender through DTCs ATOP program, an agents
message in lieu of the letter of transmittal; and |
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any other documents required by the letter of transmittal. |
Therefore, holders of Old Notes who would like to tender Old
Notes in exchange for New Notes should be sure to allow enough
time to comply with the exchange offer procedures. Neither we
nor the exchange agent are required to notify you of defects or
irregularities in tenders of Old Notes for exchange. Old Notes
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that are not tendered or that are tendered but we do not accept
for exchange will, following completion of the exchange offer,
continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions
under the Securities Act and, upon completion of the exchange
offer, certain registration and other rights under the
registration rights agreement will terminate. See The
Exchange Offer Procedures for Tendering Outstanding
Old Notes and The Exchange Offer
Consequences of Failure to Exchange.
Risks Related to the New Notes
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An active trading market for the New Notes may not
develop. |
There is currently no public market for the New Notes, and the
obligor does not currently plan to list the New Notes on any
national securities exchange. In addition, the liquidity of any
trading market in the New Notes, and the market price quoted for
the New Notes, may be adversely affected by changes in the
overall market for these New Notes, prevailing interest rates
and changes in the financial condition, results of operations or
prospects of the obligor. A liquid trading market in the New
Notes may not develop, which could decrease the amounts you
would otherwise receive upon a sale or disposition of the New
Notes.
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The New Notes are the unsecured obligations of the obligor
and not obligations of its subsidiaries and will be effectively
subordinated to the claims of its subsidiaries creditors.
Structural subordination increases the risk that the obligor
will be unable to meet its obligations on the New Notes when
they mature. |
The New Notes are exclusively the obligations of Oracle. The New
Notes are not otherwise the obligations of Old Oracle or any
other subsidiary of the obligor. Oracle is a holding company and
substantially all of its operations are conducted through its
subsidiaries, including Old Oracle and Siebel. As a result,
Oracles cash flow and its ability to service its debt,
including the New Notes, depend upon the earnings of its
subsidiaries and the distribution of earnings, loans or other
payments by its subsidiaries to Oracle.
Subsidiaries of the obligor are separate and distinct legal
entities. The subsidiaries of the obligor have not guaranteed
the New Notes and are under no obligation to pay any amounts due
on the New Notes or to provide the obligor with funds for its
payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans
or other payments. Payments to the obligor by its subsidiaries
will also be contingent upon its subsidiaries earnings and
business considerations. As of February 28, 2006, Oracle
had, in addition to the Old Notes, indebtedness and guarantees
of an aggregate of $341 million (all of which rank pari
passu with the Old Notes and will rank pari passu
with the New Notes) and subsidiaries of Oracle (including
Old Oracle and Siebel) retained all other outstanding
indebtedness. The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be,
effectively subordinated to all such indebtedness of
Oracles subsidiaries.
The right of the obligor to receive any assets of any of its
subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization, and
therefore the right of the holders of the New Notes to
participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to
the claims of that subsidiarys creditors, including senior
and subordinated debt holders and bank and trade creditors. In
addition, even if the obligor were a creditor of any of its
subsidiaries, the obligors rights as a creditor would be
subordinate to any security interest in the assets of its
subsidiaries and any indebtedness of its subsidiaries senior to
that held by the obligor.
In addition, the New Notes are not secured by any of the
obligors assets or any assets of its subsidiaries.
Accordingly, the New Notes will be subordinated to the extent of
the obligors or its subsidiaries secured borrowings.
There are no restrictions in the indenture governing the Notes
that restrict the subsidiaries of Oracle from granting security
interests or liens on any or all of their assets.
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The indenture governing the Notes contains negative
covenants. The limitation on liens and sale/leaseback covenants
do not apply to subsidiaries of the obligor and contain
exceptions that would allow the obligor and its subsidiaries to
grant liens or security interests with respect to its assets
rendering the holders of the New Notes structurally or
contractually subordinated to new lenders. |
The indenture governing the Notes contains negative covenants.
The limitation on liens and sale/leaseback covenants apply to
the obligor, but not to the obligors subsidiaries. As a
result, Oracle and subsidiaries (including Old Oracle and
Siebel) will not be restricted under the indenture from granting
liens or security interests with respect to all or any of their
assets without having to provide similar liens or security to
the holders of the New Notes or from entering into
sale/leaseback transactions. Exceptions to the definition of
permitted lien within the limitation on liens
covenant would allow the obligor to borrow substantial
additional amounts, and to grant liens or security interests in
connection with those borrowings.
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Increased leverage as a result of the private offering of
the Old Notes may harm the financial condition and results of
operations of the obligor. |
As of February 28, 2006:
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the obligor had approximately $6.10 billion of outstanding
indebtedness (including the $5.75 billion of Notes) on a
consolidated basis; and |
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the obligor had the ability to borrow up to an additional
$3.0 billion under Oracles commercial paper program
and $3.0 billion under a revolving credit facility, which
backstops the commercial paper program. |
The obligor and its subsidiaries may incur additional
indebtedness in the future and the New Notes do not restrict
future incurrence of indebtedness. The level of indebtedness of
the obligor will have several important effects on its future
operations, including, without limitation:
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the obligor will have additional cash requirements in order to
support the payment of interest on its outstanding indebtedness; |
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increases in the obligors outstanding indebtedness and
leverage will increase its vulnerability to adverse changes in
general economic and industry conditions, as well as to
competitive pressure; and |
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depending on the levels of the obligors outstanding debt,
its ability to obtain additional financing for working capital,
capital expenditures, general corporate and other purposes may
be limited. |
The ability of the obligor to make payments of principal and
interest on its indebtedness depends upon its future
performance, which will be subject to general economic
conditions, industry cycles and financial, business and other
factors affecting its operations, many of which are beyond its
control. If the obligor is unable to generate sufficient cash
flow from operations in the future to service its debt, it may
be required, among other things:
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to seek additional financing in the debt or equity markets; |
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to refinance or restructure all or a portion of its
indebtedness, including the New Notes; |
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to sell selected assets; |
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to reduce or delay planned capital expenditures; or |
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to reduce or delay planned operating expenditures. |
Such measures might not be sufficient to enable the obligor to
service its debt. In addition, any such financing, refinancing
or sale of assets might not be available on economically
favorable terms.
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Ratings of the New Notes may change and affect the market
price and marketability of the New Notes. |
The obligors long term debt has been rated A3, A- and A-
by Moodys Investors Service, Inc., Standard &
Poors Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings, respectively.
Such ratings are limited in scope, and do
8
not address all material risks relating to an investment in the
New Notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating
agency at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the
significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating
agency. There is no assurance that such credit ratings will
remain in effect for any given period of time or that such
ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by
the rating agencies, if, in each rating agencys judgment,
circumstances so warrant. It is also possible that such ratings
may be lowered in connection with future events, such as future
acquisitions. Holders of New Notes will have no recourse against
the obligor or any other parties in the event of a change in or
suspension or withdrawal of such ratings. Any lowering,
suspension or withdrawal of such ratings may have an adverse
effect on the market price or marketability of the New Notes.
Risks Related to Our Business
We operate in a rapidly changing economic and technological
environment that presents numerous risks, many of which are
driven by factors that we cannot control or predict. The
following discussion, as well as our Critical Accounting
Policies and Estimates discussed in
Oracles 10-Q
for the quarter ended February 28, 2006
(February 10-Q),
highlights some of these risks. For purposes of the following
risk factors, the terms Oracle, we,
us and our refer to Oracle and its
consolidated subsidiaries.
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Economic, political and market conditions can adversely
affect our revenue growth and profitability. |
Our business is influenced by a range of factors that are beyond
our control and that we have no comparative advantage in
forecasting. These include:
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general economic and business conditions; |
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the overall demand for enterprise computer software and services; |
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governmental budgetary constraints or shifts in government
spending priorities; and |
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general political developments, such as the war on terrorism. |
A general weakening of the global economy, or a curtailment in
government spending, could delay and decrease customer
purchases. In addition, the war on terrorism, the war in Iraq
and the potential for other hostilities in various parts of the
world, as well as natural disasters, continue to contribute to a
climate of economic and political uncertainty that could
adversely affect our revenue growth and results of operations.
These factors generally have the strongest effect on our sales
of software licenses, and to a lesser extent, also affect our
renewal rates for software license updates and product support.
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We may fail to achieve our financial forecasts due to
inaccurate sales forecasts or other factors. |
Our revenues, and particularly our new software license
revenues, are difficult to forecast, and as a result our
quarterly operating results can fluctuate substantially. We use
a pipeline system, a common industry practice, to
forecast sales and trends in our business. Our sales personnel
monitor the status of all proposals and estimate when a customer
will make a purchase decision and the dollar amount of the sale.
These estimates are aggregated periodically to generate a sales
pipeline. Our pipeline estimates can prove to be unreliable both
in a particular quarter and over a longer period of time, in
part because the conversion rate of the pipeline
into contracts can be very difficult to estimate. A variation in
the conversion rate, or in the pipeline itself, could cause us
to plan or budget incorrectly and adversely affect our business
or results of operations. In particular, a slowdown in
information technology spending or economic conditions generally
can reduce the conversion rate in particular periods as
purchasing decisions are delayed, reduced in amount or
cancelled. The conversion rate can also be affected by the
tendency of some of our customers to wait until the end of a
fiscal period in the hope of obtaining more favorable terms. In
addition, for companies we acquire, we will have limited
experience for several quarters following the acquisition
regarding how their pipelines will convert into sales or
revenues and their conversion rate post-acquisition may be quite
different from their historical conversion rate. Because a
substantial portion of our new software license revenue
contracts is completed in the latter part of a quarter, and our
cost structure is largely fixed in the short term, revenue
shortfalls tend to have a disproportionately negative impact on
our profitability. A delay in even a small number of large new
software license transactions could cause our quarterly new
software licenses revenues to fall significantly short of our
predictions.
9
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Our success depends upon our ability to develop new
products and services, integrate acquired products and services
and enhance our existing products and services. |
Rapid technological advances and evolving standards in computer
hardware, software development and communications
infrastructure, changing and increasingly sophisticated customer
needs and frequent new product introductions and enhancements
characterize the enterprise software market in which we compete.
If we are unable to develop new products and services, or to
enhance and improve our products and support services in a
timely manner or to position and/or price our products and
services to meet market demand, customers may not buy new
software licenses or renew software license updates and product
support. In addition, standards for network protocols, as well
as other industry adopted and de facto standards for the
internet, are rapidly evolving. We cannot provide any assurance
that the standards on which we choose to develop new products
will allow us to compete effectively for business opportunities
in emerging areas.
We are developing a next generation applications platform that
is planned to combine the best features, flows and usability
traits of the Oracle, PeopleSoft, JD Edwards and Siebel
applications. We have also acquired several other application
product lines, which will need to be optimized for the next
generation platform. If we do not develop and release theses
products within the anticipated time frames, if there is a delay
in market acceptance of the product line, or if we do not timely
optimize complementary product lines, our applications business
may be adversely affected.
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Acquisitions present many risks, and we may not realize
the financial and strategic goals that were contemplated at the
time of any transaction. |
An
active acquisition program is an important element of our
corporate strategy. We expect to continue to acquire companies,
products, services and technologies. On January 31, 2006,
we completed the acquisition of Siebel Systems, Inc. for a total
purchase price of approximately $6.1 billion. Including the
Siebel acquisition, in the last two years, we have paid an
aggregate of approximately $19 billion for acquisitions.
