GLW Corning Inc

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

The following discussion of the terms of the notes supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities contained in the accompanying prospectus and identifies the general terms and provisions, if any, described in the accompanying prospectus that will not apply to the notes. To the extent this summary differs from the summary in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the description of the notes in this prospectus supplement.

We will issue the notes under an indenture (as previously supplemented and amended, the “Indenture”), dated as of November 8, 2000, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee, and an officers’ certificate issued in accordance with the Indenture.

Each series of notes is being offered separately and not as part of a unit. The offering of each series of notes is not conditioned on the offering of any other series of notes. We may sell the 2024 notes, the 2027 notes, the 2037 notes or any combination thereof.

The following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture, the officers’ certificate issued in accordance with the Indenture, and the notes does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture, the officers’ certificate and the notes, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Because the following is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you may find useful in evaluating an investment in the notes. We urge you to read the Indenture, the officers’ certificate and the notes because they, and not this description, define your rights as holders of the notes. You may obtain a copy of the Indenture and the officers’ certificate (which includes the form of note) from us upon request, as set forth under “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus.

Title

0.698% Notes due 2024 (the “2024 notes”), 0.992% Notes due 2027 (the “2027 notes”) and 1.583% Notes due 2037 (the “2037 notes” and, together with the 2024 notes and the 2027 notes, the “notes”).

Further Issuances

Corning may, without notice to or consent of the holders of the notes of each series, re-open this offering and issue additional notes of a series having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity date and other terms as the notes of each such series being offered by this prospectus supplement (other than the issuance date and, if applicable, initial interest accrual date and initial interest payment date), but only if such additional notes are fungible with the notes of such series being offered by this prospectus supplement for United States federal income tax purposes. The notes and the Indenture under which the notes will be issued do not place any limitation on the amount of unsecured debt that may be incurred by us. Any additional notes of such series, together with the notes of such series offered by this prospectus supplement, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the Indenture.

Total Initial Principal Amount of Notes

¥21,000,000,000 for the 2024 notes, ¥47,000,000,000 for the 2027 notes and ¥10,000,000,000 for the 2037 notes.

Maturity of Notes

The 2024 notes will mature on August 9, 2024, the 2027 notes will mature on August 10, 2027, and the 2037 notes will mature on August 10, 2037.

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Interest Rate on Notes

The interest rate on the 2024 notes is 0.698% per year, the interest rate on the 2027 notes is 0.992% per year and the interest rate on the 2037 notes is 1.583% per year, each computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

Interest Payment Dates

Corning will pay interest on the 2024 notes on February 9 and August 9 of each year (each a “2024 Interest Payment Date”). Interest payable on each 2024 Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued from August 10, 2017 or from the most recent 2024 Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for.

Corning will pay interest on the 2027 notes on February 10 and August 10 of each year (each a “2027 Interest Payment Date”). Interest payable on each 2027 Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued from August 10, 2017 or from the most recent 2027 Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for.

Corning will pay interest on the 2037 notes on February 10 and August 10 of each year (each a “2037 Interest Payment Date” and, together with the 2027 Interest Payment Dates and the 2037 Interest Payment Dates, each such date an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest payable on each 2037 Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued from August 10, 2017 or from the most recent 2037 Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for.

First Interest Payment Date

For the 2024 notes, February 9, 2018; for the 2027 notes, February 10, 2018; for the 2037 notes, February 10, 2018.

Regular Record Dates for Interest

Corning will pay interest payable on any 2024 Interest Payment Date to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on January 26 or July 26, as the case may be, next preceding such 2024 Interest Payment Date.

Corning will pay interest payable on any 2027 Interest Payment Date to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on January 27 or July 27, as the case may be, next preceding such 2027 Interest Payment Date.

Corning will pay interest payable on any 2037 Interest Payment Date to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on January 27 or July 27, as the case may be, next preceding such 2037 Interest Payment Date.

Ranking

The notes are our unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations. The notes are not secured by any of our assets. Claims of secured lenders with respect to assets securing their loans will be prior to any claim of the holders of the notes

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with respect to those assets and the notes will be structurally subordinated to the liabilities of our subsidiaries. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Notes—The notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries and our ability to service our debt is dependent on the performance of our subsidiaries” for a further discussion of the ranking of the notes.

Issuance in Yen; Payment on the Notes

Initial holders will be required to pay for the notes in yen, and all payments of principal of, the redemption price (if any), and interest and additional amounts (see “—Payment of Additional Amounts”), on the notes, will be payable in yen.

If the yen is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control, then all payments in respect of the notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the yen is again available to us. In such circumstances, the amount payable on any date in yen will be converted to U.S. dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate (as defined below) on the second business day before the date that payment is due, or if such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate on or before the date that payment is due. Any payment in respect of the notes so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an event of default under the Indenture. Neither the trustee nor the paying agent will be responsible for obtaining exchange rates, effecting conversions or otherwise handling redenominations. “Market Exchange Rate” means the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of yen as certified for customs purposes (or, if not so certified, as otherwise determined) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Investors will be subject to foreign exchange risks as to such payments that may have important economic and tax consequences to them. See “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement.

