Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No. 333-185137

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered		Amount To Be Registered				Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit				Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price				Amount of Registration Fee (1)
0.650% Notes due 2015		$	750,000,000				99.728	%		$	747,960,000			$	102,022
1.200% Notes due 2017		$	1,000,000,000				99.513	%		$	995,130,000			$	135,736
2.500% Notes due 2022		$	1,250,000,000				99.116	%		$	1,238,950,000			$	168,993

 

(1)

Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The total registration fee due for this offering is $406,751.

---

Table of Contents

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated November 26, 2012)

 

 

 

$750,000,000 0.650% NOTES DUE NOVEMBER 27, 2015   

$1,000,000,000 1.200% NOTES DUE NOVEMBER 29, 2017

$1,250,000,000 2.500% NOTES DUE NOVEMBER 29, 2022 

 

 

 

Amazon.com, Inc. is offering $750,000,000 of our 0.650% notes due November 27, 2015 (the “2015 notes”), $1,000,000,000 of our 1.200% notes due November 29, 2017 (the “2017 notes”), and $1,250,000,000 of our 2.500% notes due November 29, 2022 (the “2022 notes,” and together with the 2015 notes and the 2017 notes, the “notes”). The 2015 notes will bear interest at a rate of 0.650% per annum. The 2017 notes will bear interest at a rate of 1.200% per annum. The 2022 notes will bear interest at a rate of 2.500% per annum. We will pay interest semi-annually on the notes beginning May 27, 2013 for the 2015 notes and May 29, 2013 for the 2017 notes and 2022 notes. The 2015 notes will mature on November 27, 2015. The 2017 notes will mature on November 29, 2017. The 2022 notes will mature on November 29, 2022.

 

 

 

We may redeem some or all of any series of notes at any time at the redemption prices described beginning on page S-12. The notes are senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness. There is no sinking fund for the notes. The notes are not, and are not expected to be, listed on any securities exchange.

 

 

 

Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

		Price to Public(1)		Underwriting Discounts and Commissions		Proceeds to Amazon (before expenses)
Per 2015 note		99.728%		0.200%		99.528%
2015 notes total		$747,960,000.00		$1,500,000.00		$746,460,000.00
Per 2017 note		99.513%		0.300%		99.213%
2017 notes total		$995,130,000.00		$3,000,000.00		$992,130,000.00
Per 2022 note		99.116%		0.400%		98.716%
2022 notes total		$1,238,950,000.00		$5,000,000.00		$1,233,950,000.00
Total		$2,982,040,000.00		$9,500,000.00		$2,972,540,000.00

 

(1)

Plus accrued interest, if any, from November 29, 2012, if settlement occurs after that date.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the prospectus to which it relates is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes on or about November 29, 2012 only in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, and Clearstream Banking S.A.

 

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

MORGAN STANLEY		GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

 

Co-Managers

 

HSBC		BofA MERRILL LYNCH

November 26, 2012

---

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with any additional information or any information that is different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus provided in connection with this offering. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This document may be used only where it is legal to sell these securities. The information contained in or incorporated by reference into this document is accurate only as of the date of this document, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the “Company,” “Amazon.com,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Amazon.com, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

---

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of the notes and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information about us and the securities we may offer from time to time under our shelf registration statement, some of which may not apply to this offering of the notes. If the description of this offering of the notes in the accompanying prospectus is different from the description in this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement.

 

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus provided in connection with this offering before deciding whether to invest in the notes offered by this prospectus supplement.

 

You should not consider any information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be investment, legal or tax advice. You should consult your own counsel, accountants and other advisers for legal, tax, business, financial and related advice regarding the purchase of any of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy these materials at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Amazon.com, Inc. and other companies that file materials with the SEC electronically. Copies of our periodic and current reports and proxy statements, may be obtained, free of charge, on our website at www.amazon.com/ir. This reference to our Internet address is for informational purposes only and shall not, under any circumstances, be deemed to incorporate the information available at or through such Internet address into this prospectus supplement.

 

S-1

---

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance, industry prospects or future results of operations or financial position, made in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are forward-looking. We use words such as anticipates, believes, expects, future, intends, and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially for a variety of reasons, including, among others, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, changes in global economic conditions and consumer spending, world events, the rate of growth of the Internet and online commerce, the amount that we invest in new business opportunities and the timing of those investments, the mix of products sold to customers, the mix of net sales derived from products as compared with services, the extent to which we owe income taxes, competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international growth and expansion, the outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, risks of inventory management, seasonality, the degree to which we enter into, maintain, and develop commercial agreements, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, payments risks, and risks of fulfillment throughput and productivity. In addition, the current global economic climate amplifies many of these risks. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, are described in greater detail in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012, under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures we make in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

S-2

---

Table of Contents

 

S-3

---

Table of Contents

 

S-4

---

Table of Contents

 

S-5

---

Table of Contents

 

S-6

---

Table of Contents

 

S-7

---

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in the notes involves certain risks. In addition to the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should carefully consider the following discussion of risks before deciding whether an investment in the notes is suitable for you. In addition, you should carefully consider the other risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, before investing in the notes.

 

In addition to the foregoing risks relating to us, the following are additional risks relating to an investment in the notes.

 

The notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

 

The notes are obligations exclusively of Amazon.com, Inc. and not of any of our subsidiaries. Our operations are primarily conducted through our subsidiaries, which are separate legal entities that have no obligation to pay any amounts due under the notes or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) of our subsidiaries will have priority with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the notes). Consequently, the notes will be effectively subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish.

 

The notes are subject to prior claims of any secured creditors, and if a default occurs, we may not have sufficient funds to fulfill our obligations under the notes.

 

The notes are our unsecured general obligations, ranking equally with other senior unsecured indebtedness. The indenture governing the notes permits us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured debt. If we incur any secured debt, our assets will be subject to prior claims by our secured creditors to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, assets that secure debt will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all debt secured by those assets has been repaid in full. Holders of the notes will participate in our remaining assets ratably with all of our unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, including our trade creditors. If we incur any additional obligations that rank equally with the notes, including trade payables, the holders of those obligations will be entitled to share ratably with the holders of the notes and the previously issued notes in any proceeds distributed upon our insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to you. If there are not sufficient assets remaining to pay all these creditors, all or a portion of the notes then outstanding would remain unpaid.

 

The limited covenants in the indenture for the notes and the terms of the notes do not provide protection against some types of important corporate events and may not protect your investment.