Risks we may encounter in acquisitions include:
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the acquisition may not further our business strategy, or we may
pay more than it is worth; |
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we may not realize the anticipated increase in our revenues if a
larger than predicted number of customers decline to renew
software license updates and product support, if we are unable
to sell the acquired products to our customer base or if
acquired contract models do not allow us to recognize revenues
on a timely basis; |
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we may have difficulty incorporating the acquired technologies
or products with our existing product lines and maintaining
uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; |
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we may have to delay or not proceed with a substantial
acquisition if we cannot obtain the necessary funding to
complete the acquisition in a timely manner; |
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we may significantly increase our interest expense, leverage and
debt service requirements if we incur additional debt to pay for
an acquisition as we did recently when we issued and sold the
Old Notes to fund the purchase of Siebel and for general
corporate purposes; |
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we may have higher than anticipated costs in continuing support
and development of acquired products; |
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we may have multiple and overlapping product lines that are
offered, priced and supported differently, which could cause
customer confusion and delays; |
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our relationship with current and new employees, customers and
distributors could be impaired; |
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we may assume pre-existing contractual relationships which we
would not have entered into and exiting or modifying such
relationships may be costly to us and disruptive to customers; |
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our due diligence process may fail to identify technical
problems, such as issues with the companys product quality
or product architecture or unlicensed use of technology,
including, for example, improperly incorporated open source code; |
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we may have legal and tax exposures or lose anticipated tax
benefits as a result of unforeseen difficulties in our legal
entity merger integration activities; |
10
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we may face contingencies related to product liability,
intellectual property, financial disclosures and accounting
practices or internal controls; |
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the acquisition may result in litigation from terminated
employees or third parties; |
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our ongoing business may be disrupted and our managements
attention may be diverted by transition or integration issues; |
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we may be unable to obtain timely approvals from governmental
authorities under competition and antitrust laws; and |
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to the extent that we issue a significant amount of equity
securities in connection with future acquisitions, existing
stockholders may be diluted and earnings per share may decrease. |
These factors could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, financial condition or cash
flows, particularly in the case of a larger acquisition or
number of acquisitions.
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PeopleSofts Customer Assurance Program may expose us
to substantial liabilities if triggered. |
In June 2003, in response to our tender offer, PeopleSoft
implemented what it referred to as the customer assurance
program or CAP. The CAP incorporated a
provision in PeopleSofts standard licensing arrangement
that purports to contractually burden Oracle, as a result of its
acquisition of PeopleSoft, with a contingent obligation to make
payments to PeopleSoft customers should Oracle fail to take
certain business actions for a fixed period of time subsequent
to the acquisition. The payment obligation, which typically
expires four years from the date of the contract, is fixed at an
amount generally between two and five times the license and
first year support fees paid to PeopleSoft in the applicable
license transaction. This purported obligation was not reflected
as a liability on PeopleSofts balance sheet as PeopleSoft
concluded that it could be triggered only following the
consummation of an acquisition. PeopleSoft used six different
standard versions of the CAP over the
18-month period
commencing June 2003. PeopleSoft ceased using the CAP on
December 29, 2004, the date on which we acquired a
controlling interest in PeopleSoft. We have concluded that, as
of the date of the PeopleSoft acquisition, the penalty
provisions under the CAP represented a contingent liability of
Oracle. The aggregate potential CAP obligation as of
February 28, 2006 was $3.5 billion. Unless the CAP
provisions are removed from these licensing arrangements, we do
not expect the aggregate potential CAP obligation to decline
substantially until fiscal year 2008 when a significant number
of these provisions begin to expire. The last CAP obligation
will expire on December 31, 2008. We have not recorded a
liability related to the CAP, as we do not believe it is
probable that our post-acquisition activities related to the
PeopleSoft product line will trigger an obligation to make any
payment pursuant to the CAP.
In addition, while no assurance can be given as to the ultimate
outcome of litigation, we believe we would also have substantial
defenses with respect to the legality and enforceability of the
CAP contract provisions in response to any claims seeking
payment from Oracle under the CAP terms. While we have taken
extensive steps to assure customers that we intend to continue
developing and supporting the PeopleSoft line of products,
PeopleSoft customers may assert claims for CAP payments.
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We may need to change our pricing models to compete
successfully. |
The intensely competitive markets in which we compete can put
pressure on us to reduce our prices. If our competitors offer
deep discounts on certain products, we may need to lower prices
or offer other favorable terms in order to compete successfully.
Any such changes would likely reduce margins and could adversely
affect operating results. Our software license updates and
product support fees are generally priced as a percentage of our
new license fees. Our competitors may offer a lower percentage
pricing on product updates and support, which could put pressure
on us to further discount our new license prices. Any
broadly-based changes to our prices and pricing policies could
cause new software license and services revenues to decline or
be delayed as our sales force implements and our customers
adjust to the new pricing policies. Some of our competitors may
bundle software products for promotional purposes or as a
long-term pricing strategy or provide guarantees of prices and
product implementations. These practices could, over time,
significantly constrain the prices that we can charge for our
products. In addition, if we do not adapt our pricing models to
11
reflect changes in customer use of our products, our new
software license revenues could decrease. Additionally,
increased distribution of applications through application
service providers may reduce the average price for our products
or adversely affect other sales of our products, reducing new
software license revenues unless we can offset price reductions
with volume increases or lower spending. The increase in open
source software distribution may also cause us to change our
pricing models.
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We may be unable to compete effectively in a range of
markets within the highly competitive software industry. |
Many vendors develop and market databases, internet application
server products, application development tools, business
applications, collaboration products and business intelligence
products that compete with our offerings. In addition, several
companies offer business outsourcing as a competitive
alternative to buying software. Some of these competitors have
greater financial or technical resources than we do. Also, our
competitors who offer business applications and application
server products may influence a customers purchasing
decision for the underlying database in an effort to persuade
potential customers not to acquire our products. We could lose
market share if our competitors introduce new competitive
products, add new functionality, acquire competitive products,
reduce prices or form strategic alliances with other companies.
We may also face increasing competition from open source
software initiatives, in which competitors may provide software
and intellectual property free. Existing or new competitors
could gain market share in any of our markets at our expense.
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Our periodic sales force restructurings can be
disruptive. |
We continue to rely heavily on our direct sales force. We have
in the past restructured or made other adjustments to our sales
force in response to management changes, product changes,
performance issues, acquisitions and other internal and external
considerations. In the past, sales force restructurings have
generally resulted in a temporary lack of focus and reduced
productivity; these effects could recur in connection with
future acquisitions and other restructurings and our revenues
could be negatively affected.
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Disruptions of our indirect sales channel could affect our
future operating results. |
Our indirect channel network is comprised primarily of
resellers, system integrators/implementers, consultants,
education providers, internet service providers, network
integrators and independent software vendors. Our relationships
with these channel participants are important elements of our
marketing and sales efforts. Our financial results could be
adversely affected if our contracts with channel participants
were terminated, if our relationships with channel participants
were to deteriorate, if any of our competitors enter into
strategic relationships with or acquire a significant channel
participant or if the financial condition of our channel
participants were to weaken. There can be no assurance that we
will be successful in maintaining, expanding or developing our
relationships with channel participants. If we are not
successful, we may lose sales opportunities, customers and
market share.
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Charges to earnings resulting from past acquisitions may
adversely affect our operating results. |
Under purchase accounting, we allocate the total purchase price
to an acquired companys net tangible assets, amortizable
intangible assets and in-process research and development based
on their fair values as of the date of the acquisition and
record the excess of the purchase price over those fair values
as goodwill. Managements estimates of fair value are based
upon assumptions believed to be reasonable but which are
inherently uncertain. Going forward, the following factors could
result in material charges that would adversely affect our
results:
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impairment of goodwill; |
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charges for the amortization of identifiable intangible assets
and for stock-based compensation; |
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accrual of newly identified pre-merger contingent liabilities
that are identified subsequent to the finalization of the
purchase price allocation; and |
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charges to income to eliminate certain Oracle pre-merger
activities that duplicate those of the acquired company or to
reduce our cost structure. |
We have incurred charges to earnings associated with recent
acquisitions of $599 million for the fiscal year ended
May 31, 2005 and $582 million for the nine months
ended February 28, 2006 on a pre-tax basis. Charges to
earnings associated with acquisitions include amortization of
intangible assets, in-process research and development as well
as other acquisition related charges, restructuring and
stock-based compensation associated with assumed stock awards.
Charges to earnings in any given period could differ
substantially from other periods based on the timing and size of
our future acquisitions and the extent of integration
activities. See Supplemental Disclosure Related to
Acquisition Accounting discussed in the
February 10-Q, as
well as in Part II, Item 7 of the Old
Oracle 10-K, as
amended, for additional information about charges to earnings
associated with our recent acquisitions.
We expect to continue to incur additional costs associated with
combining the operations of our previously acquired companies,
which may be substantial. Additional costs may include costs of
employee redeployment, relocation and retention, including
salary increases or bonuses, accelerated amortization of
deferred equity compensation and severance payments,
reorganization or closure of facilities, taxes and termination
of contracts that provide redundant or conflicting services.
Some of these costs may have to be accounted for as expenses
that would decrease our net income and earnings per share for
the periods in which those adjustments are made.
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Our international sales and operations subject us to
additional risks that can adversely affect our operating
results. |
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues, and have
significant operations, outside of the United States. Our
international operations include software development, sales,
customer support and shared administrative service centers. We
are subject to a variety of risks, including those related to
general economic conditions in each country or region,
regulatory changes, political unrest, terrorism and the
potential for other hostilities, particularly in areas in which
we have significant operations. We face challenges in managing
an organization operating in various countries, which can entail
longer payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts
receivable, overlapping tax regimes, fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, difficulties in transferring funds from certain
countries and reduced protection for intellectual property
rights in some countries. We must comply with a variety of
international laws and regulations, including trade
restrictions, local labor ordinances, changes in tariff rates
and import and export licensing requirements. Our success
depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate these risks and
manage these difficulties.
In November 2005, we acquired an approximately 43% equity
position in i-flex Solutions Limited, a publicly traded Indian
software company focused on the banking industry. On
April 13, 2006, we increased our equity position in
i-flex to approximately
50.6%. As a major shareholder of an international entity, we are
faced with several additional risks, including being subject to
local securities regulations and being unable to exert full
control or obtain financial and other information on a timely
basis.
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We may experience foreign currency gains and
losses. |
We conduct a portion of our business in currencies other than
the United States dollar. Our revenues and operating results are
adversely affected when the dollar strengthens relative to other
currencies and are positively affected when the dollar weakens.
Changes in the value of major foreign currencies, particularly
the Euro, Japanese Yen and British Pound relative to the United
States dollar positively affected revenues and operating results
in fiscal 2005 and the first quarter of fiscal 2006, but
negatively affected revenues and operating results in the second
and third quarters of fiscal 2006. If the dollar continues to
strengthen relative to other currencies in the future, our
revenues and operating results will be adversely affected.