Paying Agent and Registrar

The Bank of New York, Mellon acting through its London Branch will initially act as paying agent for the notes. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will initially act as security registrar for the notes. Corning may at any time designate additional paying agents or registrars, or rescind the designations or approve a change in the offices where they act.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY ISSUE

We may use this prospectus to offer and sell, at any time and from time to time:

The specific terms of any debt securities, warrants, preferred stock and depositary shares we offer will be determined at the time of sale. When particular securities are offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed with the SEC that will describe the terms of the offering and the sale of the offered securities.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

General

The Debt Securities Will Be Issued Under an Indenture

Any debt securities offered under this prospectus and described in a prospectus supplement will be our general obligations, not secured by any of our property or assets, and will be governed by the indenture between Corning and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase, N.A., formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank) which acts as trustee, dated as of November 8, 2000. The trustee has two main roles.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that can be issued under it and provides that debt securities may be issued in one or more series up to the aggregate principal amount that we may authorize from time to time. The indenture does 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 issue additional debt securities of any series after their initial offering, without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series.

This section summarizes certain terms of the debt securities that are common to all series. Most of the financial terms and other specific terms of any particular series will be described in the prospectus supplement with respect to the particular series. Those terms may vary from the terms described here. The prospectus supplement may also describe special federal income tax consequences of the debt securities.

This Section Is Only a Summary

This section and the prospectus supplement summarize material terms of the indenture and, generally, the provisions common to all series of debt securities being issued, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. They do not, however, describe every aspect of the indenture or any debt security. The indenture and its associated documents, including any supplement to the indenture or resolution of our board of

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directors establishing any series of debt security to be issued, contain the full text of the matters described in this section and the prospectus supplement. The indenture and the debt securities are governed by New York law. We have filed the indenture with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy, which you should read for a full description of its terms. As described below under “—Legal Ownership of Debt Securities; Global Securities”, we expect that most debt securities we issue will be issued as global securities or will be held in street name. References below to “you” are to the direct registered holder of the debt security, not to the indirect investor.

Terms of Debt Securities to be Described in a Prospectus Supplement

The material terms of any series of debt securities to be issued, including any terms which change the general provisions of the indenture, will be described in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement, which may include a supplemental indenture or a resolution of our board of directors setting the terms of the debt securities. Among other things, the prospectus supplement will describe:

Ranking; Unsecured Obligations

The debt securities will be our general obligations and will be rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The debt securities will not be secured by any of our property or assets or the property or assets of any of our subsidiaries.

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Redemption and Repayment

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, your debt security will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund—that is, we will not deposit money on a regular basis into any separate custodial account to repay your debt securities. In addition, we will not be entitled to redeem your debt security before its stated maturity unless the prospectus supplement specifies a redemption date. You will not be entitled to require us to buy your debt security from you, before its stated maturity, unless the prospectus supplement specifies one or more repayment dates.

If a prospectus supplement specifies a redemption date or a repayment date, it will also specify one or more redemption prices or repayment prices. It may also specify one or more redemption periods or repayment periods during which the redemption prices or repayment prices relating to a redemption or repayment of debt securities during those periods will apply.

If a prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date, your debt security will be redeemable at our option at any time on or after that date. If we redeem your debt security, we will do so at the specified redemption price, together with interest accrued to the redemption date. If different prices are specified for different redemption periods, the price we pay will be the price that applies to the redemption period during which your debt security is redeemed.

In the event that we exercise an option to redeem any debt security, we will give to the trustee notice of the principal amount of the debt security to be redeemed no later than 60 days before the applicable redemption date and to the holder written notice of the principal amount of the debt security to be redeemed, by mail, not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days before the applicable redemption date. We will give the notice in the manner described below in “—Notices”.

If a prospectus supplement specifies a date or dates on which you may require us to repurchase your debt security, your debt security will be repayable at your option on the specified repayment date at the specified repayment price, together with interest accrued to the repayment date.

If a debt security represented by a global security is subject to repayment at the holder’s option, the depositary or its nominee, as the holder, will be the only person that can exercise the right to repayment. Any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security and wish to exercise a repayment right must give proper and timely instructions to their banks or brokers through which they hold their interests, requesting that they notify the depositary to exercise the repayment right on their behalf. Different firms have different deadlines for accepting instructions from their customers, and you should take care to act promptly enough to ensure that your request is given effect by the depositary before the applicable deadline for exercise.

Street name and other indirect holders should contact their banks or brokers for information about how to exercise a repayment right in a timely manner.

In the event that any redemption or repayment of your debt security is deemed to be a “tender offer” within the meaning of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, we will comply with Rule 14e-1 as then in effect to the extent it is applicable to us and the transaction.

We or our affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Debt securities that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled.

Conversion

Your debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities or property as described in the prospectus supplement. If your debt securities are convertible or exchangeable, the prospectus supplement will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at your option

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or at our option. The prospectus supplement would also include provisions regarding the adjustment of the number of shares of common stock or other securities or property to be received by you upon conversion or exchange.

