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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2010

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

ORACLE CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

and the additional registrant listed on the following page

 

Delaware		54-2185193
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

500 Oracle Parkway

Redwood City, California 94065

(650) 506-7000

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

 

 

Dorian Daley

Senior Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

Oracle Corporation

500 Oracle Parkway

Redwood City, California 94065

(650) 506-7000

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

 

 

Copy to:

Bruce K. Dallas

Sarah K. Solum

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

1600 El Camino Real

Menlo Park, California 94025

(650) 752-2000

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Large accelerated filer		x		Accelerated filer		¨
Non-accelerated filer		¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company		¨

 

 

 

Title of Shares to be Registered		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price			Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities		(1	)		(2	)
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Units

 

 

(1)	An indeterminate amount of securities to be offered from time to time at indeterminate prices is being registered pursuant to this registration statement.

(2)	The registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 456(b) and is omitting this information in reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).

The Company is filing this registration statement to replace its registration statement (No. 333-142796), which is expiring pursuant to Rule 415(a)(5). In accordance with Rule 415(a)(6), effectiveness of this Registration Statement will be deemed to terminate the expiring registration statement.

 

 

 

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PROSPECTUS

ORACLE CORPORATION

 

 

The following are types of securities that may be offered and sold by Oracle Corporation or by selling security holders under this prospectus from time to time:

 

•   Common stock		•   Warrants
•   Preferred stock		•   Purchase contracts
•   Debt securities		•   Units

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

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

 

•   Maturity		•   Redemption terms		•   Liquidation amount
•   Interest rate		•   Listing on a security exchange		•   Subsidiary guarantees
•   Currency of payments		•   Amount payable at maturity		•   Sinking fund terms
•   Dividends		•   Conversion or exchange rights

Our Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol ORCL.

 

 

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and under similar headings in other documents which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is May 7, 2010

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
Oracle Corporation		2
Where You Can Find More Information		3
Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements		4
Use of Proceeds		4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		5
Description of Capital Stock		6
Description of Debt Securities		8
Description of Warrants		18
Description of Purchase Contracts		18
Description of Units		19
Forms of Securities		20
Plan of Distribution		22
Validity of Securities		23
Experts		23

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of the securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Unless we have indicated otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Oracle”, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Oracle Corporation and not to any of its existing or future subsidiaries.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access the registration statement including the exhibits and schedules thereto.

As permitted by the SEC’s rules, this prospectus does not contain all the information that you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to that 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 is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all documents subsequently filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus:

 

(a)

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2009, June 23, 2009 (but not to the extent furnished and not filed), June 29, 2009, July 8, 2009, July 14, 2009, August 21, 2009, September 3, 2009, September 16, 2009 (but not to the extent furnished and not filed), October 8, 2009, November 10, 2009, December 17, 2009 (but not to the extent furnished and not filed), January 21, 2010, January 28, 2010, February 12, 2010, and March 25, 2010 (but not to the extent furnished and not filed) and our amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on April 7, 2010;

 

(b)

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended August 31, 2009, November 30, 2009, and February 28, 2010;

 

(c)

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2009;

 

(d)

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2009; and

 

(e)

The description of our common stock included in our registration statement on pages 101 through 102 of Form S-4, as amended (Reg. No. 333-129139), filed on December 29, 2005, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions.

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by contacting our 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.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and documents that are incorporated by reference in 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. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about our business. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our 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, could affect our future results, and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements:

 

•

Economic, political and market conditions, including the recent global economic and financial crisis, could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition, including our revenue growth and profitability, through reductions in customer IT budgets and expenditures and through the general tightening of access to credit;

 

•

We may fail to achieve our 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 our renewal rates for software license updates and product support;

 

•

Our entrance into the hardware systems business may not be successful, and we may fail to achieve our financial forecasts with respect to this new business;

 

•

We have an active acquisition program and our acquisitions, including our acquisition of Sun, may not be successful, may involve unanticipated costs or other integration issues or may disrupt our existing operations;

 

•

Our international sales and operations subject us to additional risks that can adversely affect our operating results, including risks relating to foreign currency gains and losses and risks relating to compliance with international and U.S. laws that apply to our international operations;

 

•

Intense competitive forces demand rapid technological advances and frequent new product introductions and could require us to reduce prices or cause us to lose customers; and

 

•

We cannot assure market acceptance of new products or services or new versions of existing or acquired products or services.

