As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2003
Registration No. 333-107047
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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IMAX CORPORATION
(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
CANADA 98-0140269
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
ROBERT D. LISTER
IMAX CORPORATION IMAX U.S.A. INC.
2525 SPEAKMAN DRIVE, 110 E. 59TH STREET, SUITE 2100,
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO L5K 1B1 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
(905) 403-6500 (212) 821-0100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone (Name, address, including zip code, and
number, including area code, of registrant's telephone number, including area
principal executive offices) code, of agent for service)
-------------------------
COPIES TO:
Brice T. Voran, Esq. Philip C. Moore
Shearman & Sterling McCarthy Tetrault LLP
199 Bay Street 55 King Street West
Commerce Court West Toronto Dominion Bank Tower
Suite 4405, P.O. Box 247 Suite 4700, TD Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5L 1E8 Toronto, Ontario M5K 1E6
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by
market conditions.
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 Registration Statement 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 number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: [ ]
If this Registration Statement 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 delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: [ ]
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Information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We
may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Dated October 6, 2003
$250,000,000
IMAX CORPORATION
DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED SHARES
COMMON SHARES
WARRANTS
STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS
We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, any
combination of debt and equity securities that we describe in this prospectus
having a total initial offering price not exceeding $250,000,000.
We will provide the specific terms of these securities we are offering in
supplements to this prospectus. We may not use this prospectus to sell
securities unless we also give prospective investors a prospectus supplement.
Any statement contained in this prospectus is deemed modified or superseded by
any inconsistent statement contained in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
We urge you to read carefully this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus
supplement, which will describe the specific terms of the securities offered,
before you make your investment decision.
Our common shares trade on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"IMAX" and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "IMX." On October 3,
2003, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq National
Market was $7.91 per share.
We have not yet determined whether any of the debt securities or preferred
shares will be listed on any exchange or over-the-counter market. If we decide
to seek listing of these securities, a prospectus supplement relating to such
securities will identify the exchange or market.
We may sell the securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers
or agents. The names of such underwriters, dealers or agents will be set forth
in supplements to this prospectus.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING
ON PAGE 7 OF THIS PROSPECTUS. EACH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT MAY DESCRIBE ADDITIONAL
RISK FACTORS.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is , 2003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
Prospectus................................................................ 3
Prospectus Supplement..................................................... 3
Where You Can Find More Information....................................... 4
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information........................ 5
The Company............................................................... 6
Risk Factors.............................................................. 7
Use of Proceeds........................................................... 15
Dividend Policy........................................................... 15
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges........................................ 15
Description of Debt Securities............................................ 16
Description of Preferred Shares........................................... 32
Description of Common Shares.............................................. 34
Description of Warrants................................................... 35
Description of Stock Purchase Contracts................................... 38
Description of Units...................................................... 39
Certain Income Tax Considerations......................................... 40
Plan of Distribution...................................................... 41
Legal Matters............................................................. 42
Experts................................................................... 42
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have
not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different information, you should not rely on it. We are not
making an offer to sell or seeking offers to buy these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that
the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, or
any documents incorporated by reference therein, is accurate only as of the date
on the front cover of the applicable document. Our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
CANADA HAS NO SYSTEM OF EXCHANGE CONTROLS. THERE ARE NO CANADIAN
RESTRICTIONS ON THE REPATRIATION OF CAPITAL OR EARNINGS OF A CANADIAN PUBLIC
COMPANY TO NON-RESIDENT INVESTORS. THERE ARE NO CANADIAN LAWS OR EXCHANGE
RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING THE REMITTANCE OF DIVIDENDS, INTEREST, ROYALTIES OR
SIMILAR PAYMENTS TO NON-RESIDENT HOLDERS OF OUR SECURITIES, EXCEPT FOR INCOME
TAX PROVISIONS WHICH MAY APPLY TO A PARTICULAR SECURITY TO BE DESCRIBED IN THE
APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
Unless the context requires otherwise or otherwise as expressly stated,
the terms "we," "our," "us," "IMAX" and the "company" refer to IMAX Corporation
and, unless the context otherwise requires or otherwise as expressly stated, its
consolidated subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "$" or
"US$" are to United States dollars.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R)Dome, OMNIMAX(R), IMAX(R)3D, The IMAX Experience(R), An
IMAX Experience(R), IMAX(R) DMR(TM), IMAX(R) MPX(TM) and IMAX(R) 3D Dome are our
most significant trademarks and trade names that are registered or otherwise
protected under laws of various jurisdictions. We also own the service mark IMAX
Theatre(TM).
2
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a "shelf" registration or
continuous offering process. Under this shelf process, we may sell from time to
time any combination of the following securities in one or more offerings up to
a total amount of $250,000,000, or the equivalent of that amount if any of the
securities are denominated in a currency, currency unit or composite currency
other than the U.S. dollar:
- our debt securities;
- our preferred shares;
- our common shares;
- our warrants;
- our stock purchase contracts; and
- our units.
The terms of these securities will be determined at the time of the
offering.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities
we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to sell securities, we will
provide a prospectus supplement, attached to the front of this prospectus, that
will contain specific information about the securities to be sold and the terms
of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change
information contained in this prospectus and, accordingly, to the extent
inconsistent, information in this prospectus is superseded by the information in
the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the
applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information
described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" before making
an investment decision.
The prospectus supplement may describe, as applicable: the terms of the
securities offered, the initial public offering price, the price paid for the
securities, net proceeds and the other specific terms related to the offering of
these securities.
The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the
exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us
and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement,
including the exhibits, can be read at the SEC website or at the SEC office
mentioned under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual reports, quarterly reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
You may read and copy this information, or obtain copies of the information by
mail, at the following location of the SEC:
Public Reference Room
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Room 1024
Washington, DC 20549
You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room
by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy statements
and other information about issuers, like IMAX, who file electronically with the
SEC. The address of the site is www.sec.gov.
In addition, we are subject to the filing requirements prescribed by the
securities legislation of all Canadian provinces. These filings are available
electronically from the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and
Retrieval at www.sedar.com, which is commonly known by the acronym "SEDAR."
We are "incorporating by reference" into this prospectus certain
information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we are
disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The
information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus.
The following information and documents, which have been filed by us with the
SEC, are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
- quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31,
2003;
- quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30,
2003;
- annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2002;
- definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, dated as of April 30,
2003;
- current reports on Form 8-K, dated April 23, 2003, May 6, 2003 and
June 19, 2003; and
- our description of our common shares that is contained in our
Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on May 24, 1994.
All documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until all of the
securities being offered under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement are
sold shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into and will
automatically update information in this prospectus. Current reports on Form 8-K
containing only Regulation FD disclosure furnished pursuant to Item 9 of Form
8-K or disclosure regarding a completed quarterly or annual fiscal period
furnished pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be incorporated
by reference into this prospectus.
Any statement made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained in any prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently
filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes the original statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
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You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling
us at the following address or telephone number:
G. Mary Ruby
Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary
IMAX Corporation
2525 Speakman Drive
Sheridan Park
Mississauga, Ontario, L5K 1B1
Tel: (905) 403-6500
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, unless those exhibits have
specifically been incorporated by reference into this document.
Except as provided above, no other information, including information on
our website, is incorporated by reference into this document.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Some of the statements contained in this prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference constitute "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, references to
future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature of the
expenditures), business strategies and measures to implement strategies,
competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of our business and
operations, plans and references to our future success and expectations
regarding future operating results. These forward-looking statements are based
on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our
perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the
circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform
with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, general economic, market or
business conditions; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented
to and pursued by us; competitive actions by other companies; conditions in the
out-of-home entertainment industry; changes in laws or regulations; conditions
in the commercial movie exhibition industry; the acceptance of our new
technologies; risks associated with investments and operations in foreign
jurisdictions and any future international expansion, including those related to
economic, political and regulatory policies of local governments and laws and
policies of the United States and Canada; and the potential impact of increased
competition in the markets we operate within and other factors, many of which
are beyond our control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made
in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference are qualified by
these cautionary statements and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" and
other factors we may include in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in
documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus supplement. Our actual results or anticipated developments may not be
realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected
consequences to, or effects on, us. We undertake no obligation to update
publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This prospectus contains information regarding market share, market
position and industry data pertaining to our business based on data and reports
compiled by industry professional organizations and analysts, and our knowledge
of our revenues and markets. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we
have not independently verified this market data. This market data includes
projections that are based on a number of assumptions. If any one or more of
those assumptions turns out to be incorrect, actual results may differ
materially from the projections based on these assumptions.
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THE COMPANY
We are one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies that,
for over 34 years, has designed and manufactured large-format theatre systems.
Our theatre systems use 15 perforation, 70mm film, the largest commercially
available film size, allowing IMAX theatres to present stunning images of
exceptional quality and clarity on screens up to one-hundred feet wide and eight
stories tall. The combination of these images, which fill a viewers' peripheral
vision, our proprietary six channel digital sound systems and unique theatre
designs create The IMAX Experience and make audiences feel as if they have been
to the bottom of the ocean, the top of Mount Everest, and in space to the
International Space Station. The IMAX brand is world famous and stands for the
highest quality and most immersive entertainment. It is one of our most valuable
assets because we believe it attracts audiences to IMAX theatres and thereby
increases demand for our theatre systems. As a result of our recently developed,
patent-pending technology, IMAX DMR, it is now possible for virtually any
live-action Hollywood film to be reformatted into the image and sound quality of
The IMAX Experience and exhibited throughout the international IMAX theatre
network. For more information about our company, you should refer to the
information described under "Where You Can Find More Information."
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in any of the securities involves a high degree of risk. Before
investing in any of the securities, you should carefully consider the following
risks, in addition to the other information in this prospectus, any prospectus
supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this document. If
any of the risks described below occurs, our business, operating results and
financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks
not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair
our business or operations.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
WE ARE HIGHLY LEVERAGED, AND THIS IMPAIRS OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN FINANCING AND
LIMITS CASH FLOW AVAILABLE FOR OUR OPERATIONS.
We are highly leveraged, which has important possible consequences. It may:
- make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations;
- limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working
capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate
purposes;
- require us to dedicate all or a substantial portion of our cash flow
from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our
indebtedness, resulting in less cash available for our operations
and other purposes;
- limit our ability to rapidly adjust to changing market conditions;
and
- increase our vulnerability to downturns in our business or in
general economic conditions.
Our ability to satisfy our obligations and to reduce our total debt
depends on our future operating performance. Our future operating performance is
subject to many factors, including economic, financial and competitive factors,
which may be beyond our control. As a result, we may not be able to generate
sufficient cash flow, and future financings may not be available to provide
sufficient net proceeds, to meet these obligations or to execute our business
strategy successfully.
