commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling securityholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of Class A common stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved).
The selling securityholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of Class A common stock owned by the selling securityholders and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of Class A common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus supplement, or under an amendment to this prospectus supplement under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act, amending, if necessary, the list of selling securityholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors-in-interest as selling securityholders under this prospectus supplement. The selling securityholders also may transfer and donate the shares of Class A common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors-in-interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus supplement. The selling securityholders may also enter into option or other transactions, including the issuance of convertible or exchangeable securities with broker-dealers, financial institutions or other investors or the creation of one or more derivative, convertible or exchangeable securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer, financial institution or other investors of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus, which Class A common stock such broker-dealer, financial institution or other investors may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The selling securityholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus supplement. The selling securityholders are not obligated to, and there is no assurance that the selling securityholders will, sell all or any of the shares we are registering. The selling securityholders may transfer, devise or gift such shares by other means not described in this prospectus supplement.
The selling securityholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of Class A common stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, the selling securityholders or broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of Class A common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of Class A common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling securityholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.
Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of Class A common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of Class A common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There can be no assurance that the selling securityholders will sell any or all of the shares of Class A common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part.
The selling securityholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M under the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of Class A common stock by the selling securityholders and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of Class A common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Class A common stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of Class A common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Class A common stock.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement between us and the selling securityholders, we have agreed to indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by law, each selling securityholder from and against certain liabilities incurred in connection with the registration of such selling securityholder’s shares.
Once sold under the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, the shares of Class A common stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.