 

The indenture for the notes does not:

 

•

require us to maintain any financial ratios or specific levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity and, accordingly, does not protect holders of the notes in the event that we experience significant adverse changes in our financial condition or results of operations;

 

•

restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to issue securities or otherwise incur indebtedness that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore would be structurally senior to the notes;

 

•

limit our ability to incur secured indebtedness that would effectively rank senior to the notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing the indebtedness, or to engage in sale/leaseback transactions;

 

S-8

---

Table of Contents

•

limit our ability to incur indebtedness that is equal in right of payment to the notes;

 

•

restrict our ability to repurchase or prepay our securities;

 

•

restrict our ability to make investments or to repurchase or pay dividends or make other payments in respect of our common stock or other securities ranking junior to the notes;

 

•

restrict our ability to enter into highly leveraged transactions; or

 

•

require us to repurchase the notes in the event of a change in control.

 

As a result of the foregoing, when evaluating the terms of the notes, you should be aware that the terms of the indenture and the notes do not restrict our ability to engage in, or to otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances and events, such as certain acquisitions, refinancings or recapitalizations that could substantially and adversely affect our capital structure and the value of the notes. For these reasons, you should not consider the covenants in the indenture as a significant factor in evaluating whether to invest in the notes.

 

Changes in our credit ratings may adversely affect your investment in the notes.

 

The major debt rating agencies routinely evaluate our debt. These ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the notes, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor, are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. The ratings are based on current information furnished to the ratings agencies by us and information obtained by the ratings agencies from other sources. An explanation of the significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating agency. There can be no assurance that such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies, if, in each rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could affect the market value and liquidity of the notes and increase our corporate borrowing costs.

 

There may not be an active market for the notes.

 

We cannot assure you that a trading market for the notes will ever develop or will be maintained. Further, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the notes, your ability to sell your notes or the prices at which you will be able to sell your notes. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our financial condition and results of operations, the then-current ratings assigned to the notes and the market for similar securities. Any trading markets that develop would be affected by many factors independent of and in addition to the foregoing, including the:

 

•

propensity of existing holders to trade their positions in the notes;

 

•

time remaining to the maturity of the notes;

 

•

outstanding amount of the notes;

 

•

redemption of the notes; and

 

•

level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally.

 

Redemption may adversely affect your return on the notes.

 

We have the right to redeem some or all of the notes prior to maturity. We may redeem the notes at times when prevailing interest rates may be relatively low. Accordingly, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as that of the notes.

 

S-9

---

Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The net proceeds from the sale of the notes are estimated to be approximately $2,969,040,000, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

The net proceeds from the sale of the notes will be used for general corporate purposes. The net proceeds may be temporarily invested by us in interest-bearing securities prior to use.

 

S-10

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

 

The following is a description of the particular terms of the 2015 notes, 2017 notes and 2022 notes offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement. This description supplements and, to the extent inconsistent, modifies the description of the general terms and provisions of senior debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities.” To the extent the description in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the description contained in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the description in this prospectus supplement. The following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the base indenture, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee, which we refer to as the indenture, including a supplement or an officers’ certificate pursuant to that indenture for the notes. A form of the base indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are a part. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this prospectus supplement or in the accompanying prospectus have the meanings given to them in the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Certain Terms of the 0.650% Notes due November 27, 2015

 

We are offering $750,000,000 principal amount of the 0.650% notes due November 27, 2015 as a series of notes under the indenture. Unless an earlier redemption has occurred, the entire principal amount of 2015 notes will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on November 27, 2015. The 2015 notes will bear interest at the rate of 0.650% per annum from the date of original issuance or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually in arrears on May 27 and November 27 of each year, beginning on May 27, 2013, to the persons in whose names the 2015 notes are registered at the close of business on the preceding May 12 and November 12, each a record date, as the case may be. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. If any date on which interest is payable on the notes is not a business day, the payment of the interest payable on that date will be made on the next day that is a business day, without any interest or other payment in respect of the delay, with the same force and effect as if made on the scheduled payment date.

 

Certain Terms of the 1.200% Notes due November 29, 2017

 

We are offering $1,000,000,000 principal amount of the 1.200% notes due November 29, 2017 as a series of notes under the indenture. Unless an earlier redemption has occurred, the entire principal amount of 2017 notes will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on November 29, 2017. The 2017 notes will bear interest at the rate of 1.200% per annum from the date of original issuance or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually in arrears on May 29 and November 29 of each year, beginning on May 29, 2013, to the persons in whose names the 2017 notes are registered at the close of business on the preceding May 14 and November 14, each a record date, as the case may be. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. If any date on which interest is payable on the notes is not a business day, the payment of the interest payable on that date will be made on the next day that is a business day, without any interest or other payment in respect of the delay, with the same force and effect as if made on the scheduled payment date.

 

Certain Terms of the 2.500% Notes due November 29, 2022

 

We are offering $1,250,000,000 principal amount of the 2.500% notes due November 29, 2022 as a series of notes under the indenture. Unless an earlier redemption has occurred, the entire principal amount of 2022 notes will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on November 29, 2022. The 2022 notes will bear interest at the rate of 2.500% per annum from the date of original issuance or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually in arrears on May 29 and November 29 of each year, beginning on May 29, 2013, to the persons in whose names the 2022 notes are registered at the close of business on the preceding May 14 and November 14, each a record date, as the case may be. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of

 

S-11

---

Table of Contents

twelve 30-day months. If any date on which interest is payable on the notes is not a business day, the payment of the interest payable on that date will be made on the next day that is a business day, without any interest or other payment in respect of the delay, with the same force and effect as if made on the scheduled payment date.

 

General

 

We may, without the consent of existing holders, increase the principal amount of the notes by issuing more notes in the future, on the same terms and conditions (other than the issue date and possibly the price to the public) and with the same CUSIP number (unless the additional notes of a series are not fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with such series), in each case, as the notes being offered by this prospectus supplement. We do not plan to inform the existing holders if we re-open a series of notes to issue and sell additional notes of such series in the future. Additional notes issued in this manner will be consolidated with and will form a single series with the applicable series of notes being offered hereby.

 

In some circumstances, we may elect to discharge our obligations under a series of notes through full defeasance or covenant defeasance. See “—Defeasance” below for more information.

 

We will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes. We may at any time and from time to time purchase notes in the open market or otherwise.

 

Denominations

 

The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Ranking

 

The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of ours and will rank equally with all our other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding.