Our foreign currency transaction gains and losses, primarily
related to sublicense fees and other agreements among us and our
subsidiaries and distributors, are charged against earnings in
the period incurred. We enter into foreign exchange forward
contracts to hedge certain transaction and translation
13
exposures in major currencies, but we will continue to
experience foreign currency gains and losses in certain
instances where it is not possible or cost effective to hedge
foreign currencies.
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Oracle On Demand may not be successful. |
We offer Oracle On Demand outsourcing services for our
applications and database technology, delivered either at Oracle
or at a customer designated location. Oracle On Demand also
includes several product lines we have acquired. Our Oracle On
Demand business model continues to evolve and we may not be able
to compete effectively or generate significant revenues. This
business is subject to a variety of risks including:
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demand for these services may not meet our expectations; |
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we may not be able to operate this business at an acceptable
profit level; |
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we manage critical customer applications, data and other
confidential information through Oracle On Demand and thus would
face increased exposure to significant damage claims in the
event of system failures or inadequate disaster recovery or
misappropriation of customer confidential information; |
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we may face regulatory exposure in certain areas such as data
privacy, data security and export compliance, as well as
workforce reduction claims as a result of customers transferring
their information technology functions to us; |
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the laws and regulations applicable to hosted service providers
are unsettled, particularly in the areas of privacy and security
and use of offshore resources; changes in these laws could
affect our ability to provide services from or to some locations
and could increase both the cost and risk associated with
providing the services; and |
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our Oracle On Demand offerings may require large fixed costs
such as for data centers, computers, network infrastructure and
security. |
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We may be unable to hire enough qualified employees or we
may lose key employees. |
We rely on the continued service of our senior management and
other key employees and the hiring of new qualified employees.
In the software industry, there is substantial and continuous
competition for highly skilled business, product development,
technical and other personnel. In addition, acquisitions could
cause us to lose key personnel of the acquired companies or at
Oracle. We may experience increased compensation costs that are
not offset by either improved productivity or higher prices. We
may not be successful in recruiting new personnel and in
retaining and motivating existing personnel. With rare
exceptions, we do not have long-term employment or
non-competition agreements with our employees. Members of our
senior management team have left Oracle over the years for a
variety of reasons, and we cannot assure you that there will not
be additional departures, which may be disruptive to our
operations.
Part of our total compensation program includes stock options.
If our stock price performs poorly it may adversely affect our
ability to retain or attract key employees. In addition, since
we are required to expense all stock-based compensation no later
than the beginning of fiscal 2007, we may change both our cash
and stock-based compensation practices. Some of the changes we
are considering or have already implemented include the
reduction in the number of employees granted options, a
reduction in the number of options granted, the reduction of
benefits under the employee stock purchase plan and a change to
alternative forms of stock-based compensation. Any changes in
our compensation practices or changes made by competitors could
affect our ability to retain and motivate existing personnel and
recruit new personnel.
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We might experience significant errors or security flaws
in our products and services. |
Despite testing prior to their release, software products
frequently contain errors or security flaws, especially when
first introduced or when new versions are released. Errors in
our software products could affect the ability of our products
to work with other hardware or software products, could delay
the development or release of new products or new versions of
products and could adversely affect market acceptance of our
products. If we experience errors or delays in releasing new
products or new versions of
14
products, we could lose revenues. In addition, we run our own
business operations, Oracle On Demand, and other outsourcing,
support and consulting services, on our products and networks
and any security flaws, if exploited, could affect our ability
to conduct business operations. End users, who rely on our
products and services for applications that are critical to
their businesses, may have a greater sensitivity to product
errors and security vulnerabilities than customers for software
products generally. Software product errors and security flaws
in our products or services could expose us to product
liability, performance and/or warranty claims as well as harm
our reputation, which could impact our future sales of products
and services. The detection and correction of any security flaws
can be time consuming and costly.
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We may not receive significant revenues from our current
research and development efforts for several years, if at
all. |
Developing and localizing software is expensive and the
investment in product development often involves a long payback
cycle. In the first nine months of fiscal 2006, our research and
development expenses were $1,335 million, or 14% of our
total revenues. Our plans for the remainder of fiscal 2006
include significant investments in software research and
development and related product opportunities. Accelerated
product introductions and short product life cycles require high
levels of expenditures for research and development that could
adversely affect our operating results if not offset by revenue
increases. We believe that we must continue to dedicate a
significant amount of resources to our research and development
efforts to maintain our competitive position. However, we do not
expect to receive significant revenues from these investments
for several years if at all.
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We may not be able to protect our intellectual
property. |
We rely on a combination of copyright, patent, trade secrets,
confidentiality procedures and contractual commitments to
protect our proprietary information. Despite our efforts, these
measures can only provide limited protection. Unauthorized third
parties may try to copy or reverse engineer portions of our
products or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property.
Any patents owned by us may be invalidated, circumvented or
challenged. Any of our pending or future patent applications,
whether or not being currently challenged, may not be issued
with the scope of the claims we seek, if at all. In addition,
the laws of some countries do not provide the same level of
protection of our proprietary rights as do the laws of the
United States. If we cannot protect our proprietary technology
against unauthorized copying or use, we may not remain
competitive.
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Third parties may claim we infringe their intellectual
property rights. |
We periodically receive notices from others claiming we are
infringing their intellectual property rights, principally
patent rights. We expect the number of such claims will increase
as the number of products and competitors in our industry
segments grows, the functionality of products overlap, and the
volume of issued software patents continues to increase.
Responding to any infringement claim, regardless of its
validity, could:
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be time-consuming, costly and/or result in litigation; |
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divert managements time and attention from developing our
business; |
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require us to pay monetary damages or enter into royalty and
licensing agreements that we would not normally find acceptable; |
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require us to stop selling or to redesign certain of our
products; or |
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require us to satisfy indemnification obligations to our
customers. |
If a successful claim is made against us and we fail to develop
or license a substitute technology, our business, results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows could be adversely
affected. A patent infringement case is discussed under Legal
Proceedings in our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements in the
February 10-Q.
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Our sales to government clients subject us to risks
including early termination, audits, investigations, sanctions
and penalties. |
We derive revenues from contracts with the United States
government, state and local governments and their respective
agencies, who may terminate most of these contracts at any time,
without cause.
There is increased pressure for governments and their agencies,
both domestically and internationally, to reduce spending. Our
federal government contracts are subject to the approval of
appropriations being made by the United States Congress to fund
the expenditures under these contracts. Similarly, our contracts
at the state and local levels are subject to government funding.
Additionally, government contracts are generally subject to
audits and investigations which could result in various civil
and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including
termination of contracts, refund of a portion of fees received,
forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and
suspensions or debarment from future government business. For
example, there is a U.S. government investigation of
PeopleSofts pricing practices prior to our acquisition
under multiple award schedule contracts. While we do not believe
that this investigation will result in material damages, we
could be subject to similar investigations or actions in the
future.
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Business disruptions could affect our operating
results. |
A significant portion of our research and development activities
and certain other critical business operations is concentrated
in a few geographic areas. We are a highly automated business
and a disruption or failure of our systems could cause delays in
completing sales and providing services, including some of our
On Demand offerings. A major earthquake, fire or other
catastrophic event that results in the destruction or disruption
of any of our critical business or information technology
systems could severely affect our ability to conduct normal
business operations and as a result our future operating results
could be materially and adversely affected.
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We may have exposure to additional tax liabilities. |
As a multinational corporation, we are subject to income taxes
as well as non-income based taxes, in both the United States and
various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required
in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes and
other tax liabilities.
In the ordinary course of a global business, there are many
intercompany transactions and calculations where the ultimate
tax determination is uncertain. We are regularly under audit by
tax authorities. Our intercompany transfer pricing is currently
being reviewed by the IRS and by foreign tax jurisdictions and
will likely be subject to additional audits in the future. We
previously negotiated three unilateral Advance Pricing
Agreements with the IRS that cover many of our intercompany
transfer pricing issues and preclude the IRS from making a
transfer pricing adjustment within the scope of these
agreements. However, these agreements, which are effective for
fiscal years through May 31, 2006, do not cover all
elements of our transfer pricing and do not bind tax authorities
outside the United States. We recently finalized one bilateral
Advance Pricing Agreement and currently are negotiating an
additional bilateral agreement to cover the period from
June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2008.
Although we believe that our tax estimates are reasonable, we
cannot assure you that the final determination of tax audits or
tax disputes will not be different from what is reflected in our
historical income tax provisions and accruals.
We are also subject to non-income taxes, such as payroll, sales,
use, value-added, net worth, property and goods and services
taxes, in both the United States and various foreign
jurisdictions. We are regularly under audit by tax authorities
with respect to these non-income taxes and may have exposure to
additional non-income tax liabilities. Our acquisition
activities may increase our non-income tax exposures.
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Our stock price and the price of the Notes could become
more volatile and your investment could lose value. |
All of the factors discussed in this section could affect our
stock price and the price of the Notes. The timing of
announcements in the public market regarding new products,
product enhancements or technological advances by our
competitors or us, and any announcements by us of acquisitions,
major transactions, or management changes could also affect our
stock price and the price of the Notes. Our stock price and the
price of the Notes are subject to speculation in the press and
the analyst community, changes in recommendations or earnings
estimates by financial analysts, changes in investors or
analysts valuation measures for our stock, our credit
ratings and market trends unrelated to our performance. A
significant drop in our stock price and the price of the Notes
could also expose us to the risk of securities class actions
lawsuits, which could result in substantial costs and divert
managements attention and resources, which could adversely
affect our business.
17
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is a part of a registration statement filed by
us with the SEC under the Securities Act. As allowed by SEC
rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information
that you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits
to the registration statement.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information we file with them, which means that we can disclose
important information to you by referring you to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference includes
important business and financial information that is not
included in this document and is an important part of this
prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede the information in the
prospectus.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, all
documents filed by Oracle, Old Oracle and Siebel, pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act),
after the date of the initial registration statement and prior
to effectiveness of the registration statement, and all
documents subsequently filed by Oracle, Old Oracle and Siebel
with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the Exchange Act until the termination of the offering
under this prospectus.
The following documents, which have been filed by Oracle with
the SEC (SEC file number
000-51788), are
incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
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(a) Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed on
February 6, 2006, February 9, 2006 (with respect to
the report filed on such date pursuant to items 1.01, 1.02 and
2.03 only and the exhibits related thereto, but excluding the
report furnished on such date pursuant to item 7.01 and the
exhibit related thereto), February 15, 2006 and
March 21, 2006 and Current Report on
Form 8-K/ A filed
on March 2, 2006; and |
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(b) Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended February 28, 2006; |
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(c) Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus included in a
registration statement on
Form S-4 filed
with the SEC (SEC file
number 333-129139)
and declared effective December 29, 2005. |
The following documents, which have been filed by Old Oracle
with the SEC (SEC file number
000-14376), are
incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
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(a) Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed on
June 27, 2005, August 8, 2005, August 30, 2005,
September 9, 2005, September 12, 2005,
September 15, 2005, October 13, 2005, November 3,
2005, November 9, 2005, and November 14, 2005,
January 11, 2006, January 17, 2006, January 20,
2006, and January 31, 2006; |
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(b) Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q/ A for
the quarter ended August 31, 2005, and Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended November 30, 2005; |
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(c) Annual Report on
Form 10-K/ A for
the year ended May 31, 2005; and |
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(d) Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual
meeting held October 10, 2005. |
The following documents, which have been filed by Siebel with
the SEC (SEC file number 000-20725), are incorporated by
reference into this prospectus:
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(a) Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed on
January 11, 2005, January 27, 2005 (with respect to
the information included in such report pursuant to
item 4.02 only), February 24, 2005, March 8,
2005, April 18, 2005, April 20, 2005, May 26,
2005, July 7, 2005 (with respect to the information
included in such report pursuant to item 2.05 only),
September 12, 2005, September 19, 2005,
November 17, 2005, January 26, 2006 (with respect to
the information included in such report pursuant to
item 8.01 only), and January 30, 2006; |
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(b) Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and
September 30, 2005; |
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(c) Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004; and |
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(d) Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual
meeting held June 8, 2005. |
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference
into this prospectus or deemed to be incorporated by reference
into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed
document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into
this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except
as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
prospectus.
