Exhibit 10.1
FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT
THIS FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT (this
“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of
October 1, 2009, between Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the “ Issuer ”) and the
beneficial owners of the 1.50% Convertible Subordinated Debentures
due 2024 (the “ Notes ”) signatories hereto (the
“ Forbearing Holders ”). Capitalized terms
used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Indenture governing the Notes, dated
as of September 22, 2004, between the Issuer and U.S. Bank
National Association (the “ Trustee ”) (as
amended and supplemented, or otherwise modified, the “
Indenture ”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture,
the Issuer has issued Notes in principal amount of $96,700,000 and
the Forbearing Holders hold Notes in the principal amount listed
below each Forbearing Holder’s name on the signature
pages hereto (the “ Forbearing Notes
”).
WHEREAS, the Forbearing Holders have
exercised, or have indicated that they intend to exercise, their
rights pursuant to Section 11.1 of the Indenture to require
the Issuer to repurchase the Forbearing Notes on October 1,
2009 (the “ Put Repurchase Date ”).
WHEREAS, a Default has occurred and
is continuing under Section 4.1(d) of the Indenture as a
result of the Issuer’s failure to mail a Repurchase Event
Notice pursuant to Section 11.3 of the Indenture and a
Repurchase Event Purchase Notice pursuant to Section 11.4 of
the Indenture or to file a Schedule TO pursuant to
Section 11.7 of the Indenture (the “ Existing
Defaults ”).
WHEREAS, the Forbearing Holders
assert (and the Issuer disputes) that there will be an Event of
Default under Section 4.1(c) of the Indenture if the
Issuer fails to repurchase the Forbearing Notes from the Forbearing
Holders on the Put Repurchase Date at a purchase price equal to
113.76% of the principal amount of the Forbearing Notes (the
“ Put Repurchase Default ” and together with the
Existing Defaults, the “ Specified Defaults
”).
WHEREAS, the Issuer has requested
that the Forbearing Holders agree to forbear, and the Forbearing
Holders have agreed to forbear, from exercising their rights and
remedies with respect to the Specified Defaults for the period, and
on the terms and conditions, specified herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
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Acknowledgement and
Reaffirmation . The
Issuer hereby acknowledges and agrees, with respect to the
Forbearing Holders only, that:
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