 

Optional Redemption

 

The notes may be redeemed in whole at any time or in part from time to time (until, in the case of the 2022 notes, at any time prior to August 29, 2022), at our option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (1) 100% of the principal amount of the applicable series of notes to be redeemed, and (2) the sum, as determined by us based on the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations (as defined below), of the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed from the redemption date to the maturity date (the “Remaining Life”) (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) discounted from the scheduled payment dates to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 5 basis points in the case of the 2015 notes, plus 10 basis points in the case of the 2017 notes and plus 15 basis points in the case of the 2022 notes. Accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed will be paid up to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

Commencing on August 29, 2022 (three months prior to the maturity date of the 2022 notes), the 2022 notes may be redeemed in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the series of notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the trustee or paying agent on or before the

 

S-12

---

Table of Contents

redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, then on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on such notes (or such portion thereof) called for redemption and such notes will cease to be outstanding. If any redemption date is not a business day, we will pay the redemption price on the next business day without any interest or other payment due to the delay.

 

If fewer than all of the notes of a series are to be redeemed, the trustee will select the notes of such series for redemption by lot in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures. Notes of $2,000 principal amount or less will not be redeemed in part.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by a Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by us as being the most recently issued United States Treasury security having a maturity comparable to the Remaining Life.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, (ii) if we obtain fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, then the average of all such quotations shall be used, or (iii) if only one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation can reasonably be obtained by us, such quotation shall be used.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co., and their respective successors and three other nationally recognized investment banking firms that are primary U.S. Government securities dealers in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) specified from time to time by us; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we shall substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by us, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to us by each Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for the redemption date.

 

Notice of any redemption will be electronically delivered or mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of the notes to be redeemed. In the event that we choose to redeem less than all of the notes, selection of the notes for redemption will be made by the trustee by lot, in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes, or portions thereof, called for redemption.

 

Global Securities; Book-Entry Notes

 

We expect the notes will be issued in the form of global securities held by DTC and its participants, including Euroclear and Clearstream as described under “Description of Debt Securities—Book-Entry, Delivery and Form” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Defeasance

 

The defeasance provisions of the indenture described under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus will apply to the notes.

 

S-13

---

Table of Contents

Sinking Fund

 

There will not be a sinking fund for the notes.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture provides that New York law shall govern any action regarding the notes brought pursuant to the indenture.

 

S-14

---

Table of Contents

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

This section summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the notes. This summary does not provide a complete analysis of all potential tax considerations. The information provided below is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (referred to herein as the “Code”), Treasury regulations issued under the Code, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date of this prospectus supplement and all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. As a result, the tax considerations of purchasing, owning or disposing of the notes could differ from those described below. This summary deals only with purchasers who purchase the notes at the issue price (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for cash to purchasers, not including bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) for cash and who hold the notes as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally assets that are held as investments). It is expected and this discussion assumes that the issue price of the notes will equal their principal amount. This summary does not deal with persons in special tax situations, such as banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities or investors in such entities, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax exempt investors, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, U.S. expatriates, persons holding the notes as a position in a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” or other integrated transaction for tax purposes, controlled foreign corporations, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, or U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Further, this discussion does not address the consequences under U.S. alternative minimum tax rules, U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, the tax laws of any U.S. state or locality, any non-U.S. tax laws, or any tax laws other than income tax laws. We will not seek a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to any of the matters discussed herein and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein.

 

As used herein, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the notes that is, or is treated for United States federal income tax purposes as,

 

•

an individual that is a citizen or resident of the United States,

 

•

a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia,

 

•

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or

 

•

a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

As used herein, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner, other than a partnership, of notes that is not a U.S. holder.

 

If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of notes, the treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. A holder of the notes that is a partnership and partners in such a partnership should consult their independent tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of the notes.

 

Investors should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the notes, including the tax consequences under the laws of any foreign, state, local or other taxing jurisdictions and the possible effects on investors of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.

 

S-15

---

Table of Contents

U.S. Holders

 

The following discussion applies to U.S. holders.

 

Interest

 

Interest on a note will be includable by a U.S. holder as interest income at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with such holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will be ordinary income.

 

Sale, Exchange, Retirement, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes

 

Upon the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note, a U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount realized on the disposition (other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxed as such) and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. The amount realized by the U.S. holder will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the note. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal the cost of the note. A U.S. holder’s gain or loss will generally constitute capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held such note for longer than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Long-term capital gain will be taxed based on the rates in effect for the year of sale.

 

Medicare Tax

 

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, newly enacted legislation requires certain U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts to pay an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. person’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. person’s modified gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000 depending on the individual’s circumstances). Net investment income will generally include interest income and net gains from the disposition of the notes, unless such interest income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). A U.S. holder that is an individual, estate or trust should consult its tax advisor regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to its income and gains in respect of its investment in the notes.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

In general, a U.S. holder of a note will be subject to backup withholding at the applicable tax rate (currently 28%, which is scheduled to increase to 31% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013) with respect to cash payments in respect of interest or the gross proceeds from dispositions of notes, unless the holder (i) is an entity that is exempt from backup withholding (generally including tax-exempt organizations and certain qualified nominees) and, when required, provides appropriate documentation to that effect or (ii) provides us or our paying agent with a social security number or other taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) within a reasonable time after a request therefor, certifies that the TIN provided is correct and that the holder has not been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding due to underreporting of interest or dividends, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. In addition, such payments to U.S. holders that are not exempt entities will generally be subject to information reporting requirements. A U.S. holder who does not provide us or our paying agent with the correct TIN may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. We or our paying agent will report to the holders and the IRS the amount of any “reportable payments” and any amounts withheld with respect to the notes as required by the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations.

 

S-16

---

Table of Contents

Non-U.S. Holders

 

The following discussion applies to non-U.S. holders.

 

Interest

 

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, under the “portfolio interest exemption,” interest income of a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding, provided that:

 

•

the interest paid on the note is not income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business carried on by the non-U.S. holder (“ECI”);

 

•

the non-U.S. holder is not a controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to us through stock ownership;

 

•

the non-U.S. holder does not actually or constructively (pursuant to the rules of Section 871(h)(3)(C) of the Code) own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock that are entitled to vote; and

 

•

certain certification requirements are met.

 

If any of these conditions is not met, interest on the notes paid to a non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate unless (a) an applicable income tax treaty reduces or eliminates such tax, and the non-U.S. holder claims the benefit of that treaty by providing a properly completed and duly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or a suitable substitute or successor form), or (b) the interest is ECI subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis (as described below) and the non-U.S. holder complies with applicable certification requirements by providing a properly completed and duly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or a suitable substitute or successor form).

