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Filed Pursuant To Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-057082

Prospectus Supplement
March 9, 2004
(To Prospectus dated March 29, 2001)

GRAPHIC

$400,000,000
Corning Incorporated
$200,000,000 5.90% Notes due 2014
$200,000,000 6.20% Notes due 2016

        We will pay interest on the 5.90% notes due 2014 and the 6.20% notes due 2016 on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2004.

        At our option, we may redeem the notes in whole or in part at any time and from time to time before their maturity at the redemption price described herein under "Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption."

        The notes are unsecured and rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund and will not be listed on any securities exchange.

        Investing in the notes involves risks. For a discussion of certain factors that should be considered, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement.

 
   Per 5.90%
Note
due 2014
   Total
   Per 6.20%
Note
due 2016
   Total
Public offering price(1)   99.850 % $ 199,700,000   100.000 % $ 200,000,000
Underwriting discount   1.079 % $ 2,158,000   0.631 % $ 1,262,000
Proceeds, before expenses, to Corning Incorporated(1)   98.771 % $ 197,542,000   99.369 % $ 198,738,000
(1)
Plus accrued interest, if any, from March 12, 2004, if settlement occurs after that date.

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

        The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to investors only in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about March 12, 2004.

Joint Book-Running Managers

         Banc of America Securities LLC JPMorgan

Lead Manager

         Citigroup

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 
   Page
About This Prospectus Supplement   S-2

Prospectus Supplement Summary
 
S-3

Forward-Looking Statements
 
S-5

Risk Factors
 
S-6

About the Company
 
S-12

Use of Proceeds
 
S-12

Capitalization
 
S-13

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
S-14

Description of the Notes
 
S-14

Underwriting
 
S-18

Validity of the Notes
 
S-19

Prospectus

 
   Page
Corning Incorporated   2

Corning Finance B.V.
 
2

Risk Factors
 
2

Use of Proceeds
 
3

Securities We May Issue
 
3

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges Including Preferred Stock Dividends
 
3

Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees
 
5

Description of Warrants
 
24

Description of Preferred Stock
 
29

Description of Depositary Shares
 
33

Description of Common Stock
 
36

Plan of Distribution
 
39

Validity of Securities
 
39

Experts
 
39

Where You Can Find More Information
 
40

S-1

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        In this prospectus supplement, the words "Corning," "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Corning Incorporated and its subsidiaries.

        This prospectus supplement contains the terms of this offering. This prospectus supplement, or the information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, may add, update or change information in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement, or the information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, this prospectus supplement, or the information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, will apply and will supersede that information in the accompanying prospectus.

        It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents we have referred you to in "Where You Can Find More Information" in the accompanying prospectus.

        No dealer, salesperson or other individual has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Corning, the underwriters or any other person. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any sale made hereunder or thereunder shall under any circumstances create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Corning since the date hereof or thereof or that the information contained herein or therein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

S-2

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

        Because this is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. To understand the specific terms of the notes, you should read the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully.

About the Company

        We trace our origins to a glass business established in 1851. Our present corporation was incorporated in the State of New York in December 1936, and our name was changed from Corning Glass Works to Corning Incorporated on April 28, 1989.

        We are a global, technology-based corporation that operates in two reportable business segments:

        Our principal office is located at One Riverfront Plaza, Corning, New York 14831. Our telephone number is (607) 974-9000.

Summary of Certain Terms of the Notes

Notes Offered   $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.90% notes due 2014 (the "2014 notes") and $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.20% notes due 2016 (the "2016 notes").
Maturity Dates   The 2014 notes will mature on March 15, 2014 and the 2016 notes will mature on March 15, 2016.
Interest Rates   The 2014 notes will bear interest at 5.90% per year and the 2016 notes will bear interest at 6.20% per year.
Interest Payment Dates   March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2004.
Record Dates   March 1 or September 1, as the case may be, of each year immediately preceding each interest payment date.
Optional Redemption   The notes may be redeemed at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed discounted to the redemption date at the then current Treasury Rate plus 35 basis points in the case of the 2014 notes, and 40 basis points in the case of the 2016 notes, together with, in either case, any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption as described under "Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption."
Ranking   The notes are unsecured and rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding.
         

S-3

Use of Proceeds   We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes.
Certain Covenants   The indenture governing the notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, will:
    •   limit, to the extent set forth in the accompanying prospectus, our ability and that of certain of our subsidiaries to grant liens under certain circumstances on stock or indebtedness of certain of our subsidiaries, or on certain of our properties or those of certain subsidiaries, to secure our debt or that of any other person; and
    •   limit, to the extent set forth in the accompanying prospectus, our ability and that of certain of our subsidiaries to enter into sale/leaseback transactions.
Form and Denominations   The notes will initially be represented by global notes registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (DTC). Notes will be issued in registered form only, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000.
Trustee   JPMorgan Chase Bank, formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank.

S-4

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Some of the statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to change and uncertainty which are, in many instances, beyond our control and have been made based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon us. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management's expectations or that the effect of future developments on us will be those anticipated by management. Actual results could differ materially from those expected by us, depending on the outcome of various factors. These factors include:

S-5

RISK FACTORS

        Your investment in the notes involves certain risks. In consultation with your own financial and legal advisers, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the following discussion of risks before deciding whether an investment in the notes is suitable for you. The notes are not an appropriate investment for you if you are unsophisticated with respect to the significant terms of the notes or financial matters.

Our sales could be negatively impacted if one or more of our key customers substantially reduce orders for our products

        Our customer base is relatively concentrated with less than 10 significant customers accounting for a high percentage (greater than 50%) of net sales in most of our businesses, including those purchasing liquid crystal display glass. However, no individual customer accounts for more than 10% of consolidated sales.

        In our Technologies segment, several of our businesses also have a concentrated customer base. These businesses include Corning's display technologies, environmental products and semiconductor materials. If we lose a significant customer in any of these businesses, our sales could be negatively impacted.

        Although the sale of display glass has increased from quarter to quarter in 2003, there can be no assurance that this upward trend will continue. Our customers are panel makers, and as they switch to larger size glass, the pace of their orders may be uneven while they adjust their manufacturing processes and facilities. There is a risk that our customers may not be able to access sufficient capital to fund ongoing expansions.