All SEC filings are available to the public. You may read and
copy any materials Oracle, Old Oracle and Siebel have filed with
the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation
of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC
at 1-800-SEC-0330. In
addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements, and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the SEC.
You may also request a copy of these filings at no cost, by
writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Investor Relations Department
Oracle Corporation
500 Oracle Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
(650) 506-4073
To obtain timely delivery of copies of these filings, you
must make your request no later than May 26, 2006, which is
five business days before the expiration date.
19
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the
New Notes. The New Notes will be exchanged for Old Notes as
described in this prospectus upon our receipt of Old Notes. We
will cancel all of the Old Notes surrendered in exchange for the
New Notes.
Our net proceeds from the sale of the Old Notes were
approximately $5.7 billion, after deduction of the initial
purchasers discounts and commissions and other expenses of
the offering. We have used most of those net proceeds to fund
the purchase of Siebel Systems and all remaining proceeds will
be used for acquisition-related transaction costs and for
general corporate purposes including stock repurchases and other
acquisitions.
20
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES
The summary herein of certain provisions of the indenture
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of
the indenture, a form of which is available upon request from
the obligor. In the following section, references to the
obligor refer solely to Oracle Corporation but not
to any of its subsidiaries. Unless specifically stated, the
descriptions of the terms of each series of New Notes also apply
to the applicable series of Old Notes.
The obligor is offering to exchange:
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up to $1,500,000,000 of its new Floating Rate Notes due 2009
(the New 2009 Notes) for up to $1,500,000,000 of its
old Floating Rate Notes due 2009 (the Old 2009
Notes); |
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up to $2,250,000,000 of its new 5.00% Notes due 2011 (the
New 2011 Notes) for up to $2,250,000,000 of its old
5.00% Notes due 2011 (the Old 2011
Notes); and |
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up to $2,000,000,000 of its new 5.25% Notes due 2016 (the
New 2016 Notes) for up to $2,000,000,000 of its old
5.25% Notes due 2016 (the Old 2016 Notes). |
The Old 2009 Notes, the Old 2011 Notes and the Old 2016 Notes
are referred to collectively in this prospectus as the Old
Notes, and the New 2009 Notes, the New 2011 Notes and the
New 2016 Notes are referred to collectively in this prospectus
as the New Notes. The Old Notes and the New Notes
are referred to collectively in this prospectus as the
Notes.
Under the indenture, the Old Notes of each series and the New
Notes issued in exchange for such series, in each case together
with any additional Notes of such series the obligor may issue
under the indenture as described below under
Issuance of Additional Notes, will be
treated as a single series for all purposes under the indenture,
including for purposes of determining whether the required
percentage of the holders of record has given approval or
consent to an amendment or waiver or joined in directing the
trustee to take certain actions on behalf of all holders.
Specifically,
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the Old 2009 Notes, the New 2009 Notes and any additional
Floating Rate Notes due 2009 the obligor may issue under the
indenture as described below under Issuance of
Additional Notes (collectively, the 2009
Notes) will be treated as a single series; |
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the Old 2011 Notes, the New 2011 Notes and any additional
5.00% Notes due 2011 the obligor may issue under the
indenture as described below under Issuance of
Additional Notes (collectively, the 2011
Notes) will be treated as a single series; and |
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the Old 2016 Notes, the New 2016 Notes and any additional
5.25% Notes due 2016 the obligor may issue under the
indenture as described below under Issuance of
Additional Notes (collectively, the 2016
Notes) will be treated as a single series. |
The terms of each series of New Notes are identical in all
material respects to the terms of such series of Old Notes,
except that the New Notes will be issued in a transaction
registered under the Securities Act and the transfer
restrictions and registration rights relating to the Old Notes
will not apply to the New Notes.
The 2009 Notes will mature on January 13, 2009, the 2011
Notes will mature on January 15, 2011 and the 2016 Notes
will mature on January 15, 2016. The New Notes will be
issued in book-entry form only in denominations of $1,000 and
multiples of $1,000. Interest on the New Notes will accrue from
the last interest date payment date on which interest was paid
on the Old Note surrendered in exchange for the New Note or, if
no interest has been paid on such Old Note, from
January 13, 2006 and will be payable quarterly on
January 13, April 13, July 13 and October 13 for the
New 2009 Notes and semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 for
the New 2011 Notes and New 2016 Notes. All payments of interest
will be made to the persons in whose names the New Notes are
registered at the close of business on the business day
preceding the interest payment date for the New 2009 Notes or
the close of business on the January 1 or July 1, as the
case may be, preceding the interest payment date for the New
2011 Notes and New 2016 Notes. Interest on the New 2009 Notes
will be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in
an interest period and a
360-day year.
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Interest on the New 2011 Notes and New 2016 Notes will be
computed on the basis of a
360-day year comprised
of twelve 30-day months.
The Old Notes were issued under and the New Notes will be issued
under an indenture dated January 13, 2006, as may be
supplemented from time to time, among Oracle, Old Oracle and
Citibank, N.A. (the trustee). Oracle is the sole
obligor on the Old Notes and will be the sole obligor on the New
Notes. Each of the New 2009 Notes, the New 2011 Notes and the
New 2016 Notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations
of the obligor and will rank pari passu with its other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. As indebtedness of
the obligor, the Old Notes are and the New Notes will be
effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and liabilities
(including trade payables and preferred stock obligations) of
any subsidiaries of the obligor and will be effectively
subordinated to all secured indebtedness of the obligor and any
subsidiaries of the obligor. As of February 28, 2006,
Oracle had, in addition to the Old Notes, indebtedness and
guarantees of an aggregate of $341 million (all of which
rank pari passu with the Old Notes and will rank pari
passu with the New Notes) and subsidiaries of Oracle
(including Old Oracle and Siebel) retained all other outstanding
indebtedness of Oracle and its subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis. The Old Notes are and the New Notes will be effectively
subordinated to all such indebtedness of Oracles
subsidiaries. In addition, the Old Notes are and the New Notes
will be structurally subordinated to the claims of all
subsidiaries of New Oracle, including creditors of Old Oracle,
and the rights of creditors of those subsidiaries shall have
priority over the rights of the holders of the Notes as
creditors of Oracle.
Interest Rate Determination for the New 2009 Notes
The New 2009 Notes will bear interest for each interest period
at a rate determined by the calculation agent. The calculation
agent is Citibank, N.A. until such time as the obligor appoints
a successor calculation agent. The interest rate on the New 2009
Notes for a particular interest period will be a per annum rate
equal to three-month LIBOR as determined on the interest
determination date plus 0.23%. The interest determination date
for an interest period will be the second London business day
preceding such interest period. Promptly upon determination, the
calculation agent will inform the trustee and the obligor of the
interest rate for the next interest period. Absent manifest
error, the determination of the interest rate by the calculation
agent shall be binding and conclusive on the holders of 2009
Notes, the trustee and the obligor.
A London business day is a day on which dealings in deposits in
U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.
On any interest determination date, LIBOR will be equal to the
offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having an index
maturity of three months, in amounts of at least $1,000,000, as
such rate appears on Telerate Page 3750 at
approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such interest
determination date. If on an interest determination date, such
rate does not appear on the Telerate Page 3750
as of 11:00 a.m. (London time), or if the Telerate
Page 3750 is not available on such date, the Trustee
will obtain such rate from Bloombergs page
BBAM.
If no offered rate appears on Telerate
Page 3750 or Bloomberg L.P. page BBAM on
an interest determination date at approximately 11:00 a.m.,
London time, then the calculation agent (after consultation with
the obligor) will select four major banks in the London
interbank market and shall request each of their principal
London offices to provide a quotation of the rate at which
three-month deposits in U.S. dollars in amounts of at least
$1,000,000 are offered by it to prime banks in the London
interbank market, on that date and at that time, that is
representative of single transactions at that time. If at least
two quotations are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic
average of the quotations provided. Otherwise, the calculation
agent will select three major banks in New York City and shall
request each of them to provide a quotation of the rate offered
by them at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the interest determination date for loans in U.S. dollars
to leading European banks having an index maturity of three
months for the applicable interest period in an amount of at
least $1,000,000 that is representative of single transactions
at that time. If three quotations are provided, LIBOR will be
the arithmetic average of the quotations provided. Otherwise,
the rate of LIBOR for the next interest period will be set equal
to the rate of LIBOR for the then current interest period.
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Upon request from any noteholder, the calculation agent will
provide the interest rate in effect on the New 2009 Notes for
the current interest period and, if it has been determined, the
interest rate to be in effect for the next interest period.
Dollar amounts resulting from such calculation will be rounded
to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward.
Issuance of Additional Notes
The obligor may, without the consent of the holders, increase
the principal amount of any of the series of Notes by issuing
additional Notes of such series in the future on the same terms
and conditions, except for any differences in the issue price
and interest accrued prior to the issue date of the additional
Notes. The additional Notes may have the same CUSIP number as
the applicable series of New Notes. Under the indenture, each
series of Old Notes, each series of New Notes issued in exchange
for such Old Notes and any additional Notes of such series the
obligor may issue will be treated as a single series for all
purposes under the indenture, including for purposes of
determining whether the required percentage of the holders of
record has given approval or consent to an amendment or waiver
or joined in directing the trustee to take certain actions on
behalf of all holders.
The obligor also may, without the consent of the holders, issue
other series of debt securities under the indenture in the
future on terms and conditions different from the series of New
Notes offered hereby.
Optional Redemption
The New 2009 Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part at
any time on or after January 16, 2007 at the principal
amount of the New Notes being redeemed, plus accrued interest.
The New 2011 Notes and the New 2016 Notes will be redeemable, in
whole or in part at any time, at the obligors option, each
at a make-whole premium redemption price calculated
by the obligor equal to the greater of:
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(i) 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes to be
redeemed; and |
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(ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not
including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of
the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on
a semi-annual basis (assuming a
360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day
months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below), plus
15 basis points with respect to the New 2011 Notes and
20 basis points with respect to the New 2016 Notes, |
plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of
redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of
interest on New Notes that are due and payable on interest
payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be
payable on the interest payment date to the registered holders
as of the close of business on the relevant record date
according to the New Notes and the indenture.
Comparable Treasury Issue means the United States
Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a
maturity comparable to the remaining term of the New Notes to be
redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in
accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to
the remaining term of such New Notes.
Comparable Treasury Price means, with respect to any
redemption date, (i) the average of four Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the
highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or
(ii) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such
quotations, or (iii) if only one Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotation is received, such quotation.