Mergers and Similar Transactions

We are generally permitted to merge or consolidate with another entity. We are also permitted to sell all our assets substantially as an entirety to another entity. We may not take any of these actions, however, unless all the following conditions are met:

Restrictive Covenants and Defeasance

The indenture contains various additional covenants or promises we make to you. In addition to the covenants described in more detail below, these covenants include:

The following description of additional covenants contain some terms which have special meanings under the indenture. These meanings are described under “—Definitions Relating to our Restrictive Covenants”.

Restrictions on Liens

We will not, and will not permit any of our domestic subsidiaries to, become obligated on any new indebtedness for borrowed money (“debt”) that is secured by a lien on any of our or our domestic subsidiaries’

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principal domestic manufacturing properties, or on any shares of stock or debt of any of our domestic subsidiaries, unless an equivalent or higher-ranking lien on the same property is granted to the direct holders of the debt securities. We do not need to comply with this restriction if the amount of all new debt that is secured by liens on such principal domestic manufacturing properties or on the stock or debt of such domestic subsidiaries is less than 10% of our consolidated net tangible assets.

This restriction on liens does not apply to debt secured by the following types of liens, and we can disregard this debt when we calculate the limits imposed by this restriction:

In the calculation, we can also disregard debt secured by liens that extend, renew or replace any of these types of liens.

We and our subsidiaries are permitted to have as much unsecured debt as we may choose. The indenture also does not restrict liens on any shares of Corning stock or the stock of less than 80%-owned subsidiaries.

Restrictions on Sales and Leasebacks

We will not, and will not permit any of our domestic subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving a principal domestic manufacturing property, unless we comply with this restrictive covenant. A “sale and leaseback transaction” under the indenture generally is an arrangement between us or a domestic subsidiary and a bank, insurance company or other lender or investor where we or the domestic subsidiary leases, for more than three years, a principal domestic manufacturing property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or the domestic subsidiary to that lender or investor more than 180 days after the completion of construction and the beginning of full operation of the principal domestic manufacturing property.

We do not need to comply with this restriction if the amount of our attributable debt is less than 10% of our consolidated net tangible assets. We can comply with this restrictive covenant if we retire an amount of funded debt, within 180 days of the transaction, equal to the net proceeds of the sale of the principal domestic manufacturing property that is leased in the transaction or the fair value of that property, whichever is greater, subject to credits for voluntary retirements of debt securities and funded debt we may make.

This restriction on sales and leasebacks does not apply to any sale and leaseback transaction that is between us and one of our domestic subsidiaries or between domestic subsidiaries, or that involves a lease for a period of three years or less.

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Definitions Relating to our Restrictive Covenants

The following are the meanings of the terms that are important in understanding the restrictive covenants previously described:

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Defeasance is a legal term for the actions we may take at our option to either cause the debt securities to be paid from a source other than us or to release us from some restrictive covenants.

Full Defeasance.  If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on your debt securities. This is called full defeasance. To do so, each of the following must occur:

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If we fully defease your debt security, you will have to rely solely on the trust deposit for payments on your debt security. You could not look to us for payment in the event of any shortfall.

Covenant Defeasance. Under current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the restrictive covenants relating to your debt security. This is called covenant defeasance. In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do all of the following:

If we accomplish covenant defeasance with regard to your debt security, the following provisions of the indenture and the debt securities would no longer apply:

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of your debt security in the event of any shortfall in the trust deposit. You should note, however, that if one of the remaining events of default occurred, like our bankruptcy, and your debt security became immediately due and payable, there may be a shortfall in the trust deposit. Depending on the event causing the default, we may not have funds available to make up the shortfall.

Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default

You will have special rights if an event of default with respect to your debt security occurs and it is not cured, as described in this subsection.

Events of Default

With respect to your debt security, when we refer to an event of default, we mean any of the following:

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Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If an event of default (other than event of default relating to our bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization) has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of such affected series to be due immediately. If an event of default occurs because of our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of each affected series will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder.

Each of the situations described above is called an acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities. If the maturity of any series of debt securities is accelerated and a judgment for payment has not yet been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of any series of debt securities affected by the acceleration may cancel the acceleration for such series if we satisfy certain conditions imposed by the indenture, including paying or depositing with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay overdue interest, principal and premium (if any) on the affected debt securities.

If an event of default occurs, the trustee will have special duties. In that situation, the trustee will be obligated to use those of its rights and powers under the indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in doing so, that a prudent person would use in that situation in conducting his or her own affairs.

Except as described in the prior paragraph, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer to pay the trustee’s reasonable expenses for reasonable protection from liability. This is called an indemnity. If the trustee is provided with an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the indenture with respect to the relevant series of debt securities.

Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

You are, however, entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after their due date.

Waiver of Default

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive a default for all of the debt securities of such series. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it has not occurred. Certain defaults cannot be waived by holders of a majority of the outstanding debt securities of a series:

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We Will Give the Trustee Information About Defaults Annually

We will furnish to the trustee every year a written statement of two of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or specifying any default.