        Over recent years, most of our major customers in the Telecommunications segment have reduced their purchases of our products and have expressed uncertainty as to their future requirements. As a result, our sales have declined to their current low levels, and it is difficult to predict future sales accurately. The conditions contributing to this difficulty include:

        While we have responded to the depressed telecommunications market by reducing excess capacity and cutting costs, we cannot assure you that our plans will be successful in mitigating the adverse effects of a prolonged downturn. The continuing downturn in the telecommunications industry may be more severe and prolonged than expected. If our net sales continue to decline, our ability to meet financial expectations for future periods may be impaired, and we may need to impair goodwill or record additional reserves against deferred tax assets.

If we do not successfully adjust our manufacturing volumes and fixed cost structure, or achieve manufacturing yields or sufficient product reliability, our operating results could suffer, and we may not achieve profitability as anticipated

        In the economic and industry downturn for our Telecommunications segment, we have responded to the softer market by cutting costs, including the reduction of our manufacturing volumes. We continued to execute our restructuring plans in 2003. We have closed two fiber facilities and mothballed another and closed several factories that made photonics, cabling or hardware and equipment. In 2003, we reduced our workforce by 1,975 positions, and we have reduced more than 21,000 positions since 2001. We cannot assure you that our plans will be successful in mitigating the adverse effects of a softer market, nor can we assure you that additional adjustments and charges will not be necessary to respond to further market changes.

S-6


        We plan to spend $425 million to $475 million in 2004 to expand our liquid crystal display glass facilities in response to increased customer demand. Although we expect to complete these expansion projects, we may not achieve the manufacturing efficiencies, product improvements or level of sales that we anticipate.

        In addition, our restructuring programs and current business plans are designed to restore profitability and improve cash flow, but we cannot be certain that this will occur or that we will return to positive cash flow at the levels and in the time period we are targeting.

        The manufacturing of our products involves highly complex and precise processes, requiring production in highly controlled and clean environments. Any changes in our manufacturing processes or those of our suppliers could significantly reduce our manufacturing yields and product reliability. In some cases, existing manufacturing may be insufficient to achieve the volume or cost targets of our customers. We will need to develop new manufacturing processes and techniques to achieve targeted volume and cost levels. While we continue to fund projects to improve our manufacturing techniques and processes, we may not achieve cost levels in our manufacturing activities that will fully satisfy our customers.

We have incurred, and may in the future incur, restructuring and other charges, the amounts of which are difficult to predict accurately

        The telecommunications industry was severely hampered from 2001 to 2003 by continued excess manufacturing capacity, increased intensity of competition, and growing pressure on price and profits. These negative trends are expected to continue in 2004. In 2001 through 2003, we recorded charges for restructuring, impairment of assets, and the write-off of cost and equity-based investments.

        Our ability to forecast our customers' needs for our products in the current economic and industry environment is limited. Our results in 2003 and 2002 included significant charges for impairment of long-lived assets, primarily in the Telecommunications segment and the conventional television glass and specialty materials businesses of our Technologies segment.

        We may record additional charges for restructuring or other asset impairments if additional actions become necessary to respond to align costs to a reduced level of demand.

In the event we incur continued operating losses, we may be unable to recognize future deferred tax assets and may be required to reassess our ability to realize the deferred tax assets already recorded

        At December 31, 2003, we had recorded gross deferred tax assets of approximately $2.1 billion with a valuation allowance of $469 million, and offset by deferred tax liabilities of $201 million. Net domestic deferred tax assets were approximately $1.3 billion. Although management expects the domestic deferred tax assets to be realized from future earnings, currently, we are generating domestic losses. Our forecast of domestic income is based on assumptions about and current trends in our operating segments, and we cannot assure you that such results will be achieved. As a result, we may record additional material deferred tax valuation reserves that would reduce our net income and shareholders' equity. If we record such a valuation allowance, we will also cease to recognize additional tax benefits on any losses in the United States.

If the markets for our products do not develop and expand as we anticipate, demand for our products may decline further, which would negatively impact our results of operations and financial performance

        The markets for our products are characterized by rapidly changing technologies, evolving industry government standards and frequent new product introductions. Our success is expected to depend, in substantial part, on the timely and successful introduction of new products, upgrades of current products to comply with emerging industry government standards, our ability to acquire technologies needed to remain competitive and our ability to address competing technologies and products. In addition, the following factors

S-7


related to our products and the markets for them, if not achieved, could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial performance:

We face pricing pressures in each of our leading businesses that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial performance

        We periodically face pricing pressures in each of our leading businesses as a result of intense competition, emerging new technologies, or over-capacity. While we will work toward reducing our costs to respond to the pricing pressures that may continue, we may not be able to achieve proportionate reductions in costs. As a result of overcapacity and the current economic and industry downturn in the Telecommunications segment, pricing pressures continued in 2003, particularly in our optical fiber and cable products. Pricing pressure has also continued in our display glass business as the manufacturers of desktop displays strive to reduce their costs.

We have incurred, and may in the future incur, goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges

        Acquisitions recorded as purchases for accounting purposes have resulted in the recognition of significant amounts of goodwill and other purchased intangibles. At December 31, 2003, the Telecommunications and Technologies operating segment goodwill balances were $1.6 billion and $159 million, respectively. The potential impairment of these assets could reduce our net income and shareholders' equity.

        Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," pursuant to which goodwill is no longer amortized but is subject to impairment tests at least annually. The goodwill impairment accounting rules are intricate and require that we make certain difficult, subjective and complex judgments involving a number of matters, including assumptions and estimates used to determine the fair value of our reporting units. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level. The criteria for establishing a reporting unit is dependent upon how a company determines its operating segments under SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." Specifically, SFAS No. 142 permits a company to define a reporting unit as either an operating segment, a component of an operating segment or an aggregation of two or more components of an operating segment. The reporting unit for the Telecommunications segment goodwill is the Telecommunications operating segment. The reporting units for the Technologies segment are components of the Technologies segment.

        During 2002, we completed our annual goodwill impairment test, determined the Telecommunications goodwill balance was impaired, and recorded a related impairment charge of $400 million. Our 2002 testing results also determined that the Technologies segment goodwill was not impaired. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we completed our annual goodwill impairment test and determined that the goodwill balances were not impaired. While we believe the estimates and judgments about future cash flows used in the goodwill

S-8


impairment tests are reasonable, we cannot provide assurance that future impairment charges will not be required if the expected cash flow estimates as projected by management do not occur.