 

If the interest on the notes is ECI, the non-U.S. holder will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on that interest on a net income basis generally in the same manner as a U.S. holder. If a non-U.S. holder is eligible for the benefits of any income tax treaty between the United States and its country of residence, any interest income that is ECI will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner specified by the treaty and will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if such income is attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States. If the interest on the notes is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis, the 30% withholding tax described above will not apply, provided the appropriate statement is provided to us or our paying agent. In addition, interest received by a corporate non-U.S. holder that is ECI may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate, or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate.

 

Taxable Disposition of Notes

 

A non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on a sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of the notes unless:

 

•

the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the non-U.S. holder (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment), or

 

•

in the case of a non-U.S. holder who is a nonresident alien individual, such holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year and certain other requirements are met.

 

If a non-U.S. holder falls under the first of these exceptions, the holder will be taxed on the net gain derived from the disposition under the graduated U.S. federal income tax rates that are applicable to U.S. persons and, if the non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to the branch profits tax described above.

 

S-17

---

Table of Contents

Even though the ECI will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly subject to the branch profits tax, it will not be subject to withholding if the non-U.S. holder delivers to us or our agent an appropriate IRS Form W-8ECI (or a suitable substitute or successor form or such other form as the IRS may prescribe) that has been properly completed and duly executed.

 

If an individual non-U.S. holder falls under the second of these exceptions, the holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% on the amount by which the gain derived from the disposition exceeds such holder’s capital losses allocable to sources within the United States for the taxable year of the sale.

 

A non-U.S. holder’s ability to claim a loss on the disposition of the notes will be subject to substantial limitations. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of disposing of the notes at a loss.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to payments of principal or interest on the notes by us or our paying agent if a holder certifies its status as a non-U.S. holder under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption (provided that neither we nor our paying agent has actual knowledge that it is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemptions are not in fact satisfied). The payment of the proceeds of the disposition of notes to or through the United States office of a United States or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the non-U.S. holder provides the certification described above or otherwise establishes an exemption. The proceeds of a disposition effected outside the United States by a holder of the notes to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting. However, if that broker is, for United States tax purposes, a U.S. person, a controlled foreign corporation, a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for certain periods is effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States, or a foreign partnership that is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States or that has one or more partners that are U.S. persons who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interests in the partnership, information reporting requirements will apply unless that broker has documentary evidence in its files of such holder’s status as a non-U.S. holder and has no actual knowledge to the contrary or unless such holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a holder under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided it timely furnishes the required information to the IRS. We or our paying agent will report to the holders and the IRS the amount of any “reportable payments” (which include interest) and any amounts withheld with respect to the notes as required by the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations.

 

Medicare Tax

 

Non-U.S. holders that are foreign estates or trusts may be subject to the Medicare tax described above under “—U.S. Holders—Medicare Tax.” Such non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to any of their income or gains in respect of the notes.

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

 

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) was enacted on March 18, 2010 and, in general, will impose a 30% U.S. withholding tax on “withholdable payments” as defined in Section 1473(l) of the Code, which include certain U.S. source payments, including interest, and gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S. source interest, if paid to certain foreign entities with U.S. account holders or owners, unless certain diligence and reporting requirements are met. Although the IRS has issued guidance providing that FATCA will apply to payments of interest and gross proceeds on obligations (such as the notes) that are issued and outstanding on or after March 19, 2012, the IRS has recently issued Proposed Treasury Regulations that, if and when finalized, will provide that the withholding provisions described above will not apply to any payments made under an obligation that is outstanding on January 1, 2013. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implication of FATCA on an investment in the notes.

 

S-18

---

Table of Contents

The U.S. federal tax discussion set forth above as to both U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders is included for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon a holder’s particular situation. Holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of the ownership and disposition of the notes, including the tax consequences under state, local, foreign and other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.

 

S-19

---

Table of Contents

UNDERWRITERS

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite their names below:

 

Underwriters		Principal amount of 2015 notes				Principal amount of 2017 notes				Principal amount of 2022 notes
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC		$	375,000,000			$	500,000,000			$	625,000,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co.			337,500,000				450,000,000				562,500,000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.			22,500,000				30,000,000				37,500,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith                  Incorporated			15,000,000				20,000,000				25,000,000
Total		$	750,000,000			$	1,000,000,000			$	1,250,000,000

 

The underwriters are offering the notes subject to their acceptance of the notes from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement if any such notes are taken.

 

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the notes directly to the public at the public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of 0.100% of the principal amount of the 2015 notes, 0.200% of the principal amount of the 2017 notes and 0.200% of the principal amount of the 2022 notes. Any such dealers may resell any notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount not to exceed 0.050% of the principal amount of the 2015 notes, 0.100% of the principal amount of the 2017 notes and 0.100% of the principal amount of the 2022 notes. After the initial offering of the notes, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their affiliates.

 

The following table shows the underwriting discount that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering:

 

		Paid by Us
Per 2015 note			0.200	%
2015 notes total		$	1,500,000
Per 2017 note			0.300	%
2017 notes total		$	3,000,000
Per 2022 note			0.400	%
2022 notes total		$	5,000,000
Total		$	9,500,000

 

Expenses associated with this offering to be paid by us, other than underwriting discounts, are estimated to be approximately $4.5 million. The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for up to $1 million of our out-of-pocket expenses associated with this offering.

 

In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering of the notes, creating a syndicate short position. In addition, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, notes in the open market to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the notes. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a certain underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased notes sold by or

 

S-20

---

Table of Contents

for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing the notes in the offering of the notes, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed notes in syndicate covering transactions, stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the notes above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, and may end any of them at any time.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.

 

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any national securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in the notes after completion of the offering. However, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice. We cannot assure the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that an active public market for the notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

 

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to the issuer and to persons and entities with relationships with the issuer, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

 

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of the issuer (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with the issuer. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.

 

Selling Restrictions

 

European Economic Area

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) an offer to the public of the notes may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of the notes may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

 

•

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

•

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

S-21

---

Table of Contents

•

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of notes shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State, and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

 

United Kingdom

 

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

(a)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

(b)

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

 

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP will pass upon the validity of the notes on our behalf. Davis, Polk & Wardwell LLP, Menlo Park, California will pass upon certain legal matters for the underwriters.