Quotation Agent means the Reference Treasury Dealer
appointed by the obligor.
Reference Treasury Dealer means (i) Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. or
Wachovia Capital Markets LLC (or their respective affiliates
that are Primary Treasury Dealers) and their
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respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the
foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government
securities dealer in New York City (a Primary Treasury
Dealer), the obligor will substitute therefor another
Primary Treasury Dealer, and (ii) any other Primary
Treasury Dealer selected by the obligor.
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations means, with
respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption
date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the
bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount)
quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference
Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
third business day preceding such redemption date.
Treasury Rate means, with respect to any redemption
date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent
yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a
price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such redemption date.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days
but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to
each holder of the New Notes to be redeemed. Unless the obligor
defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the
redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the New Notes
or portions thereof called for redemption. If less than all of
the New Notes are to be redeemed, the New Notes to be redeemed
shall be selected by lot by The Depository Trust Company, in the
case of New Notes represented by a global note, or by the
trustee by a method the trustee deems to be fair and
appropriate, in the case of New Notes that are not represented
by a global note.
No Sinking Fund
The New Notes will not be entitled to any sinking fund.
Satisfaction, Discharge and Covenant Defeasance
The obligor may terminate its obligations under the indenture,
when:
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all the Notes of any series issued that have been authenticated
and delivered have been accepted by the trustee for
cancellation; or |
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all the Notes of any series issued that have not been accepted
by the trustee for cancellation will become due and payable
within one year (a Discharge) and the obligor has
made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for
the giving of notice of redemption by such trustee in the
obligors name, and at the obligors expense and the
obligor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with
the trustee sufficient funds to pay and discharge the entire
indebtedness on the series of Notes to pay principal, interest
and any premium; |
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the obligor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then
due and payable under the indenture; and |
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the obligor has delivered to the trustee an officers
certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent under the indenture relating to the
satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied
with. |
The obligor may elect to have its obligations under the
indenture discharged with respect to the outstanding Notes of
any series (legal defeasance). Legal defeasance
means that the obligor will be deemed
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to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented
by the outstanding Notes of such series under the indenture,
except for:
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the rights of holders of the Notes to receive principal,
interest and any premium when due; |
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the obligors obligations with respect to the Notes
concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of transfer of
Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the
maintenance of an office or agency for payment for Notes
payments held in trust; |
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the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the
trustee; and |
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the defeasance provisions of the indenture. |
In addition, the obligor may elect to have its obligations
released with respect to certain covenants in the indenture
(covenant defeasance). Any failure to comply with
these obligations will not constitute a default or an event of
default with respect to the securities of any series. In the
event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events, not including
non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events, described under
Events of Default will no longer constitute an event
of default for that series.
In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant
defeasance with respect to outstanding Notes of any series:
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the obligor must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
deposited with the trustee as trust funds for the purpose of
making the following payments, specifically pledged as security
for, and dedicated solely to the benefits of the holders of the
Notes of a series: |
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money in an amount; |
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U.S. Government Obligations; or |
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a combination of money and U.S. Government Obligations, |
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in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the written
opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent
public accountants to pay and discharge, and which shall be
applied by the trustee to pay and discharge, all of the
principal, interest and any premium at due date or maturity or
if the obligor has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to
the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the
trustee in the obligors name and at the obligors
expense, the redemption date; |
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in the case of legal defeasance, the obligor has delivered to
the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that, as a result of
an IRS ruling or a change in applicable federal income tax law,
the holders of the Notes of that series will not recognize gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the
deposit, defeasance and discharge to be effected and will be
subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if
the deposit, defeasance and discharge did not occur; |
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in the case of covenant defeasance, the obligor has delivered to
the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders
of the Notes of that series will not recognize gain or loss for
U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit
and covenant defeasance to be effected and will be subject to
the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit
and covenant defeasance did not occur; |
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no default with respect to the outstanding Notes of that series
has occurred and is continuing at the time of such deposit after
giving effect to the deposit or, in the case of legal
defeasance, no default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency has
occurred and is continuing at any time on or before the
91st day after the date of such deposit, it being
understood that this condition is not deemed satisfied until
after the 91st day; |
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the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not cause the
trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the
Trust Indenture Act, assuming all Notes of a series were in
default within the meaning of such Act; |
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the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other
agreement or instrument to which the obligor is a party; |
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the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in
the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment
company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, unless the trust is registered under such Act
or exempt from registration; and |
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the obligor has delivered to the trustee an officers
certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all
conditions precedent with respect to the defeasance or covenant
defeasance have been complied with. |
Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Note
New Notes of each series sold in the United States will be
issued in the form of one or more fully registered global notes
without interest coupons which will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (DTC), New
York, New York, and registered in the name of Cede &
Co., as nominee of DTC, for the accounts of participants in DTC.
Unless and until exchanged, in whole or in part, for New Notes
in definitive registered form, a global note may not be
transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global
note to a nominee of such depositary, by a nominee of such
depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such
depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a
successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global note
will be limited to persons, called participants, that have
accounts with the depositary (currently DTC) or persons that may
hold interests through participants in DTC. Investors may hold
their interests in a global note directly through Euroclear Bank
S.A./ N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System
(Euroclear) and Clearstream Banking,
société anonyme (Clearstream), if
they are participants in such systems, or indirectly through
organizations that are participants in such systems. Euroclear
and Clearstream will hold interests in a global note on behalf
of their participants through their respective depositaries,
which in turn will hold such interests in the global note in
customers securities accounts in the depositaries
names on the books of DTC.
Upon transfer of a definitive note, the definitive note will be
exchanged for an interest in a global note, and the transferee
will be required to hold its interest through a participant in
DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable.
Upon the issuance of a registered global note, the depositary
will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system,
the participants accounts with the respective principal or
face amounts of the New Notes beneficially owned by the
participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating
in the distribution of the New Notes will designate the accounts
to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a
registered global note will be shown on, and the transfer of
ownership interests will be effected only through, records
maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of
participants, and on the records of participants, with respect
to interests of persons holding through participants.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered
owner of a registered global note, that depositary or its
nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner
or holder of the New Notes represented by the registered global
note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described
below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global
note will not be entitled to have the New Notes represented by
the registered global note registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the New
Notes in definitive form and will not be considered the owners
or holders of the New Notes under the indenture. Accordingly,
each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global
note must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that
registered global note and, if that person is not a participant,
on the procedures of the participant through which the person
owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the
indenture. The laws of some states may require that some
purchasers of New Notes take physical delivery of these New
Notes in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to
transfer beneficial interests in a global note.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all New Notes deposited by
participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTCs
nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of the New Notes with
DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co.
effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge
of the actual beneficial owners of the New Notes. DTCs
records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to
whose accounts
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such New Notes are credited, which may or may not be the
beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for
keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
The obligor will make payments due on the New Notes to
Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, in immediately available
funds. DTCs practice upon receipt of any payment of
principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying
securities or other property to holders on that registered
global note, is to immediately credit participants
accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial
interests in that registered global note as shown on the records
of the depositary. Payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in a registered global note held through
participants will be governed by standing customer instructions
and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities
held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in street name, and will be the responsibility of
those participants. Payment to Cede & Co. is the
responsibility of the obligor. Disbursement of such payments to
direct participants is the responsibility of Cede & Co.
Disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners is the
responsibility of direct and indirect participants. None of the
obligor, the trustee or any other agent of the obligor or any
agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered
global note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
Transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will
be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their
respective rules and operating procedures. If a holder requires
physical delivery of a definitive note for any reason, including
to sell New Notes to persons in jurisdictions that require such
delivery of such New Notes or to pledge such New Notes, such
holder must transfer its interest in the relevant global note in
accordance with the normal procedures of DTC and the procedures
set forth in the indenture.
Cross-market transfers between DTC, on the one hand, and
directly or indirectly through Euroclear or Clearstream
participants, on the other, will be effected by DTC in
accordance with DTC rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream,
as the case may be, by its respective depositary; however, such
cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions
to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the
counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and
procedures and within its established deadlines (Brussels time).
Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the
transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver
instructions to its respective depositary to take action to
effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving
interests in the global note in DTC, and making or receiving
payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds
settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and
Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly
to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.
Because of the time zone differences, the securities account of
a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in
the global note from a DTC participant will be credited during
the securities settlement processing day (which must be a
business day for Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be)
immediately following the DTC settlement date, and such credit
of any transactions interests in the global note settled
during such processing day will be reported to the relevant
Euroclear or Clearstream participant on such day. Cash received
in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in
a global note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream
participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on
the DTC settlement date, but will be available in the relevant
Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business
day following settlement in DTC.
The obligor expects that DTC will take any action permitted to
be taken by a holder of New Notes only at the direction of one
or more participants to whose account the DTC interests in a
global note are credited and only in respect of such portion of
the aggregate principal amount of the New Notes as to which such
participant or participants has or have given such direction.
However, if there is an event of default under the New Notes,
DTC will exchange each global note for definitive notes, which
it will distribute to its participants.
Although the obligor expects that DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream
will agree to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in each global note among participants of
DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream
are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such
procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time.
Neither the obligor nor the
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trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC,
Euroclear or Clearstream or their participants or indirect
participants of their respective obligations under the rules and
procedures governing their operations.
If the depositary for any of the New Notes represented by a
registered global note is at any time unwilling or unable to
continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary
registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not
appointed by the obligor within 90 days, the obligor will
issue New Notes in definitive form in exchange for the
registered global note that had been held by the depositary. Any
New Notes issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered
global note will be registered in the name or names that the
depositary gives to the trustee or other relevant agent of the
obligor or trustee. It is expected that the depositarys
instructions will be based upon directions received by the
depositary from participants with respect to ownership of
beneficial interests in the registered global note that had been
held by the depositary. In addition, the obligor may at any time
determine that the New Notes of any series shall no longer be
represented by a global note and will issue New Notes in
definitive form in exchange for such global note pursuant to the
procedure described above.
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New
York Banking Law, a banking organization within the
meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal
Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a
clearing agency registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. DTC was created to hold securities of its
participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, among
its participants in such securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in accounts of the participants,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities
certificates. DTCs participants include securities brokers
and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and
certain other organizations, some of whom own DTC. Access to
DTCs book-entry system is also available to others, such
as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant,
either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and
its participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC).
Euroclear and Clearstream hold securities for participating
organizations. They also facilitate the clearance and settlement
of securities transactions between their respective participants
through electronic book-entry changes in the accounts of such
participants. Euroclear and Clearstream provide various services
to their participants, including the safekeeping,
administration, clearance, settlement, lending and borrowing of
internationally traded securities. Euroclear and Clearstream
interface with domestic securities markets. Euroclear and
Clearstream participants are financial institutions such as
underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies and certain other organizations. Indirect access to
Euroclear or Clearstream is also available to others such as
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear or
Clearstream participant, either directly or indirectly.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs
book-entry system, as well as information regarding Euroclear
and Clearstream, has been obtained from sources that the obligor
believes to be reliable, but the obligor takes no responsibility
for its accuracy or completeness. The obligor assumes no
responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear,
Clearstream or their respective participants of their respective
obligations, including obligations that they have under the
rules and procedures that govern their operations.