        We are currently in discussion with the staff of the SEC on the determination of our operating segments. We believe that our determination of our operating segments under SFAS No. 131 is appropriate. However, it is possible that the outcome of this discussion could be a revision of how we define and disclose our operating segments. A change in how we define our Telecommunications operating segment could impact our goodwill impairment tests under SFAS No. 142. Specifically, we could be required to record a net additional goodwill impairment charge of up to $600 million (pre-tax) in 2002. Although this potential charge would increase our 2002 net loss, it would not impact our 2002 operating cash flows because goodwill impairments are noncash charges. Our debt to capital ratio ranged from 44% to 47% throughout 2002. This potential charge would have increased our debt to capital ratio to no higher than 51%, which would still be below the 60% financial covenant limit relating to our $2.0 billion revolving credit facility. The potential 2002 goodwill impairment charge would have no impact on operating results or operating cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2003.

We may be limited in our ability to obtain additional capital on commercially reasonable terms

        Although we believe existing cash, short-term investments and borrowing capacity, collectively, provide adequate resources to fund ongoing operating requirements, we may be required to seek additional financing to compete effectively in our markets. Our public debt ratings affect our ability to raise capital and the cost of such capital. In July 2002, Fitch downgraded our senior unsecured long-term debt rating from BBB- to BB; Standard & Poor's downgraded our senior unsecured long-term debt rating from BBB- to BB+ and short-term debt credit rating from A-3 to B; and Moody's reduced our senior unsecured long-term debt rating from Baa3 to Ba2 and short-term debt credit rating from Prime-3 to Not Prime. These and any further downgrades may increase our borrowing costs and affect our ability to access the debt capital markets.

        As a result of our lower debt ratings, we may face difficulties in our business. For example, we may face increasing requirements to post cash collateral for performance bonds and some customers may seek alternative suppliers.

        We are subject under our revolving credit facility to a covenant that requires us to maintain a ratio of total debt to capital, as defined under our credit facility, of not greater than 60%. Our total debt to capital ratio was 34% at December 31, 2003. This covenant may limit our ability to borrow funds. Further declines or failure to recover in our Telecommunications segment could cause impairments of goodwill, deferred tax assets, tangible or intangible assets or restructuring charges related to our overall business. Additional impairments or charges could materially increase our total debt to capital ratio which may reduce the amounts we are able to borrow under our revolving credit facility.

If our products or components purchased from our suppliers experience performance issues, our business will suffer

        Our business depends on the production of excellent products of consistently high quality. To this end, our products, including components purchased from our suppliers, are tested for quality both by us and our customers. Nevertheless, our products are highly complex, and our customers' testing procedures are limited to evaluating our products under likely and foreseeable failure scenarios. For various reasons (including, among others, the occurrence of performance problems unforeseeable in testing), our products and components purchased from our suppliers may fail to perform as expected. Performance issues could result from faulty design or problems in manufacturing or testing. We have experienced such performance issues in the past and remain exposed to such performance issues. In some cases, product redesigns or additional capital equipment may be required to correct a defect. In addition, any significant or systemic product failure could result in customer relations problems and harm the future sales of our products.

S-9


Interruptions of supplies from our key suppliers may affect our results of operations and financial performance

        Interruptions of supplies from our key suppliers could disrupt production or impact our ability to increase production and sales. We do not have long-term or volume purchase agreements with every supplier, and may have limited options for alternative supply if these suppliers fail, for any reason, including their business failure or financial difficulties, to continue the supply of components.

We face intense competition in most of our businesses

        We expect that we will face additional competition from existing competitors and from a number of companies that may enter our markets. Because some of the markets in which we compete have been historically characterized by rapid growth and are characterized by rapid technology changes, smaller niche and start-up companies may become our principal competitors in the future. We must invest in research and development, expand our engineering, manufacturing and marketing capabilities, and continue to improve customer service and support in order to remain competitive. While we expect to undertake the investment and effort in each of these areas, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain or improve our competitive position.

We may experience difficulties in enforcing our intellectual property rights and we may be subject to claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others

        We may encounter difficulties in protecting our intellectual property rights or obtaining rights to additional intellectual property necessary to permit us to continue or expand our businesses. We cannot assure you that the patents that we hold or may obtain will provide meaningful protection against our competitors or competitive technologies. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets and to determine the validity and scope of our proprietary rights. Litigation is inherently uncertain and the outcome is often unpredictable. Other companies hold patents on technologies used in our industries and are aggressively seeking to expand, enforce and license their patent portfolios.

        The intellectual property rights of others could inhibit our ability to introduce new products. We are, and may in the future be, subject to claims of intellectual property infringement or misappropriation and we cannot assure you as to the outcome of such claims. Litigation or claims against us could force us to cease selling or using any of our products that incorporate the intellectual property that is the subject of such claims, obtain a license from a third party, or redesign or rename our products. These actions, if possible, could result in substantial costs or loss of revenue.

Current or future litigation may harm our financial condition or results of operations

        Pending, threatened or future litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties. Our financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected by unfavorable outcomes, expenses and costs exceeding amounts estimated or insured. In particular, we have been named as a defendant in numerous lawsuits against Pittsburgh Corning Corporation and several other defendants involving claims alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos. As described in "Legal Proceedings" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, our negotiations with the representatives of asbestos claimants have produced a tentative settlement, but certain cases may still be litigated. Final approval of a global settlement through the PCC bankruptcy process may impact the results of operations for the period in which such costs, if any, are recognized. Total charges of $413 million ($263 million after-tax) have been incurred through December 31, 2003; however, the final settlement value will be dependent on the price of our common stock at the time it is contributed to the settlement trust. Management cannot provide assurances that the ultimate outcome of a settlement will not be materially different from the amount recorded to date.

S-10


We face risks related to our international operations and sales

        We have customers and significant operations, including manufacturing and sales, located outside the United States. We have large manufacturing operations for liquid crystal display glass substrates in the Asia-Pacific region, including equity investments in companies operating in China and South Korea that make liquid crystal display glass and telecommunications products, and several significant customers are located in this region. As a result of these and other international operations, we face a number of risks, including:

Our equity investments in companies that we do not control generated substantial equity earnings

        Dow Corning Corporation (which makes silicone products) and Samsung Corning Precision Glass Co., Ltd. (which makes liquid crystal display glass) are two companies in which we have a 50% ownership interest. During 2003, we recognized $226 million in equity earnings from these two companies. Dow Corning remains in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Samsung Corning Precision is located in the Asia-Pacific region and, as such, is subject to those geographic risks referred to above. We have equity investments in other companies within and outside the United States, and many of these have been successful operations over the years. With 50% or lower ownership, we do not control such equity companies nor their management and operations. Performance of our equity investments may not continue at the same levels in the future.

