JCP J C Penney Company Inc

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the JCPenney common stock, preferred stock purchase rights, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, guarantees of JCP debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units that JCPenney may offer and sell from time to time and of the JCP debt securities, guarantees of JCPenney debt securities and warrants to purchase debt securities that JCP may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. At the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

In this section entitled “Description of Capital Stock,” when we refer to the “Company,” “JCPenney,” “we,” “our,” or “us,” we are referring to J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and none of its subsidiaries. JCPenney’s authorized capital stock consisted of 1,250,000,000 shares of common stock of 50¢ par value, of which 306,883,865 shares were issued and outstanding as of March 21, 2016, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of March 21, 2016. The authorized shares of any class of stock may be increased or decreased, as the case may be, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the stock entitled to vote. The descriptions set forth below of the common stock, preferred stock purchase rights and preferred stock (as hereinafter described) constitute brief summaries of certain provisions of JCPenney’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, referred to in this section as its “Charter,” its Bylaws, as amended, referred to in this section as its “Bylaws,” and the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated January 27, 2014, between JCPenney and Computershare Inc., referred in this section as the “Rights Agreement,” and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the relevant provisions of such documents. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

Common Stock

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders of JCPenney, including the election of directors, subject to voting rights that may be established for shares of preferred stock. Our Charter does not provide for cumulative voting nor are holders of common stock entitled to any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any of our securities. Shares of common stock are neither redeemable nor convertible, and there are no sinking fund provisions relating to these shares.

Subject to the prior rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be lawfully declared from time to time by our Board of Directors (the “Board”). Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of JCPenney, holders of common stock will share equally in the assets remaining after the Company pays all of its creditors and satisfies all of its obligations to preferred stockholders.

The outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Additional shares of common stock may be issued, as authorized by our Board from time to time, without stockholder approval, except for any stockholder approval required by the NYSE.

Computershare Inc. is the transfer agent and registrar of the common stock.

Preferred Stock

Our Charter authorizes our Board, without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock without par value, in one or more series, and to fix the designations, terms, and relative rights and preferences, including the dividend rate, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption and sinking fund provisions and liquidation preferences of each of these series. We may amend from time to time our Charter to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock. Any such amendment would require the approval of the holders of a majority of our shares entitled to vote.

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock that we offer under this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. Those terms may include:

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If the terms of any series of preferred stock being offered differ from the terms set forth in this prospectus, those terms will also be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The summary in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the certificate of designations establishing a particular series of preferred stock which will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the SEC in connection with the offering of the preferred stock.

Each prospectus supplement may describe certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the preferred stock covered by such prospectus supplement.

Dividend Rights. The preferred stock will be preferred, to the extent of the preference to which such preferred stock is entitled, over the common stock as to payment of dividends. Before any dividends or distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in common stock or other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) on the common stock or other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation shall be declared and set apart for payment or paid, the holders of shares of each series of preferred stock, to the extent of the preference to which such preferred stock is entitled, will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors or, if dividends are cumulative, full cumulative dividends for the current and all prior dividend periods (unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement). We will pay those dividends either in cash, shares of preferred stock, or otherwise, at the rate and on the date or dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. With respect to each series of preferred stock that has cumulative dividends, the dividends on each share of the series will be cumulative from the date of issue of the share unless some other date is set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the series. Accruals of dividends will not bear interest. The applicable prospectus supplement will indicate the relative ranking of the particular series of the preferred stock as to the payment of dividends, as compared with then-existing and future series of preferred stock.

Rights upon Liquidation. The preferred stock of each series will be preferred over the common stock and other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to assets, so that the holders of that series of preferred stock (unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) will be entitled to be paid, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and before any distribution is made to the holders of common stock and other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock, the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, in this case the holders of preferred stock of that series will not be entitled to any other or further payment. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our net assets are insufficient to permit the payment in full of the respective amounts to which the holders of all outstanding preferred stock are entitled, our entire remaining net assets will be distributed among the holders of each series of preferred stock in amounts proportional to the full amounts to which the holders of each series are entitled, subject to any provisions of any series of preferred stock that rank it junior or senior to other series of preferred stock upon liquidation. The applicable prospectus supplement will indicate the relative ranking of the particular series of the preferred stock upon liquidation, as compared with then-existing and future series of preferred stock.