RESTRICTIONS IN OUR NOTE INDENTURES AND OUR OTHER DEBT INSTRUMENTS MAY LIMIT OUR
ACTIVITIES.
The terms of our outstanding senior notes impose certain restrictions on
our operating and financing activities, including restrictions on our ability
to:
- issue additional debt;
- create liens;
- make investments;
- enter into transactions with affiliates;
- effect sales of assets;
- declare or pay dividends or other distributions to shareholders; and
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- effect consolidations, amalgamations and mergers.
If we obtain a new operating line of credit or other debt financing, we
could be subject to additional restrictions on our operating and financing
activities, including being required to meet specified financial ratios. Our
ability to comply with the operating and financial restrictions and covenants
will depend on our future performance, which is dependent on prevailing economic
conditions and other factors such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates,
changes in technology and in the level of competition, which are beyond our
control. A failure to comply with any of the restrictions or covenants may
result in an event of default under the senior notes or future indebtedness,
which could permit acceleration of the debt under those notes and, in some
cases, the acceleration of debt under other instruments that contain
cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions. In the event of a default, or in
the event of a cross-default or cross-acceleration, we may not have sufficient
funds available to make the required payments on our debt.
OUR THEATRE SYSTEM REVENUE CAN VARY SIGNIFICANTLY FROM OUR CASH FLOWS UNDER
THEATRE SYSTEM SALES AND LEASE AGREEMENTS.
Our theatre system revenue can vary significantly from the associated
cash flows. We generally provide our theatre systems to customers on a
long-term lease basis with initial lease terms of typically 10 to 20 years. Our
lease agreements typically provide for three major sources of cash flow:
- initial rental fees, which are paid in installments commencing upon
the signing of the lease agreement until installation of the system;
- ongoing rental payments, which are paid monthly after system
installation and are generally equal to the greater of a fixed minimum
amount per annum or a percentage of box office receipts; and
- annual maintenance fees, which are generally payable commencing in
the second year of theatre operations.
Cash from initial rental fees received in advance of installation
generally makes up a majority of cash received for a theatre system lease.
Theatre system leases that transfer substantially all of the benefits and
risks of ownership to customers are classified as sales-type leases. Revenue
from sales-type leases is recorded at the time installation is complete and
other conditions are satisfied. The revenue recorded is equal to the initial
rental fees due under the lease agreement, together with the present value of
minimum ongoing rental payments. Cash received from initial rental fees in
advance of installation is recorded as deferred revenue.
Leases that do not transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks of
ownership to the customer are classified as operating leases. For these leases,
initial rental fees and minimum ongoing rental payments are recognized as
revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
THERE IS COLLECTION RISK ASSOCIATED LEASE PAYMENTS TO BE RECEIVED OVER THE
TERMS OF OUR THEATRE SYSTEM LEASES.
We are dependent in part on the viability of the North American
commercial exhibitor market for collections under long-term leases. In the last
few years, many of the North American commercial exhibitor chains faced
financial difficulties. We cannot assure you that commercial exhibitors to whom
we lease theatre systems will not experience financial difficulties in the
future. We may not collect all of our contracted future lease payments. Our
revenue can vary significantly from our cash flows under theatre system sales
and lease agreements, and there is collection risk associated with rental
payments to be received over the terms of our leases.
WE MAY NOT CONVERT ALL OF OUR BACKLOG INTO REVENUE AND CASH FLOWS.
We list signed contracts for theatre system installations as sales backlog
prior to the time of revenue recognition. Sales backlog represents the total
value of all signed system sales and lease agreements that are expected to be
recognized as revenue in the future and includes initial rental fees along with
the present value of contractual minimum rents due over the lease term, but
excludes maintenance revenues as well as rents in excess of contractual minimums
that might be received in the future. All of our customers with which we have
signed contracts may not accept delivery of theatre systems that are included in
our backlog. Moreover, if we litigate to enforce a customer's contractual
obligations, there are no guarantees that such obligations will ultimately be
deemed to be enforceable. This could adversely affect our future revenues. We
have litigated in the past and are litigating presently with customers who have
refused to honor all of their backlog obligations. In addition, customers with
system obligations in backlog sometimes request that we agree to modify or
reduce such obligations. We have in the past, under certain circumstances, and
are presently, negotiating to restructure backlog obligations of certain
customers. The backlog obligations of other customers may also be modified,
reduced or otherwise restructured in the future, which can adversely affect our
future revenues and cash flows.
WE DEPEND ON COMMERCIAL MOVIE EXHIBITORS TO LEASE OUR IMAX THEATRE SYSTEMS AND
TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REVENUES AND VENUES IN WHICH TO EXHIBIT OUR IMAX DMR
FILMS.
A number of our commercial exhibition customers have recently emerged from
bankruptcy protection. We are unable to predict if or when they or other
exhibitors will lease additional IMAX theatre systems from us or whether other
commercial movie exhibitors will experience significant financial difficulties.
A number of the IMAX theatres operated by commercial exhibitors have been
unprofitable in the past. If exhibitors choose to reduce their levels of
expansion or decide not to lease IMAX theatre systems for their existing or new
theatres, our revenues would not increase at an anticipated rate and motion
picture studios may be less willing to reformat Hollywood 35mm films into our 15
perforation, 70mm format, or 15/70 format, for exhibition in commercial IMAX
theatres. As a result, our future revenues could be adversely affected.
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OUR OPERATING RESULTS AND CASH FLOW CAN VARY SUBSTANTIALLY FROM QUARTER TO
QUARTER AND COULD INCREASE THE VOLATILITY OF OUR SHARE PRICE.
Our operating results and cash flow can fluctuate substantially from
quarter to quarter. In particular, fluctuations in theatre system installations
can materially affect operating results. In addition, theatre system contract
signings are not related to the timing of revenue recognition, and can have a
significant impact on our cash flow. This can make it difficult to accurately
forecast sales and profits or losses. Factors that have affected our operating
results and cash flow in the past, and are likely to affect our operating
results and cash flow in the future include, among other things:
- the timing of signing and installing new theatre systems;
- demand for and acceptance of our products and services;
- revenue recognition of sales and sales-type leases;
- classification of leases as sales-type versus operating leases;
- volume of orders received and that can be fulfilled in the quarter;
- the level of our sales backlog;
- the timing and commercial success of films produced and distributed
by us and others;
- the signing of film distribution agreements;
- the financial performance of IMAX theatres operated by our customers
and by us; and
- the financial difficulties, including bankruptcies, faced by our
customers, particularly our customers in the commercial exhibition
industry.
Most of our operating expenses are fixed in the short term. We may be
unable to rapidly adjust our spending to compensate for any unexpected sales
shortfall, which would harm quarterly operating results. The results of any
quarterly period are not necessarily indicative of our results for any other
quarter or for a full fiscal year.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GENERATE PROFITS IN THE FUTURE.
We may not be able to generate profits in any future period. Although we
generated a net profit for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the six months
ended June 30, 2003, for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, we had
significant net losses and experienced a decline in our sales and leases of
theatre systems and backlog. If we do not generate profits in future periods, we
may be unable to finance the operations of our business or meet our debt
obligations.
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OUR STRATEGY OF RE-MASTERING 35MM FILMS INTO THE 15/70 FORMAT IS IN ITS EARLY
STAGES OF IMPLEMENTATION AND EXPOSES US TO RISK.
We have released three live action 35mm films which have been reformatted
using our IMAX DMR technology; the first live-action film formatted with DMR
technology into our 15/70 format was released in September 2002. The development
of our DMR technology may not translate into additional Hollywood films being
distributed to the IMAX theatre network or additional demand for IMAX systems.
First, motion picture studios could find either the technology or the potential
revenues insufficient to justify reformatting existing or new films into the
15/70 format. Second, even if motion picture studios agree to reformat their
films with our DMR technology, such studios may be reluctant to release
reformatted films to IMAX theatres contemporaneously with the initial release
of such films to commercial 35mm theatres, which is an important element of our
commercial strategy. Third, even the most successful existing or new films may
prove to be unsuccessful when exhibited in IMAX theatres.
In addition, motion picture studios could insist upon significant capital
contributions by us to go toward either the costs of reformatting a film, the
marketing of the reformatted film or both. Moreover, actual costs may exceed
their budgets and resulting revenues.
Even though our DMR technology is patent-pending, such patents may not be
granted or the technology may prove to have low barriers to entry for others.
Other parties could develop similar or superior technology and release
reformatted Hollywood films to IMAX theatres or our competitors, without our
receiving any of the distribution or royalty revenue.
THE SUCCESS OF THE IMAX THEATRE NETWORK IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE AVAILABILITY
AND SUCCESS OF 15/70 FORMAT FILMS, OF WHICH WE PRODUCE A SMALL PERCENTAGE.
An important factor affecting the growth and success of the IMAX theatre
network is the availability of 15/70 format films. We produce only a small
number of 15/70 format films and, as a result, we rely principally on 15/70
format films produced by third party filmmakers or converted from 35mm format
using our DMR technology. Third party filmmakers may not have sufficient capital
or other resources to continue to produce 15/70 format films or the 15/70 format
films they produce may not be commercially successful.
THE PRODUCTION OF 15/70 FORMAT FILMS REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL AND INVOLVES
SUBSTANTIAL RISKS.
The production, completion and distribution of 15/70 format films require
a significant amount of capital and involve substantial financial risks. Actual
costs may exceed budgets and factors such as technology changes, labor disputes
or other disruptions affecting aspects of production may affect third party
filmmakers, IMAX or our co-production partners and cause significant cost
overruns and delay or hamper completion of a production. We are continually
discussing the production or co-production of 15/70 format films, as well as the
reformatting of Hollywood films in connection with our DMR technology, with
various motion picture studios. However, we may not be able to complete
production or co-production arrangements with motion picture studios, and we may
not earn an adequate return on capital on these investments.
OUR REVENUES FROM EXISTING CUSTOMERS ARE DERIVED IN PART FROM FINANCIAL
REPORTING PROVIDED BY OUR CUSTOMERS, WHICH MAY BE INACCURATE OR INCOMPLETE,
RESULTING IN LOST OR DELAYED REVENUES.
A portion of our lease payments and our film license fees are based upon
financial reporting provided by our customers. If such reporting is inaccurate,
incomplete or withheld, our ability to invoice and receive the proper amount
from our customers in a timely fashion will be impaired. Our contractual audits
may not rectify payments lost or delayed as a result of customers not fulfilling
their contractual requirements with respect to financial reporting.
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OUR NEWEST THEATRE PROJECTION SYSTEM, IMAX MPX, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT
OF OUR PLANS TO EXPAND THE NETWORK OF COMMERCIAL IMAX THEATRES, HAS NOT YET BEEN
INSTALLED IN ANY THEATRES AND COULD PERFORM INADEQUATELY, RESULTING IN THE LOSS
OF EXISTING AND FUTURE CONTRACTS.