We face risks due to foreign currency fluctuations

        Because we have significant customers and operations outside the United States, fluctuations in foreign currencies affect our sales and profit levels. Foreign exchange rates may make our products less competitive in countries where local currencies decline in value relative to the dollar.

If the financial condition of our customers declines, our credit risks could increase

        In 2002 and 2003, certain of our customers experienced financial difficulties, and some filed with the courts seeking protection under bankruptcy or reorganization laws. We have experienced, and in the future may experience, losses as a result of our inability to collect our accounts receivable, as well as the loss of such customer's ongoing business. If our customers fail to meet their payment obligations to us, we could experience reduced cash flows and losses in excess of amounts reserved. As of December 31, 2003, reserves for trade receivables totaled approximately $38 million.

We may not have adequate insurance coverage for claims against us

        We face the risk of loss resulting from, and adverse publicity associated with, product liability, securities, fiduciary liability, intellectual property, antitrust, contractual, warranty, fraud and other lawsuits, whether or not such claims are valid. In addition, our product liability, fiduciary, directors and officers, property and comprehensive general liability insurance may not be adequate to cover such claims or may not be available to the extent we expect. Our insurance costs have increased substantially and may increase further. We may not be able to get adequate insurance coverage in the future at acceptable costs. A successful claim that exceeds or is not covered by our policy limits could require us to pay substantial sums. Some of the carriers in our historic excess insurance program are not rated, or may have lower ratings, and may not be able to respond if we should have claims reaching into excess layers. In addition, we may not be able to insure against certain risks or obtain some types of insurance, such as terrorism insurance.

S-11

ABOUT THE COMPANY

        We trace our origins to a glass business established in 1851. The present corporation was incorporated in the State of New York in December 1936, and our name was changed from Corning Glass Works to Corning Incorporated on April 28, 1989.

        We are a global, technology-based corporation that operates in two reportable business segments:

        The Telecommunications segment produces optical fiber and cable, optical hardware and equipment, photonic modules and components for the worldwide telecommunications industry. The Technologies segment manufactures specialized products with unique properties for customer applications utilizing glass, glass ceramic and polymer technologies. Businesses within this segment include liquid crystal display glass for flat panel displays, environmental products, life science products, glass panels and funnels for televisions and cathode ray products, semiconductor materials, optical and technical products.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement will be approximately $396 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses we will pay.

        We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes.

        We will invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade obligations until they are applied as described above.

S-12

CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our short-term debt and capitalization as of December 31, 2003 and as adjusted to give effect to the offering of the notes and the application of the net proceeds from the offering.

 
   December 31, 2003
  
 
   Actual
   As
Adjusted
  
 
   (Dollars in millions)

  
Cash and short-term investments   $ 1,266   $ 1,662  
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term notes payable     146     146  
Long-term debt excluding current maturities     2,668     2,668  
5.90% notes due 2014     0     200  
6.20% notes due 2016     0     200  
Minority interests     36     36  
Shareholders' equity              
  Preferred stock—par value $100.00 per share
Shares authorized: 10 million		              
      Series C mandatory convertible preferred stock—shares issued: 5.75 million; shares outstanding: 854,000     85     85  
  Common stock—par value $0.50 per share; shares authorized: 3.8 billion; shares issued: 1,401 million     701     701  
Additional paid-in capital     10,298     10,298  
Accumulated deficit     (5,144 )   (5,144 )
Treasury stock, at cost; shares held: 58 million     (574 )   (574 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     98     98  
   
 
 
  Total shareholders' equity     5,464     5,464  
   
 
 
  Total capitalization   $ 8,314   $ 8,714  
   
 
 

S-13

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is as follows:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
 
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges   *   *   *   4.2x   5.1x
   
 
 
 
 
*
Loss before taxes and fixed charges as adjusted were inadequate to cover total fixed charges by approximately $650 million, $2.6 billion and $6.1 billion at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

        For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of: (i) income from continuing operations before taxes on income, equity in earnings of associated companies and minority interest; (ii) dividends received from equity investees; (iii) amortization of previously capitalized interest; and (iv) fixed charges net of capitalized interest.

        Fixed charges consist of: (i) interest on indebtedness, including capitalized interest; (ii) amortization of debt issuance costs; and (iii) a portion of rental expenses which represents an appropriate interest rate factor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

        The following summary of the particular terms of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement supplements and, to the extent inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, replaces the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities contained in the accompanying prospectus, to which description reference is made by this prospectus supplement. The statements in this prospectus supplement concerning the notes and the Indenture (as defined below) do not purport to be complete. All such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the accompanying prospectus and the provisions of the Indenture, the form of which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Corning will issue the notes under an indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of November 8, 2000, between Corning and JPMorgan Chase Bank, formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"). For a description of the rights attaching to different series of debt securities under the Indenture, see "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees" in the accompanying prospectus.

Title

        5.90% Notes due 2014.

        6.20% Notes due 2016.

        Corning may, without the consent of the holders of notes, re-open this offering and issue additional notes having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity date and other terms as the notes being offered by this prospectus supplement. Any additional notes, together with the notes offered by this prospectus supplement, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the Indenture.

Total Initial Principal Amount of Notes

        $200,000,000 of the 2014 notes.

        $200,000,000 of the 2016 notes.

Maturity of Notes

        The 2014 notes will mature on March 15, 2014 and the 2016 notes will mature on March 15, 2016.

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Interest Rate on Notes

        The interest rate on the 2014 notes is 5.90% per year and the interest rate on the 2016 notes is 6.20% per year, in each case, computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

Date Interest Begins to Accrue on Notes

        Interest will begin to accrue on the notes on March 12, 2004.

Interest Payment Dates

        Corning will pay interest on the notes on each March 15 and September 15 (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest payable on each Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued from March 12, 2004 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for.

First Interest Payment Date

        September 15, 2004.

