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<A NAME=A001></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2004 </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A002></A>
<H1 ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Registration Statement
No. 333-_____ </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A003></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A004></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A005></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>FORM S-8 </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A006></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A007></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>RENT-WAY, INC. </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A008></A>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>


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<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></TH>
     <TH COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH=55% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Pennsylvania</B></FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=3% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="40%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>25-1407782</B></FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=2% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;organization)</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2> </FONT></P>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>One RentWay Place<BR>
                                                       Erie, Pennsylvania 16505<BR>
                                      (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including
zip code) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><B>RENT-WAY, INC. 2004 STOCK OPTION
PLAN</B><BR>                                                        (Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>William E. Morgenstern<BR>
                                           Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer<BR>
                                                            One RentWay Place<BR>
                                                       Erie, Pennsylvania 16505<BR>
                                                            (814) 455-5378<BR>
                (Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>










<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="600">
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH COLSPAN=15><FONT SIZE=3><U>Calculation of Registration Fee</U></FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH COLSPAN=15><FONT SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TH></TR>

<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>Title of Securities<BR>
to be Registered</FONT><HR WIDTH=95% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>Amount to be<BR>
Registered (1)</FONT><HR WIDTH=95% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Offering Price Per<BR>
Share (2)</FONT><HR WIDTH=95% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>Proposed Maximum Aggregate<BR>
Offering Price (2)</FONT><HR WIDTH=95% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee</FONT><HR WIDTH=95% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock, without</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>1,700,000</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$8.14</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$13,838,000</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$1,753.27</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="1%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>par value</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>





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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The number of shares are subject to adjustment pursuant to the anti-dilution
          provisions of the Rent-Way, Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;).
          Accordingly, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of
          additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution resulting
          from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to
          Rule 457(c) and (h)(1). The offering price per share for the unissued stock
          options is based on the average of the high and low prices for Rent-Way common
          stock on July 2, 2004, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange. </FONT></P>


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<A NAME=A009></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>PART I </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A010></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the instructions for Form S-8, the documents containing the information specified in
Part I of Form S-8 (Items 1 and 2) are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) as part of this Registration Statement, but will
be sent or given to plan participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A011></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>PART II </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A012></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A013></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Incorporation of Documents
by Reference. </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rent-Way,
Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration
Statement the following documents: </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
          2003 filed with the Commission on November 25, 2003; </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) of 15(d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) since
          the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report referred to in (a)
          above, including (i) the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
          quarter ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Commission on February 13, 2004,
          (ii) the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
          March 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on May 7, 2004, and (iii) the
          Company&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December
          29, 2003, December 29, 2003, January 29, 2004, February 9, 2004, March 4, 2004,
          April 20, 2004 and May 20, 2004; and </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The description of the Company&#146;s common stock contained in the Registration
          Statement on Form 8-A, dated September 30, 1998 filed under Section 12(b) of the
          Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of
          updating such description; </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subsequent to the date of this Registration
Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold, shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof commencing on the date of the filing of
such documents. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any
statement contained herein or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement
so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or amended, to
constitute a part of this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A014></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Description of
Securities. </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A015></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable.</I> </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A016></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Interests of
Named Experts and Counsel. </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A017></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable.</I> </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A018></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Indemnification
of Directors and Officers. </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
provisions of Sections 1741 through 1750 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law
provide that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is
threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
representative of the corporation, against expenses (including attorney&#146;s fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the action or proceeding if they acted in good faith and in a
manner they reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation. To the extent that a representative of the corporation has been successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any action or proceeding or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, the corporation is required by the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law to indemnify them against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by
them in connection with their defense. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Company&#146;s By-Laws provide that it shall indemnify its officers and directors against
claims arising from actions taken in their official capacity except where the conduct
giving rise to the claim is finally determined by a court or in arbitration to have
constituted willful misconduct or recklessness or to have involved the receipt from the
Company of a personal benefit to which the officer or director was not entitled, or where
the indemnification has been determined in a final adjudication to be unlawful. The
Company may create a fund, trust or other arrangement to secure the indemnification. In
addition, the Company is required to pay the expenses of defending the claim in advance of
final adjudication upon the receipt of an undertaking by the officer or director to repay
the advanced amounts if it is ultimately determined that the officer or director is not
entitled to be indemnified. These provisions of the By-Laws are expressly permitted
pursuant to the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A019></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exemptions from
Registration Claimed. </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A020></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable.</I> </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A021></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exhibits. </FONT></H1>







<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=Center WIDTH=600>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2><U>EXHIBIT NO.</U></FONT></TH>
     <TH COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>DESCRIPTION</U></FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></TH>
     <TH COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH=5% ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD WIDTH=1% ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></TD>
        <TD WIDTH=5% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>.1*</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=87% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Opinion of Hodgson Russ LLP.</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=1% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=1% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>23</FONT></TD>
        <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>.1*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>23</FONT></TD>
        <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>.2*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Consent of Hodgson Russ LLP (included in exhibit 5.1).</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>24</FONT></TD>
        <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>.1*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Power of attorney (included on signature page).</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=2>99</FONT></TD>
        <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>.1</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rent-Way, Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan, as amended.</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>