We depend on our theatre systems technology. In March 2003, we introduced
the IMAX MPX , a new projection system designed for commercial multiplex
operators which, together with IMAX DMR, is an important part of our expansion
plans. While we have signed contracts for the installation of IMAX MPX systems,
no such systems are scheduled to be installed until early 2004 and while we
believe these systems will operate adequately, there are no guarantees that they
will do so. If for some reason a number of the IMAX MPX systems perform
inadequately, it could result in our losing existing contracts and our inability
to sign contracts for IMAX MPX systems in the future, which would adversely
affect our plans to expand the network of commercial IMAX theatres and to have
additional IMAX DMR films released to that network.
WE CONDUCT BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY WHICH EXPOSES US TO UNCERTAINTIES AND RISKS
THAT COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS AND SALES.
A significant portion of our sales are made to customers located outside
the United States and Canada. Approximately 47.2%, 35.2% and 36.6% of our
revenues were derived outside of the United States and Canada in 2000, 2001 and
2002, respectively. We expect our international operations to continue to
account for a significant portion of our revenues in the future and plan to
expand into new markets in the future. We do not have significant experience in
operating in certain foreign countries and are subject to the risks associated
with operating in those countries. We currently have installation and sales
activity projected in countries where economies have been unstable in recent
years. The economies of other foreign countries important to our operations
could also suffer slower economic growth or instability in the future. The
following are among the risks that could negatively affect our operations and
sales in foreign markets:
- new restrictions on access to markets;
- unusual or burdensome foreign laws or regulatory requirements or
unexpected changes to those laws or requirements;
- fluctuations in the value of foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar
and potential currency devaluations;
- new tariffs, trade protection measures, import or export licensing
requirements, trade embargos and other trade barriers;
- imposition of foreign exchange controls in such foreign
jurisdictions;
- dependence on foreign distributors and their sales channels;
- difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
- adverse changes in monetary and/or tax policies;
- poor recognition of intellectual property rights;
- inflation;
- requirements to provide performance bonds and letters of credit to
international customers to secure system deliveries; and
- political, economic and social instability in foreign countries.
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WE FACE RISKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXPANSION OF OUR BUSINESS IN CHINA AND
OTHER PARTS OF ASIA.
The first IMAX projection system in a theatre in China was installed in
December 2001 and seven additional IMAX theatre systems are scheduled to be
installed in China by 2008. We moved our Asian headquarters to Shanghai and
believe that China is an important market for our international expansion plans.
These plans may be unsuccessful in China for a number of reasons including
China's poor recognition of intellectual property rights and its restrictive
regulations regarding the importation of film. Moreover, the geopolitical
instability of the region comprising China, Taiwan, North Korea and South Korea
could result in economic embargoes, disruptions in shipping or even military
hostilities, which could interfere with both the fulfillment of our existing
contracts and our pursuit of additional contracts in China.
In addition, the recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or
SARS, which has had a particularly disruptive impact on business in China, Hong
Kong and Singapore, could have a negative effect on our pursuit of business
opportunities in Asia as a re-emergence of SARS could interfere with travel to
and negotiations with parties in that continent.
THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES AND CHANGES IN THE WAY OUR
COMPETITORS OPERATE COULD HARM OUR BUSINESS.
The out-of-home entertainment industry is very competitive, and we face a
number of challenges. We compete with other large-format film projection system
manufacturers as well as conventional motion picture exhibitors. In addition to
existing competitors, we may also face competition in the future from companies
in the entertainment industry with substantially greater capital resources. We
also face competition from a number of alternative motion picture distribution
channels such as home video, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, DVD, and syndicated
and broadcast television. We also compete for the public's leisure time and
disposable income with other forms of entertainment, including sporting events,
concerts, live theatre and restaurants.
Furthermore, the out-of-home entertainment industry in general is
undergoing significant changes. Primarily due to technological developments and
changing consumer tastes, numerous companies are developing, and are expected to
continue to develop, new entertainment products for the out-of-home
entertainment industry, which may compete directly with our products.
Competitors may design products which are more attractive to the consumer and/or
more cost effective than ours and may make our products less competitive. The
products that we are currently developing may never be attractive to consumers
or be competitive. As a result of this competition, we could lose market share
as demand for our products declines, which could seriously harm our business and
operating results.
The motion picture exhibition industry is in the early stages of
conversion from film based media to electronic based media. We are similarly in
the very early stages of developing a digital projection system that can be
utilized in IMAX theatres. As any large scale conversion from film to digital,
particularly in the large-format theatre industry, is most likely years away, it
is difficult to assess the risks for us associated with such a conversion. Such
risks could include the need for us to raise additional capital to finance
remanufacturing of theatre systems and associated conversion costs, which
capital may not be available to us on attractive terms, or at all.
AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN COULD MATERIALLY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS BY REDUCING DEMAND FOR
IMAX THEATRE SYSTEMS AND REVENUE GENERATED FROM BOX OFFICE SALES.
We depend on the sale and lease of IMAX theatre systems to commercial
movie exhibitors to generate a significant portion of our revenues. Most of our
lease agreements provide for additional revenues based on a percentage of
theatre box office receipts when attendance at an IMAX theatre exceeds a minimum
threshold. Commercial movie exhibitors generate revenues from consumer
attendance at their theatres, which are subject to general political, social and
economic conditions and the willingness of consumers to spend discretionary
money at movie theatres. If theatre attendance declines as a result of a
prolonged economic downturn, commercial movie exhibitors will be less willing to
invest capital in new theatres resulting in a decline in demand for new IMAX
theatre systems. In addition, any decline in attendance at commercial IMAX
theatres will reduce the additional revenues we generate from a percentage of
theatre box office receipts. Institutional exhibitors may also experience a
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decline in attendance given general political, social and economic conditions,
which may result in reduced revenues generated from receipts attributed to IMAX
theatres at such institutions and reduced film license fees.
WE MAY EXPERIENCE ADVERSE EFFECTS DUE TO EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS.
A substantial portion of our revenues is denominated in U.S. dollars,
while a substantial portion of our expenses is denominated in Canadian dollars.
We also generate revenues in Euros and Japanese Yen. From time to time, we enter
into forward contracts to hedge our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.
However, our strategy may not be successful in reducing our exposure to these
fluctuations. Any material increase in the value of the Canadian dollar in
relation to the U.S. dollar compared to historical levels could have a material
adverse effect on our operating results.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO IMPAIRMENT LOSSES ON OUR ASSETS.
During the past five years, a substantial number of our theatre systems
were leased to commercial movie exhibitors. During 2000 and 2001, we recorded
significant restructuring costs and asset impairments related to the financial
difficulties of commercial movie exhibitors and other related industry factors.
Similar financial difficulties for commercial movie exhibitors and other
industry factors may reoccur in the future which could result in further
write-downs.
We amortize our film assets using the individual film forecast method
whereby the costs of film assets are amortized and participation costs are
accrued for each film in the ratio of revenues earned in the current period to
management's estimate of total revenues ultimately expected to be received for
that title. Management regularly reviews and revises when necessary its
estimates of ultimate revenues on a title-by-title basis, which may result in a
change in the rate of amortization of the film assets and write-downs to film
assets. Results of operations in future years depend upon the amortization of
our film assets and may be significantly affected by periodic adjustments in
amortization rates. In 2000 and 2001, we recorded significant impairment charges
against film assets due to reductions in estimates of ultimate future revenues
that resulted in the fair values of some titles being less than their carrying
values. Given the inherent difficulties in producing successful theatrical films
for release in IMAX theatres, and the uncertainties inherent in the estimation
process, additional impairment charges may be necessary in the future.
WE RELY ON OUR KEY PERSONNEL, AND THE LOSS OF ONE OR MORE OF THOSE PERSONNEL
COULD HARM OUR ABILITY TO CARRY OUT OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY.
Our operations and prospects depend in large part on the performance and
continued service of our senior management team. We may not find qualified
replacements for any of these individuals if their services are no longer
available. The loss of the services of one or more members of our senior
management team could adversely affect our ability to effectively pursue our
business strategy.
OUR ABILITY TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS LIMITED, AND
COMPETITORS MAY MISAPPROPRIATE OUR TECHNOLOGY, WHICH COULD WEAKEN OUR
COMPETITIVE POSITION.
We depend on our proprietary knowledge regarding IMAX theatre systems. We
rely principally upon a combination of copyright, trademark, patent and trade
secret laws, restrictions on disclosures and contractual provisions to protect
our proprietary and intellectual property rights. These laws and procedures may
not be adequate to prevent unauthorized parties from attempting to copy or
otherwise obtain our technology or deter others from developing similar
technology, which could weaken our competitive position. The protection provided
to our proprietary technology by the laws of foreign jurisdictions may not
protect us as fully as the laws of Canada or the United States. Some of the
underlying technologies of our products and systems are not covered by patents
or patent applications.
We have patents issued, provisional patents and patent applications
pending, including those pending for our digital re-mastering technology IMAX
DMR. Our patents are filed in the United States often with corresponding
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patents or filed applications in other jurisdictions, such as Canada, Japan,
Korea, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The patents may not be issued or
provide us with any competitive advantages. The patent applications may also be
challenged by third parties. Several of our issued patents in the United States,
Canada and Japan for improvements to IMAX projection systems, IMAX 3D Dome and
sound systems expire between 2008 and 2018. Any claims or litigation initiated
by us to protect our proprietary technology could be time consuming, costly and
divert the attention of our technical and management resources.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO LAWSUITS THAT COULD DIVERT OUR RESOURCES AND RESULT IN THE
PAYMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGES.
Our industry is characterized by frequent claims and related litigation
regarding breach of contract and related issues. We are subject to a number of
legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business.
We cannot assure you that we will succeed in defending any claims, that
judgments will not be entered against us with respect to any litigation or that
reserves we may set aside will be adequate to cover any such judgments. If any
of these actions or proceedings against us is successful, we may be subject to
significant damages awards. In addition, we are the plaintiff in a number of
material lawsuits in which we seek the recovery of substantial payments. We are
incurring significant legal fees in prosecuting these lawsuits, and we may not
ultimately prevail in such lawsuits or be able to collect on such judgments if
we do. In addition, the defense and prosecution of these claims divert the
attention of our management and other personnel for significant periods of time.
As the largest manufacturer of large-format theatre projection systems in
the world, we have been the subject of anti-trust complaints and investigations
in the past and at present. We may be unsuccessful in defeating the current
claims or potential claims against us, and we may be sued or investigated on
similar grounds in the future.
BECAUSE WE ARE INCORPORATED IN CANADA, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO ENFORCE
AGAINST US LIABILITIES BASED SOLELY UPON U.S. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS.