If the trustee actually knows of a default (an event which is, or with the giving of notice or passage of time would be an event of default), the trustee is required to give you notice of any default in payment of principal, any sinking fund installment, any premium or interest and, except in the following two circumstances, of any other default:

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration.

Modification of Indenture and Waiver of Covenants

There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the debt securities.

Changes Requiring Each Holder’s Approval

First, there are changes that we or the trustee cannot make without the approval of each holder of a debt security affected by the change. We cannot:

Changes Not Requiring Approval

The second type of change does not require any approval by holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications, corrections, and changes that would not adversely affect the debt securities in any material respect. Nor do we need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the changes take effect.

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We may also make changes or obtain waivers that do not adversely affect a particular debt security, even if they affect other debt securities. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of that debt security; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected debt securities.

Changes Requiring Majority Approval

Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:

In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent.

The same majority approval would be required for us to obtain a waiver of any of our covenants in the indenture. Our covenants include the promises we make about merging and putting liens on our interests, which we describe above under “—Mergers and Similar Transactions” and “—Restrictive Covenants and Defeasance”. If the holders agree to waive a covenant, we will not have to comply with it.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.

Legal Ownership of Debt Securities; Global Securities.

We refer to those who have debt securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, as the “holders” of those debt securities. These persons are the legal holders of the debt securities. We refer to those who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in debt securities that are not registered in their own names as indirect holders of those debt securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in debt securities issued as global securities or in street name will be indirect holders.

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the trustee, run only to the legal, or registered, holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, or hold the debt securities in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in global form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the delivery of the payment or notice even if that registered holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders of a series of debt securities for any purpose—for example, to amend the indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of the indenture—we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

Global Securities

We will issue each debt security as a global security in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in a prospectus supplement. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms. We may, however, issue a global security that represents multiple debt securities that have different terms and are issued at different times. We call this kind of global security a master global security.

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Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in a prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

If the prospectus supplement for a particular debt security indicates that the debt security will be issued in global form only, then the debt security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. We describe the situations in which this can occur below under “—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.”

Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered on the books of the trustee or other registrar under the indenture is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers or because they are required by law to do so; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities.

As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the debt securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

Street Name and other Indirect Holders

In the future we may terminate a global security or issue debt securities initially in book-entry form but not as a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities directly in their own names or in “street name”. Debt securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those debt securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers, and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those debt securities.

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Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker, or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

Special Considerations for Holders of Interests in Global Securities

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize this type of investor as a holder of debt securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

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Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

In a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-global form representing the debt securities it represented. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders.

The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:

If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.

Considerations Relating to DTC

DTC has informed 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 the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that DTC participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among DTC participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in DTC participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations, and may include other organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and DTC participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through DTC participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of the debt securities, which we refer to as the “beneficial owner,” is in turn to be recorded on the DTC participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings from the direct or indirect DTC participant through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the global securities will be effected only through entries made on the books of DTC participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global notes, except in the specific situations described above under “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated”.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the debt securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

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Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the debt securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the debt securities of such series to be redeemed.

In instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to the debt securities. Under its usual procedures DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts such debt securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

Distribution payments on the debt securities will be made by the trustee to Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participants and not of DTC, the trustee, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the trustee, and disbursements of such payment to the beneficial owners are the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be accurate, but we assume no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. We do not have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as described herein or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

If the debt securities cease to be issued in global form, they will be issued:

You may exchange your debt securities that are not in global form for debt securities of smaller denominations (but not below the minimum denomination) or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.

You may exchange or transfer your debt securities at the office of the trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange your debt securities, but you may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with your proof of legal ownership.

If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in a prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

If any debt securities are redeemable and we redeem less than all those debt securities, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed.

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If a debt security is issued as a global security, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.

Payment Mechanics

Who Receives Payment

If interest is due on a debt security on an interest payment date, we will pay the interest to the person or entity in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date (see below) relating to the interest payment date. If interest is due at maturity but on a day that is not an interest payment date, we will pay the interest to the person or entity entitled to receive the principal of the debt security. If principal or another amount besides interest is due on a debt security at maturity, we will pay the amount to the holder of the debt security against surrender of the debt security at a proper place of payment, or, in the case of a global security, in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary.

How We Will Make Payments Due in U.S. Dollars

We will follow the practice described in this subsection when paying amounts due in U.S. dollars. Payments of amounts due in other currencies will be made as described in the next subsection.

Payments on Global Securities. We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will pay directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “—Global Securities”.

Payments on Non-Global Securities.  We will make payments on a debt security in non-global form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the record date. We will make all other payments by check at the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security.

If requested by the holder of a non-global security with a face amount of at least $1,000,000, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request wire payment, the holder must give the paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. In the case of any other payment, payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

How We Will Make Payments Due in Other Currencies

We will follow the practice described in this subsection when paying amounts that are due in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars.

Payments on Global Securities. We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. We understand that these policies, as currently in effect at DTC, are as follows.

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, if you are an indirect holder of global notes denominated in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars and if you elect to receive payments in that other

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currency, you must notify the participant through which your interest in the global security is held of your election far enough in advance so that the participant can then notify DTC of such election at least 15 calendar days prior to:

You may elect to receive all or only a portion of any interest, principal or premium payment in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars.