Regular Record Dates for Interest

        Corning will pay interest payable on any Interest Payment Date to the person in whose name a note (or any predecessor note) is registered at the close of business on March 1 or September 1, as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent

        The Trustee will initially be the securities registrar and paying agent and will act as such only at its offices in New York, New York. Corning may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designations or approve a change in the offices where they act.

Global Securities

        The notes will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). Corning will issue the notes in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. Corning will deposit the global securities with the Trustee on behalf of DTC and will register the global securities in the name of DTC's nominee. See "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Legal Ownership of Debt Securities" and "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—What is a Global Security" in the accompanying prospectus.

Optional Redemption

        The notes will be redeemable in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:


        In each case we will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be redeemed to the date of redemption.

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        "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term ("Remaining Life") of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of, corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.

        "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

        "Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers that we appoint to act as the Independent Investment Banker from time to time.

        "Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities lnc. and their respective successors, and two other firms that are primary U.S. Government securities dealers (each a "Primary Treasury Dealer") which we will specify from time to time; provided, however, that if any of them ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

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

        "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to: (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated "H.15(519)" or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue; provided that, if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life of the notes to be redeemed, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month; or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

        Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of the notes to be redeemed at its registered address. The notice of redemption for the notes will state, among other things, the amount of notes to be redeemed, the redemption date, the manner in which the redemption price will be calculated and the place or places that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of notes to be redeemed. Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on any notes that have been called for redemption at the redemption date.

Trading in DTC

        Indirect holders trading their beneficial interests in the global securities through DTC must trade in DTC's same-day funds settlement system and pay in immediately available funds.

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Sinking Fund

        There is no sinking fund.

Certain Covenants

        The Indenture governing the notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, will:

        These covenants are described under the caption "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Restricted Covenants and Defeasance" in the accompanying prospectus.

Defeasance

        The notes are subject to Corning's ability to choose "full defeasance" and "covenant defeasance" as described under the caption "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Restricted Covenants and Defeasance—Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" in the accompanying prospectus.

Definitive Securities

        A permanent global security is exchangeable for definitive notes registered in the name of any person other than DTC or its nominee, only if:

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

        The underwriters will make settlement for the notes in immediately available or same-day funds. So long as the notes are represented by the global securities, Corning will make all payments of principal and interest in immediately available funds.

        Secondary trading in notes and debentures of corporate issuers is generally settled in clearing-house or next-day funds. In contrast, so long as the notes are represented by the global securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, the notes will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System. DTC will require secondary market trading activity in the notes represented by the global securities to settle in immediately available or same-day funds. Corning cannot give any assurances as to the effect, if any, of settlement in same-day funds on trading activity in the notes.

Governing Law

        The Indenture and the notes are governed by and will be construed in accordance with New York law.

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UNDERWRITING

        Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters named below have severally agreed to purchase from us, and we have agreed to sell, the principal amount of notes listed opposite their names below at the public offering price less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement:

Underwriter
   Principal
Amount
of 2014 Notes
   Principal
Amount
of 2016 Notes
Banc of America Securities LLC   $ 111,221,000   $ 111,221,000
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.     74,147,000     74,147,000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.     14,632,000     14,632,000
   
 
  Total   $ 200,000,000   $ 200,000,000
   
 

        The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to purchase the notes offered hereby are subject to certain conditions and that the underwriters will purchase all of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement if any of these notes are purchased.

        We have been advised by the representatives of the underwriters that the underwriters propose to offer the notes directly to the public at the public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at such prices less a concession not in excess of .650% of the principal amount of the 2014 notes and a concession not in excess of ..400% of the principal amount of the 2016 notes. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may re-allow, a concession not in excess of .450% of the principal amount of the 2014 notes and a concession not in excess of .350% of the principal amount of the 2016 notes to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, representatives of the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms.

        We estimate that our share of the total expenses of this offering, excluding the underwriting discounts, will be approximately $400,000.

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.

        The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. The underwriters may make a market in the notes after completion of the offering, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that an active public market for the notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

        In connection with the offering of the notes, certain of the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position. In addition, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the notes in the open market to cover short positions or to stabilize the price of the notes. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the notes above independent market levels, but no representation is made hereby of the magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the market price of the notes. The underwriters will not be required to engage in these activities, and may engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time without notice.

        The underwriters and their affiliates have provided and in the future may continue to provide investment banking and other financial services, including the provision of credit facilities, to us in the ordinary course

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of business for which they have received and will receive customary compensation. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. is an affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, the Trusee under the Indenture related to the notes offered hereby.

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

        The validity of the notes is being passed upon for us by William D. Eggers, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Corning. The validity of the notes we are offering is being passed upon for the underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York, New York.

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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Corning Incorporated
and
Corning Finance B.V.

By this prospectus, we may offer from time to time up to $5,000,000,000 of:                          

                            •     Debt Securities of Corning Incorporated;

                            •     Guaranteed Debt Securities of Corning Finance B.V.;

                            •     Debt Warrants and Equity Warrants of Corning Incorporated;

                            •     Preferred Stock of Corning Incorporated;

                            •     Depositary Shares of Corning Incorporated; and

                            •     Common Stock of Corning Incorporated.

        When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of securities, including the offering price of the securities. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

        The common stock of Corning Incorporated is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GLW."

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

This prospectus is dated March 29, 2001.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
   Page
Corning Incorporated   2
Corning Finance B.V.   2
Risk Factors   2
Use of Proceeds   3
Securities We May Issue   3
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
Ratios of Earnings to Combined
Fixed Charges Including Preferred
Stock Dividends		   3

Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees
 
5
Description of Warrants   24
Description of Preferred Stock   29
Description of Depositary Shares   33
Description of Common Stock   36
Plan of Distribution   39
Validity of Securities   39
Experts   39
Where You Can Find More Information   40


CORNING INCORPORATED

        We trace our origins to a glass business established in 1851. The present corporation was incorporated in the State of New York in December 1936, and our name was changed from Corning Glass Works to Corning Incorporated on April 28, 1989. In this prospectus, "Corning" refers to Corning Incorporated and not Corning Finance B.V.

        We are a global, technology-based corporation which operates in three broadly based operating business segments:

        The Telecommunications segment produces optical fiber and cable, optical hardware and equipment, photonic modules and components and optical networking devices for the worldwide telecommunications industry. The Advanced Materials segment manufactures specialized products with unique properties for customer applications utilizing glass, glass ceramic and polymer technologies. Businesses within this segment include environmental products, life science products, semiconductor materials and optical and lighting products. The Information Display segment manufactures glass panels and funnels for televisions and CRT's, liquid-crystal display glass for flat panel displays and projection video lens assemblies.