Conversion, Redemption or Exchange Rights. Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the shares of a series of preferred stock will not be convertible at the option of the holder of the preferred stock, redeemable at our option or the option of the holder, as applicable, or exchangeable at our option, into another security.

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Voting Rights. Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or as otherwise from time to time required by law, the holders of preferred stock will have no voting rights.

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (the “Rights”) are attached to all shares of common stock outstanding. These Rights are issued under the Rights Agreement. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of a series of preferred stock of the Company designated Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) under conditions described in the Rights Agreement. The Rights expire on January 26, 2017, unless such date is extended or the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged.

The purpose of the Rights Agreement is to diminish the risk that the Company’s ability to use its net operating losses and certain other tax assets (the “Tax Benefits”) to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations would become subject to limitations by reason of the Company’s experiencing an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). A company generally experiences such an ownership change if the percentage of its stock owned by its “5-percent shareholders,” as defined in Section 382 of the Code, increases by more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. The Rights Agreement is intended to reduce the likelihood of an ownership change under Section 382 of the Code by deterring any person or group from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock.

In general terms, the Rights restrict any person or group of affiliated or associated persons (other than the Company, its subsidiaries, or employee benefit plans of the Company or any of its subsidiaries) from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock, or, in the case of any person or group that owned 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock on the date of announcement of the Company’s entry into the Rights Agreement, any additional shares of common stock (subject to certain exceptions). An “acquiring person” is any person or group who acquires shares of common stock in violation of these limitations. An “acquiring person” does not include any person or group who becomes the owner of 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock solely as a result of a reduction in the number of shares outstanding due to any repurchase of shares by the Company, any person or group who inadvertently or without knowledge of the terms of the Rights acquires beneficial ownership in excess of 4.899% of the outstanding common stock and thereafter reduces such ownership to less than 4.9% of the outstanding common stock upon request by the Company, and any person or group that the Board determines is not an acquiring person for so long as such person or group complies with any limitations or conditions required by the Board in making such determination.

The Rights initially trade with, and are inseparable from, the common stock. The Rights will not be evidenced by separate certificates until they become exercisable. Each Right allows its holder to purchase from the Company, once the Rights become exercisable, one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Preferred Stock for $55.00, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement.

The Rights will separate from the common stock and become exercisable on the earlier of (1) the close of business on the 10th business day after public announcement that a person or group has become an acquiring person; or (2) the close of business on the 10th business day (or such later date as the Board may determine) after a third party makes a tender offer or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in that person or group becoming an acquiring person.

If any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an acquiring person, then each Right (other than Rights owned by an acquiring person, its affiliates, associates or certain transferees, which will become void) will entitle the holder to purchase, at the then current exercise price, common stock (or, in certain circumstances, a combination of common stock, other securities, cash or other property) having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right, in effect enabling a purchase at half-price. However, Rights are not exercisable following such event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as described below.

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If, at any time after a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an acquiring person, the Company engages in a merger or other business combination transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, the common stock of the Company is changed or exchanged, or fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s assets, cash flow or earning power is sold, then each Right (except Rights which have previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder to purchase, at the Right’s then current exercise price, common stock of the acquiring person having a value of twice the Right’s then current exercise price, in effect enabling a purchase at half-price.

After a person or group becomes an acquiring person, but before such person or group owns 50% or more of the outstanding common stock, the Board may, in lieu of allowing Rights to be exercised, cause each outstanding Right (except Rights which have previously been voided as set forth above) to be exchanged for one share of common stock, or one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Preferred Stock, in each case as adjusted to reflect stock splits or similar transactions.

The Board may redeem all, but not less than all, of the Rights for $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of (1) the 10th business day after public announcement that a person or group has become an acquiring person and (2) the final expiration of the Rights. The redemption price may, at the option of the Company, be paid in cash or in shares of common stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board. The redemption price will be adjusted in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction with respect to the common stock.

The Board has the right to adjust, among other things, the exercise price, as well as the number of preferred shares issuable, and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split or a reclassification of the preferred shares or common stock.

The terms of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board prior to the distribution date without the consent of the holders of the Rights. The Board may only amend the Rights Agreement after the distribution date for certain limited purposes, such as to cure ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision that is defective or inconsistent with any other provision, shorten or lengthen time periods in the Rights Agreement, or other changes that do not adversely affect the holders of the Rights.