We are incorporated under the federal laws of Canada, some of our
directors and officers are residents of Canada and a substantial portion of our
assets and the assets of such directors and officers are located outside the
United States. As a result, it may be difficult for United States purchasers of
the securities to effect service within the United States upon those directors
or officers who are not residents of the United States, or to realize against
them or us in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States
predicated upon the civil liability under the United States federal securities
laws. In addition, it may be difficult for such purchasers to bring an original
action outside of the United States against us to enforce liabilities based
solely on U.S. federal securities laws.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement that
accompanies this prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of
the securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may
include, among other things, working capital, capital expenditures and the
repayment of short-term and long-term borrowings. We will determine the
allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific
purpose, if any, at the time of the offering and we will describe such
allocation in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never paid cash dividends and have no current plans to pay any
dividends on our common shares. The payment of dividends is subject to
restrictions under the terms of our indebtedness. The payment of any future
dividends will be determined by our board of directors in light of conditions
then existing, including our financial condition and requirements, future
prospects, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other
factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The ratio of our earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated are
as follows:
SIX MONTHS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
ENDED JUNE ------------------------
31, 2003 2002 2001 2000(2) 1999 1998
-------- ---- ---- ------- ---- ----
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.26x 1.55x --(1) --(1) 3.02x 2.88x
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
-------------
(1) Due to the loss we incurred in 2001 and 2000, the ratio coverage is less
than 1:1. We would have had to generate additional earnings of $66.5
million in 2001 and $38.1 million in 2000 to achieve a ratio of 1:1.
(2) In fiscal 2000 we adopted SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue
Recognition in Financial Statements." Effective January 1, 2000, we
recognize revenue on theatre systems, whether pursuant to sales-type
leases or sales, at the time that installation is complete. Prior to
January 1, 2000, we recognized revenue from sales-type leases and sales
of theatre systems at the time of delivery. In fiscal 2000, we also
adopted AICPA Statement of Position 00-2, "Accounting by Producers or
Distributors of Films."
For the purpose of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges,
"earnings" consist of earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income
taxes and minority interest, loss (income) from equity-accounted investees and
fixed charges. "Fixed charges" consist of interest expense and amortization of
expenses related to indebtedness.
If we use this prospectus to offer debt securities or preferred shares,
the prospectus supplement will include a ratio of earnings to fixed charges or a
ratio of combined fixed charges and preferred dividends to earnings, as
appropriate.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. This
section summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that
are common to all series. The specific terms relating to any series of our debt
securities that we offer will be described in a prospectus supplement. You
should read the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of the series of
debt securities offered. Because the terms of specific series of debt securities
offered may vary from the general information that we have provided below, you
should rely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement that varies
from any information below. Unless the context otherwise indicates, the terms
"we," "our," "us" or "IMAX" that are used in this section are references only to
IMAX Corporation without any of its consolidated subsidiaries.
We may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. Neither the senior
debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any of
our property or assets. By owning a debt security, you will be one of our
unsecured creditors.
As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are
publicly offered, the debt securities will be governed by a document called an
"indenture." An indenture is a contract between a financial institution, acting
on your behalf as trustee of the debt securities offered, and us. The debt
securities will be issued pursuant to one or more indentures, which we will
enter into with a trustee. When we refer to the "applicable indenture" or
"indenture" in this prospectus, we are referring to the indenture under which
your debt securities are issued, as supplemented by any supplemental indenture
applicable to your debt securities. The trustee has two main roles. First,
subject to some limitations on the extent to which the trustee can act on your
behalf, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default on our
obligations under the applicable indenture. Second, the trustee performs certain
administrative duties for us, which include sending you interest payments and
notices.
Under applicable Canadian law, a Canadian licensed trust company may be
required to be appointed as co-trustee under any or all of the indentures in
certain circumstances. In such circumstances, it is anticipated that application
will be made to the appropriate Canadian regulatory authorities for exemptions
from this and other requirements of Canadian law applicable to the indentures.
If such relief is not obtained, the applicable legislative requirements will be
complied with at the time of the applicable offering.
Unless otherwise provided in any applicable prospectus supplement, the
following section is a summary of the principal terms and provisions that will
be included in the indenture. This summary is not complete. It does not describe
every aspect of the debt securities or the indenture. If we refer to particular
provisions in an indenture, such provisions, including the definition of terms,
are incorporated by reference in this prospectus as part of this summary. We
urge you to read the indenture and any supplement thereto that are applicable to
you because the indenture, and not this section, defines your rights as a holder
of debt securities. The indentures are filed as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Where You Can Find More
Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the indentures.
We may issue the debt securities as original issue discount securities,
which are securities that are offered and sold at a substantial discount to
their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement relating to original
issue discount securities will describe federal income tax consequences and
other special considerations applicable to them. The debt securities may also be
issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies or
currency units, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement
relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement
relating to specific debt securities will also describe any special
considerations and any material additional tax considerations applicable to such
debt securities.
GENERAL
The debt securities offered hereby will be unsecured obligations of IMAX.
The debt securities will be either our senior unsecured obligations issued in
one or more series and referred to herein as the "senior debt securities," or
our subordinated unsecured obligations issued in one or more series and referred
to herein as the "subordinated debt securities." The senior debt securities will
rank equal in right of payment to all other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness of IMAX. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in
right of payment to the prior payment in full of the senior debt securities and
the senior indebtedness of IMAX, as described below under "Subordinated
Indenture Provisions."
You should read the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of the
series of debt securities offered. The terms of the debt securities described in
such prospectus supplement will be set forth in the applicable indenture and may
include the following, as applicable to the series of debt securities offered
thereby:
16
- the title of the debt securities;
- whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or
subordinated debt securities of IMAX;
- the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and whether
there is any limit on such aggregate principal amount;
- whether we may reopen the series of debt securities for issuances of
additional debt securities of such series;
- the date or dates, or how the date or dates will be determined, when
the principal amount of the debt securities will be payable;
- the amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt
securities or how this amount will be determined;
- the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the
debt securities will bear, if any, or how such interest rate or
rates will be determined;
- the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that
of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
- the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or how such
date or dates will be determined;
- the interest payment dates and the record dates for these interest
payments;
- whether the debt securities are redeemable at our option;
- whether there are any sinking fund or other provisions that would
obligate us to purchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;
- the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the
series of debt securities may, in accordance with any optional or
mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed and the other detailed
terms and provisions of those optional or mandatory redemption
provisions, if any;
- if the debt securities may be converted into or exercised or
exchanged for our common shares, preferred shares, any other of our
securities or any securities of any other person, the terms on which
conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, including whether
conversion, exercise or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the
holder or at our option or at the option of any other person, the
date on or the period during which conversion, exercise or exchange
may occur, the initial conversion, exercise or exchange price or
rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common
shares, preferred shares, or other securities issuable upon
conversion, exercise or exchange may be adjusted;
- whether the debt securities are subject to mandatory or optional
remarketing or other mandatory or optional resale provisions, and,
if applicable, the date or period during which such resale may
occur, any conditions to such resale and any right of a holder to
substitute securities for the securities subject to resale;
- the form in which we will issue the debt securities, if other than
in registered book-entry only form represented by global securities;
whether we will have the option of issuing debt securities in
"certificated" form; whether we will have the option of issuing
certificated debt securities in bearer form if we issue the
securities outside the United States to non-U.S. persons; any
restrictions on the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and
the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities of the series may be
exchanged for registered securities of the series and vice versa (if
permitted by applicable laws and regulations);
17
- whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts
to non-Canadian holders in respect of any tax assessment or
government charge, and, if so, whether we will have the option to
redeem the debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts;
- the currency or currencies of the debt securities;
- whether the amount of payments of principal of, premium or interest,
if any, on the debt securities will be determined with reference to
an index, formula or other method (which could be based on one or
more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices) and
how these amounts will be determined;
- the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to New York,
New York, for payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the
debt securities;
- if other than the trustee, the name of any paying agent and security
registrar for the debt securities;
- the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued;
- the applicability of the provisions of the applicable indenture
described under "defeasance" and any provisions in modification of,
in addition to or in lieu of any of these provisions;
- any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt
securities upon the occurrence of specified events;
- whether the applicable indenture contains any changes or additions
to the events of default or covenants described in this prospectus;
and
- any other terms specific to the series of debt securities offered.
For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal
of, premium or interest, if any, on, debt securities will include additional
amounts if required by the terms of such debt securities.
Unless we indicate differently in the applicable prospectus supplement,
the indentures pursuant to which the debt securities are issued will not contain
any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of
debt, or in the event that we are acquired by another entity. The indentures do
not limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that we may issue, nor do they
limit the aggregate amount of any particular series.
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE
If any series of the debt securities offered are convertible into or
exchangeable for our common shares or other securities, the applicable
prospectus supplement will set forth the terms and conditions for such
conversion or exchange, including:
- the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the method of calculating
the same);
- the conversion or exchange period (or the method of determining the
same);
- whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, or at our option
or at the option of the holder;
- the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price or the
exchange ratio; and
- any other provisions affecting conversion or exchange of such debt
securities.
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FORM AND DENOMINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES
DENOMINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Unless we indicate differently in the applicable prospectus supplement,
the debt securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars, in minimum
denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
REGISTERED FORM
We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we may
issue them either in book-entry form only or in "certificated" form.
BEARER FORM
We also will have the option of issuing debt securities in non-registered
form, as bearer securities, if we issue the securities outside the United States
to non-U.S. persons. In that case, the applicable prospectus supplement will set
forth the mechanics for holding the bearer securities, including the procedures
for receiving payments, for exchanging the bearer securities for registered
securities of the same series and for receiving notices. The applicable
prospectus supplement will also describe the requirements with respect to our
maintenance of offices or agencies outside the United States and the applicable
U.S. federal tax law requirements.
HOLDERS OF REGISTERED DEBT SECURITIES
BOOK-ENTRY HOLDERS
We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless
we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities
held in book-entry form will be represented by one or more global securities
registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. The depositary or its
nominee will hold such global securities on behalf of financial institutions
that participate in such depositary's book-entry system. These participating
financial institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the global
securities either on their own behalf or on behalf of their customers.
Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is
registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for
debt securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary or
its nominee as the holder of the debt securities, and we will make all payments
on the debt securities to the depositary or its nominee. The depositary will
then pass along the payments that it receives to its participants, which in turn
will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners of
the debt securities. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements
they have made with one another or with their customers or by law; they are not
obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities or the terms of the
indenture.
As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead,
they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker
or other financial institution that participates in the depositary's book-entry
system, or that holds an interest through a participant in the depositary's
book-entry system. As long as the debt securities are issued in global form,
investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.