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<A NAME=A022></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>* Filed herewith </FONT></P>


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<A NAME=A023></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Undertakings. </FONT></H1>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=3%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=97%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
          post-effective amendment to this registration statement:  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=6%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
          1933;  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=6%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective           date
of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
          thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change           in the information set forth in the Registration Statement;  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=6%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
          previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
          such information in the Registration Statement;  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><I>provided, however</I>, that
paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by these paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=3%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=97%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of           1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new           registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the           offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona           fide offering
thereof.  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=3%></TD>
<TD WIDTH=97%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
          securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
          offering.  </FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para (List) Indent" FSL="Default" -->
     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
          any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
          registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13 (a) or 15 (d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
          employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
          Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
          relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
          at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para (List) Indent" FSL="Default" -->
     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
          1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
          registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
          has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
          such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
          therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
          such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
          or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
          successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
          director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
          registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
          has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
          jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
          policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
          such issue. </FONT></P>


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<A NAME=A024></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>SIGNATURES </FONT></H1>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Erie, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
on July 8, 2004. </FONT></P>





<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 ALIGN=Center WIDTH=600>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></TH>
     <TH><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH=64% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><B>RENT-WAY, INC</B></FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=36% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH=64% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=36% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>By:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>/s/&nbsp; William E. Morgenstern</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;William E. Morgenstern</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chairman of the Board and Chief</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Executive Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>




<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A025></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>POWER OF ATTORNEY </FONT></H1>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each
person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of William E.
Morgenstern and William A. McDonnell, with full power to act without the other, his or her
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities (until revoked in writing) to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, to file the same, together with
all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, to sign any and all applications, registration statements, notices
and other documents necessary or advisable to comply with the applicable state securities
laws, and to file the same, together with all other documents in connection therewith,
with the appropriate state securities authorities, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, full power
and authority to perform and do each and every act and thing necessary and advisable as
fully to all intents and purposes and he or she might or could perform and do in person,
thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them
or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>







<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="600">
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH><FONT SIZE=2>Signature</FONT></TH>
     <TH><FONT SIZE=2>Title</FONT></TH>
     <TH><FONT SIZE=2>Date</FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ William E. Morgenstern</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="56%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>William E. Morgenstern</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Director (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ William A. McDonnell&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>William A. McDonnell</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Financial Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ John A. Lombardi&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Vice-President, Corporate Controller and Chief</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>John A. Lombardi</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>

<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ Gerald A. Ryan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Gerald A. Ryan</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ John W. Higbee&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>John W. Higbee</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ Robert B. Fagenson&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Robert B. Fagenson</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ Marc W. Joseffer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Marc W. Joseffer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ William Lerner&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>William Lerner</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2><U>/s/ Jacqueline E. Woods&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>July 8, 2004</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>Jacqueline E. Woods</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>





<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A026></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>EXHIBIT INDEX </FONT></H1>








<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" WIDTH="600">
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH><FONT SIZE=2><U>EXHIBIT NO.</U> </FONT></TH>
     <TH><FONT SIZE=2> <U>DESCRIPTION</U></FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH="13%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1*</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="87%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Opinion of Hodgson Russ LLP.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;23.1*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;23.2*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Consent of Hodgson Russ LLP (included in exhibit 5.1).</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;24.1*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Power of attorney (included on signature page).</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>99.1</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rent-Way, Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan, as amended.</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>




<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Left" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A027></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>* Filed herewith </FONT></P>