Your participant must, in turn, notify DTC of your election on or before the third DTC business day after that regular record date, in the case of a payment of interest, and on or before the 12th DTC business day prior to stated maturity, or on the redemption or repayment date if your debt security is redeemed or repaid earlier, in the case of a payment of principal or any premium.

DTC, in turn, will notify the paying agent of your election in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

If complete instructions are received by the participant and forwarded by the participant to DTC, and by DTC to the paying agent, on or before the dates noted above, the paying agent, in accordance with DTC’s instructions, will make the payments to you or your participant by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the country issuing the specified currency or in another jurisdiction acceptable to us and the paying agent.

If the foregoing steps are not properly completed, we expect DTC to inform the paying agent that payment is to be made in U.S. dollars. In that case, we or our agent will convert the payment to U.S. dollars in the manner described below under “—Conversion to U.S. Dollars”. We expect that we or our agent will then make the payment in U.S. dollars to DTC, and that DTC in turn will pass it along to its participants.

Indirect holders of a global security denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to request payment in the specified currency.

Payment When Offices Are Closed

If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments postponed to the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date. A postponement of this kind will not result in a default under any debt security or the indenture, and no interest will accrue on the postponed amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.

Paying Agent

We may appoint one or more financial institutions to act as our paying agents, at whose designated offices debt securities in non-global form may be surrendered for payment at their maturity. We call each of those institutions a paying agent. We may add, replace or terminate paying agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent. Initially, we have appointed the trustee, at its corporate trust office in New York City, as the paying agent. We must notify you of changes in the paying agents.

Unclaimed Payments

Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to a holder will be repaid to us. After that two-year period, the holder may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.

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Notices

Notices to be given to holders of a global debt security will be given only to the depositary, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Notices to be given to holders of debt securities not in global form will be sent by mail to the respective addresses of the holders as they appear in the trustee’s records, and will be deemed given when mailed. Neither the failure to give any notice to a particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to another holder.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive notices.

Our Relationship with the Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will be the trustee for debt securities to be issued under the indenture. The Bank of New York Mellon or its affiliates act as the custodian and asset manager of our corporate cash securities, is a lender in our revolving credit facility, provides investment management services and has provided commercial banking and other services for Corning, our related companies and our defined benefit plans in the past and is expected to do so in the future.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase our debt securities, one or more series of our preferred stock or our common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from those securities. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between Corning and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. We will issue a prospectus supplement describing the terms of any warrants and will file with the SEC a copy of the warrant agreement.

Debt Warrants

The following summarizes some of the general terms of the debt warrants. You should read the particular terms of any debt warrants that are offered by us and the applicable debt warrant agreements which will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the general provisions summarized below do not apply to the debt warrants being offered.

General

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities. As explained below, each debt warrant will entitle its holder to purchase debt securities at an exercise price set forth in, or to be determinable as set forth in, a prospectus supplement. Debt warrants may be issued separately or together with debt securities.

The debt warrants will be issued under debt warrant agreements to be entered into between Corning and one or more banks or trust companies, as debt warrant agent, as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants being offered. A debt warrant agreement, including a form of debt warrant certificate representing the debt warrants, will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part in connection with any offering of debt warrants. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the debt warrant agreement. In addition, the debt securities to be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be described as set forth above under “Description of Debt Securities.”

Terms of the Debt Warrants to be Described in the Prospectus Supplement

We will describe the particular terms of each issue of debt warrants, the debt warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing debt warrants in a prospectus supplement. This description will include:

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Debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and may be presented for registration of transfer, and debt warrants may be exercised, at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not be entitled to payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities issuable upon exercise of the debt warrants, to enforce any of the covenants in the indenture, or to any other rights or benefits of a holder of the debt securities.

Exercise of Debt Warrants

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, each debt warrant will entitle the holder of debt warrants to purchase for cash the principal amount of debt securities at the exercise price set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement. Debt warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants. After the close of business on the expiration date or any later date to which the expiration date may be extended by us, unexercised debt warrants will become void.

Debt warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the debt warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants to the person entitled to them. If fewer than all of the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificate are exercised and the exercise period has not expired, a new debt warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of debt warrants.

If you hold your interest in a debt warrant indirectly, you should check with the institution through which you hold your interest in the debt warrant to determine how these provisions will apply to you.