STREET NAME HOLDERS
In the event that we issue debt securities in certificated form, or in the
event that a global security is terminated, investors may choose to hold their
debt securities either in their own names or in "street name." Debt securities
held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other
financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a
beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account that he or she
maintains at such bank, broker or other financial institution.
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For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the
intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the
debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities, and we
will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will
pass along the payments that they receive from us to their customers who are the
beneficial owners pursuant to agreements that they have entered into with such
customers or by law; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt
securities or the terms of the indenture. Investors who hold debt securities in
street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.
LEGAL HOLDERS
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee and those of
any third parties employed by the trustee or us, run only to the legal holders
of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold
beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other
indirect means and who are, therefore, not the legal holders of the debt
securities. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect
holder of a debt security, or has no choice in the matter because we are issuing
the debt securities only in global form.
For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the legal holder
of the debt securities, we have no further responsibility with respect to such
payment or notice even if that legal holder does not pass it along to indirect
holders as it is required to do under agreements with depositary participants or
customers or by law. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders
for any purpose (for example, to amend the indenture or to relieve us of the
consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular
provision of the indenture), we would seek the approval only from the legal
holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how
the legal holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.
Notwithstanding the above, when we refer to "you" or "your" in this
prospectus, we are referring to investors who invest in the debt securities
being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the legal holders or only
indirect holders of the debt securities offered. When we refer to "your debt
securities" in this prospectus, we mean the series of debt securities in which
you hold a direct or indirect interest.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDIRECT HOLDERS
If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial
institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check
with that institution to find out:
- how it handles securities payments and notices;
- whether it imposes fees or charges;
- how it would handle a request for its consent, as a legal holder of
the debt securities, if ever required;
- if permitted for a particular series of debt securities, whether and
how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in
your own name so you can be a legal holder of such debt securities;
- how it would exercise rights under the debt securities if there were
a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to
protect their interests; and
- if the debt securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary's
rules and procedures will affect these matters.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt
securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global
securities will have the same terms. Each debt security issued in book-entry
form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register
in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The
financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary.
Unless we
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specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust
Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt
securities that we issue in book-entry form.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of
anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination
situations arise. We describe those situations below under " - Special
Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated." As a result of these
arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole legal holder of
all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be
permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial
interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other
financial institution that in turn has an account either with the depositary or
with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an
investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal
holder of the debt security, but an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in
the global security.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR GLOBAL SECURITIES
As an indirect holder, an investor's rights relating to a global security
will be governed by the account rules of the investor's financial institution
and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers.
The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the legal
holder of the debt securities represented by such global security.
If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an
investor should be aware of the following:
- An investor cannot cause the debt securities to be registered in his
or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or
her interest in the debt securities, except in the special
situations we describe below under " -- Special Situations When a
Global Security Will Be Terminated."
- An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her
own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and
protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt
securities, as we describe under " -- Holders of Registered Debt
Securities" above.
- An investor may not be able to sell his or her interest in the debt
securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that
are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form.
- An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in the
debt securities in circumstances where certificates representing the
debt securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary
of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective.
- The depositary's policies, which may change from time to time, will
govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to
an investor's interest in the debt securities. Neither the trustee
nor we have any responsibility for any aspect of the depositary's
actions or for the depositary's records of ownership interests in a
global security. Additionally, neither the trustee nor we supervise
the depositary in any way.
- DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global
security that is deposited in its book-entry system use immediately
available funds. Your broker or bank may also require you to use
immediately available funds when purchasing or selling interests in
a global security.
- Financial institutions that participate in the depositary's
book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest
in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting
payments, notices and other matters relating to the debt security.
There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of
ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible
for the actions of any of such intermediaries.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS WHEN A GLOBAL SECURITY WILL BE TERMINATED
In a few special situations described below, a global security will be
terminated and interests in the global security will be exchanged for
certificates in non-global form, referred to as "certificated" debt securities.
After
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such an exchange, it will be up to the investor as to whether to hold the
certificated debt securities directly or in street name. We have described the
rights of direct holders and street name holders under " -- Holders of
Registered Debt Securities" above. Investors must consult their own banks or
brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security exchanged
on termination of a global security for certificated debt securities to be held
directly in their own names.
The special situations for termination of a global security are as
follows:
- if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no
longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security,
and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary
within 60 days of such notification;
- if we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global
security; or
- if an event of default has occurred with regard to the debt
securities represented by that global security and such event of
default has not been cured or waived.
The applicable prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a
global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt
securities covered by such prospectus supplement. If a global security were
terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the trustee, would be responsible
for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities
represented by the global security would be registered and, therefore, who would
be the legal holders of those debt securities.
FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF REGISTERED SECURITIES
If we cease to issue registered debt securities in global form, we will
issue them:
- only in fully registered certificated form; and
- unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and amounts that are
multiples of $1,000.
Holders may exchange their certificated securities for debt securities of
smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger
denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.
Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the
trustee's office. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for
registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt
securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform
them ourselves.
Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or
exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax
or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The
transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with
the holder's proof of legal ownership.
If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security,
they will be named in your prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional
transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We
may also approve a change in the location of the office through which any
transfer agent acts.
If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and
we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the
transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15
days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of
that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We
may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated
securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit
transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will
be partially redeemed.
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If a registered debt security is issued in global form, only the
depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as
described in this subsection because it will be the sole holder of the debt
security.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
On each due date for interest payments on the debt securities, we will pay
interest to each person shown on the trustee's records as owner of the debt
securities at the close of business on a designated day that is in advance of
the due date for interest. We will pay interest to each such person even if such
person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. The designated
day on which we will determine the owner of the debt security, as shown on the
trustee's records, is also known as the "record date." The record date will
usually be about two weeks in advance of the interest due date.
Because we will pay interest on the debt securities to the holders of the
debt securities based on ownership as of the applicable record date with respect
to any given interest period, and not to the holders of the debt securities on
the interest due date (that is, the day that the interest is to be paid), it is
up to the holders who are buying and selling the debt securities to work out
between themselves the appropriate purchase price for the debt securities. It is
common for purchase prices of debt securities to be adjusted so as to prorate
the interest on the debt securities fairly between the buyer and the seller
based on their respective ownership periods within the applicable interest
period.
PAYMENTS ON GLOBAL SECURITIES
We will make payments on a global security directly to the depositary, or
its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the
global security. An indirect holder's right to those payments will be governed
by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described
under " -- Global Securities" above.
PAYMENTS ON CERTIFICATED SECURITIES
We will make interest payments on debt securities held in certificated
form by mailing a check on each due date for interest payments to the holder of
the certificated securities, as shown on the trustee's records, as of the close
of business on the record date. We will make all payments of principal and
premium, if any, on the certificated securities by check at the office of the
trustee in New York City, New York, and/or at other offices that may be
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a notice to holders,
against surrender of the certificated security. All payments by check will be
made in next-day funds (that is, funds that become available on the day after
the check is cashed).
Alternatively, if a certificated security has a face amount of at least
$10,000,000, and the holder of such certificated security so requests, we will
pay any amount that becomes due on such certificated security by wire transfer
of immediately available funds to an account specified by the holder at a bank
in New York City, New York, on the applicable due date for payment. To request
payment by wire transfer, the holder must give appropriate transfer instructions
to the trustee or other paying agent at least 15 business days before the
requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payments, the
instructions must be given by the person who is shown on the trustee's records
as the holder of the certificated security on the applicable record date. Wire
instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new
instructions are given in the manner described above.
PAYMENT WHEN OFFICES ARE CLOSED
If payment on a debt security is due on a day that is not a business day,
we will make such payment on the next succeeding business day. The indenture
will provide that such payments will be treated as if they were made on the
original due date for payment. A postponement of this kind will not result in a
default under any debt security or indenture, and no interest will accrue on the
amount of any payment that is postponed in this manner.
BOOK-ENTRY AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR BANKS OR
BROKERS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW THEY WILL RECEIVE PAYMENTS ON THEIR DEBT
SECURITIES.
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT
You will have special rights if an Event of Default occurs with respect to
your debt securities and such Event of Default is not cured, as described later
in this subsection.
WHAT IS AN EVENT OF DEFAULT?
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
term "Event of Default" with respect to the debt securities offered means any of
the following:
- We do not pay the principal of, or any premium on, the debt security
on its due date.
- We do not pay interest on the debt security within a specified grace
period after the due date.
- We do not deposit any sinking fund payment, if applicable, with
respect to the debt securities on its due date.
- We remain in breach of a covenant with respect to the debt
securities for a period to be specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement after we receive a written notice of default stating that
we are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or
holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the debt
securities of the affected series.
- We fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any debt
outstanding in an amount to be specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement or more when the same become due and payable
at the stated maturity thereof, and such default shall have
continued after any applicable grace period and shall not have been
cured or waived, or an amount of debt outstanding to be specified in
the applicable prospectus supplement or more shall have been
accelerated or otherwise declared due and payable, or required to be
prepaid or repurchased (other than by regularly scheduled required
prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof.
- We file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization occur.
- Any other Event of Default that may be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement occurs.
The Events of Default described above may be modified as described in the
applicable prospectus supplement. An Event of Default for a particular series of
debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any
other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture.
REMEDIES IF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OCCURS
If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured within the
applicable time period, the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of
the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal
amount of all the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and
payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. If an Event
of Default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series
will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any
holder. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be rescinded by the
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the
affected series.
The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any
default, except in the payment of principal or interest, if it considers the
withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders. Additionally,
subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to the duties of
the trustee, the trustee is not required to take any action under the applicable
indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities unless
such holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and
liability, called an "indemnity." If reasonable indemnity is provided, the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conduct of any
lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the
trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain
circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be
treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.
Before you are allowed to bypass your trustee and bring your own lawsuit
or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or
protect your interests relating to your debt securities, the following must
occur:
- You must give your trustee written notice that an Event of Default
has occurred and remains uncured.
- The holders of 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt
securities of the relevant series must make a written request that
the trustee take action because of the default that has occurred and
must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and
other liabilities of taking that action.
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- The trustee must not have taken any action for 60 days after receipt
of the above notice, request and offer of indemnity.
- The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities
of the relevant series must not have given the trustee a direction
inconsistent with the above notice or request.
Notwithstanding the above, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit
for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date
for payment.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the
affected series may waive any past defaults other than:
- the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, the
affected series of debt securities; or
- a default in respect of a covenant that cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of each holder of the affected series of
debt securities.
BOOK-ENTRY AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR BANKS OR
BROKERS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO GIVE NOTICE OR DIRECTION TO OR MAKE A REQUEST
OF THE TRUSTEE, AND HOW TO DECLARE OR RESCIND AN ACCELERATION OF MATURITY ON
THEIR DEBT SECURITIES.