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</BODY>
</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "RENT WAY INC", "cik": "0000893046", "assigned-sic": "7359", "irs-number": "251407782", "state-of-incorporation": "PA", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-117243", "film-number": "04906627"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ONE RENTWAY PLACE", "city": "ERIE", "state": "PA", "zip": "16505", "phone": "8144555378"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "ONE RENTWAY PLACE", "city": "ERIE", "state": "PA", "zip": "16505"}}
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2004
Registration Statement
No. 333-_____
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
RENT-WAY, INC.
(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania
25-1407782
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
organization)
One RentWay Place
Erie, Pennsylvania 16505
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including
zip code)
RENT-WAY, INC. 2004 STOCK OPTION
PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
William E. Morgenstern
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
One RentWay Place
Erie, Pennsylvania 16505
(814) 455-5378
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service)
Calculation of Registration Fee
Title of Securities
to be Registered
Amount to be
Registered (1)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Share (2)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price (2)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, without
1,700,000
$8.14
$13,838,000
$1,753.27
par value
(1)    
          The number of shares are subject to adjustment pursuant to the anti-dilution
          provisions of the Rent-Way, Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").
          Accordingly, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of
          additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution resulting
          from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)    
          Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to
          Rule 457(c) and (h)(1). The offering price per share for the unissued stock
          options is based on the average of the high and low prices for Rent-Way common
          stock on July 2, 2004, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Pursuant
to the instructions for Form S-8, the documents containing the information specified in
Part I of Form S-8 (Items 1 and 2) are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as part of this Registration Statement, but will
be sent or given to plan participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.    Incorporation of Documents
by Reference.
Rent-Way,
Inc. (the "Company") hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration
Statement the following documents:
(a)       
          The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
          2003 filed with the Commission on November 25, 2003;
(b)       
          All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) of 15(d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since
          the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report referred to in (a)
          above, including (i) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
          quarter ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Commission on February 13, 2004,
          (ii) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
          March 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on May 7, 2004, and (iii) the
          Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December
          29, 2003, December 29, 2003, January 29, 2004, February 9, 2004, March 4, 2004,
          April 20, 2004 and May 20, 2004; and
(c)       
          The description of the Company's common stock contained in the Registration
          Statement on Form 8-A, dated September 30, 1998 filed under Section 12(b) of the
          Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of
          updating such description;
In
addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subsequent to the date of this Registration
Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold, shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof commencing on the date of the filing of
such documents.
Any
statement contained herein or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement
so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or amended, to
constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4.    Description of
Securities.
Not
Applicable.
Item 5.    Interests of
Named Experts and Counsel.
Not
Applicable.
Item 6.    Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.
The
provisions of Sections 1741 through 1750 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law
provide that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is
threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
representative of the corporation, against expenses (including attorney's fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the action or proceeding if they acted in good faith and in a
manner they reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation. To the extent that a representative of the corporation has been successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any action or proceeding or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, the corporation is required by the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law to indemnify them against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by
them in connection with their defense.
The
Company's By-Laws provide that it shall indemnify its officers and directors against
claims arising from actions taken in their official capacity except where the conduct
giving rise to the claim is finally determined by a court or in arbitration to have
constituted willful misconduct or recklessness or to have involved the receipt from the
Company of a personal benefit to which the officer or director was not entitled, or where
the indemnification has been determined in a final adjudication to be unlawful. The
Company may create a fund, trust or other arrangement to secure the indemnification. In
addition, the Company is required to pay the expenses of defending the claim in advance of
final adjudication upon the receipt of an undertaking by the officer or director to repay
the advanced amounts if it is ultimately determined that the officer or director is not
entitled to be indemnified. These provisions of the By-Laws are expressly permitted
pursuant to the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law.
Item 7.    Exemptions from
Registration Claimed.
Not
Applicable.
Item 8.    Exhibits.
EXHIBIT NO.
DESCRIPTION
5
.1*
Opinion of Hodgson Russ LLP.
23
.1*
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23
.2*
Consent of Hodgson Russ LLP (included in exhibit 5.1).
24
.1*
Power of attorney (included on signature page).
99
.1
Rent-Way, Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan, as amended.
* Filed herewith
Item 9.    Undertakings.
(a)       
          The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)                        To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
          post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)                        To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
          1933;
(ii)                        To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective           date
of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
          thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change           in the information set forth in the Registration Statement;
(iii)                        To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
          previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
          such information in the Registration Statement;
provided, however
, that
paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by these paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2)                        That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of           1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new           registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the           offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona           fide offering
thereof.
(3)                        To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
          securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
          offering.
(b)       
          The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
          any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
          registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13 (a) or 15 (d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
          employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
          Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
          relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
          at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)       
          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
          1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
          registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
          has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
          such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
          therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
          such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
          or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
          successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
          director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
          registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
          has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
          jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
          policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
          such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Erie, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
on July 8, 2004.
RENT-WAY, INC
By:
/s/  William E. Morgenstern
William E. Morgenstern
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each
person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of William E.
Morgenstern and William A. McDonnell, with full power to act without the other, his or her
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities (until revoked in writing) to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, to file the same, together with
all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, to sign any and all applications, registration statements, notices
and other documents necessary or advisable to comply with the applicable state securities
laws, and to file the same, together with all other documents in connection therewith,
with the appropriate state securities authorities, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, full power
and authority to perform and do each and every act and thing necessary and advisable as
fully to all intents and purposes and he or she might or could perform and do in person,
thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them
or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ William E. Morgenstern
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
July 8, 2004
William E. Morgenstern
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ William A. McDonnell
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal
July 8, 2004
William A. McDonnell
Financial Officer)
/s/ John A. Lombardi
Vice-President, Corporate Controller and Chief
July 8, 2004
John A. Lombardi
Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Gerald A. Ryan
Director
July 8, 2004
Gerald A. Ryan
/s/ John W. Higbee
Director
July 8, 2004
John W. Higbee
/s/ Robert B. Fagenson
Director
July 8, 2004
Robert B. Fagenson
/s/ Marc W. Joseffer
Director
July 8, 2004
Marc W. Joseffer
/s/ William Lerner
Director
July 8, 2004
William Lerner
/s/ Jacqueline E. Woods
Director
July 8, 2004
Jacqueline E. Woods
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO.
DESCRIPTION
5.1*
Opinion of Hodgson Russ LLP.
23.1*
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2*
Consent of Hodgson Russ LLP (included in exhibit 5.1).
24.1*
Power of attorney (included on signature page).
99.1
Rent-Way, Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan, as amended.
* Filed herewith