 

EXPERTS

 

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedule included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedule and our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

S-22

---

Table of Contents

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. We hereby incorporate by reference the documents listed below. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and in some cases supersede this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on February 2, 2012 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2012, incorporated by reference therein);

 

•

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012 filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012, July 27, 2012 and October 26, 2012, respectively;

 

•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2012, May 25, 2012 and October 5, 2012; and

 

•

Future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the termination of the offering of the securities made under this prospectus supplement; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any documents or information, including parts of documents that we file with the SEC, that are deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information we disclose under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we may from time to time furnish to the SEC will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus.

 

We will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement has been delivered, including any beneficial owner, a copy of any and all of the documents referred to herein that are summarized in and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, if such person makes a written or oral request directed to:

 

Amazon.com, Inc.

ATTN: Investor Relations

P.O. Box 81226, Seattle, WA 98108-1226

206-266-2171

 

S-23

---

Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

 

DEBT SECURITIES

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

WARRANTS

DEPOSITARY SHARES

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

UNITS

 

 

We may from time to time offer to sell our senior or subordinated debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, either separately or represented by warrants, depositary shares or purchase contracts, as well as units that include any of these securities or securities of other entities. The senior or subordinated debt securities may consist of debentures, notes or other types of debt. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and trades under the ticker symbol “AMZN.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange. The senior or subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, warrants and purchase contracts may be convertible or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours or debt or equity securities of one or more other entities.

 

 

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. These securities also may be resold by security holders. We will provide specific terms of any securities to be offered in supplements to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

 

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 410 Terry Avenue North, Seattle, Washington 98109. Our telephone number is (206) 266-1000.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See the “Risk Factors” section of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the applicable prospectus supplement. Also see “Risk Factors” on page 5.

 

 

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

The date of this prospectus is November 26, 2012

---

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

i

---

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering. That prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

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 exhibits to the registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. You should review the full text of these documents because these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer. The registration statement, including the exhibits, can be read at the SEC’s website or at the SEC’s offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to the “Registrant,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Amazon.com, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy these materials at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Amazon.com, Inc. and other companies that file materials with the SEC electronically. Copies of our periodic and current reports and proxy statements, may be obtained, free of charge, on our website at www.amazon.com/ir. This reference to our Internet address is for informational purposes only and shall not, under any circumstances, be deemed to incorporate the information available at or through such Internet address into this prospectus.

 

1

---

Table of Contents

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. We hereby incorporate by reference the documents listed below. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and in some cases supersede this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on February 2, 2012 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2012, incorporated by reference therein);

 

•

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012 filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012, July 27, 2012 and October 26, 2012, respectively;

 

•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2012, May 25, 2012 and October 5, 2012;

 

•

The description of our common stock, par value $0.01, contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on May 2, 1997, as amended or updated; and

 

•

Future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering of the securities made under this prospectus; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any documents or information, including parts of documents that we file with the SEC, that are deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information we disclose under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we may from time to time furnish to the SEC will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus.

We will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, including any beneficial owner, a copy of any and all of the documents referred to herein that are summarized in and incorporated by reference into this prospectus, if such person makes a written or oral request directed to:

Amazon.com, Inc.

ATTN: Investor Relations

P.O. Box 81226, Seattle, WA 98108-1226

206-266-2171

WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR ANY INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR ANY FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH AN OFFERING. WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR, AND CAN PROVIDE NO ASSURANCE AS TO THE RELIABILITY OF, ANY OTHER INFORMATION THAT OTHERS MAY GIVE YOU. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE, UNLESS WE OTHERWISE NOTE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

 

2

---

Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including documents incorporated herein by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance, industry prospects or future results of operations or financial position, made in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are forward-looking. We use words such as anticipates, believes, expects, future, intends, and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially for a variety of reasons, including, among others, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, changes in global economic conditions and consumer spending, world events, the rate of growth of the Internet and online commerce, the amount that we invest in new business opportunities and the timing of those investments, the mix of products sold to customers, the mix of net sales derived from products as compared with services, the extent to which we owe income taxes, competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international growth and expansion, the outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, risks of inventory management, seasonality, the degree to which the Registrant enters into, maintains, and develops commercial agreements, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, payments risks, and risks of fulfillment throughput and productivity. In addition, the current global economic climate amplifies many of these risks. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, are described in greater detail in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012, under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” Although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions, no assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in forward-looking statements can or will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements which speak only as of the date they are made. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures we make in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

3

---

Table of Contents

ABOUT THE REGISTRANT

Amazon.com opened its virtual doors on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. We seek to be Earth’s most customer-centric company for four primary customer sets: consumers, sellers, enterprises, and content creators. In addition, we generate revenue through other marketing and promotional services, such as online advertising, and co-branded credit card agreements.

Amazon.com, Inc. was incorporated in 1994 in the State of Washington and reincorporated in 1996 in the State of Delaware. Our principal corporate offices are located in Seattle, Washington. We completed our initial public offering in May 1997 and our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AMZN.”

 

4

---

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you decide whether to purchase any of our securities, in addition to the other information, documents or reports included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials, you should carefully consider the risk factors in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in any prospectus supplement as well as our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement in their entirety, as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by our filings under the Exchange Act. For more information, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.

 

5

---

Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the proceeds of any offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of debt, repurchases of outstanding shares of common stock, acquisitions, investments, working capital, investments in our subsidiaries and capital expenditures. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use.

 

6

---

Table of Contents

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference.”

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,								Year Ended December 31,
		2012				2011				2011				2010				2009				2008				2007
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges			3.18				11.17				9.61				23.68				22.29				10.84				8.02

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing (i) income before income taxes and losses from equity interests, plus fixed charges by (ii) fixed charges.

The term “fixed charges” means the sum of the following: (a) interest expensed and capitalized, (b) amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, (c) an estimate of the interest within rental expense, and (d) preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries.

 

7

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following is a general description of the debt securities that we may offer from time to time. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions described below may apply to those securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We also may sell hybrid securities that combine certain features of debt securities and other securities described in this prospectus. As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of a debt security as described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supplement and may modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between the applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement will control. As a result, the statements we make in this section may not apply to the debt security you purchase.

Amazon.com will be the issuer of any debt securities we may offer and references to “we,” “our,” or “us” in this description do not, unless the context otherwise indicates, include any of its subsidiaries. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this section have the respective meanings set forth in the applicable indenture.