We have no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events. New information or future events may cause the forward-looking events we discuss in this prospectus not to occur.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities issued pursuant to this registration statement for general corporate purposes which may include stock repurchases, repayment of indebtedness and future acquisitions. If we decide to use the net proceeds from a particular offering of securities for a specific purpose, we will describe that purpose in the related prospectus supplement.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.

 

		Nine months ended February 28,				Year ended May 31,
		2010		2009		2009		2008		2007		2006		2005
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		10x		11x		13x		18x		17x		25x		25x

For purposes of calculating this ratio, the term “earnings” means the amounts resulting from the following: (a) our income before provision for income taxes, plus (b) the noncontrolling interests in the net income of our majority owned subsidiaries, plus (c) our fixed charges, less (d) our share of our equity investee’s income before provision for income taxes. The term “fixed charges” means the amounts resulting from the following: (a) our interest expensed, plus (b) our estimate of the interest component of rent expense.

We do not report any shares of preferred stock outstanding in our consolidated financial statements because our outstanding preferred stock is owned by one or more of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends for any given period is equivalent to our ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock is based upon our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (“Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), our bylaws, as amended (“Bylaws”) and applicable provisions of law. We have summarized certain portions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws below. The summary is not complete. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws for the provisions that are important to you.

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

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

Authorized Capital Stock

Under the Oracle Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Oracle’s authorized capital stock consists of 11 billion shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, and 1 million shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. As of April 30, 2010, there were 5,029,522,697 shares of Oracle common stock issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

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

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

Dividend Rights. Subject to any preferential dividend rights granted to the holders of any shares of our preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.

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

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

Transfer Agent and Registrar. Mellon Investor Services LLC is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

Preferred Stock

Under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, without further stockholder action, our board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by the law of the State of Delaware, to provide for the issuance of the shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be

 

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included in each such series, to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding).

Certain Provisions of Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

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

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

Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law

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

 

•

the transaction is approved by the board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder obtained such status;

 

•

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or

 

•

on or subsequent to such date the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

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

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated January 13, 2006 among Oracle Corporation (formerly known as Ozark Holding Inc.), Oracle Systems Corporation (formerly known as Oracle Corporation) and Citibank, N.A., as amended by a supplemental indenture dated as of May 9, 2007 by and among Oracle Corporation, Citibank, N.A. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (subsequently renamed The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee (the “trustee”), as may be further supplemented from time to time. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series established in or pursuant to a board resolution and set forth in an officers’ certificate or supplemental indenture. In accordance with the terms of the indenture, Oracle Systems Corporation is no longer an obligor under the indenture and will not be an obligor on any securities issued under the indenture unless explicitly stated in the prospectus supplement relating to such securities.

When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms for the securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

We have summarized certain terms and provisions of the indenture. The summary is not complete. The indenture has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement for these securities that we have filed with the SEC. You should read the indenture and applicable board resolution and officers’ certificate or supplemental indenture (including the form of debt security) relating to the applicable series of debt securities for the provisions which may be important to you. The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

General

The indenture will not limit the amount of debt securities which we may issue. We have the right to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt securities by issuing additional debt securities of such series. We may issue debt securities up to an aggregate principal amount as we may authorize from time to time. The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding. Our secured debt, if any, will be effectively senior to the debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. The debt securities will be exclusively our obligations and not of our subsidiaries and therefore the debt securities will be structurally subordinate to the debt and liabilities of any of our subsidiaries. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any debt securities being offered, including:

 

•

the title;

 

•

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount;

 

•

the date or dates on which the principal is payable;

 

•

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

 

•

the date or dates from which interest shall accrue;

 

•

the date or dates on which interest shall be payable;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

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•

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

 

•

our obligation, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise or at the option of a holder thereof;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

any deletion from, modification of or addition to the events of default or covenants;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

any special tax implications of the notes;

 

•

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

 

•

any guarantor or co-issuers;

 

•

any special interest premium or other premium;

 

•

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

 

•

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

Events of Default

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

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

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

(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

 

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we receive written notice from the trustee or the trustee receives notice from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series;

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

(5) any other Events of Default set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) with respect to us) under the indenture occurs with respect to the debt securities 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 debt securities of that series, will by written notice, require us to repay immediately the entire principal amount of the outstanding debt securities 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 us occurs and is continuing, then the entire principal amount of the outstanding debt securities 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 debt securities 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 debt securities 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 debt securities 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 debt securities of that series.

Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities 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 debt securities of that series. These limitations do not apply, however, to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for the enforcement of the payment of principal, interest or any premium on or after the due dates for such payment.

During the existence of an Event of Default of which a responsible officer of the trustee has actual knowledge or has received written notice from us or any holder of the debt securities, the trustee is required to exercise the rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would under the circumstances in the conduct of that person’s own affairs. 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 debt securities 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 debt securities 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.

 

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

Modification and Waiver

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

 

•

cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies;

 

•

provide for the assumption of our obligations in the case of a merger or consolidation and our discharge upon such assumption;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

secure the debt securities of a series;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

conform any provision in the indenture to this “Description of Debt Securities”; or

 

•

make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder.

Other amendments and modifications of the indenture or the debt securities 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 our 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:

 

•

reduce the principal amount, or extend the fixed maturity, of the debt securities, alter or waive the redemption provisions of the debt securities;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

waive a payment default with respect to the debt securities or any guarantor;

 

•

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

 

•

adversely affect the ranking of the debt securities of any series.

Covenants

Principal and Interest

We covenant to pay the principal of and interest on the debt securities when due and in the manner provided in the indenture.

 

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Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets

We will not consolidate or combine with or merge with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any person or persons in a single transaction or through a series of transactions, unless:

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

we 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:

 

•

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

 

•

the merger of us with or into a single direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ours pursuant to Section 251(g) (or any successor provision) of the 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 our 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 ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named in our place in the indenture. We will (except in the case of a lease) be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the indenture and any debt securities issued thereunder.

Negative Covenants

In addition to the covenants set forth above, the following additional covenants shall apply to the debt securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to a board resolution and set forth in an officers’ certificate or a supplemental indenture). These covenants do not limit our ability to incur indebtedness and apply only to us.

Limitation on Liens

With respect to each series of debt securities, we will not create or incur any Lien on any of our Properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or upon any income or profits therefrom, in order to secure any of our Indebtedness, without effectively providing that such series of debt securities shall be equally and ratably secured until such time as such Indebtedness is no longer secured by such Lien, except:

(1) Liens existing as of the closing date of the offering of the series of debt securities;

(2) Liens granted after closing date of the offering of the series of debt securities, created in favor of the holders of such series of debt securities;

(3) Liens securing our 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 our 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

(5) Permitted Liens.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may, without securing any series of debt securities, 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 the date of the issuance of such debt securities.

Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

With respect to each series of debt securities, we 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:

(1) such transaction was entered into prior to the closing date of the offering of the series of debt securities;

(2) such transaction was for the sale and leasing back to us of any Property by one of our Subsidiaries;

(3) such transaction involves a lease for less than three years;

(4) we 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 such series of debt securities pursuant to the first paragraph of “— Limitation on Liens” above; or

(5) we apply an amount equal to the fair value of the Property sold to the purchase of Property or to the retirement of our 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, we may deliver debt securities to the trustee therefor for cancellation, such debt securities to be credited at the cost thereof to us.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we 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 the date of the issuance of the series of debt securities.

Existence

Except as permitted under “— Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets,” the indenture requires us to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights and franchises; provided, however, that we shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that 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:

(1) the aggregate principal amount of our Indebtedness incurred after the closing date of the offering of the debt securities and secured by Liens not permitted by the first sentence under “— Limitation on Liens;” and

 

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(2) our Attributable Liens in respect of sale and lease-back transactions entered into after the closing date of this offering 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:

(1) the fair market value of the assets subject to such transaction; and

(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 series of debt securities currently outstanding under the indenture and those being offered by any prospectus supplement) 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, our Stockholders’ Equity and our 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 Person’s 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:

(1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk;

(3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices; and

(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).

 

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“Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens on any of our 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;

(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 us 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;

(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;

(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;

(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 us from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies, equities or the price of commodities;

(6) pre-existing Liens on assets acquired by us after the closing date of this offering;

(7) Liens in our favor;

(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;

(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;

(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;

(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 we are 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 16 ²/3% of the annual fixed rentals payable under such lease;

(12) Liens consisting of deposits of Property to secure our statutory obligations in the ordinary course of our business;

(13) Liens consisting of deposits of Property to secure (or in lieu of) surety, appeal or customs bonds in proceedings to which we are a party in the ordinary course of our business, but not in excess of $25,000,000; and

(14) purchase money Liens or purchase money security interests upon or in any Property acquired or held by us 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.