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Modifications

The debt warrant agreement will provide that we and the debt warrant agent may amend it, without the consent of the holder of any debt warrant certificate for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any provision contained in the debt warrant agreement, or making any provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the debt warrant agreement that we deem necessary or desirable so long as the amendment does not adversely affect the interest of the holders of debt warrant certificates in any material respect. We and the debt warrant agent also may modify or amend the debt warrant agreement and the terms of the debt warrants, with the consent of the owners of not less than a majority in number of the then outstanding unexercised debt warrants affected. However, modifications or amendments that result in any of the following changes may be made only with the consent of each of the holders of any debt warrant affected by the modification or amendment:

Enforceability of Rights, Governing Law

The debt warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the issuance and exercise of debt warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holder of a debt warrant certificate or any owner of a beneficial interest in debt warrants. The holders of debt warrant certificates, without the consent of the debt warrant agent, the trustee, the holder of any debt securities issued upon exercise of debt warrants or the holder of any other debt warrant certificates, may, on their own behalf and for their own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against us suitable to enforce, or otherwise, in respect of their rights to exercise debt warrants evidenced by their debt warrant certificates. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement each issue of debt warrants and the applicable debt warrant agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Equity Warrants

The following summarizes some of the general terms and provisions of the equity warrants. You should read the particular terms of the equity warrants that are offered by Corning and the applicable equity warrant agreements, which will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the general provisions summarized below do not apply to the equity warrants being offered.

General

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our equity securities such as a class or series of preferred stock or our common stock. As explained below, each equity warrant will entitle its holder to purchase equity securities at an exercise price set forth in, or to be determinable as set forth in, a prospectus supplement. Equity warrants may be issued separately or together with other securities.

The equity warrants will be issued under equity warrant agreements to be entered into between Corning and one or more banks or trust companies, as equity warrant agent, as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the equity warrants being offered. The equity warrant agreement, including a form of equity warrant certificate representing the equity warrants, will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus

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forms a part in connection with the offering of equity warrants. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the form of equity warrant agreement. In addition, the equity securities to be issued upon exercise of the equity warrants will be described as set forth below under “Description of Preferred Stock” or “Description of Common Stock.”

Terms of the Equity Warrants to be Described in the Prospectus Supplement

We will describe the particular terms of each issue of equity warrants, the equity warrant agreement relating to the equity warrants and the equity warrant certificates representing equity warrants in a prospectus supplement. This description will include:

Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled, solely by virtue of being holders, to vote, consent, receive dividends, receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of our directors or any other matter, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as shareholders of Corning.

The exercise price payable and the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each equity warrant will be subject to adjustment if we issue a stock dividend to holders of common stock or preferred stock, or if we declare a stock split, reverse stock split, combination, subdivision or reclassification of common stock or preferred stock. Instead of adjusting the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of each equity warrant, we may elect to adjust the number of equity warrants outstanding. No adjustments in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% of those shares. We may, at our option, reduce the exercise price at any time. We will not issue fractional shares upon exercise of equity warrants, but we will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable.

Exercise of Equity Warrants

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, each equity warrant will entitle the holder of equity warrants to purchase for cash the principal amount of equity securities at the exercise price that will in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, a prospectus supplement. Equity warrants may be exercised at

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any time up to the close of business on the expiration date specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the equity warrants. After the close of business on the expiration date or any later date to which the expiration date may be extended by us, unexercised equity warrants will become void.

Equity warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the equity warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the equity warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the equity warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants to the person entitled to them. If fewer than all of the equity warrants represented by the equity warrant certificate are exercised, a new equity warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of equity warrants.

If you hold your interest in an equity warrant indirectly, you should check with the institution through which you hold your interest in the equity warrant to determine how these provisions will apply to you.

Modifications

The equity warrant agreement may be amended by Corning and the equity warrant agent, without the consent of the holder of any equity warrant certificate, for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any provision contained in the equity warrant agreement, or making any provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the equity warrant agreement that Corning may deem necessary or desirable so long as the amendment does not adversely affect the interest of the holders of equity warrant certificates in any material respect. Corning and the equity warrant agent also may modify or amend the equity warrant agreement and the terms of the equity warrants, with the consent of the owners of not less than a majority in number of the then outstanding unexercised equity warrants affected. However, modifications or amendments that result in any of the following changes may be made only with the consent of the owners affected by the modification or amendment:

Enforceability of Rights, Governing Law

The equity warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the issuance and exercise of equity warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holder of an equity warrant certificate or any owner of a beneficial interest in equity warrants. The holders of equity warrant certificates, without the consent of the equity warrant agent, the holder of any equity securities issued upon exercise of equity warrants or the holder of any other equity warrant certificates, may, on their own behalf and for their own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against us suitable to enforce, or otherwise in respect of, their rights to exercise equity warrants evidenced by their equity warrant certificates. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, each issue of equity warrants and the applicable equity warrant agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following summarizes some of the general terms of our preferred stock. You should read the particular terms of any series of preferred stock offered by Corning which will be described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the terms summarized below do not apply to the series of preferred stock being offered.

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General

We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $100 per share, of which 3,100 shares have been designated as Fixed Rate Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A. Under our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, the board of directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and to establish from time to time a series of preferred stock with the following terms specified:

Prior to the issuance of any series of preferred stock, the board of directors will adopt resolutions creating and designating the series as a series of preferred stock and will file an amendment to the certificate of incorporation setting forth the terms of the series. We will not need to seek shareholder approval for this amendment.

In addition, as described under “Description of Depositary Shares”, at our option, instead of offering full shares of any series of preferred stock, we may offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction of a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares.

The rights of holders of the preferred stock offered may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock that may be issued in the future. Our board of directors may cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in public or private transactions from time to time for any corporate purpose.