General

The debt securities that we may offer will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Any senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture, which we refer to as the senior indenture, to be entered into between us and the trustee named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any subordinated debt securities will be issued under a different indenture, which we refer to as the subordinated indenture, to be entered into between us and the trustee named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture as the indentures, and to each of the trustees under the indentures as a trustee. The terms of each series of debt securities will be set forth in a resolution of the board of directors of the Registrant, an officers’ certificate or by a supplemental indenture. You should read the indentures, including any amendments or supplements or any officers’ certificate setting forth the terms of any series of notes, carefully to fully understand the terms of the debt securities. The forms of the indentures have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indentures are subject to, and are governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

Any senior debt securities that we may issue will be our unsubordinated obligations. They will rank equally with each other and all of our other unsubordinated debt, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any subordinated debt securities that we may issue will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our senior debt. See “Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities.” The subordinated debt securities will rank equally with each other, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will indicate in each applicable prospectus supplement, as of the most recent practicable date, the aggregate amount of our outstanding debt that would rank senior to the subordinated debt securities.

The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that can be issued thereunder and provide that debt securities of any series may be issued thereunder up to the aggregate principal amount that we may authorize from time to time. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures do not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities of the same series at more than one time and, unless prohibited by the terms of the series, we may reopen a series for issuances of additional debt securities without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series. All debt securities issued as a series, including those issued pursuant to any reopening of a series, will vote together as a single class.

 

8

---

Table of Contents

Reference is made to the prospectus supplement for the following and other possible terms of each series of the debt securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

•

the title of the debt securities;

 

•

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under the applicable indenture, except for debt securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, other debt securities of that series;

 

•

the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities of the series is payable;

 

•

the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any, including any procedures to vary or reset such rate or rates, and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

•

the place or places where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series shall be payable, where the debt securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon us with respect to the debt securities of such series and the applicable indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means if other than as set forth in the applicable indenture;

 

•

the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such dates, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such dates;

 

•

any trustees, authenticating agents or paying agents with respect to such series, if different from those set forth in the applicable indenture;

 

•

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

 

•

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

 

•

our obligation, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions, including payments made in cash in anticipation of future sinking fund obligations, or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, debt securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

•

the form of the debt securities of the series including the form of the trustee’s certificate of authentication for such series;

 

•

if other than denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which the debt securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

•

the currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, debt securities of the series shall be payable;

 

•

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the portion of the principal amount thereof that will be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or that will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date, or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined;

 

9

---

Table of Contents

•

the terms of any repurchase or remarketing rights;

 

•

if the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities, the type of global security to be issued; the terms and conditions, if different from those contained in the applicable indenture, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities in definitive registered form; the depositary for such global security or securities; and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such global security or securities in addition to or in lieu of the legends referred to in the indenture;

 

•

whether the debt securities of the series will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate or the method of calculation, how and when the conversion price or exchange ratio may be adjusted, whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the conversion or exchange period, and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;

 

•

any additional restrictive covenants or events of default that will apply to the debt securities of the series, or any changes to the restrictive covenants set forth in the applicable indenture that will apply to the debt securities of the series, which may consist of establishing different terms or provisions from those set forth in the applicable indenture or eliminating any such restrictive covenant or event of default with respect to the debt securities of the series;

 

•

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

 

•

if the amount of principal or any premium or interest on debt securities of a series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

•

any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered;

 

•

whether and upon what terms debt securities of a series may be defeased if different from the provisions set forth in the applicable indenture;

 

•

with regard to the debt securities of any series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the trustee;

 

•

whether the debt securities of the series will be issued as unrestricted securities or restricted securities, and, if issued as restricted securities, the rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in reliance on which they will be sold;

 

•

any guarantees on the debt securities;

 

•

the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the debt securities of the series;

 

•

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to debt securities of such series if other than those appointed in the applicable indenture;

 

•

if the debt securities are subordinated debt securities, the subordination terms of the debt securities; and

 

•

any and all additional, eliminated or changed terms that shall apply to the debt securities of the series, including any terms that may be required by or advisable under United States laws or regulations, including the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series.

We will comply with Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable, and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable, in connection with any obligation to purchase debt securities at the option of the holders thereof. Any such obligation applicable to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 

10

---

Table of Contents

The statements made hereunder relating to the indentures and any debt securities that we may issue are summaries of certain provisions thereof and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the indentures and the debt securities and the descriptions thereof, if different, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of subordinated debt securities is subordinated to debt securities of another series or to our other indebtedness. The terms will include a description of:

 

•

the indebtedness ranking senior to the debt securities being offered;

 

•

the restrictions, if any, on payments to the holders of the debt securities being offered while a default with respect to the senior indebtedness is continuing; and

 

•

the provisions requiring holders of the debt securities being offered to remit some payments to the holders of senior indebtedness.

Redemption

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may redeem the debt securities of any series, as a whole or in part, at our option on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series, if any, in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we redeem the debt securities of any series, we also must pay accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption on such debt securities.

Selection and Notice

If less than all of the debt securities of a series are to be redeemed at any time, the trustee will select the debt securities of such series for redemption by lot, based on the applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

No debt securities in principal amount of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail (in case of notes held in book entry form, by electronic transmission) at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of debt securities of such series to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the debt securities of such series or a satisfaction and discharge of the indenture.

If any debt security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that debt security will state the portion of the principal amount of that debt security that is to be redeemed. For debt securities issued in certificated form, a new certificate in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original debt security will be issued in the name of the holder of the original debt security upon cancellation of the original debt security. Debt securities called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the debt securities or portions of the debt securities called for redemption.

The trustee will not be liable for selections made by it as contemplated in this section. For any debt securities which are represented by global securities held on behalf of DTC, the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”), notices may be given by delivery of the relevant notices to DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream for communication to entitled account holders in substitution for the aforesaid mailing.

 

11

---

Table of Contents

Reports

Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any debt securities are outstanding, we shall file with the trustee, within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and regulations, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that we would be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. We shall be deemed to have complied with the previous sentence to the extent that such information, documents and reports are filed with the SEC via EDGAR, or any successor electronic delivery procedure. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the trustee is for informational purposes only, and the trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including our compliance with any covenants under the indenture (as to which the trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on officers’ certificates).

Events of Default

The following will be “Events of Default” with respect to debt securities of a particular series, except to the extent provided in the supplemental indenture, officers’ certificate or resolution of our board of directors pursuant to which a series of debt securities is issued:

 

•

failure to pay any interest on any of the debt securities of such series within 30 days after such interest becomes due and payable;

 

•

failure to pay principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the debt securities of such series at maturity, or if applicable, the redemption price, when the same becomes due and payable by the terms of the debt securities of such series;

 

•

failure to pay any sinking fund installment as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms of the debt securities of such series, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

 

•

failure to comply with any of the covenants or agreements in any of the debt securities of such series or the indenture (other than an agreement or covenant that we included in the indenture solely for the benefit of another series of debt securities) for 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of a series affected by that failure, a written notice specifying such failure and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “notice of default” under the indenture;

 

•

certain events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

 

•

any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture, officers’ certificate or resolution of our board of directors under which such series of debt securities is issued or in the form of security for such series.