 

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“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.

“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 us 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.

Satisfaction, Discharge and Covenant Defeasance

We may terminate our obligations under the indenture, when:

 

•

either:

 

•

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

 

•

all the debt securities 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 we have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by such trustee in our name, and at our expense and we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee sufficient funds to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the series of debt securities to pay principal, interest and any premium;

 

•

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

 

•

we have 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.

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

the defeasance provisions of the indenture.

 

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

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

 

•

we must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefits of the holders of the debt securities of a series:

 

•

money in an amount;

 

•

U.S. Government Obligations; or

 

•

a combination of money and U.S. Government Obligations,

in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the written opinion 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 we have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in our name and at our expense, the redemption date;

 

•

in the case of legal defeasance, we must have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that, as a result of an IRS ruling or a change in applicable federal income tax law, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, 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;

 

•

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

 

•

no default with respect to the outstanding debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect to the deposit or, in the case of legal defeasance, no default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency has occurred and is continuing 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;

 

•

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 debt securities of a series were in default within the meaning of such Act;

 

•

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 we are a party;

 

•

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

 

•

we have 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.

 

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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 debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the maturity date of such debt securities will be repaid to us upon our request. Thereafter, any right of any noteholder to such funds shall be enforceable only against us, and the trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.

Governing Law

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

Concerning Our Relationship with the Trustee

We maintain ordinary banking relationships and credit facilities with The Bank of New York Mellon.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

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

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

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

 

•

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

 

•

currencies; or

 

•

commodities.

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

The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts will be issued under the indenture.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

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

 

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FORMS OF SECURITIES

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

Global Securities

Registered Global Securities. We may issue the registered debt securities, warrants and units in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security

 

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desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants or units, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of Oracle, the trustee, any warrant agent, unit agent or any other agent of Oracle, agent of the trustee or agent of such warrant agent or unit agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security 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.

If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security 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 us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. In addition, we may at any time determine that the securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a global security and will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for such global security pursuant to the procedure described above.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or selling security holders may sell the securities described in this prospectus in the following manner or any manner specified in a prospectus supplement:

 

•

directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding or auction process or otherwise;

 

•

through agents;

 

•

to or through underwriters;

 

•

through dealers; and

 

•

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

If any securities are sold pursuant to this prospectus by any persons other than us, we will, in a prospectus supplement, name the selling security holders, indicate the nature of any relationship such holders have had to us or any of our affiliates during the three years preceding such offering, state the amount of securities of the class owned by such security holder prior to the offering and the amount to be offered for the security holder’s account, and state the amount and (if one percent or more) the percentage of the class to be owned by such security holder after completion of the offering.

We or any selling security holder may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 and describe any commissions that we or any selling security holder must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we and, if applicable, any selling security holder will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us and by any selling security holder against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

Any underwriter, agent or dealer utilized in the initial offering of securities will not confirm sales to accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of its customer.

 

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VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplements, the validity of those securities will be passed on for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, and for any underwriters or agents, by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Oracle Corporation appearing in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended May 31, 2009 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2009 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein in reliance upon the report of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

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

 

		Amount to be Paid
SEC Registration fee		$		*
Printing fees			*	*
Legal fees and expenses			*	*
Trustee fees and expenses			*	*
Rating Agency fees			*	*
Accounting fees and expenses			*	*
Miscellaneous			*	*
TOTAL		$	*	*

 

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

**	These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances, and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of each of our directors for monetary damages for breach of such director’s fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability: (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; (b) for acts of omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (c) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The directors’ liability will be further limited to the extent permitted by any future amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizing the further limitation or elimination of the liability of directors.