The Rights will expire on the earliest of (1) the close of business on January 26, 2017 or such later date as may be established by the Board prior to the expiration of the Rights, (2) the time at which the Rights are redeemed or exchanged pursuant to the Rights Agreement, (3) the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board determines that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of the Tax Benefits or (4) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines that the Tax Benefits may not be carried forward.

Certain Charter, Bylaw and Delaware Law Provisions

Our Charter and Bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law contain several provisions that may make it more difficult to acquire or control us by means of a tender offer, open market purchases, proxy fight or otherwise.

Election of Directors; Removal of Directors; Action by Written Consent

The members of the Board are elected annually. In a non-contested election, each director must be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to that director’s election. The Bylaws provide that in a non-contested election, any nominee for director who is an incumbent director and does not receive a majority of the votes cast “For” his or her election must promptly tender his or her resignation, and the Board, excluding the director who tenders his or her resignation, must promptly decide whether to accept or reject the resignation. Absent a compelling reason for the director to remain on the Board, as determined by the

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other directors in the exercise of their business judgment, the Board shall accept the resignation. The Company will promptly and publicly disclose the Board’s decision, together with an explanation of how the decision was reached. In a contested election, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the stockholder meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

The Charter and Bylaws also provide that stockholders may only take action at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders and not by written consent of stockholders. The provisions regarding action by written consent require the vote of at least a majority of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class in order to remove or amend them.

These provisions may have the effect of discouraging anyone from attempting to acquire control of the Company and could deter open market purchases of the Common Stock.

Stockholder Proposals and Nominations

Our Bylaws provide that any stockholder may present a nomination for director at an annual meeting of stockholders only if advance notice of such nomination has been delivered to us not less than 90 days prior to the meeting. If an election of directors is to be held at a special meeting of stockholders, notice by the stockholder must be received not later than seven days after the notice of such meeting was given to stockholders. Similarly, any stockholder may present a proposal at an annual meeting only if advance notice of the proposal has been delivered to us not less than 90 days prior to the meeting. The foregoing notices must describe the proposal to be brought at the meeting or the nominee for director, as applicable, as well as provide personal information regarding the stockholder giving the notice, the number of shares owned by the stockholder, his or her interest in such proposal and, with respect to nominations for director, such information with respect to the nominees as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed by us with the SEC. In addition, our Bylaws provide that only the Board can call special meetings of stockholders and that the only business that may be brought before a special meeting is such business specified by the Board in the notice of such meeting. These procedural requirements could have the effect of delaying or preventing the submission of matters proposed by any stockholder to a vote of the stockholders.

Delaware Law

Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware applies to us. Under certain circumstances, Section 203 limits the ability of an interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with the Company for a three-year period following the time that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” is broadly defined to include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the immediately preceding three years did own, 15% or more of our voting stock.

An interested stockholder may not engage in a business combination transaction with the Company within the three-year period unless:

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Certain Effects of Authorized But Unissued Stock

Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock may be issued without additional stockholder approval and may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital or to facilitate corporate acquisitions.

The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us. The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount available for distribution to holders of our common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of such holders. In certain circumstances, such issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of management. Such additional shares also could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us.

We plan to issue additional shares of common stock in connection with our employee benefit plans.

Limitations on Directors’ Liability

Our Charter eliminates the personal liability of a director to the Company and its stockholders for certain breaches of his or her fiduciary duty as a director. This provision does not, however, eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director:

This provision offers persons who serve on our Board protection against awards of monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty (except as indicated above), including grossly negligent business decisions made in connection with takeover proposals for the Company, and limits our ability or the ability of one of our stockholders to prosecute an action against a director for a breach of fiduciary duty. However, the provision does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission. The SEC has taken the position that the provision will have no effect on claims arising under the federal securities laws.

Our Bylaws provide that we may indemnify any of our officers or directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Forum Selection

Our Bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for:

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In the event that the Court of Chancery lacks jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, our Bylaws provide that the sole and exclusive forum for such action or proceeding will be another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware. Our Bylaws further provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of the Company’s capital stock is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provision.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

In this section entitled “Description of Depositary Shares,” when we refer to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us,” we are referring to J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and none of its subsidiaries. The following description of the depositary shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the Deposit Agreement and the depositary receipt relating to the preferred stock that is attached to the Deposit Agreement. You should read these documents as they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of depositary shares. Forms of these documents will be filed with the SEC by means of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K.