The preferred stock will be, when issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series of any series of preferred stock, holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive or subscription rights to acquire more of our capital stock.

The transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for shares of each series of preferred stock will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to these series.

Rank

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the shares of any series of preferred stock, shares of one series will rank on an equal basis with each other series of preferred stock and prior to the common stock as to dividends and distributions of assets in the event of a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

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Dividends

Holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends and other distributions when, as, and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. The rates and dates of payment of dividends will be set forth in the prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to each series of preferred stock. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of preferred stock as they appear on the books of Corning on the record dates fixed by the board of directors. Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative.

We may not declare, pay, or set apart for payment dividends on the preferred stock unless full dividends on any other series of preferred stock that ranks on an equal or senior basis have been paid or sufficient funds have been set apart for payment for either of the following:

Partial dividends declared on shares of preferred stock and any other series of preferred stock ranking on an equal basis as to dividends will be declared pro rata. A pro rata declaration means that the ratio of dividends declared per share to accrued dividends per share will be the same for both series of preferred stock.

Similarly, we may not declare, pay, or set apart for payment, dividends or make other payments on the common stock or any of our other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock, until full dividends on the preferred stock have been paid or set apart for payments for:

Conversion and Exchange

The prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock will state the terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock of Corning.

Redemption

If so specified in a prospectus supplement, a series of preferred stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our option or that of the holder’s, and may be mandatorily redeemed.

Any restriction on our repurchase or redemption of our preferred stock while there is any arrearage in the payment of dividends will be described in a prospectus supplement.

Any partial redemptions of preferred stock will be made as described in the prospectus supplement for that series of preferred stock or in a way that our board of directors decides is equitable.

Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue after the redemption date on shares of preferred stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of these shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

See “Description of Common Stock—Fair Price Amendment” and “Description of Common Stock—Anti-takeover Provisions; Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws” for a discussion of

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provisions of the restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Corning that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Corning.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Corning, holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive distributions upon liquidation in the amount described in the prospectus supplement relating to each series of preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends. These distributions will be made before any distribution is made on any securities ranking junior to the preferred stock relating to liquidation, including our common stock.

If the liquidation amounts payable relating to the preferred stock of any series and any other securities ranking on a parity regarding liquidation rights are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of these series and the other securities will share in any distribution of our available assets on a ratable basis in proportion to the full liquidation preferences. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series of any series of preferred stock, holders of any series of preferred stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

Voting Rights

The holders of shares of preferred stock will have no voting rights, except:

Outstanding Preferred Stock

Fixed Rate Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A

The certificate of designations for the Fixed Rate Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) authorizes 3,100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 2,300 of which were outstanding as of December 15, 2014. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are cumulative and accrue at the annual rate of 4.25% on the per share issue price of $1 million. The dividends are payable quarterly as, when, and if declared by the Company’s board of directors. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to our common stock with respect to payment of dividends and rights upon liquidation and winding up. The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable except in the case of a certain deemed liquidation event, the occurrence of which is under the control of the Company. The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder and the Company upon certain events, at a conversion rate of 50,000 shares of Corning’s common stock per one share of Series A Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution provisions. As of December 15, 2014, the Series A Preferred Stock has not been converted, and none of the anti-dilution provisions have been triggered. Following the seventh anniversary of the closing of the acquisition for which it was issued, the Series A Preferred Stock will be convertible, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder. The Company has the right, at its option, to cause some or all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted into common stock, if, for 25 trading days (whether or not consecutive) within any period of 40 consecutive trading days, the closing price of common stock exceeds $35 per share. If the aforementioned right becomes exercisable before the seventh anniversary of the closing, the Company must first obtain the written approval of the holders of a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock before exercising its conversion right. The Series A Preferred Stock does not have any voting rights except as may be required by law.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following summarizes some of the general provisions of the deposit agreement which we may enter into with a bank or trust company and of the depositary shares and depositary receipts. You should read the particular terms of preferred stock which constitutes the depositary shares and any depositary receipts that are offered by us and any deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock which will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the generalized provisions summarized below do not apply to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered. The deposit agreement, including the form of depositary receipt, will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part in connection with the offering of depositary shares. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the form of deposit agreement.

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares or multiple shares of preferred stock, rather than whole individual shares of preferred stock, in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent a fraction or multiple of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, the “depositary shares”, and will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional or multiple shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the prospectus supplement.

The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between Corning and a bank or trust company we select having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, as preferred stock depositary. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, and liquidation rights, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The preferred stock depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the underlying preferred stock in proportion to the number of the depositary shares owned by the holders.

The preferred stock depositary will distribute any property received by it other than cash to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to these distributions. If the preferred stock depositary determines that it is not feasible to make a distribution, it may, with the approval of Corning, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the depositary shares.

Redemption of Preferred Stock

If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the preferred stock depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary shares will be redeemed by the preferred stock depositary at a price per depositary share equal to the applicable fraction or multiple of the redemption price per share payable in respect of the depositary shares of preferred stock so redeemed. The preferred stock depositary will redeem as of the same date the number of depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the preferred stock depositary by lot or ratably or by any other equitable method as the preferred stock depositary decides.