In addition, as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Bylaws provide that: (i) we are required to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary; (ii) we are required to advance expenses, as incurred, to such directors and officers in connection with defending a proceeding (except that it is not required to advance expenses to a person against whom we bring a claim for breach of the duty of loyalty, failure to act in good faith, intentional misconduct, knowing violation of the law or deriving an improper personal benefit); (iii) the rights conferred in our Bylaws are not exclusive and we are authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with such directors, officers and employees; (iv) we are required to maintain director and officer liability insurance to the extent we determine that such insurance is reasonably available; and (v) we may not retroactively amend the Bylaw provisions in a way that is adverse to such directors and officers.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and a number of our officers containing provisions which provide for the indemnification of such director or officer, as applicable, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

The indemnification provisions in our Bylaws, and any indemnification agreements entered into between us and our directors or officers, may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of our directors and officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

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The proposed form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement provides for indemnification of our directors and officers by the underwriters against certain liabilities.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

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

 

Exhibit No.		Document
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities)
1.2		Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Purchase Contracts and Units) **
4.1(1)		Indenture dated January 13, 2006 among Oracle Corporation (formerly known as Ozark Holding Inc.), Oracle Systems Corporation (formerly known as Oracle Corporation) and Citibank, N.A.
4.2		Form of Note
4.3(2)		First Supplemental Indenture dated May 9, 2007 between Oracle Corporation, Citibank, N.A. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
4.4		Specimen Common Stock Certificate
4.5		Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate**
4.6		Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants sold separately**
4.7		Form of Warrant for Warrants sold separately (included in Exhibit 4.6)**
4.8		Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants sold attached to other Securities**
4.9		Form of Warrant for Warrants sold attached to other Securities (included in Exhibit 4.8)**
4.10		Form of Purchase Contract Agreement relating to Purchase Contracts**
4.11		Form of Unit Agreement**
5.1		Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
12.1		Statement regarding computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2		Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of the Registration Statement)
25.1		Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

 

**	To be filed by Current Report on Form 8-K.

(1)	Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Oracle Systems Corporation on January 20, 2006.

(2)	Incorporated by reference to the Automatic Shelf Registration on Form S-3 filed by Oracle Corporation on May 10, 2007.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

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

 

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(f)

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

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

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Redwood City, State of California, on May 7, 2010.

 

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

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

 

Signature		Title		Date
/S/    LAWRENCE J. ELLISON         Lawrence J. Ellison		Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)		May 7, 2010
/S/    JEFF EPSTEIN         Jeff Epstein		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)		May 7, 2010
/S/    WILLIAM COREY WEST         William Corey West		Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)		May 7, 2010
/S/    JEFFREY O. HENLEY         Jeffrey O. Henley		Chairman of the Board of Directors		May 7, 2010
/S/    JEFFREY BERG         Jeffrey Berg		Director		May 7, 2010
/S/    H. RAYMOND BINGHAM         H. Raymond Bingham		Director		May 7, 2010

 

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Signature		Title		Date
/S/    MICHAEL J. BOSKIN          Michael J. Boskin		Director		May 7, 2010
/S/    SAFRA A. CATZ         Safra A. Catz		President and Director		May 7, 2010
/S/    BRUCE R. CHIZEN         Bruce R. Chizen		Director		May 7, 2010
/S/    GEORGE H. CONRADES         George H. Conrades		Director		May 7, 2010
/S/    HECTOR GARCIA-MOLINA         Hector Garcia-Molina		Director		May 7, 2010
/S/    DONALD L. LUCAS         Donald L. Lucas		Director		May 7, 2010
/S/    CHARLES E. PHILLIPS, JR.         Charles E. Phillips, Jr.		President and Director		May 7, 2010
/S/    NAOMI O. SELIGMAN         Naomi O. Seligman		Director		May 7, 2010

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Document
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities)
1.2		Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Purchase Contracts and Units) **
4.1(1)		Indenture dated January 13, 2006 among Oracle Corporation (formerly known as Ozark Holding Inc.), Oracle Systems Corporation (formerly known as Oracle Corporation) and Citibank, N.A.
4.2		Form of Note
4.3(2)		First Supplemental Indenture dated May 9, 2007 between Oracle Corporation, Citibank, N.A. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
4.4		Specimen Common Stock Certificate
4.5		Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate**
4.6		Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants sold separately**
4.7		Form of Warrant for Warrants sold separately (included in Exhibit 4.6)**
4.8		Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants sold attached to other Securities**
4.9		Form of Warrant for Warrants sold attached to other Securities (included in Exhibit 4.8)**
4.10		Form of Purchase Contract Agreement relating to Purchase Contracts**
4.11		Form of Unit Agreement**
5.1		Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
12.1		Statement regarding computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2		Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of the Registration Statement)
25.1		Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

 

**	To be filed by Current Report on Form 8-K.

(1)	Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Oracle Systems Corporation on January 20, 2006.

(2)	Incorporated by reference to the Automatic Shelf Registration on Form S-3 filed by Oracle Corporation on May 10, 2007.