General

If the Company elects to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, it will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of preferred stock. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares under a Deposit Agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The bank or trust company must have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. The depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares issued under the Deposit Agreement.

The Deposit Agreement will contain terms applicable to the holders of depositary shares in addition to the terms stated in the depositary receipts. Each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in the underlying shares of preferred stock. The depositary will issue the depositary receipts to individuals purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related preferred stock according to the terms of the offering described in a prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the holder owns on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to holders of depositary shares.

If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders. The Deposit Agreement also will contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights that we may offer to holders of the preferred stock will be available to the holders of the depositary shares.

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Conversion, Exchange and Redemption

If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares may be converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by the depositary receipts.

Whenever the Company redeems shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, at the same time, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock. The depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the corresponding redemption, in whole or in part, of the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary will mail notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary shares that are to be redeemed between 30 and 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share on the applicable series of preferred stock. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary will select which shares are to be redeemed by lot, proportionate allocation or any other method.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will end, except the right to receive money, securities or other property payable upon redemption.

Voting

When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practical, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to the instructions. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.

Record Date

Whenever (1) any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable, any distribution other than cash shall be made, or any rights, preferences or privileges shall be offered with respect to the preferred stock, or (2) the depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at which holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of preferred stock are entitled to notice, or of the mandatory conversion of or any election on our part to call for the redemption of any preferred stock, the depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date (which shall be the same as the record date for the preferred stock) for the determination of the holders of depositary receipts (x) who shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (y) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of such meeting or of such redemption or conversion, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.

Amendments

The Company and the depositary may agree to amend the Deposit Agreement and the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (a) imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of the depositary shares as described in the Deposit Agreement or (b) otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of depositary shares, will not take effect until 30 days after the depositary has mailed notice of the amendment to the record holders of depositary shares. Any holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares at the end of the 30-day period will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.

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Termination

The Company may direct the depositary to terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing a notice of termination to holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to termination. In addition, a Deposit Agreement will automatically terminate if:

The depositary may likewise terminate the Deposit Agreement if at any time 60 days shall have expired after the depositary shall have delivered to us a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment. If any depositary receipts remain outstanding after the date of termination, the depositary thereafter will discontinue the transfer of depositary receipts, will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders thereof, and will not give any further notices (other than notice of such termination) or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement except as provided below and except that the depositary will continue (1) to collect dividends on the preferred stock and any other distributions with respect thereto and (2) to deliver the preferred stock together with such dividends and distributions and the net proceeds of any sales of rights, preferences, privileges or other property, without liability for interest thereon, in exchange for depositary receipts surrendered. At any time after the expiration of two years from the date of termination, the depositary may sell the preferred stock then held by it at public or private sales, at such place or places and upon such terms as it deems proper and may thereafter hold the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any money and other property then held by it, without liability for interest thereon, for the pro rata benefit of the holders of depositary receipts which have not been surrendered.

Payment of Fees and Expenses

We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the Deposit Agreement for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we may remove the depositary. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor 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 million.

Reports

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The Deposit Agreement limits our obligations and the depositary’s obligations to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the Deposit Agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or preferred stock unless the holders of depositary shares requesting us to do so furnish us with satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary may rely upon the written advice of our counsel or accountants, on any information that competent people provide to us and on documents that we believe are genuine.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

As used in this “Description of Debt Securities” section of the prospectus, debt securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that JCPenney and JCP, as applicable, may issue from time to time. JCPenney may offer secured or unsecured debt securities which may be senior or subordinated and which may be convertible or non-convertible and which may be guaranteed by JCP. JCP may offer non-convertible secured or unsecured debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated and which will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by JCPenney. JCP and JCPenney, as co-obligors, may offer non-convertible secured or unsecured debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities of which JCPenney is the issuer will be issued in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between JCPenney and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, and to which JCP may become a party as guarantor, a form of which indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities of which JCP is the issuer and JCPenney is the guarantor will be issued in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into among JCP, as issuer, JCPenney, as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, a form of which indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities of which JCP and JCPenney are co-obligors will be issued in one or more series under an indenture among JCPenney, JCP and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, which indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The following description briefly summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply to such debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the applicable indenture and the applicable indenture supplement or company order, if any, and those made a part of the applicable indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. You should read the description below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the applicable indenture and the applicable indenture supplement or company order, if any, in their entirety before investing in any of the debt securities. The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding terms and provisions of the applicable indenture, any applicable indenture supplement or company order and any debt securities are summaries thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture and any such supplements, company orders and debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the applicable indenture is unlimited. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series as may be authorized from time to time. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of such debt securities. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the issuer of debt securities of a particular series may issue additional debt securities of such series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the applicable indenture.