With respect to each series of debt securities, we will furnish to each
trustee, each year, a written statement of certain of our officers certifying
that, to their knowledge, we are in compliance with the provisions of the
indenture applicable to such series of debt securities, or specifying an Event
of Default.
COVENANTS
Unless otherwise indicated in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement,
the debt securities will not have the benefit of any covenants that limit or
restrict our business or operations, the pledging of our assets or the
incurrence by us of indebtedness. We will describe in the applicable prospectus
supplement any material covenants of a series of debt securities.
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
We have covenanted in the indentures that we will not consolidate,
amalgamate or merge with or enter into any statutory arrangement with any other
corporation or effect any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially
all of our properties and assets unless specified conditions are satisfied.
These conditions are as follows:
- the resulting entity must agree to be legally responsible for the
debt securities and be a corporation, partnership or trust organized
and existing under the laws of Canada or any province or territory
thereof, the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia or, if such transaction would not impair your rights, any
other country provided the successor entity assumes our obligations
under the debt securities and the indenture to pay additional
amounts;
- the merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets must
not cause a default on the debt securities, and we must not already
be in default (unless the merger or sale would cure the default)
with respect to the debt securities; and
- we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt
securities.
MODIFICATION OR WAIVER
There are three types of changes we can make to any indenture and the debt
securities issued thereunder.
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CHANGES REQUIRING YOUR APPROVAL
First, there are changes that we cannot make to the terms or provisions of
your debt securities without your specific approval. Subject to the provisions
of the applicable indenture, without your specific approval, we may not:
- change the stated maturity of the principal of, or interest on, your
debt securities;
- change any obligation to pay any additional amounts on your debt
securities which are required to be paid to holders with respect to
taxes imposed on such holders in certain circumstances;
- reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or interest on,
or any other amounts due on your debt securities;
- reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of maturity
of your debt securities following a default;
- make any change that adversely affects your right to receive payment
on, to convert, to exchange or to require us to purchase, as
applicable, your debt security in accordance with the terms of the
applicable indenture;
- change the place or currency of payment on your debt securities;
- impair your right to sue for payment on your debt securities;
- if your debt securities are subordinated debt securities, modify the
subordination provisions in the applicable indenture in a manner
that is adverse to you;
- reduce the percentage of holders of outstanding debt securities of
your series whose consent is needed to modify or amend the
applicable indenture;
- reduce the percentage of holders of outstanding debt securities of
your series whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain
provisions of the applicable indenture or to waive certain defaults
of the applicable indenture; or
- modify any other aspect of the provisions of the applicable
indenture dealing with modification and waiver of past defaults,
changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of
certain covenants relating to your debt securities.
CHANGES NOT REQUIRING YOUR APPROVAL
There are certain changes that we may make to your debt securities without
your specific approval and without any vote of the holders of the debt
securities of the same series. Such changes are limited to clarifications and
certain other changes that would not, in the opinion of our board of directors,
adversely affect the holders of the outstanding debt securities of such series
in any material respect.
CHANGES REQUIRING MAJORITY APPROVAL
Subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture, any other change
to, or waiver of, any provision of an indenture and the debt securities issued
pursuant thereto would require the following approval:
- If the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be
approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series.
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- If the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued
under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
all series affected by the change, with all affected series voting
together as one class for this purpose.
- Waiver of our compliance with certain provisions of an indenture
must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under such
indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, in
accordance with the terms of such indenture.
FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING VOTING
When taking a vote, we will decide the principal amount attributable to
the debt securities in the following manner:
- For original issue discount debt securities, we will use the
principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if
the maturity of such debt securities were accelerated to that date
because of a default.
- For debt securities for which principal amount is not known (for
example, because it is based on an index), we will use the formula
described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt
securities.
- For debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies,
we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.
Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore will not
be eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their
payment in full or their redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible
to vote if we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other
obligations with respect to such debt securities, as described below under " --
Defeasance -- Full Defeasance."
We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the
purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities that are
entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record
date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series of
debt securities, such vote or action may be taken only by persons shown on the
trustee's records as holders of the debt securities of the relevant series on
such record date.
BOOK-ENTRY AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR BANKS OR
BROKERS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW THEIR APPROVAL OR WAIVER MAY BE GRANTED OR DENIED
IF WE SEEK THEIR APPROVAL TO CHANGE OR WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF AN APPLICABLE
INDENTURE OR OF THEIR DEBT SECURITIES.
DEFEASANCE
If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and subject to the
provisions of the applicable indenture, we may elect either:
- to be released from some of the covenants in the indenture under
which your debt securities were issued (referred to as "covenant
defeasance"); or
- to be discharged from all of our obligations with respect to your
debt securities, except for obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of your debt securities, to replace mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain paying offices or
agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust (referred to as
"full defeasance").
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COVENANT DEFEASANCE
In the event of covenant defeasance, you would lose the protection of some
of our covenants in the indenture, but would gain the protection of having money
and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities.
Subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture, to accomplish
covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities offered:
- We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt
securities of the same series as your debt securities a combination
of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or
bonds that would generate enough cash to make interest, principal
and any other payments on such series of debt securities on the
various dates when such payments would be due.
- No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time
would become an Event of Default, including by reason of the above
deposit of money, notes or bonds, with respect to your debt
securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
deposit.
- We must deliver to the trustee of your debt securities a legal
opinion of our U.S. counsel to the effect that, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, you will not recognize income, gain or loss as
a result of such covenant defeasance and that such covenant
defeasance will not cause you to be taxed on your debt securities
any differently than if such covenant defeasance had not occurred
and we had just repaid your debt securities ourselves at maturity.
- We must deliver to the trustee of such debt securities a legal
opinion of our Canadian counsel or a ruling from the Canada Customs
and Revenue Agency to the effect that you will not recognize income,
gain or loss for Canadian federal or provincial income tax or other
tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be
subject to Canadian federal or provincial income tax and other tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not
occurred.
- We must comply with any additional terms of, conditions to or
limitations to covenant defeasance, as set forth in the applicable
indenture.
- We must deliver to the trustee of your debt securities an officer's
certificate and a legal opinion of our counsel stating that all
conditions precedent to covenant defeasance, as set forth in the
applicable indenture, had been complied with.
If we were to accomplish covenant defeasance, you could still look to us
for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust
deposit or the trustee were prevented from making payment. In fact, if an Event
of Default that remained after we accomplish covenant defeasance occurred (such
as our bankruptcy) and your debt securities became immediately due and payable,
there might be a shortfall in our trust deposit. Depending on the event causing
the default, you might not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
FULL DEFEASANCE
If we were to accomplish full defeasance, you would have to rely solely on
the funds or notes or bonds that we deposit in trust for repayment of your debt
securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any
shortfall in our trust deposit. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely
be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we were to become
bankrupt or insolvent.
Subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture, in order to
accomplish full defeasance with respect to the debt securities offered:
- We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt
securities of the same series as your debt securities a combination
of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or
bonds that
28
would generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other
payments on such series of debt securities on the various dates when
such payments would be due.
- No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time
would become an Event of Default, including by reason of the above
deposit of money, notes or bonds, with respect to your debt
securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
deposit.
- We must deliver to the trustee of such debt securities a legal
opinion of our counsel stating either that we have received, or
there has been published, a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service
or that there had been a change in the applicable U.S. federal
income tax law, in either case to the effect that, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, you will not recognize income, gain or loss as
a result of such full defeasance and that such full defeasance will
not cause you to be taxed on your debt securities any differently
than if such full defeasance had not occurred and we had just repaid
your debt securities ourselves at maturity.
- We must deliver to the trustee of such debt securities a legal
opinion of our counsel to the effect that you will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Canadian federal or provincial income tax
or other tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be
subject to Canadian federal or provincial income tax and other tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.
- We must comply with any additional terms of, conditions to or
limitations to full defeasance, as set forth in the applicable
indenture.
- We must deliver to the trustee of your debt securities an officer's
certificate and a legal opinion of our counsel stating that all
conditions precedent to full defeasance, as set forth in the
applicable indenture, had been complied with.
SENIOR INDENTURE PROVISIONS
The senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture. The
form of senior indenture is an exhibit to the registration statement, of which
this prospectus forms a part. The particular terms of a series of senior debt
securities will be set forth in the senior indenture, as supplemented by an
applicable supplemental indenture, and described in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement and senior indenture, as
supplemented, will specify any prohibitions on the amount of indebtedness,
guarantees or other liabilities that we may incur and any prohibitions on our
ability to create or assume liens on our property. Unless otherwise provided in
a prospectus supplement, the senior indenture, as supplemented, will not require
us to maintain any financial ratios or specified levels of our net worth,
revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity. We urge you to read the senior
indenture as supplemented by the supplemental indenture that is applicable to
you because that senior indenture, as supplemented, and not this section,
defines your rights as a holder of the senior debt securities.
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE PROVISIONS
The subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated
indenture. The form of subordinated indenture is an exhibit to the registration
statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. The particular terms of a
series of subordinated debt securities will be set forth in the subordinated
indenture, as supplemented by an applicable supplemental indenture, and
described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus
supplement and subordinated indenture, as supplemented, will specify any
prohibitions on the amount of indebtedness, guarantees or other liabilities that
we may incur and any prohibitions on our ability to create or assume liens on
our property. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, the
subordinated indenture, as supplemented, will not require us to maintain any
financial ratios or specified levels of our net worth, revenues, income, cash
flow or liquidity. We urge you to read the subordinated indenture as
supplemented by the supplemental indenture that is applicable to you because
that subordinated indenture, as supplemented, and not this section, defines your
rights as a holder of the subordinated debt securities.
SUBORDINATION
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Upon any payment or distribution of our assets upon our dissolution,
winding up, liquidation, assignment for the benefit of creditors or
reorganization, or any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar
proceedings, the payment of the principal of, and premium and interest, if any,
on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated, to the extent provided
in the subordinated indenture, as supplemented, in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness. This means that in certain
circumstances where we may not be making payments on all of our debt obligations
as they become due, the holders of all of our senior indebtedness will be
entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts that are due or will become
due on the senior indebtedness before you and the other holders of subordinated
debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution (other
than in the form of subordinated securities) on the subordinated debt
securities. These include the following circumstances:
- We make a payment or distribute assets to creditors upon any
liquidation, dissolution, winding up or reorganization of our company,
or as part of any assignment or marshalling of our assets for the
benefit of our creditors.
- We file for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar proceedings occur.
- The maturity of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated. For
example, the entire principal amount of a series of subordinated debt
securities may be declared to be due and immediately payable or may be
automatically accelerated due to an event of default as described
under "--Events of Default."