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Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, any holder of depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by those depositary shares after surrendering the related depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the preferred stock depositary. Holders of depositary shares making these withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of preferred stock on the basis set forth in the prospectus supplement for that series of preferred stock.

However, holders of whole shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit that preferred stock under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary shares for that preferred stock after withdrawal. If the depositary shares surrendered by the holder in connection with withdrawal exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred stock depositary will deliver to that holder at the same time new depositary receipts evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

Voting Deposited Preferred Stock

When the preferred stock depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred stock depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the applicable series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the preferred stock depositary to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by the holder’s depositary shares. To the extent possible, the preferred stock depositary will vote the amount of the series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares in accordance with the instructions it receives.

We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the preferred stock depositary determines are necessary to enable the preferred stock depositary to vote as instructed. The preferred stock depositary will vote all shares of any series of preferred stock held by it proportionately with instructions received if it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that series of preferred stock.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between Corning and the preferred stock depositary. However, any amendment that imposes additional charges or materially and adversely alters the existing rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the affected depositary shares then outstanding. Holders who retain their depositary shares after the amendment becomes effective will be deemed to agree to the amendment and will be bound by the amended deposit agreement. The deposit agreement automatically terminates if:

We may terminate the deposit agreement at any time and the preferred stock depositary will give notice of that termination to the record holders of all outstanding depositary receipts not less than 30 days prior to the termination date. In that event, the preferred stock depositary will deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of the related depositary receipts, the number of whole or fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock as are represented by those depositary shares.

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Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary; Taxes and Other Governmental Charges

We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the preferred stock depositary or any agent of the preferred stock depositary or of any registrar, except for any taxes and other governmental charges and except as provided in the deposit agreement. If the preferred stock depositary incurs fees, charges or expenses for which it is not otherwise liable at the election of a holder of depositary shares, that holder will be liable for those fees, charges and expenses.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The preferred stock depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Corning notice of its intent to do so, and Corning may at any time remove the preferred stock depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred stock depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. A successor preferred stock depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

The preferred stock depositary will forward to the holders of the depositary shares all reports and communications from which we deliver to the preferred stock depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the deposited preferred stock.

Neither the preferred stock depositary nor Corning will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the preferred stock depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance with honest intentions of their duties under the agreement and they will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares, depositary receipts or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Corning and the preferred stock depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

We have authorized, by our restated certificate of incorporation, the issuance of 3,800,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.50 per share. As of December 31, 2014, Corning had 1,275,869,769 shares of common stock outstanding. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share for all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Holders of common stock may not cumulate their votes in the election of directors, and are entitled to share equally in the dividends that may be declared by the board of directors, but only after payment of dividends required to be paid, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock. The continued declaration of dividends by our board of directors is subject to our current and prospective earnings, financial condition and capital requirements and any other factors that the board of directors deems relevant.

Upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Corning, the holders of the common stock share ratably in the assets remaining after payments to creditors and provision for the preference of any preferred stock. There are no preemptive or other subscription rights, conversion rights or redemption or scheduled installment payment provisions relating to shares of common stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GLW”.

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Anti-takeover Provisions; Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

Our restated certificate of incorporation includes a “fair price amendment” that, in general, requires the approval by the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of Corning entitled to vote generally in the election of directors as a condition for mergers and other forms of business combinations with any beneficial owner of more than 10% of this voting power unless:

Amendment or repeal of this provision or the adoption of any inconsistent provision requires the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting stock unless the proposed amendment or repeal or the adoption of the inconsistent provisions were approved by two-thirds of the entire board of directors and a majority of the continuing directors.

In addition to the fair price amendment, the restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Corning contain other provisions that may discourage a third party from seeking to acquire Corning or to commence a proxy contest or other takeover-related action. Holders of common stock may remove a director from office at any time prior to the expiration of his or her term only with cause and by vote of a majority of holders of common stock outstanding. These provisions, together with provisions concerning the size of the board and requiring that premature vacancies on the board be filled only by a majority of the entire board, may not be amended, altered or repealed, nor may we adopt any inconsistent provisions, without the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting stock of Corning unless approved by two-thirds of the entire board of directors.

The by-laws of Corning contain procedural requirements with respect to the nomination of directors by shareholders at an annual meeting that require, among other things, delivery of notice by nominating shareholders to our Secretary not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the anniversary of the prior year’s shareholders’ meeting. The by-laws do not provide that a special meeting of shareholders may be called by shareholders.

The certificate of incorporation of Corning provides that no director will be liable to Corning or its shareholders for a breach of duty as a director except as provided by the New York Business Corporation Law.

The effect of these provisions may be to deter attempts either to obtain control of Corning or to acquire a substantial amount of its stock, even if a proposed acquisition transaction were at a significant premium over the then-prevailing market value of the common stock, or to deter attempts to remove the board of directors and management of Corning, even though some or a majority of the holders of common stock may believe these actions to be beneficial.