United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

JCPenney and JCP expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons. Subject to the limitations provided in the applicable indenture and in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

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Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, 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 depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The debt securities and the indentures under which the debt securities are issued will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

We anticipate appointing Wilmington Trust, National Association as the trustee under the indentures under which any of the JCPenney or JCP debt securities would be issued. JCPenney and JCP, as applicable, anticipate that the respective trustee under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities will also be appointed to act as the paying agent, conversion agent, registrar and custodian with regard to such debt securities. Wilmington Trust, National Association is currently the trustee under our existing indenture, dated as of October 1, 1982, by and between JCPenney, JCP and Wilmington Trust, National Association, our existing indenture, dated as of April 1, 1994, by and between JCPenney, JCP and Wilmington Trust, National Association, and our existing indenture, dated as of September 15, 2014, by and between JCPenney, JCP and Wilmington Trust, National Association. Wilmington Trust, National Association and its affiliates may in the future provide trustee, custodial and other services to JCPenney and its subsidiaries, including JCP, in the ordinary course of their respective businesses. There may be more than one trustee under the applicable indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities under an indenture, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the applicable indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under that indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the applicable indenture.

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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES

This “Description of Guarantees of Debt Securities” section contains a summary description of the guarantees, if any, of JCP and JCPenney debt securities to which this prospectus relates. This summary description is not meant to be a complete description of the guarantees. At the time of an offering and sale of JCP or JCPenney debt securities, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement will describe the material terms of the guarantees, if any, of the JCP or JCPenney debt securities being offered.

JCPenney will fully and unconditionally guarantee the debt securities of JCP. The particular terms of JCPenney’s guarantees, if any, of a particular issue of JCP debt securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement. Any guarantees of JCP debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

JCP may fully and unconditionally guarantee the debt securities of JCPenney. The particular terms of JCP’s guarantees, if any, of a particular issue of JCPenney debt securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement. Any guarantees of JCPenney debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

JCPenney may issue debt warrants for the purchase of debt securities or stock warrants for the purchase of preferred stock or common stock. JCP may issue debt warrants for the purchase of debt securities.

The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between JCPenney and/or JCP, as applicable, and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any or all warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered. Copies of the form of agreement for each warrant, including the forms of certificates representing the warrants reflecting the provisions to be included in such agreements that will be entered into with respect to the particular offerings of each type of warrant are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants, warrant agreements and warrant certificates does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreements and warrant certificates, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

Debt Warrants

General . Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of debt warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, the debt securities warrant agreement relating to such debt warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing such debt warrants, including the following:

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The debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise.

Exercise of Debt Warrants . Each debt warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such principal amount of debt securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised debt warrants will become void.

Debt warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable 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 warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the debt warrants represented by such debt warrant certificate are exercised, a new debt warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of debt warrants.

Stock Warrants

General . Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of stock warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, the stock warrant agreement relating to such stock warrants and the stock warrant certificates representing such stock warrants, including the following:

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The stock warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new stock warrant certificates of different denominations and stock warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their stock warrants, holders of stock warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of shares of capital stock purchasable upon such exercise, and will not be entitled to any dividend payments on such capital stock purchasable upon such exercise.

Exercise of Stock Warrants . Each stock warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such number of shares of preferred stock or common stock, as the case may be, at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the stock warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, stock warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised stock warrants will become void.