In addition, we are generally not permitted to make payments of principal,
any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities if we default in our
obligation to make payments on our senior indebtedness and do not cure such
default. We are also prohibited from making payments on subordinated debt
securities if an event of default (other than a payment default) that permits
the holders of senior indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of the senior
indebtedness occurs and we and the trustee have received a notice of such event
of default. However, unless the senior indebtedness has been accelerated because
of that event of default, this payment blockage notice cannot last more than 179
days.
By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our
assets upon our insolvency, certain of our general creditors may recover more,
ratably, than holders of the subordinated debt securities. The subordinated
indenture provides that these subordination provisions will not apply to money
and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the subordinated
indenture.
When we refer to "senior indebtedness" in this prospectus, we are
referring to the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:
- our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by
us), other than subordinated debt securities issued under a
subordinated indenture, whenever created, incurred, assumed or
guaranteed, or money borrowed, unless the instrument creating or
evidencing such indebtedness or under which such indebtedness is
outstanding provides that such indebtedness is not senior or prior
in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities; and
- renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any of such
indebtedness.
The subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of senior
indebtedness we are permitted to have and we may in the future incur additional
senior indebtedness. If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with
the offering of a series of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying
prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference will set
forth the approximate amount of our senior indebtedness outstanding as of a
recent date.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the indenture
will cease to be of further effect, and we will be deemed to have satisfied and
discharged the indenture with respect to a particular series of debt securities,
when the following conditions have been satisfied:
- all debt securities of that series not previously delivered to the
trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become
due and payable at their stated maturity or on a redemption date
within one year;
- we deposit with the trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay the
entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series that had
not been previously delivered for cancellation, for the principal
and interest to the date of the deposit (for debt securities that
have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or the
redemption date, as the case may be (for debt securities that have
not become due and payable);
- we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the
indenture in respect of that series; and
30
- we have delivered to the trustee an officer's certificate and
opinion of counsel, stating that all these conditions have been
complied with.
We will remain obligated to provide for registration of transfer and
exchange and to provide notices of redemption.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
We may appoint a separate trustee for any series of debt securities. If
the trustee becomes one of our creditors, the indentures contain certain limits
on the right of the trustee to obtain payment of certain claims or to realize
for its own account moneys from certain property received by it with respect to
such claim. The trustee will be permitted to engage in certain other
transactions. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest and
there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which the trustee
serves as trustee, the trustee must eliminate such conflict or resign. We may
maintain deposit accounts and conduct banking and other financing transactions
with the trustee in the normal course of business.
GOVERNING LAW
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
31
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class C Preferred
Shares, which are issuable in two series. As of August 31, 2003, there were no
Class C Preferred Shares outstanding.
We also have the ability to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares
in series with such terms as our board of directors may determine. Any such
series of preferred shares could have rights equal or superior to the rights of
our common shares.
The following briefly summarizes the provisions of our articles of
amalgamation that would be important to holders of our preferred shares. The
following description may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in
its entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of our articles of
amalgamation which is an exhibit to the registration statement which contains
this prospectus. The description of most of the financial and other specific
terms of your series will be in the prospectus supplement accompanying this
prospectus.
As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of your
series of preferred shares as described in your prospectus supplement will
supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described
in this section. If there are differences between your prospectus supplement and
this prospectus, your prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements
we make in this section may not apply to your series of preferred shares. The
terms in your prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this
prospectus, unless otherwise specified.
OUR AUTHORIZED PREFERRED SHARES
Under our articles of amalgamation, our board of directors is authorized,
without further action by our shareholders, to issue at any time an unlimited
number of preferred shares. Our board of directors may from time to time before
the issue thereof fix the number of shares in, and determine the designation,
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to, each series of
preferred shares. The preferred shares shall be entitled to priority over the
Class C Preferred Shares and the common shares and all other shares ranking
junior to the preferred shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the
distribution of our assets in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up or other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding-up our affairs. Except as otherwise provided by law or as may
be required by the rules of the applicable national securities exchange or
quotation service, the holders of the preferred shares shall not, as such, be
entitled to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of our shareholders and
shall not be entitled to vote at any such meeting. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the holders of the preferred shares shall not be
entitled to vote separately as a class on any proposal to amend our articles to:
- increase or decrease any maximum number of authorized preferred
shares, or increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a
class having rights or privileges equal or superior to the preferred
shares; or
- effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or part
of the preferred shares; or
- create a new class of shares equal or superior to the preferred
shares.
The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of preferred
shares will contain a description of the specific terms of that series as fixed
by our board of directors, including, as applicable;
- the offering price at which we will issue the preferred shares;
- the title, designation of number of preferred shares and stated
value of the preferred shares;
- the dividend rate or method of calculation, the payment dates for
dividends and the place or places where the dividends will be paid,
whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative, and, if
cumulative, the dates from which dividends will begin to cumulate;
32
- any conversion or exchange rights;
- whether the preferred shares will be subject to redemption and the
redemption price and other terms and conditions relative to the
redemption rights;
- any liquidation rights;
- any sinking fund provisions;
- any voting rights; and
- any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and
restrictions that are not inconsistent with the terms of our
articles of amalgamation.
When we issue and receive payment for the preferred shares, the shares
will be fully paid and non-assessable, which means that its holders will have
paid their purchase price in full and that we may not ask them to surrender
additional funds.
The rights of holders of the preferred shares offered may be adversely
affected by the rights of holders of any preferred shares that may be issued in
the future. Our board of directors may cause the preferred shares to be issued
in public or private transactions for any proper corporate purposes and may
include issuances to obtain additional financing in connection with
acquisitions, and issuances to officers, directors and employees pursuant to
benefit plans. Our board of directors' ability to issue preferred shares may
discourage attempts by others to acquire control of us without negotiation with
our board of directors, as it may make it difficult for a person to acquire us
without negotiating with our board of directors.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the
preferred shares will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
33
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES
We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares. As of
August 31, 2003, there were outstanding 37,156,872 common shares.
The holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends if, as and
when declared by our board of directors, subject to the rights of the holders of
any other class of shares of IMAX entitled to receive dividends in priority to
the common shares. Certain of the instruments governing our existing
indebtedness restrict our rights to pay dividends to the holders of the common
shares. Holders of such indebtedness have priority over the rights of the
holders of the common shares in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of IMAX. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders
of common shares are entitled to receive the assets of IMAX remaining after the
claims of creditors and the rights of the holders of any other class of shares
entitled to receive assets in priority to the holders of the common shares have
been satisfied. The holders of the common shares are entitled to receive notice
of and to attend all annual and special meetings of our shareholders and to one
vote for each common share held at all meetings of our shareholders. Under our
articles of amalgamation, our board of directors is divided into three classes,
each of which serves for a three year term.
The rights attached to the common shares do not provide for cumulative
voting rights or preemptive rights. Therefore, holders of more than 50% of the
common shares are able to elect all our directors eligible for election each
year. All of our issued and outstanding common shares are, and any common shares
to be sold under this prospectus, when issued and paid for, will be, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no redemption or sinking fund
provisions applicable to the common shares.
Our common shares are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "IMAX" and are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
"IMX."
Under Canadian law, the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast
is required for shareholder approval of an amalgamation (other than certain
short form amalgamations), for any sale, lease or exchange of all, or
substantially all, of our assets, if not in the ordinary course of our business,
and certain other fundamental changes including an amendment to the articles of
amalgamation. Other shareholder action is generally decided by a majority of the
votes cast at a meeting of shareholders.
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by our articles of
amalgamation or other charter documents on the right of a non-resident to hold
or vote common shares, other than as provided by the Investment Canada Act,
which requires notification and, in certain cases, advance review and approval
by the Government of Canada of the acquisition by a non-Canadian of control of a
Canadian business.
ARTICLE PROVISIONS
The authorization of undesignated preferred shares in our articles of
amalgamation makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred
shares with rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt
to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of
deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of us.
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to
the fullest extent permitted by Canadian law. We believe that the provisions in
our bylaws are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors
and officers.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares in the United
States is Mellon Investor Services, L.L.C. and in Canada is Computershare Trust
Company of Canada.
34
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description of the terms of the warrants sets forth certain
general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement
may relate. We may issue warrants for the purchase of senior debt securities,
subordinated debt securities, preferred shares or common shares. Warrants may be
issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred shares or
common shares offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or
separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be
issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a
bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as
our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of
warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with
the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.
DEBT WARRANTS
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of debt warrants
will describe the terms of such debt warrants, including the following:
- the title of such debt warrants;
- the offering price for such debt warrants, if any;
- the aggregate number of such debt warrants;
- the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise
of such debt warrants;
- if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities with which
such debt warrants are issued and the number of such debt warrants issued
with each such debt security;
- if applicable, the date from and after which such debt warrants and any
debt securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;
- the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of a
debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt
securities may be purchased upon exercise (which price may be payable in
cash, securities, or other property);
- the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence
and the date on which such right shall expire;
- if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such debt warrants that
may be exercised at any one time;
- whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or
debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will
be issued in registered or bearer form;
- information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
- the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and
the exercise price are payable;
- if applicable, a discussion of material Canadian and United States federal
income tax considerations;
- the antidilution or adjustment provisions of such debt warrants, if any;
35
- the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such debt
warrants; and
- any additional terms of such debt warrants, including terms, procedures,
and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such debt
warrants.
STOCK WARRANTS
The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of preferred share
warrants or common share warrants will describe the terms of such warrants,
including the following:
- the title of such warrants;
- the offering price for such warrants, if any;
- the aggregate number of such warrants;
- the designation and terms of the common shares or preferred shares
purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;
- if applicable, the designation and terms of the offered securities with
which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with
each such offered security;
- if applicable, the date from and after which such warrants and any offered
securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;
- the number of common shares or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise
of a warrant and the price at which such shares may be purchased upon
exercise;
- the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and
the date on which such right shall expire;
- if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be
exercised at any one time;
- the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and
the exercise price are payable;
- if applicable, a discussion of material Canadian and United States federal
income tax considerations;
- the antidilution provisions of such warrants, if any;
- the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such warrants;
and
- any additional terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of
securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be
determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement.
Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the
expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the
close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
36
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly
completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent
or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as
practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than
all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new
warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.
Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for
debt securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt
securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments
of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities
purchasable upon such exercise of their warrants, and holders of warrants
exercisable for preferred shares or common shares will not have any of the
rights of holders of the preferred shares or common shares purchasable upon such
exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights
of the preferred shares, if any, or common shares purchasable upon such
exercise.
GOVERNING LAW
Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, each issue of warrants
and the applicable warrant agreement will be governed by the laws of the State
of New York.
37
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating
holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to purchase from or
sell to the holders, a specified number of our common shares or preferred
shares, as applicable, at a future date or dates. The price per common share or
preferred share, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the stock purchase
contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula
contained in the stock purchase contracts. We may issue stock purchase contracts
in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish.