        Our principal office is located at One Riverfront Plaza, Corning, New York 14831. Our telephone number is (607) 974-9000.


CORNING FINANCE B.V.

        Corning Finance B.V. is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Corning, incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands solely for the purpose of raising capital to meet the financing needs of Corning and its subsidiaries. Corning Finance B.V. has no independent operations. Its principal executive offices are located at Strawinskylaan 3105, 1007 Amsterdam; telephone: 31.20.406.4444.


RISK FACTORS

        The securities to be offered may involve various degrees of risk, including the risks described in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should carefully consider the important factors set forth in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before investing in any securities that may be offered.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        Except as may be set forth in the prospectus supplement(s), we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered under this prospectus and the prospectus supplement(s) for general corporate purposes. Our general corporate purposes may include:

        Corning Finance B.V. will lend the net proceeds from the sale of any debt securities offered by it to Corning or its subsidiaries to be used for similar purposes. We will determine any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose at the time of the offering and will describe the allocation in the related prospectus supplement.


SECURITIES WE MAY ISSUE

        We may use this prospectus to offer up to $5,000,000,000 of:

        A prospectus supplement will describe the specific types, amounts, prices, and detailed terms of any of these securities.


RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES
INCLUDING PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

        The table below sets forth:

        For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of:

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        Fixed charges consist of:

        Preferred dividends consist of dividends paid on:


 
   Year Ended
 
   Dec. 31,
2000
   Dec. 31,
1999
   Dec. 31,
1998
   Dec. 31,
1997
   Dec. 31,
1996
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges   4.6x   5.4x   4.8x   6.7x   7.3x
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges including preferred stock dividends   4.6x   5.2x   4.1x   5.6x   5.8x

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

General

        As required by U.S. federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called the indenture. In the case of debt securities issued by Corning, the applicable indenture is a contract between Corning and J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, which acts as trustee, dated as of November 8, 2000. In the case of debt securities issued by Corning Finance B.V., the applicable indenture is a contract to be entered into among Corning Finance B.V., Corning, which acts as guarantor, and J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, which acts as trustee. The trustee has two main roles:


        We may issue as many distinct series of debt securities under each indenture as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the debt securities that are common to all series. Most of the financial terms and other specific terms of your series are described in the prospectus supplement attached to the front of this prospectus. Those terms may vary from the terms described here. The prospectus supplement may also describe special Federal income tax consequences of the debt securities.

        This section and your prospectus supplement summarize all the material terms of each indenture and your debt security. They do not, however, describe every aspect of each indenture and your debt security.

        Each indenture and its associated documents, including your debt security, contain the full text of the matters described in this section and your prospectus supplement. Each indenture and the debt securities are governed by New York law. A copy of each indenture has been filed with the SEC as part of our registration statement. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below for information on how to obtain a copy.

Legal Ownership of Debt Securities

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

        We will issue debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the debt securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

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

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

        In the future we may terminate a global security or issue debt securities initially in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in "street name". Debt securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those debt securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

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

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

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

        When we refer to you, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.

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

What Is a Global Security?

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

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

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

        If the prospectus supplement for a particular debt security indicates that the debt security will be issued in global form only, then the debt security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. We describe the situations in which this can occur below under "—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated". The global security may be a master global security, although your prospectus supplement will not indicate whether it is a master global security. If termination occurs, we may issue the debt securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the debt securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

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

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

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

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

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

Ranking

        Each series of debt securities will not be secured by any property or assets of Corning or Corning Finance B.V., and will not be subordinated to any other obligations of either Corning or Corning Finance B.V., as applicable.

Full and Unconditional Guarantee of the Debt Securities of Corning Finance B.V.

        All debt securities issued by Corning Finance B.V. will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed under a guarantee by Corning of the payment of principal of, and any premium, interest and "additional amounts" on, these debt securities when due, whether at maturity or otherwise. For a discussion of the payment of "additional amounts", please see "—Payment of Additional Amounts with Respect to the Guaranteed Debt Securities". Under the terms of the full and unconditional guarantee, holders of the guaranteed debt securities will not be required to exercise their remedies against Corning Finance B.V. before they proceed directly against Corning.

Payment of Additional Amounts With Respect to the Guaranteed Debt Securities

        Unless otherwise indicated in your prospectus supplement, all amounts of principal of, and any premium and interest on, any guaranteed debt securities will be paid by Corning Finance B.V. without deduction or withholding for any taxes, assessments or other charges imposed by the government of The Netherlands, or the government of a jurisdiction in which a successor to Corning Finance B.V. is organized. If deduction or withholding of any of these charges is required by The Netherlands, or by a jurisdiction in which a successor to Corning Finance B.V. is organized, Corning Finance B.V. will pay as additional interest any additional amounts necessary to make the net amount paid to the affected holders equal the amount the holders would have received in the absence of the deduction or withholding. However, these "additional amounts" do not include:

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The European Union is currently considering proposals for a new directive regarding the taxation of savings income. Subject to a number of important conditions being met, it is proposed that Member States will be required to provide to the tax authorities of another Member State details of payments of interest or other similar income paid by a person within its jurisdiction to an individual resident in that other Member State, subject to the right of certain Member States to opt instead for a withholding system for a transitional period in relation to such payments.

        The prospectus supplement will describe any additional circumstances under which additional amounts will not be paid with respect to debt securities.

Redemption and Repayment

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

        If your prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date or a repayment date, it will also specify one or more redemption prices or repayment prices, which will be expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of your debt security. It may also specify one or more redemption periods during which the redemption prices relating to a redemption of debt securities during those periods will apply.

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

        If your prospectus supplement specifies a repayment date, your debt security will be repayable at your option on the specified repayment date at the specified repayment price, together with interest accrued to the repayment date.

        In the event that we exercise an option to redeem any debt security, we will give to the trustee and the holder written notice of the principal amount of the debt security to be redeemed, not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days before the applicable redemption date. We will give the notice in the manner described below in "—Notices".