Stock warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Upon receipt of payment and the stock warrant certificates properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward a certificate representing the number of shares of capital stock purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the stock warrants represented by such stock warrant certificate are exercised, a new stock warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of stock warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

In this section entitled “Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units,” when we refer to the “Company,” “we,” or “us,” we are referring to J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and none of its subsidiaries. The Company may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and requiring us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, or stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and either (x) senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated debt securities, or (y) debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, in each case, securing the holder’s obligations to purchase the common stock under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts, or prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original stock purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the prospectus supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the stock purchase contracts, the

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collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which such prepaid securities will be issued.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains a summary description of our common stock that the Selling Stockholder may offer and sell from time to time. This summary description is not meant to be a complete description of our common stock. At the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

In this section entitled “Description of Capital Stock,” when we refer to the “Company,” “JCPenney,” “we,” “our,” or “us,” we are referring to J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and none of its subsidiaries. JCPenney’s authorized capital stock consisted of 1,250,000,000 shares of common stock of 50¢ par value, of which 306,883,865 shares were issued and outstanding as of March 21, 2016, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of March 21, 2016. The authorized shares of any class of stock may be increased or decreased, as the case may be, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the stock entitled to vote. The descriptions set forth below of the common stock, preferred stock purchase rights and preferred stock (as hereinafter described) constitute brief summaries of certain provisions of JCPenney’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, referred to in this section as its “Charter,” its Bylaws, as amended, referred to in this section as its “Bylaws,” and the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated January 27, 2014, between JCPenney and Computershare Inc., referred to in this section as the “Rights Agreement,” and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the relevant provisions of such documents. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

Common Stock

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders of JCPenney, including the election of directors, subject to voting rights that may be established for shares of preferred stock. Our Charter does not provide for cumulative voting nor are holders of common stock entitled to any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any of our securities. Shares of common stock are neither redeemable nor convertible, and there are no sinking fund provisions relating to these shares.

Subject to the prior rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be lawfully declared from time to time by our Board of Directors (the “Board”). Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of JCPenney, holders of common stock will share equally in the assets remaining after the Company pays all of its creditors and satisfies all of its obligations to preferred stockholders.

The outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Additional shares of common stock may be issued, as authorized by our Board from time to time, without stockholder approval, except for any stockholder approval required by the NYSE.

Computershare Inc. is the transfer agent and registrar of the common stock.

Preferred Stock

Our Charter authorizes our Board, without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock without par value, in one or more series, and to fix the designations, terms, and relative rights and preferences, including the dividend rate, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption and sinking fund provisions and liquidation preferences of each of these series. We may amend from time to time our Charter to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock. Any such amendment would require the approval of the holders of a majority of our shares entitled to vote.

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock that we offer under this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. Those terms may include:

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If the terms of any series of preferred stock being offered differ from the terms set forth in this prospectus, those terms will also be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The summary in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the certificate of designations establishing a particular series of preferred stock which will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the SEC in connection with the offering of the preferred stock.

Each prospectus supplement may describe certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the preferred stock covered by such prospectus supplement.

Dividend Rights . The preferred stock will be preferred, to the extent of the preference to which such preferred stock is entitled, over the common stock as to payment of dividends. Before any dividends or distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in common stock or other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) on the common stock or other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation shall be declared and set apart for payment or paid, the holders of shares of each series of preferred stock, to the extent of the preference to which such preferred stock is entitled, will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors or, if dividends are cumulative, full cumulative dividends for the current and all prior dividend periods (unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement). We will pay those dividends either in cash, shares of preferred stock, or otherwise, at the rate and on the date or dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. With respect to each series of preferred stock that has cumulative dividends, the dividends on each share of the series will be cumulative from the date of issue of the share unless some other date is set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the series. Accruals of dividends will not bear interest. The applicable prospectus supplement will indicate the relative ranking of the particular series of the preferred stock as to the payment of dividends, as compared with then-existing and future series of preferred stock.

Rights upon Liquidation . The preferred stock of each series will be preferred over the common stock and other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to assets, so that the holders of that series of preferred stock (unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) will be entitled to be paid, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and before any distribution is made to the holders of common stock and other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock, the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, in this case the holders of preferred stock of that series will not be entitled to any other or further payment. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our net assets are insufficient to permit the payment in full of the respective amounts to which the holders of all outstanding preferred stock are entitled, our entire remaining net assets will be distributed among the holders of each series of preferred stock in amounts proportional to the full amounts to which the holders of each series are entitled, subject to any provisions of any series of preferred stock that rank it junior or senior to other series of preferred stock upon liquidation. The applicable prospectus supplement will indicate the relative ranking of the particular series of the preferred stock upon liquidation, as compared with then-existing and future series of preferred stock.