The applicable prospectus supplement may contain, where applicable, the
following information about the stock purchase contracts issued under it:
- whether the stock purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase or
sell, or both purchase and sell, our common shares or preferred shares, as
applicable, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the
method of determining those amounts;
- whether the stock purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;
- whether the stock purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by
reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of our common
shares or preferred shares;
- any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating
to the settlement of the stock purchase contracts; and
- whether the stock purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or
global form.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock
purchase contracts. The preceding description and any description of stock
purchase contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to
be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the stock purchase contract agreement and, if applicable, collateral
arrangements and depository arrangements relating to such stock purchase
contracts.
38
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described
in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the
holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit.
Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of
each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may
provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred
separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
- the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising
the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities
may be held or transferred separately;
- any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange
of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and
- whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any units.
The preceding description and any description of units in the applicable
prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the unit agreement and, if applicable,
collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units.
39
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe certain United States
federal income tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership and disposition
of any securities offered under this prospectus by an initial investor who is a
U.S. person (within the meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), including,
to the extent applicable, any such consequences relating to debt securities
payable in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, issued at an original issue
discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes or containing early redemption
provisions or other special items.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe certain Canadian federal
income tax considerations to an investor who is a non-resident of Canada
acquiring any securities offered under this prospectus, including whether the
payments of principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the debt securities
will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.
40
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus to one or more
underwriters or dealers for public offering, through agents, directly to
purchasers or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The name of any
such underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the offer and sale of the
securities, the amounts underwritten and the nature of its obligation to take
the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We have
reserved the right to sell the securities directly to investors on our own
behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so. The sale of the
securities may be effected in transactions (a) on any national or international
securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed
or quoted at the time of sale, (b) in the over-the-counter market, (c) in
transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or in the over-the-counter market
or (d) through the writing of options.
We and our agents and underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a
fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the
time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. The securities may be offered on an exchange, which will be
disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, from time to time,
authorize dealers, acting as our agents, to offer and sell the securities upon
such terms and conditions as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we use underwriters to sell securities, we will enter into an underwriting
agreement with them at the time of the sale to them. In connection with the sale
of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us in the form of
underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from
purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent. Any underwriting
compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with the
offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions
allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement to the extent required by applicable law.
Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may
receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from
the underwriters or commissions (which may be changed from time to time) from
the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be
deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them
and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, an agent will be
acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase debt securities as a
principal, and may then resell the debt securities at varying prices to be
determined by the dealer.
If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters,
dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to
purchase offered securities from us at the public offering price set forth in
the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be
subject to any conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and
the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation
of such contracts. The underwriters and other persons soliciting such contracts
will have no responsibility for the validity or performance of any such
contracts.
The amount of expenses expected to be incurred by us in connection with any
issuance of securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered
into with us, to indemnification against and contribution towards certain civil
liabilities, including any liabilities under the Securities Act.
To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in
the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise
affect the price of the securities. These may include over-allotment,
stabilization, syndicate short covering transactions and penalty bids.
Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a
short position. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying
security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Syndicate short covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the
open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover
syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim
selling concessions from dealers when the securities originally sold by the
dealers are purchased in covering transactions to cover syndicate short
positions. These transactions may cause the price of the securities sold in an
offering to be higher than it would otherwise be. These transactions, if
commenced, may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time.
41
Any securities other than our common shares issued hereunder may be new
issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters or
agents to or through whom such securities are sold for public offering and sale
may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not
be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for
any such securities. Certain of the underwriters, dealers or agents and their
associates may engage in transactions with, and perform services for, us and
certain of our affiliates and in the ordinary course of our business.
Certain of the underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may
engage in transactions with, and perform services for, us and certain of our
affiliates and in the ordinary course of our business.
During such time as we may be engaged in a distribution of the securities
covered by this prospectus, we are required to comply with Regulation M
promulgated under the Exchange Act. With certain exceptions, Regulation M
precludes us, any affiliated purchasers, and any broker-dealer or other person
who participates in such distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or
attempting to induce any person to bid for or purchase, any security which is
the subject of the distribution until the entire distribution is complete.
Regulation M also restricts bids or purchases made in order to stabilize the
price of a security in connection with the distribution of that security. All of
the foregoing may affect the marketability of our common shares.
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, certain Canadian legal
matters in connection with the offering of securities issued and sold hereunder
will be passed upon for us by McCarthy Tetrault LLP, Toronto, Ontario and
certain U.S. legal matters in connection with the offering of securities issued
and sold hereunder will be passed upon for us by Shearman & Sterling LLP,
Toronto, Ontario and New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The audited consolidated financial statements and the related financial
statement schedules, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing
and accounting.
42
$250,000,000
IMAX CORPORATION
DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED SHARES
COMMON SHARES
WARRANTS
STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS
--------------------------
PROSPECTUS
, 2003
--------------------------
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 issuance and distribution of the securities being
registered. All of the amounts shown are estimates, except the Securities and
Exchange Commission registration fee.
SEC registration and other securities
commissions' filing fees $ 28,225
Stock exchange listing fees $ 90,000
Printing fees $ 40,000
Accountant's fees and expenses $ 75,000
Legal fees and expenses $ 100,000
Trustee's fees and expenses $ 20,000
Transfer Agent's fees and expenses $ 10,000
Rating Agency Fees $ 20,000
Miscellaneous expenses $ 20,000
---------
Total(1) $ 403,225
=========
-------------
(1) The amounts set forth above are estimates except for the SEC registration
fee.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 124 of the Canada Business Corporations Act ("CBCA") and Section 7 of
the registrant's By-Law No. 1 provide for the indemnification of directors and
officers of the registrant. Under these provisions, the registrant shall
indemnify a director or officer of the registrant (or a former director or
officer) against all costs, charges and expenses, including amounts paid to
settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by such director or
officer in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding
(other than in respect of an action by or on behalf of the registrant to procure
a judgment in its favor) to which such individual is made a party by reason of
his position with the registrant, if he fulfills the following two conditions:
(a) he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the
registrant; and (b) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or
proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for
believing that his conduct was lawful. In respect of an action by or on behalf
of the registrant to procure a judgment in its favor, the registrant, with the
approval of a court, may indemnify a director or officer of the registrant (or a
former director or officer) against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action if he fulfills the conditions set
out in clauses (a) and (b) of the previous sentence. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a director or officer of the registrant (or a former director or
officer) is entitled to indemnification from the registrant in respect of all
costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with the
defense of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which
he is made a party by reason of his position with the registrant if he was not
judged by the court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or
omitted to do anything that the individual ought to have done and he fulfills
the conditions in clauses (a) and (b) of the second sentence of this paragraph.
Section 7.4 of the registrant's By-Law No. 1 also provides that, to the
extent permitted by law, no director or officer for the time being of the
registrant shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any
other director or officer or employee or for joining in any receipt or act for
conformity or for any loss, damage or expense happening to the registrant
through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by the
registrant
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or for or on behalf of the registrant or for the insufficiency or deficiency of
any security in or upon which any of the moneys of or belonging to the
registrant shall be placed out or invested or for any loss or damage arising
from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious act of any person, firm or body
corporate with whom or which any moneys, securities or other assets belonging to
the registrant shall be lodged or deposited or for any loss, conversion,
misapplication or misappropriation of or any damage resulting from any dealings
with any moneys, securities or other assets belonging to the registrant or for
any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which may happen in the execution
of the duties of his respective office or trust or in relation thereto unless
the same shall happen by or through his failure to act honestly and in good
faith with a view to the best interests of the registrant and in connection
therewith to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent
person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
The registrant maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance subject
to deductibles in respect of SEC claims and claims for wrongful acts against
insured persons.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the exhibit index,
which appears elsewhere herein and is incorporated herein by reference.
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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed
with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement;
(2) that, for the purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(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.
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b. 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 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 the time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
c. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
d. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(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
of 1933 shall be deemed to be a part of this registration statement
as of the time it was declared effective; and
(2) for the purpose 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.
e. 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 Act.
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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 Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of New York, State of New York, on
October 6, 2003.
IMAX CORPORATION
By: /s/ Richard L. Gelfond
----------------------------------
Name: Richard L. Gelfond
Title: Co-Chairman and
Co-Chief Executive Officer
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on
October 6, 2003.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ * Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director
--------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
Richard L. Gelfond
/s/ * Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director
--------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
Bradley J. Wechsler
/s/ * Director
---------------------------
Neil S. Braun
/s/ * Director
---------------------------
Kenneth G. Copland
/s/ * Director
---------------------------
Michael Fuchs
/s/ * Director
---------------------------
Garth M. Girvan
/s/ * Director
---------------------------
David W. Leebron
/s/ * Director
---------------------------
Marc A. Utay
/s/ * Chief Financial Officer
--------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer)
Francis T. Joyce
/s/ * Vice President, Finance and Controller
--------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer)
Kathryn A. Gamble
By: /s/ Robert D. Lister
--------------------
Attorney-in-Fact
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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act, the
Authorized Representative has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, solely in
it capacity as the duly authorized representative of IMAX Corporation in the
United States, in the City of New York, State of New York, on October 6, 2003
IMAX U.S.A. INC.
By: /s/ Robert D. Lister
----------------------------------
Name: Robert D. Lister
Title: Vice-President
By: /s/ Francis T. Joyce
----------------------------------
Name: Francis T. Joyce
Title: Vice-President of Finance
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
1.1+ Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities, Common Shares, Preferred
Shares, Warrants, Stock Purchase Contracts and/or Units.
3.1 Articles of Amalgamation of IMAX Corporation, dated January 1, 2002.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001.
3.2 General By-Law No.1 of IMAX Corporation enacted on June 7, 1999. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1999.
4.1 Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture.
4.2 Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture.
4.3 Form of certificate representing IMAX Corporation common shares.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 20-F filed on May 24, 1994,
File No. 000-24216.
4.4+ Form of certificate representing IMAX Corporation preferred shares.
4.5+ Form of Warrant Agreement, including the form of Warrant.
4.6+ Form of Stock Purchase Contract Agreement, including the form of Security
Certificate.
4.7+ Form of Unit Agreement, including the form of Unit Certificate.
4.8 Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.9 Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.2).
5.1 Opinion of McCarthy Tetrault LLP.
5.2 Opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP.
12.1 Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1* Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3 Consent of McCarthy Tetrault LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.4 Consent of Shearman & Sterling LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
24.1* Power of Attorney (included on signature pages).
* Previously filed.
+ To be filed, if necessary, subsequent to the effectiveness of this
registration statement by an amendment to this registration statement or
incorporated by reference pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K in
connection with the offering of securities.
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