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

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

        In the event that the option of the holder to elect repayment as described above is deemed to be a "tender offer" within the meaning of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we will comply with Rule 14e-1 as then in effect to the extent it is applicable to us and the transaction.

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

Optional Tax Redemption

        Unless otherwise indicated in your prospectus supplement, except in the case of debt securities that have a variable rate of interest, which may be redeemed on any interest payment date, Corning Finance B.V. may redeem each series of its debt securities at its option in whole but not in part at any time. Except in the case of outstanding original issue discount debt securities which may be redeemed at the redemption price specified by the terms of that series of debt securities, the redemption price will be equal to the principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of redemption, if:

        In both of these cases, however, we will not be permitted to redeem a series of debt securities if we can avoid either the payment of additional amounts, or deductions or withholding, as the case may be, by using reasonable measures available to us.

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Conversion

        Your debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities of Corning if your prospectus supplement so provides. If your debt securities are convertible or exchangeable, your prospectus supplement will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at your option or at our option. Your prospectus supplement would also include provisions regarding the adjustment of the number of shares of common stock or other securities of Corning to be received by you upon conversion or exchange.

Mergers and Similar Transactions

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

Restrictive Covenants and Defeasance

        In each indenture, Corning promises that it will not become nor permit any of its domestic subsidiaries to become obligated on any new debt that is secured by a lien on any of its or its domestic subsidiary's principal domestic manufacturing properties, or on any shares of stock or debt of any of its domestic subsidiaries, unless it grants an equivalent or higher-ranking lien on the same property to you and the other direct holders of the debt securities and, if applicable, the guarantees.

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        Corning does not need to comply with this restriction if the amount of all debt that is secured by liens on its principal domestic manufacturing properties is less than 10% of its consolidated net tangible assets. In performing this calculation, debt secured would include the new debt and the securities which it would secure as described in the previous paragraph.

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

        Corning can also disregard debt secured by liens that extend, renew or replace any of these types of liens.

        Corning and its subsidiaries are permitted to have as much unsecured debt as they may choose, and neither indenture restricts liens on any of the shares of stock of Corning or of less than 80%-owned subsidiaries.

        In each indenture, Corning promises that neither it nor any of its domestic subsidiaries will enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving a principal domestic manufacturing property, unless it complies with this restrictive covenant. A "sale and leaseback transaction" generally is an arrangement between Corning or a domestic subsidiary and a bank, insurance company or other lender or investor where Corning or the domestic subsidiary lease a principal domestic manufacturing property, for more than three years, which was or will be sold by Corning or the domestic subsidiary to that lender or investor more than 180 days after the completion of construction of the property and the beginning of its full operation.

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

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

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        Following are the meanings of the terms that are important in understanding the restrictive covenants previously described.

        Unless we say otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the provisions for full defeasance and covenant defeasance described below apply to each series of debt securities. In general, we expect these provisions to apply to each U.S. dollar-denominated debt security that is not a floating rate or indexed debt security.

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

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

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

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

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

Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default

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

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

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

        Each of the situations described above is called an acceleration of the maturity of the affected debt securities. If the maturity of any debt securities is accelerated and a judgment for payment has not yet been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities affected by the acceleration may cancel the acceleration for all the affected debt securities.

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

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

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

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

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        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities may waive a default for all of the relevant series of debt securities. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it has not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on a particular debt security, however, without the approval of the holder of that debt security.

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

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

Modification and Waiver of Covenants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Form, Exchange and Transfer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Payment Mechanics

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

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

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

        Payments on Non-Global Securities.    We will make payments on a debt security in non-global form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee's records as of the close of business on the record date. We will make all other payments by check at the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security. All payments by check will be made in next-day funds—i.e., funds that become available on the day after the check is cashed.

        Alternatively, if a non-global security has a face amount of at least $1,000,000 and the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request wire payment, the holder must give the paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. In the case of any other payment, payment will be made only after the debt

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security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

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

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

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

        Unless otherwise indicated in your prospectus supplement, if you are an indirect holder of global notes denominated in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars and if you elect to receive payments in that other currency, you must notify the participant through which your interest in the global security is held of your election:

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

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

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

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

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

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

        Payments on Non-Global Securities.    Except as described in the last paragraph under this heading, we will make payments on debt securities in non-global form in the applicable specified currency. We will make these payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to any account that is maintained in the applicable specified currency at a bank designated by the holder and acceptable to us and the trustee. To designate an account for wire payment, the holder must give the paying agent appropriate wire instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the

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person or entity who is the holder on the regular record date. In the case of any other payment, the payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are properly given in the manner described above.

        If a holder fails to give instructions as described above, we will notify the holder at the address in the trustee's records and will make the payment within five business days after the holder provides appropriate instructions. Any late payment made in these circumstances will be treated under the indenture as if made on the due date, and no interest will accrue on the late payment from the due date to the date paid.

        Although a payment on a debt security in non-global form may be due in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars, we will make the payment in U.S. dollars if the holder asks us to do so. To request U.S. dollar payment, the holder must provide appropriate written notice to the trustee at least five business days before the next due date for which payment in U.S. dollars is requested. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the request must be made by the person or entity who is the holder on the regular record date. Any request, once properly made, will remain in effect unless and until revoked by notice properly given in the manner described above.

Book-entry and other indirect holders of a debt security with a specified currency other than U.S. dollars should contact their banks or brokers for information about how to receive payments in the specified currency or in U.S. dollars.

        Conversion to U.S. Dollars.    When we are asked by a holder to make payments in U.S. dollars of an amount due in another currency, either on a global security or a non-global security as described above, we will determine the U.S. dollar amount the holder receives as follows. The exchange rate agent described below will request currency bid quotations expressed in U.S. dollars from three or, if three are not available, then two, recognized foreign exchange dealers in New York City, any of which may be the exchange rate agent, as of 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second business day before the payment date. Currency bid quotations will be requested on an aggregate basis, for all holders of debt securities, if any, requesting U.S. dollar payments of amounts due on the same date in the same specified currency. The U.S. dollar amount the holder receives will be based on the highest acceptable currency bid quotation received by the exchange rate agent. If the exchange rate agent determines that at least two acceptable currency bid quotations are not available on that second business day, the payment will be made in the specified currency.

        To be acceptable, a quotation must be given as of 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second business day before the due date and the quoting dealer must commit to execute a contract at the quotation.