Notices
Notices to holders of the New Notes will be made by first class
mail, postage prepaid, to the addresses that appear on the
security register of the New Notes.
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Modification and Waiver
The indenture may be amended or modified without the consent of
any holder of Notes in order to:
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cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies; |
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provide for the assumption of the obligors obligations in
the case of a merger or consolidation and the discharge of an
obligor upon such assumption; |
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make any change that would provide any additional rights or
benefits to the holders of the Notes of a series; |
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provide for or add guarantors with respect to the Notes of any
series; |
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secure the Notes of a series; |
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establish the form or forms of Notes of any series; |
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maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act; |
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conform any provision in the indenture to this Description
of New Notes; or |
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make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
holder. |
Other amendments and modifications of the indenture or the New
Notes issued may be made with the consent of the holders of not
less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the
amendment or modification (voting as one class), and the
obligors compliance with any provision of the indenture
with respect to any series of debt securities may be waived by
written notice to the trustee by the holders of a majority of
the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of each series affected by the waiver (voting as one
class). However, no modification or amendment may, without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected:
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reduce the principal amount, or extend the fixed maturity, of
the Notes, alter or waive the redemption provisions of the Notes; |
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change the currency in which principal, any premium or interest
is paid; |
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reduce the percentage in principal amount outstanding of Notes
of any series which must consent to an amendment, supplement or
waiver or consent to take any action; |
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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on the Notes; |
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waive a payment default with respect to the Notes or any
guarantor; |
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reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of
interest on the Notes; or |
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adversely affect the ranking of the Notes of any series. |
Events of Default
When the term Event of Default is used in the
indenture with respect to the Notes of any series, here are some
examples of what is meant:
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(1) default in paying interest on the Notes when it becomes
due and the default continues for a period of 30 days or
more; |
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(2) default in paying principal, or premium, if any, on the
Notes when due; |
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(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant
in the indenture (other than defaults specified in
clause (1) or (2) above) and the default or breach
continues for a period of 90 days or more after the obligor
receives written notice from the trustee or the trustee receives
notice from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Notes of the series; and |
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(4) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, administration or similar proceedings with
respect to the obligor or any material subsidiary has occurred. |
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified
in clause (4) with respect to the obligor) under the
indenture occurs with respect to the Notes of any series and is
continuing, then the trustee may and, at the direction of the
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes of that series, will by written notice, require the
obligor to repay immediately the entire principal amount of the
outstanding Notes of that series, together with all accrued and
unpaid interest and premium, if any.
If an Event of Default under the indenture specified in
clause (4) with respect to the obligor occurs and is
continuing, then the entire principal amount of the outstanding
Notes will automatically become due immediately and payable
without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee
or any holder.
After a declaration of acceleration or any automatic
acceleration under clause (4) described above, the holders
of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes of any
series may rescind this accelerated payment requirement if all
existing Events of Default, except for nonpayment of the
principal and interest on the Notes of that series that has
become due solely as a result of the accelerated payment
requirement, have been cured or waived and if the rescission of
acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or decree. The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes of any series also have the right to waive past defaults,
except a default in paying principal or interest on any
outstanding debt security, or in respect of a covenant or a
provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent
of all holders of the Notes of that series.
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes of a series may seek to institute a proceeding only after
they have made written request, and offered indemnity as the
trustee may reasonably require, to the trustee to institute a
proceeding and the trustee has failed to do so within
60 days after it received this notice. In addition, within
this 60-day period the
trustee must not have received directions inconsistent with this
written request by holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Notes of that series. These limitations do not
apply, however, to a suit instituted by a holder of a Note for
the enforcement of the payment of principal, interest or any
premium on or after the due dates for such payment.
During the existence of an Event of Default of which a
responsible officer of the trustee has actual knowledge or has
received written notice from the obligor or any holder of the
Notes, the trustee is required to exercise the rights and powers
vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care
and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would under the
circumstances in the conduct of that persons own affairs.
If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
trustee is not under any obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers at the request or direction of any of the
holders unless the holders have offered to the trustee security
or indemnity as the trustee may reasonably require. Subject to
certain provisions, the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Notes of any series have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any
trust, or power conferred on the trustee.
The trustee will, within 45 days after any default occurs,
give notice of the default to the holders of the Notes of that
series, unless the default was already cured or waived. Unless
there is a default in paying principal, interest or any premium
when due, the trustee can withhold giving notice to the holders
if it determines in good faith that the withholding of notice is
in the interest of the holders.
The obligor is required to furnish to the trustee an annual
statement as to compliance with all conditions and covenants
under the indenture.
Covenants
The obligor covenants to pay the principal of and interest on
the New Notes when due and in the manner provided in the
indenture.
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Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets |
The obligor will not consolidate or combine with or merge with
or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, lease,
transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
assets to any person or persons in a single transaction or
through a series of transactions, unless:
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the obligor shall be the continuing person or, if the obligor is
not the continuing person, the resulting, surviving or
transferee person (the surviving entity) is a
company organized and existing under the laws of the United
States or any State or territory; |
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the surviving entity will expressly assume all of the
obligors obligations under the Notes and the indenture,
and will, if required by law to effectuate the assumption,
execute a supplemental indenture which will be delivered to the
trustee; |
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immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions on a pro forma basis, no default has occurred and
is continuing; and |
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the obligor or the surviving entity will have delivered to the
trustee an officers certificate and opinion of counsel
stating that the transaction or series of transactions and a
supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this covenant and
that all conditions precedent in the indenture relating to the
transaction or series of transactions have been satisfied. |
The restrictions in the third and fourth bullets shall not be
applicable to:
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the merger or consolidation of the obligor with an affiliate of
the obligor if the board of directors of the obligor determines
in good faith that the purpose of such transaction is
principally to change the state of incorporation of the obligor
or convert the form of organization of the obligor to another
form; or |
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the merger of the obligor with or into a single direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiary thereof pursuant to
Section 251(g) (or any successor provision) of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. |
If any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment,
conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the obligors assets occurs in
accordance with the indenture, the successor corporation will
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right
and power of the obligor under the indenture with the same
effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the
obligor. The obligor will (except in the case of a lease) be
discharged from all obligations and covenants under the
indenture and any debt securities issued thereunder.
In addition to the covenants set forth above, the following
additional covenants apply to the Old Notes and shall apply to
the New Notes. These covenants do not limit the ability of the
obligor to incur indebtedness and apply only to the obligor on
the New Notes.
With respect to each series of Notes, the obligor will not
create or incur any Lien on any of its Properties, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, or upon any income or profits
therefrom, in order to secure any of its Indebtedness, without
effectively providing that such series of Notes shall be equally
and ratably secured until such time as such Indebtedness is no
longer secured by such Lien, except:
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(1) Liens existing as of January 13, 2006 (the date of
the issuance of the Old Notes); |
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(2) Liens granted after January 13, 2006 (the date of
the issuance of the Old Notes) created in favor of the holders
of such series of Notes; |
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(3) Liens securing the obligors Indebtedness which
are incurred to extend, renew or refinance Indebtedness which is
secured by Liens permitted to be incurred under the indenture; |
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(4) Liens created in substitution of or as replacements for
any Liens permitted by the clauses directly above, provided
that, based on a good faith determination of one of the
obligors Senior Officers, the Property encumbered under
any such substitute or replacement Lien is substantially similar
in nature to the Property encumbered by the otherwise permitted
Lien which is being replaced; and |
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(5) Permitted Liens. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligor may, without securing
any series of Notes, create or incur Liens which would otherwise
be subject to the restrictions set forth in the preceding
paragraph, if after giving effect thereto, Aggregate Debt does
not exceed the greater of (i) 25% of Consolidated Net Worth
calculated as of the date of the creation or incurrence of the
Lien or (ii) 25% of Consolidated Net Worth calculated as of
January 13, 2006 (the date of the issuance of the Old
Notes).
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Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions |
The obligor will not enter into any sale and lease-back
transaction for the sale and leasing back of any Property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, unless:
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(1) such transaction was entered into prior
January 13, 2006 (the date of the issuance of the Old
Notes); |
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(2) such transaction was for the sale and leasing back to
the obligor of any Property by one of its Subsidiaries; |
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(3) such transaction involves a lease for less than three
years; |
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(4) the obligor would be entitled to incur Indebtedness
secured by a mortgage on the property to be leased in an amount
equal to the Attributable Liens with respect to such sale and
lease-back transaction without equally and ratably securing the
Notes pursuant to the first paragraph of
Limitation on Liens above; or |
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(5) the obligor applies an amount equal to the fair value
of the Property sold to the purchase of Property or to the
retirement of its long-term Indebtedness within 365 days of
the effective date of any such sale and lease-back transaction.
In lieu of applying such amount to such retirement, the obligor
may deliver debt securities to the trustee therefor for
cancellation, such debt securities to be credited at the cost
thereof to the obligor. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligor may enter into any
sale lease-back transaction which would otherwise be subject to
the foregoing restrictions if after giving effect thereto and at
the time of determination, Aggregate Debt does not exceed the
greater of (i) 25% of Consolidated Net Worth calculated as
of the closing date of the sale-leaseback transaction or
(ii) 25% of Consolidated Net Worth calculated as of
January 13, 2006 (the date of the issuance of the Old
Notes).
Except as permitted under Consolidation,
Merger and Sale of Assets, the indenture requires the
obligor to do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights
and franchises; provided, however, that the obligor shall
not be required to preserve any right or franchise if it
determines that their preservation is no longer desirable in the
conduct of business.
Certain Definitions
As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings
set forth below.
Aggregate Debt means the sum of the following as of
the date of determination:
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(1) the aggregate principal amount of the obligors
Indebtedness incurred after January 13, 2006 (the date of
the issuance of the Old Notes) and secured by Liens not
permitted by the first sentence under
Limitation on Liens; and |
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(2) the obligors Attributable Liens in respect of
sale and lease-back transactions entered into after
January 13, 2006 (the date of the issuance of the Old
Notes) pursuant to the second paragraph of
Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back
Transactions. |
Attributable Liens means in connection with a sale
and lease-back transaction the lesser of:
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(1) the fair market value of the assets subject to such
transaction; and |
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(2) the present value (discounted at a rate per annum equal
to the average interest borne by all outstanding debt securities
issued under the indenture (which may include debt securities in
addition to the Notes) determined on a weighted average basis
and compounded semi-annually) of the obligations of the lessee
for rental payments during the term of the related lease. |
Capital Lease means any Indebtedness represented by
a lease obligation of a Person incurred with respect to real
property or equipment acquired or leased by such Person and used
in its business that is required to be recorded as a capital
lease in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Net Worth means, as of any date of
determination, the Stockholders Equity of the obligor and
its Consolidated Subsidiaries on that date.
Consolidated Subsidiary means, as of any date of
determination and with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of
that Person whose financial data is, in accordance with GAAP,
reflected in that Persons consolidated financial
statements.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles
set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity
as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any
specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:
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(1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to
floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements; |
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(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage
interest rates or interest rate risk; |
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(3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect
such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or
commodity prices; and |
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(4) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect
such person against fluctuations in equity prices. |
Indebtedness of any specified Person means, without
duplication, any indebtedness, whether or not contingent, in
respect of borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes,
debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or
reimbursement agreements with respect thereto) or representing
the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
Property (including pursuant to Capital Leases), except any such
balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, if
and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear
as a liability upon an unconsolidated balance sheet of such
Person (but does not include contingent liabilities which appear
only in a footnote to a balance sheet).