A default under one series of debt securities issued under the indenture will not necessarily be a default under another series of debt securities under the indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of a series of debt securities issued under such indenture of any default or event of default (except in any payment on the debt securities of such series) if the trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of the debt securities of that series to do so.

If an event of default for a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series may require us to pay immediately the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities of that series. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs with respect to us, the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest on the debt securities of that series will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement.

 

12

---

Table of Contents

A holder of debt securities of any series may pursue any remedy under the indenture applicable to the debt securities of that series only if:

 

•

the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

 

•

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

•

the holder furnishes to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against loss, liability or expense;

 

•

the trustee fails to act for a period of 60 days after receipt of notice and furnishing of indemnity; and

 

•

during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

This provision does not, however, affect the right of any holder to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment with respect to the debt securities of such series. In most cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of:

 

•

conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series; and

 

•

exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee not relating to or arising under an event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series.

The indenture will require us to file with the trustee each year a written statement as to our compliance with the covenants contained in the indenture, and we are required upon becoming aware of any default or Event of Default, to deliver to the trustee a written statement specifying such default or Event of Default.

Covenants

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to protect holders of the debt securities in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

We will covenant not to consolidate with or merge into any other person or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’, taken as a whole, assets to any person unless either we are the surviving corporation or the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or, if such person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the notes is a corporation organized under any such laws, and any successor or purchaser expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities by an indenture supplemental to the indenture, and immediately after which, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing. An officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel will be delivered to the trustee, which will serve as conclusive evidence of compliance with these provisions.

Modification and Waiver

Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the indenture or the debt securities of any series may be amended or supplemented, and waivers may be obtained, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series at the time outstanding (including, without limitation, additional debt securities of such series, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, debt securities of such series), and any existing default or Event of Default (other than a default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, debt securities of such series, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of such

 

13

---

Table of Contents

indenture or the applicable debt securities may be waived with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series at the time outstanding (including, without limitation, additional debt securities of such series, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such series). Without the consent of each holder of outstanding debt securities affected thereby, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any debt securities held by a non-consenting holder):

 

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

•

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

 

•

reduce the principal or change the stated maturity of any debt securities of any series;

 

•

reduce any premium payable on the redemption of any debt security, change the time at which any debt security may or must be redeemed or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of such debt securities;

 

•

make payments on any debt security payable in currency other than as originally stated in such debt security;

 

•

impair the holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security; or

 

•

waive a continuing default or event of default regarding any payment on the debt securities.

Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the applicable debt securities in certain circumstances, including:

 

•

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

•

to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture by a successor or transferee upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer;

 

•

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

•

to provide any security for or guarantees of the debt securities or for the addition of an additional obligor on the debt securities;

 

•

to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable;

 

•

to add covenants that would benefit the holders of any outstanding series of debt securities or to surrender any of our rights under the indenture;

 

•

to add additional Events of Default with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

•

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall not become effective with respect to any outstanding debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

 

•

to provide for the issuance of and establish forms and terms and conditions of a new series of debt securities;

 

•

to facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities otherwise in accordance with the defeasance provisions of the indenture; provided that any such action does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of outstanding debt securities of such series in any material respect;

 

•

to issue additional debt securities of any series; provided that such additional debt securities have the same terms as, and be deemed part of the same series as, the applicable series of debt securities to the extent required under the indenture;

 

•

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of outstanding debt securities in any material respect; or

 

14

---

Table of Contents

•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trust by more than one trustee.

The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of each series then outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the debt securities of such series waive any past default with respect to those debt securities, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any debt security of such series (provided, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of each series then outstanding may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration).

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant, Event of Default or other provision of the indenture that has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of securities, if any, or which modifies the rights of the holders of securities of such series with respect to such covenant, Event of Default or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under the indenture of the holders of securities of any other series that does not have the benefit of such covenant, Event of Default or other provision. It will not be necessary for the consent of the holders to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance of it.

Information Concerning the Trustee

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of any debt securities issued under the indenture only after those holders have furnished the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.

If the trustee becomes a creditor of ours, it will be subject to limitations in the indenture on its rights to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us. If, however, it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict, resign or obtain an order from the SEC permitting it to remain as trustee.

Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent

We will maintain one or more paying agents (each, a “Paying Agent”) for any debt securities we issue in Minneapolis, MN. We, upon written notice to the trustee accompanied by an officers’ certificate, may appoint one or more Paying Agents, other than the trustee, for all or any series of such debt securities. If we fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent, the trustee shall act as such. We or any of our subsidiaries, upon notice to the trustee, may act as Paying Agent.

We will also maintain one or more registrars (each, a “Registrar”) with an office in Minneapolis, MN. We, upon written notice to the trustee accompanied by an officers’ certificate, may appoint one or more registrars, other than the trustee, for all or any series of debt securities. If we fail to appoint or maintain another entity as registrar, the trustee shall act as such. We or any of our subsidiaries, upon notice to the trustee, may act as registrar.

We will also maintain one or more transfer agents with offices in Minneapolis, MN. Each transfer agent shall perform the functions of a transfer agent. We, upon written notice to the trustee accompanied by an officers’ certificate, may appoint one or more transfer agents, other than the trustee, for all or any series of debt securities. If we fail to appoint or maintain another entity as transfer agent, the trustee shall act as such. We or any of our subsidiaries, upon notice to the trustee, may act as transfer agent.

The Registrar will maintain a register reflecting ownership of debt securities outstanding from time to time, and the Paying Agents will make payments on and facilitate transfer of debt securities on our behalf. We may change any Paying Agents, Registrars or transfer agents without prior notice to the holders of debt securities.

 

15

---

Table of Contents

Governing Law

The indenture and any debt securities issued thereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles that would require the application of any other law. The indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of the indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

The indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to a series of debt securities when either:

 

•

we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding securities of such series, other than any securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in the indenture;

 

•

all outstanding securities of such series that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and we shall have irrevocably deposited with the trustee as trust funds the entire amount, in cash in U.S. dollars or noncallable U.S. governmental obligations, or a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all securities of such series, including principal of and any premium and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be; or

 

•

we have properly fulfilled any other means of satisfaction and discharge that may be set forth in the terms of the securities of such series.