Conversion, Redemption or Exchange Rights . Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the shares of a series of preferred stock will not be convertible at the option of the holder of the preferred stock, redeemable at our option or the option of the holder, as applicable, or exchangeable at our option, into another security.

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Voting Rights . Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or as otherwise from time to time required by law, the holders of preferred stock will have no voting rights.

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (the “Rights”) are attached to all shares of common stock outstanding. These Rights are issued under the Rights Agreement. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of a series of preferred stock of the Company designated Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) under conditions described in the Rights Agreement. The Rights expire on January 26, 2017, unless such date is extended or the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged.

The purpose of the Rights Agreement is to diminish the risk that the Company’s ability to use its net operating losses and certain other tax assets (the “Tax Benefits”) to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations would become subject to limitations by reason of the Company’s experiencing an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). A company generally experiences such an ownership change if the percentage of its stock owned by its “5-percent shareholders,” as defined in Section 382 of the Code, increases by more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. The Rights Agreement is intended to reduce the likelihood of an ownership change under Section 382 of the Code by deterring any person or group from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock.

In general terms, the Rights restrict any person or group of affiliated or associated persons (other than the Company, its subsidiaries, or employee benefit plans of the Company or any of its subsidiaries) from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock, or, in the case of any person or group that owned 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock on the date of announcement of the Company’s entry into the Rights Agreement, any additional shares of common stock (subject to certain exceptions). An “acquiring person” is any person or group who acquires shares of common stock in violation of these limitations. An “acquiring person” does not include any person or group who becomes the owner of 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock solely as a result of a reduction in the number of shares outstanding due to any repurchase of shares by the Company, any person or group who inadvertently or without knowledge of the terms of the Rights acquires beneficial ownership in excess of 4.899% of the outstanding common stock and thereafter reduces such ownership to less than 4.9% of the outstanding common stock upon request by the Company, and any person or group that the Board determines is not an acquiring person for so long as such person or group complies with any limitations or conditions required by the Board in making such determination.

The Rights initially trade with, and are inseparable from, the common stock. The Rights will not be evidenced by separate certificates until they become exercisable. Each Right allows its holder to purchase from the Company, once the Rights become exercisable, one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Preferred Stock for $55.00, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement.

The Rights will separate from the common stock and become exercisable on the earlier of (1) the close of business on the 10th business day after public announcement that a person or group has become an acquiring person; or (2) the close of business on the 10th business day (or such later date as the Board may determine) after a third party makes a tender offer or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in that person or group becoming an acquiring person.

If any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an acquiring person, then each Right (other than Rights owned by an acquiring person, its affiliates, associates or certain transferees, which will become void) will entitle the holder to purchase, at the then current exercise price, common stock (or, in certain circumstances, a combination of common stock, other securities, cash or other property) having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right, in effect enabling a purchase at half-price. However, Rights are not exercisable following such event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as described below.

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If, at any time after a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an acquiring person, the Company engages in a merger or other business combination transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, the common stock of the Company is changed or exchanged, or fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s assets, cash flow or earning power is sold, then each Right (except Rights which have previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder to purchase, at the Right’s then current exercise price, common stock of the acquiring person having a value of twice the Right’s then current exercise price, in effect enabling a purchase at half-price.

After a person or group becomes an acquiring person, but before such person or group owns 50% or more of the outstanding common stock, the Board may, in lieu of allowing Rights to be exercised, cause each outstanding Right (except Rights which have previously been voided as set forth above) to be exchanged for one share of common stock, or one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Preferred Stock, in each case as adjusted to reflect stock splits or similar transactions.

The Board may redeem all, but not less than all, of the Rights for $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of (1) the 10th business day after public announcement that a person or group has become an acquiring person and (2) the final expiration of the Rights. The redemption price may, at the option of the Company, be paid in cash or in shares of common stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board. The redemption price will be adjusted in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction with respect to the common stock.

The Board has the right to adjust, among other things, the exercise price, as well as the number of preferred shares issuable, and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split or a reclassification of the preferred shares or common stock.