Lien means any lien, security interest, charge or
encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and
any agreement to give any security interest).
Permitted Liens means:
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(1) Liens on any of the obligors assets, created
solely to secure obligations incurred to finance the
refurbishment, improvement or construction of such asset, which
obligations are incurred no later than 24 months after
completion of such refurbishment, improvement or construction,
and all renewals, extensions, refinancings, replacements or
refundings of such obligations; |
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(2) (a) Liens given to secure the payment of the
purchase price incurred in connection with the acquisition
(including acquisition through merger or consolidation) of
Property (including shares of stock), including Capital Lease
transactions in connection with any such acquisition, and
(b) Liens existing on Property at the time of acquisition
thereof or at the time of acquisition by the obligor of any
Person then owning such Property whether or not such existing
Liens were given to secure the payment of the purchase price of
the Property to which they attach; provided that, with
respect to clause (a), the Liens shall be given within
24 months after such acquisition and shall attach solely to
the Property acquired or purchased and any improvements then or
thereafter placed thereon; |
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(3) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities
arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties
in connection with the importation of goods; |
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(4) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect
to letters of credit that encumber documents and other Property
relating to such letters of credit and the products and proceeds
thereof; |
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(5) Liens encumbering customary initial deposits and margin
deposits and other Liens in the ordinary course of business, in
each case securing Hedging Obligations and forward contract,
option, futures contracts, futures options, equity hedges or
similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect the
obligor from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies,
equities or the price of commodities; |
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(6) pre-existing Liens on assets acquired by the obligor
after January 13, 2006 (the date of the issuance of the Old
Notes); |
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(7) Liens in the obligors favor; |
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(8) inchoate Liens incident to construction or maintenance
of real property, or Liens incident to construction or
maintenance of real property, now or hereafter filed of record
for sums not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith, if
reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be
required by GAAP shall have been made therefore; |
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(9) statutory Liens arising in the ordinary course of
business with respect to obligations which are not delinquent or
are being contested in good faith, if reserves or other
appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP
shall have been made therefore; |
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(10) Liens consisting of pledges or deposits to secure
obligations under workers compensation laws or similar
legislation, including Liens of judgments thereunder which are
not currently dischargeable; |
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(11) Liens consisting of pledges or deposits of Property to
secure performance in connection with operating leases made in
the ordinary course of business to which the obligor is a party
as lessee, provided the aggregate value of all such pledges and
deposits in connection with any such lease does not at any time
exceed
162/3
% of the annual fixed rentals payable under such lease; |
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(12) Liens consisting of deposits of Property to secure the
obligors statutory obligations in the ordinary course of
its business; |
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(13) Liens consisting of deposits of Property to secure (or
in lieu of) surety, appeal or customs bonds in proceedings to
which the obligor is a party in the ordinary course of its
business, but not in excess of $25,000,000; and |
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(14) purchase money Liens or purchase money security
interests upon or in any Property acquired or held by the
obligor in the ordinary course of business to secure the
purchase price of such Property or to secure indebtedness
incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of
such Property. |
Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability
company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization
or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Property means any property or asset, whether real,
personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including shares
of capital stock.
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Senior Officer of any specified Person means the
chief executive officer, any president, any vice president, the
chief financial officer, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer,
the secretary or any assistant secretary.
Stockholders Equity means, as of any date of
determination, stockholders equity as reflected on the
most recent consolidated balance sheet available to the obligor
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Subsidiary of any specified Person means any
corporation, association or other business entity of which more
than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency)
to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.
Unclaimed Funds
All funds deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the
payment of principal, interest, premium or additional amounts in
respect of the New Notes that remain unclaimed for two years
after the maturity date of the New Notes will be repaid to the
obligor upon its request. Thereafter, any right of any
noteholder to such funds shall be enforceable only against the
obligor, and the trustee and paying agents will have no
liability therefor.
Governing Law
The indenture and the Notes for all purposes shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
Concerning the Obligors Relationship with the
Trustee
The obligor and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking
relationships and credit facilities with Citibank, N.A.
35
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
In a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers
of the Old Notes, we agreed
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(1) to file a registration statement with the SEC within
90 days after January 13, 2006 (the issue date of the
Old Notes) with respect to notes identical in all material
respects to the Old Notes but registered under the Securities
Act and not containing terms with respect to transfer
restrictions; |
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(2) to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
registration statement to be declared effective under the
Securities Act within 180 days after January 13, 2006
(the issue date of the Old Notes); and |
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(3) to keep the exchange offer open for not less than 30
business days after notice of the exchange offer is mailed, but
in any event, use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause
the exchange offer to be consummated within 210 days after
January 13, 2006 (the issue date of the Old Notes). |
The registration rights agreement provides that, in the event we
fail to file the registration statement within 90 days
after the issue date, cause the registration statement to become
effective within 180 days after the issue date or
consummate the exchange offer within 210 days after the
issue date, we will be required to pay a special interest
premium of 0.25% per annum on the Old Notes over and above
the regular interest on the Old Notes. Once we complete this
exchange offer, we will no longer be required to pay the special
interest premium on the Old Notes.
The exchange offer is not being made to, nor will we accept
tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Notes in any
jurisdiction in which the exchange offer or acceptance of the
exchange offer would violate the securities or blue sky laws of
that jurisdiction.
Terms of the Exchange Offer; Period for Tendering Old
Notes
This prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal
contain the terms and conditions of the exchange offer. Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions included in this prospectus
and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, which together
are the exchange offer, we will accept for exchange Old Notes
which are properly tendered on or prior to the expiration date,
unless you have previously withdrawn them.
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When you tender to us Old Notes as provided below, our
acceptance of the Old Notes will constitute a binding agreement
between you and us upon the terms and subject to the conditions
in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal. |
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For each $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes surrendered to us
in the exchange offer, we will give you $1,000 principal amount
of New Notes. |
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We will keep the exchange offer open for not less than 30
business days, or longer if required by applicable law, after
the date that we first mail notice of the exchange offer to the
holders of the Old Notes. We are sending this prospectus,
together with the letter of transmittal, on or about the date of
this prospectus to all of the registered holders of Old Notes at
their addresses listed in the trustees security register
with respect to the Old Notes. |
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The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on June 5, 2006; provided, however, that we,
in our sole discretion, may extend the period of time for which
the exchange offer is open. The term expiration date
means June 5, 2006 or, if extended by us, the latest time
and date to which the exchange offer is extended. |
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As of the date of this prospectus, $1,500,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of Old 2009 Notes, $2,250,000,000 of the Old
2011 Notes and $2,000,000,000 of the Old 2016 Notes were
outstanding. The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any
minimum principal amount of Old Notes being tendered. |
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Our obligation to accept Old Notes for exchange in the exchange
offer is subject to the conditions that we describe in the
section called Conditions to the Exchange
Offer below. |
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We expressly reserve the right, at any time, to extend the
period of time during which the exchange offer is open, and
thereby delay acceptance of any Old Notes, by giving oral or
written notice of an extension to the exchange agent and notice
of that extension to the holders as described below. During any
extension, all Old Notes previously tendered will remain subject
to the exchange offer unless withdrawal rights are exercised.
Any Old Notes not accepted for exchange for any reason will be
returned without expense to the tendering holder promptly
following the expiration or termination of the exchange offer. |
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We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the
exchange offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Notes
that we have not yet accepted for exchange, if any of the
conditions of the exchange offer specified below under
Conditions to the Exchange Offer are not
satisfied. In the event of a material change in the exchange
offer, including the waiver of a material condition, we will
extend the offer period if necessary so that at least five
business days remain in the exchange offer following notice of
the material change. |
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We will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment,
termination or non-acceptance described above to holders of the
Old Notes promptly. If we extend the expiration date, we will
give notice by means of a press release or other public
announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time,
on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration
date. Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make
any public announcement and subject to applicable law, we will
have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise
communicate any public announcement other than by issuing a
release to the Dow Jones News Service. |
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Holders of Old Notes do not have any appraisal or
dissenters rights in connection with the exchange offer. |
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Old Notes which are not tendered for exchange or are tendered
but not accepted in connection with the exchange offer will
remain outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of the
indenture, but will not be entitled to any further registration
rights under the registration rights agreement. |
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We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the
applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder. |
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By executing, or otherwise becoming bound by, the letter of
transmittal, you will be making the representations described
below to us. See Resales of the New
Notes. |
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Important rules concerning the exchange offer |
You should note that:
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All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of
receipt and acceptance of Old Notes tendered for exchange will
be determined by us in our sole discretion, which determination
shall be final and binding. |
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We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all tenders of
any particular Old Notes not properly tendered or to not accept
any particular Old Notes which acceptance might, in our judgment
or the judgment of our counsel, be unlawful. |
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We also reserve the absolute right to waive any defects or
irregularities or conditions of the exchange offer as to any
particular Old Notes either before or after the expiration date,
including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder who
seeks to tender Old Notes in the exchange offer. Unless we agree
to waive any defect or irregularity in connection with the
tender of Old Notes for exchange, you must cure any defect or
irregularity within any reasonable period of time as we shall
determine. |
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Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange
offer as to any particular Old Notes either before or after the
expiration date shall be final and binding on all parties. |
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Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person shall be
under any duty to give notification of any defect or
irregularity with respect to any tender of Old Notes for
exchange, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure
to give any notification. |
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes
If you, as the registered holder of an old security, wish to
tender your Old Notes for exchange in the exchange offer, you
must transmit a properly completed and duly executed letter of
transmittal to Citibank, N.A. at the address set forth below
under Exchange Agent on or prior to the expiration
date.
In addition,
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(1) certificates for Old Notes must be received by the
exchange agent along with the letter of transmittal; |
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(2) a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Old
Notes, if such procedure is available, into the exchange
agents account at DTC using the procedure for book-entry
transfer described below, must be received by the exchange agent
prior to the expiration date; or |
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(3) you must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below. |
The method of delivery of Old Notes, letters of transmittal
and notices of guaranteed delivery is at your election and risk.
If delivery is by mail, we recommend that registered mail,
properly insured, with return receipt requested, be used. In all
cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely
delivery. No letters of transmittal or Old Notes should be sent
to Oracle.
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How to sign your letter of transmittal and other
documents |
Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal,
as the case may be, must be guaranteed unless the Old Notes
being surrendered for exchange are tendered
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(1) by a registered holder of the Old Notes who has not
completed the box entitled Special Issuance
Instructions or Special Delivery Instructions
on the letter of transmittal or |
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(2) for the account of an eligible institution. |
If signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of
withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be guaranteed,
the guarantees must be by any of the following eligible
institutions:
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a firm which is a member of a registered national securities
exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. or |
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a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States |
If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person or persons
other than the registered holder or holders of Old Notes, the
Old Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate powers
of attorney, in either case signed exactly as the name or names
of the registered holder or holders that appear on the Old Notes
and with the signature guaranteed.
If the letter of transmittal or any Old Notes or powers of
attorney are signed by trustees, executors, administrators,
guardians,
attorneys-in-fact,
officers or corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, the person should so indicate when
signing and, unless waived by Oracle, proper evidence
satisfactory to Oracle of its authority to so act must be
submitted.
Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New
Notes
Once all of the conditions to the exchange offer are satisfied
or waived, we will accept, promptly after the expiration date,
all Old Notes properly tendered and will issue the New Notes
promptly after the expiration of the exchange offer. See
Conditions to the Exchange Offer below.
For purposes of the exchange offer, our
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giving of oral or written notice of our acceptance to the
exchange agent will be considered our acceptance of the exchange
offer.
In all cases, we will issue New Notes in exchange for Old Notes
that are accepted for exchange only after timely receipt by the
exchange agent of:
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certificates for Old Notes, or |
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a timely book-entry confirmation of transfer of Old Notes into
the exchange agents account at DTC using the book-entry
transfer procedures described below, and |
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a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal. |
If we do not accept any tendered Old Notes for any reason
included in the terms and conditions of the exchange offer or if
you submit certificates representing Old Notes in a greater
principal amount than you wish to exchange, we will return any
unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes without expense to the
tendering holder or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by
book-entry transfer into the exchange agents account at
DTC using the book-entry transfer procedures described below,
non-exchanged Old Notes will be credited to an account
maintained with DTC promptly following the expiration or
termination of the exchange offer.
Book-Entry Transfer
The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account
with respect to the Old Notes at DTC for purposes of the
exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus. Any
financial institution that is a participant in DTCs
systems may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing DTC
to transfer Old Notes into the exchange agents account in
accordance with DTCs Automated Tender Offer Program
procedures for transfer. However, the exchange for the Old Notes
so tendered will only be made after timely confirmation of
book-entry transfer of Old Notes into the exchange agents
account, and timely receipt by the exchange agent of an
agents message, transmitted by DTC and received by the
exchange agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation.
The agents message must state that DTC has received an
express acknowledgment from the participant tendering Old Notes
that are the subject of that book-entry confirmation that the
participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of
the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce the agreement
against that participant.
If your Old Notes are held through DTC, you must complete a form
called instructions to registered holder and/or book-entry
participant, which will instruct the DTC participant
through whom you hold your Old Notes of your intention to tender
your Old Notes or not tender your Old Notes.
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures
If you are a registered holder of Old Notes and you want to
tender your Old Notes but your Old Notes are not immediately
available, or time will not permit your Old Notes to reach the
exchange agent before the expiration date, or the procedure for
book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, a
tender may be effected if:
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(1) the tender is made through an eligible institution, |
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(2) prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent
receives, by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery, from
that eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed
letter of transmittal and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
substantially in the form provided by us, stating: |
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the name and address of the holder of Old Notes; |
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the amount of Old Notes tendered; and |
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the tender is being made by delivering that notice and
guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange trading
days after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed
delivery, the certificates of all physically tendered Old Notes,
in proper form for transfer, or a |
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book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, will be deposited
by that eligible institution with the exchange agent, and |
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(3) the certificates for all physically tendered Old Notes,
in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as
the case may be, are received by the exchange agent within three
New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution
of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. |
Withdrawal Rights
You can withdraw your tender of Old Notes at any time on or
prior to the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal
must be received by the exchange agent at one of the addresses
listed below under Exchange Agent. Any
notice of withdrawal must specify:
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the name of the person having tendered the Old Notes to be
withdrawn; |
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the Old Notes to be withdrawn; |
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the principal amount of the Old Notes to be withdrawn; |
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if certificates for Old Notes have been delivered to the
exchange agent, the name in which the Old Notes are registered,
if different from that of the withdrawing holder; |
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if certificates for Old Notes have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the exchange agent, then, prior to the release of
those certificates, you must also submit the serial numbers of
the particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice
of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible
institution unless you are an eligible institution; and |
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if Old Notes have been tendered using the procedure for
book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal
must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be
credited with the withdrawn Old Notes and otherwise comply with
the procedures of that facility. |
Please note that all questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility and time of receipt of notices of withdrawal will be
determined by us, and our determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be
considered not to have been validly tendered for exchange for
purposes of the exchange offer.
If you have properly withdrawn Old Notes and wish to re-tender
them, you may do so by following one of the procedures described
under Procedures for Tendering Old Notes
above at any time on or prior to the expiration date.
Conditions to the Exchange Offer
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the exchange offer, we
will not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue New
Notes in exchange for, any Old Notes and may terminate or amend
the exchange offer, if at any time before the acceptance of Old
Notes for exchange or the exchange of the New Notes for Old
Notes, that acceptance or issuance would violate applicable law
or any interpretation of the staff of the SEC.
That condition is for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us
regardless of the circumstances giving rise to that condition.
Our failure at any time to exercise the foregoing rights shall
not be considered a waiver by us of that right. Our rights
described in the prior paragraph are ongoing rights which we may
assert at any time and from time to time.
In addition, we will not accept for exchange any Old Notes
tendered, and no New Notes will be issued in exchange for any
Old Notes, if at that time any stop order shall be threatened or
in effect with respect to the exchange offer to which this
prospectus relates or the qualification of the indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act.
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Consequences of Failure to Exchange
If you do not exchange your Old Notes for New Notes in the
exchange offer, your Old Notes will remain subject to the
restrictions on transfer of such Old Notes:
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as set forth in the legend printed on the Old Notes as a
consequence of the issuance of the Old Notes pursuant to the
exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act; and |
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as otherwise set forth in the offering memorandum distributed in
connection with the private offering of the Old Notes. |
In general, you may not offer or sell your Old Notes unless they
are registered under the Securities Act or if the offer or sale
is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the
registration rights agreement, we do not intend to register
resales of the Old Notes under the Securities Act.
Exchange Agent
Citibank, N.A. has been appointed as the exchange agent for the
exchange offer. All executed letters of transmittal should be
directed to the exchange agent at one of the addresses set forth
below. Questions and requests for assistance, requests for
additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of
transmittal and requests for notices of guaranteed delivery
should be directed to the exchange agent, addressed as follows:
Deliver To:
Citibank, N.A., Exchange Agent
Agency & Trust Services
111 Wall Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Attn: Customer Service
Facsimile Transmissions:
(212) 657-1020
To Confirm by Telephone
or for Information:
(800) 422-2066
Delivery to an address other than as listed above or
transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as listed
above does not constitute a valid delivery.
Fees and Expenses
The principal solicitation is being made by mail; however,
additional solicitation may be made by telephone, facsimile,
electronic submission or in person by our officers, regular
employees and affiliates. We will not pay any additional
compensation to any of our officers and employees who engage in
soliciting tenders. We will not make any payment to brokers,
dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer.
However, we will pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary
fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses
in connection with the exchange offer.
The estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with
the exchange offer, including legal, accounting, SEC filing,
printing and exchange agent expenses, will be paid by us and are
estimated in the aggregate to be $900,000.
Transfer Taxes
Holders who tender their Old Notes for exchange will not be
obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith,
except that holders who instruct us to register New Notes in the
name of, or request
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that Old Notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange
offer be returned to, a person other than the registered
tendering holder will be responsible for the payment of any
applicable transfer tax thereon.
Resale of the New Notes
Under existing interpretations of the staff of the SEC contained
in several no-action letters to third parties, the New Notes
would in general be freely transferable after the exchange offer
without further registration under the Securities Act. The
relevant no-action letters include the Exxon Capital Holdings
Corporation letter, which was made available by the SEC on
May 13, 1988, and the Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated letter, made available on June 5, 1991.
However, any purchaser of Old Notes who is an
affiliate of Oracle or who intends to participate in
the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing the New Notes
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(1) will not be able to rely on the interpretation of the
staff of the SEC; |
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(2) will not be able to tender its Old Notes in the
exchange offer; and |
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(3) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any sale or transfer of the Notes unless that sale or transfer
is made using an exemption from those requirements. |
By executing, or otherwise becoming bound by, the Letter of
Transmittal each holder of the Old Notes will represent that:
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(1) it is not our affiliate; |
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(2) any New Notes to be received by it were acquired in the
ordinary course of its business; and |
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(3) it has no arrangement or understanding with any person
to participate, and is not engaged in and does not intend to
engage, in the distribution, within the meaning of
the Securities Act, of the New Notes. |
In addition, in connection with any resales of New Notes, any
broker-dealer participating in the exchange offer who acquired
Notes for its own account as a result of market-making or other
trading activities must deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act. The SEC has taken the
position in the Shearman & Sterling no-action letter,
which it made available on July 2, 1993, that participating
broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery
requirements with respect to the New Notes, other than a resale
of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old Notes,
with the prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration
statement. Under the registration rights agreement, we are
required to allow participating broker-dealers and other
persons, if any, subject to similar prospectus delivery
requirements to use this prospectus as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, in connection with the resale of
New Notes for a period of 180 days from the date the
registration statement is declared effective and make the
prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto available to
any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of New
Notes for a period of not less than 90 days after the
consummation of the exchange offer.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
EXCHANGE OFFER
The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes in the exchange offer
will not result in any U.S. federal income tax consequences
to holders. When a holder exchanges an Old Note for a New Note
in the exchange offer, the holder will have the same adjusted
basis and holding period in the New Note as in the Old Note
immediately before the exchange.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account
in exchange for Old Notes where Old Notes were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities
must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of New Notes.
We have agreed to allow participating broker-dealers and other
persons, if any, subject to similar prospectus delivery
requirements to use this prospectus in connection with the
resale of New Notes for a period of 180 days from the date
the registration statement is declared effective and that,
during such period, we will amend or supplement this prospectus,
if requested by the initial purchasers of the Old Notes or any
participating broker-dealers, in order to expedite or facilitate
the disposition of the New Notes. We will make such prospectus
and any amendment or supplement thereto available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of any New
Notes for a period of not less than 90 calendar days after the
consummation of the exchange offer.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New Notes by
broker-dealers.
New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account in
the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions
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in the over-the-counter
market; |
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in negotiated transactions; |
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through the writing of options on the New Notes; or |
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a combination of those methods of resale |
at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices
related to prevailing market prices or negotiated prices.
Any resale may be made
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directly to purchasers; or |
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to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in
the form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or
the purchasers of any New Notes. |
Any broker-dealer that resells New Notes that were received by
it for its own account in the exchange offer and any broker or
dealer that participates in a distribution of those New Notes
may be considered to be an underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act. Any profit on any resale of those
New Notes and any commission or concessions received by any of
those persons may be considered to be underwriting compensation
under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that,
by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be considered to admit that
it is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange
offer, other than brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, and
will indemnify the holders of the Notes, including any
broker-dealers, against some liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act.
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VALIDITY OF NEW NOTES
Davis Polk & Wardwell, Menlo Park, California will
opine for us on whether the New Notes are valid and binding
obligations of Oracle.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Old Oracle appearing in
Old Oracles Annual Report on
Form 10-K/ A for
the year ended May 31, 2005 (including the schedule
appearing therein), and Old Oracle managements assessment
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting as of May 31, 2005 included therein, have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon,
included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements and managements
assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Siebel as of
December 31, 2004 and 2005 and for each of the years then
ended and the consolidated financial statements as of
December 31, 2003 and 2004, and for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 appearing in
Siebels 2004 annual report on
Form 10-K, and
Siebel managements assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004, have been incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference
herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
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