In each case, we will also pay all other sums payable by us under the indenture with respect to the securities of such series and deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel and an officers’ certificate, each stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge with respect to the securities of such series have been complied with.

Defeasance

The term defeasance means the discharge of some or all of our obligations under the indenture. If we deposit with the trustee funds or U.S. government securities, or a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, to make payments on any series of debt securities on the dates those payments are due and payable, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

•

we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of such series (“legal defeasance”); or

 

•

we will no longer have any obligation to comply with the restrictive covenants under the indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply to us (“covenant defeasance”).

If we defease any series of debt securities, the holders of the defeased debt securities of such series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture under which such series was issued, except for our obligation to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities of such series, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities or maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust. In the case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal, premium and interest on the debt securities of such series will also survive. We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the debt securities of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

 

16

---

Table of Contents

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless otherwise provided in such prospectus supplement, debt securities that are represented by a global security will be issued in denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.

We anticipate that any global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, and that such global securities will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s nominee. We further anticipate that the following provisions will apply to the depository arrangements with respect to any such global securities. Any additional or differing terms of the depository arrangements will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities issued in the form of global securities.

Beneficial interests in the global securities will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct or indirect participants in DTC.

Investors may elect to hold their interests in the global securities through either DTC (in the United States) or (in Europe) through Clearstream or through Euroclear. Investors may hold their interests in the global securities directly, if they are participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in these systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold these interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. Beneficial interests in the global securities will be held in denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Except as set forth below, the global securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

Debt securities represented by a global security can be exchanged for definitive securities in registered form only if:

 

•

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security, and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after receiving that notice;

 

•

at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after becoming aware that DTC has ceased to be registered as a clearing agency; or

 

•

we determine that that global security will be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form and we notify the trustee of our decision.

A global security that can be exchanged as described in the preceding sentence will be exchanged for definitive securities issued in authorized denominations in registered form for the same aggregate amount. The definitive securities will be registered in the names of the owners of the beneficial interests in the global security as directed by DTC.

We will make principal and interest payments on all debt securities represented by a global security to the Paying Agent which in turn will make payment to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the debt securities represented by a global security for all purposes under the indenture. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any Paying Agent will have no responsibility or liability for:

 

•

any aspect of DTC’s records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a debt security represented by a global security; or

 

17

---

Table of Contents

•

any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between those participants and the owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through those participants; or the maintenance, supervision or review of any of DTC’s records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

DTC has advised us that its current practice is to credit participants’ accounts on each payment date with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security as shown on DTC’s records, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information. The underwriters or agents for the debt securities represented by a global security will initially designate the accounts to be credited. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for customer accounts registered in “street name,” and will be the sole responsibility of those participants. Book-entry notes may be more difficult to pledge because of the lack of a physical note. So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by that global security for all purposes of the debt securities. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities will not be entitled to have debt securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered owners or holders of debt securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a DTC participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of debt securities. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial owners may experience delays in receiving distributions on their debt securities since distributions will initially be made to DTC and must then be transferred through the chain of intermediaries to the beneficial owner’s account.

We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request holders to take any action, or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under the indenture, then DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to take that action and those participants would authorize the beneficial owners owning through such participants to take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

Beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and transfers of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants for that global security. The conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to its participants and by its participants to owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC holds the securities of its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. The electronic book-entry system eliminates the need for physical certificates. DTC’s participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

 

18

---

Table of Contents

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Clearstream

Clearstream has advised us that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”), and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic securities markets in several countries. As a registered bank in Luxembourg, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. In the U.S., Clearstream Participants are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly. Clearstream is an indirect participant in DTC.

Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream.

Euroclear

Euroclear has advised us that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”), and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear performs various other services, including securities lending and borrowing, and interacts with domestic markets in several countries. The Euroclear System is owned by Euroclear Clearance System Public Limited Company (ECSplc) and operated through Euroclear Bank S.A/N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”), a bank incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom of Belgium, under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

The Euroclear Operator advises us that it is regulated and examined by the Belgian banking and Finance Commission and the National Bank of Belgium.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law, herein the Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

 

19

---

Table of Contents

Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Euroclear.

Euroclear has further advised us that investors that acquire, hold and transfer interests in the debt securities by book-entry through accounts with the Euroclear Operator or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as well as the laws and contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the global securities.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the debt securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving debt securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of debt securities received through Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such debt securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participants or Clearstream Participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of debt securities by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

If the debt securities are cleared only through Euroclear and Clearstream (and not DTC), you will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices, and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers, and other institutions are open for business in the United States. In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the securities through these systems and wish to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, on a particular day may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, U.S. investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of debt securities among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation

 

20

---

Table of Contents

to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time. Neither we nor any paying agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective direct or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

 

21

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

Amazon.com is authorized to issue 5,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, and 500,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of October 12, 2012, there were 452,958,533 shares of common stock outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AMZN.” All outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The following description of the terms of our common stock is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), both of which are exhibits to this prospectus.

Voting Rights

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted for action by our stockholders. There is no provision for cumulative voting with regard to the election of directors.

Dividend and Liquidation Rights

Subject to the preferences applicable to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at any time, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our board of directors from funds legally available therefore and are entitled, in the event of a liquidation, to share ratably in all assets remaining paid after payment of liquidation.

Other Rights

The holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights and no rights to convert their common stock into any other securities, and our common stock is not subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Delaware law

Various provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and Delaware law could delay or discourage some transactions involving an actual or potential change in control of Amazon.com or its management.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws:

 

•

authorize our board of directors to establish one or more series or classes of undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which can be determined by the board of directors at the time of issuance;

 

•

do not authorize cumulative voting; and

 

•

allow our directors to fill any vacancies on our board of directors, including vacancies resulting from a board of directors resolution to increase the number of directors.

Transfer Agent

Computershare, Inc., dba Computershare Shareowner Services LLC, serves as our transfer agent and registrar.

 

22

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of any preferred stock, depositary shares, purchase contracts, warrants or units that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus.

 

23

---

Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered securities through agents, through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, through a combination of any of these methods of sale or through any other methods described in a prospectus supplement. The distribution of securities may be effected, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including block transactions and transactions on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or any other organized market where the securities may be traded. The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth whether or not an underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the proceeds from any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

24

---

Table of Contents

VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP will pass upon the validity of any securities issued under this prospectus. Any underwriters will be represented by their own legal counsel.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedule included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedule and our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

25

---

Table of Contents