The terms of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board prior to the distribution date without the consent of the holders of the Rights. The Board may only amend the Rights Agreement after the distribution date for certain limited purposes, such as to cure ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision that is defective or inconsistent with any other provision, shorten or lengthen time periods in the Rights Agreement, or other changes that do not adversely affect the holders of the Rights.

The Rights will expire on the earliest of (1) the close of business on January 26, 2017 or such later date as may be established by the Board prior to the expiration of the Rights, (2) the time at which the Rights are redeemed or exchanged pursuant to the Rights Agreement, (3) the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board determines that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of the Tax Benefits or (4) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines that the Tax Benefits may not be carried forward.

Certain Charter, Bylaw and Delaware Law Provisions

Our Charter and Bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law contain several provisions that may make it more difficult to acquire or control us by means of a tender offer, open market purchases, proxy fight or otherwise.

Election of Directors; Removal of Directors; Action by Written Consent

The members of the Board are elected annually. In a non-contested election, each director must be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to that director’s election. The Bylaws provide that in a non-contested election, any nominee for director who is an incumbent director and does not receive a majority of the votes cast “For” his or her election must promptly tender his or her resignation, and the Board, excluding the director who tenders his or her resignation, must promptly decide whether to accept or reject the resignation. Absent a compelling reason for the director to remain on the Board, as determined by the

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other directors in the exercise of their business judgment, the Board shall accept the resignation. The Company will promptly and publicly disclose the Board’s decision, together with an explanation of how the decision was reached. In a contested election, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the stockholder meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

The Charter and Bylaws also provide that stockholders may only take action at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders and not by written consent of stockholders. The provisions regarding action by written consent require the vote of at least a majority of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class in order to remove or amend them.

These provisions may have the effect of discouraging anyone from attempting to acquire control of the Company and could deter open market purchases of the Common Stock.

Stockholder Proposals and Nominations

Our Bylaws provide that any stockholder may present a nomination for director at an annual meeting of stockholders only if advance notice of such nomination has been delivered to us not less than 90 days prior to the meeting. If an election of directors is to be held at a special meeting of stockholders, notice by the stockholder must be received not later than seven days after the notice of such meeting was given to stockholders. Similarly, any stockholder may present a proposal at an annual meeting only if advance notice of the proposal has been delivered to us not less than 90 days prior to the meeting. The foregoing notices must describe the proposal to be brought at the meeting or the nominee for director, as applicable, as well as provide personal information regarding the stockholder giving the notice, the number of shares owned by the stockholder, his or her interest in such proposal and, with respect to nominations for director, such information with respect to the nominees as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed by us with the SEC. In addition, our Bylaws provide that only the Board can call special meetings of stockholders and that the only business that may be brought before a special meeting is such business specified by the Board in the notice of such meeting. These procedural requirements could have the effect of delaying or preventing the submission of matters proposed by any stockholder to a vote of the stockholders.

Delaware Law

Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware applies to us. Under certain circumstances, Section 203 limits the ability of an interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with the Company for a three-year period following the time that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” is broadly defined to include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the immediately preceding three years did own, 15% or more of our voting stock.

An interested stockholder may not engage in a business combination transaction with the Company within the three-year period unless:

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Certain Effects of Authorized But Unissued Stock

Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock may be issued without additional stockholder approval and may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital or to facilitate corporate acquisitions.

The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us. The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount available for distribution to holders of our common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of such holders. In certain circumstances, such issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of management. Such additional shares also could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us.

We plan to issue additional shares of common stock in connection with our employee benefit plans.

Limitations on Directors’ Liability

Our Charter eliminates the personal liability of a director to the Company and its stockholders for certain breaches of his or her fiduciary duty as a director. This provision does not, however, eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director:

This provision offers persons who serve on our Board protection against awards of monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty (except as indicated above), including grossly negligent business decisions made in connection with takeover proposals for the Company, and limits our ability or the ability of one of our stockholders to prosecute an action against a director for a breach of fiduciary duty. However, the provision does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission. The SEC has taken the position that the provision will have no effect on claims arising under the federal securities laws.

Our Bylaws provide that we may indemnify any of our officers or directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Forum Selection

Our Bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for:

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In the event that the Court of Chancery lacks jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, our Bylaws provide that the sole and exclusive forum for such action or proceeding will be another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware. Our Bylaws further provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of the Company’s capital stock is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provision.