        A holder that requests payment in U.S. dollars will bear all associated currency exchange costs, which will be deducted from the payment.

        When the Specified Currency is not Available.    If we are obligated to make any payment in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars, and the specified currency is not available to us due to circumstances beyond our control—which may include the imposition of exchange controls or a disruption in the currency markets—we will be entitled to satisfy our obligation to make the payment in that specified currency by making the payment in U.S. dollars, on the basis of the most recently available exchange rate.

        For a specified currency other than U.S. dollars, the exchange rate will be the noon buying rate for cable transfers of the specified currency in New York City as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the then-most recent day to which that Bank has quoted that rate.

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        The foregoing will apply to any debt security, whether in global or non-global form, and to any payment, including a payment at maturity. Any payment made under the circumstances and in a manner described above will not result in a default under either indenture.

        The Euro.    The euro may be a specified currency for some debt securities. On January 1, 1999, the euro became the legal currency for the 11 member states participating in the European Economic and Monetary Union. During a transition period from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001 and for a maximum of six months thereafter, the former national currencies of these 11 member states will continue to be legal tender in their country of issue, at rates irrevocably fixed on December 31, 1998.

        Exchange Rate Agent.    If we issue a debt security in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars, we will appoint a financial institution to act as the exchange rate agent and will name the institution initially appointed when the debt security is originally issued in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may change the exchange rate agent from time to time after the original issue date of the debt security without your consent and without notifying you of the change.

        All determinations made by the exchange rate agent will be at its sole discretion unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that any determination is subject to our approval. In the absence of manifest error, those determinations will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on you and us, without any liability on the part of the exchange rate agent.

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

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

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

Notices

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

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

Our Relationship with the Trustee

        J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. is initially serving as the trustee for the debt securities to be issued under the indentures. J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. acts as the trustee of our investment plans and has provided commercial banking and other services for us and our related companies in the past and is expected to do so in the future.

Service of Process

        Corning Finance B.V. has appointed CT Corporation System acting through its office at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York, as its authorized agent for service of process in any legal action or proceeding to which it is a party relating to the indenture, the guaranteed debt securities or the full and unconditional guarantee brought in any federal or state court in New York City and has submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        Corning may issue warrants to purchase its debt securities, as well as warrants to purchase its preferred or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from those securities. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between Corning Incorporated and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement.

Debt Warrants

        The following briefly summarizes the material terms of the debt warrant agreement, other than pricing and related terms disclosed in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should read the particular terms of any debt warrants that are offered by us and the applicable debt warrant agreement which will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the generalized provisions summarized below do not apply to the debt warrants being offered.

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

        The debt warrants are to be issued under debt warrant agreements to be entered into between Corning and one or more banks or trust companies, as debt warrant agent, all as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants being offered by the prospectus supplement. A form of debt warrant agreement, including a form of debt warrant certificate representing the debt warrants, reflecting the alternative provisions that may be included in the debt warrant agreements to be entered into with respect to particular offerings of debt warrants, is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below for information on how to obtain a copy of the form of debt warrant agreement.

        The particular terms of each issue of debt warrants, the debt warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing debt warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This description will include:

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

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

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

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

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

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        Under the debt warrant agreement, Corning may, to the extent permitted in the indenture, consolidate with, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation. If at any time there is a merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of substantially all of the assets of Corning, the successor or assuming corporation will succeed to and be substituted for Corning, with the same effect as if it had been named in the debt warrant agreement and in the debt warrants as Corning. Corning will then be relieved of any further obligation under the debt warrant agreement or under the debt warrants.

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

Equity Warrants

        The following briefly summarizes the material terms and provisions of the equity warrants, other than pricing and related terms disclosed in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should read the particular terms of the equity warrants that are offered by Corning, which will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the general provisions summarized below do not apply to the equity warrants being offered.

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

        The equity warrants are to be issued under equity warrant agreements to be entered into between Corning and one or more banks or trust companies, as equity warrant agent, all as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the equity warrants being offered by the prospectus supplement. A form of equity warrant agreement, including a form of equity warrant certificate representing the equity warrants, reflecting the alternative provisions that may be included in the equity warrant agreements to be entered into with respect to particular offerings of equity warrants, is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below for information on how to obtain a copy of the form of equity warrant agreement.

        The particular terms of each issue of equity warrants, the equity warrant agreement relating to the equity warrants and the equity warrant certificates representing equity warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This description will include:

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

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

        Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, if there is a consolidation, merger, or sale or conveyance of substantially all of the property of Corning, the holder of each outstanding equity warrant will have the right to the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property, including cash, receivable by a holder of the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock into which that equity warrant was exercisable immediately prior to the consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.

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

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

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

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

        Under the equity warrant agreement, Corning may, to the extent permitted in the indenture, consolidate with, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation. If at any time there is a merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of substantially all of the assets of Corning, the successor or assuming corporation will succeed to and be substituted for Corning, with the same effect as if it had been named in the equity warrant agreement and in the equity warrants as Corning. Corning will then be relieved of any further obligation under the equity warrant agreement or under the equity warrants.

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

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

        The following briefly summarizes the material terms of the preferred stock of Corning, other than pricing and related terms disclosed in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should read the particular terms of any series of preferred stock offered by Corning which will be described in more detail in any prospectus supplement relating to such series. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the terms summarized below do not apply to the series of preferred stock being offered.

General

        Corning is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $100 per share. Under the certificate of incorporation of Corning, the board of directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and to establish from time to time a series of preferred stock with the following terms specified:

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

        At March 5, 2001, Corning had authorized the issuance of:

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

        The rights of holders of the preferred stock offered may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock that may be issued in the future. The board of directors may cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in public or private transactions for any proper corporate purpose. Examples of proper corporate purposes include issuances to obtain additional financing in connection with acquisitions, and issuances to officers, directors and employees pursuant to benefit plans. Shares of preferred stock issued by Corning may have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging an acquisition of Corning deemed undesirable by the board of directors.

        The preferred stock will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive or subscription rights to acquire more stock of Corning.

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

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Rank

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

Dividends

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

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

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

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

Conversion and Exchange

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

Redemption

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

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

        Any partial redemptions of preferred stock will be made in a way that the board of directors of Corning decides is equitable.

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

Anti-takeover Provisions

        See "Description of Common Stock Fair—Price Amendment" and "Description of Common Stock—Other Anti-takeover Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws" for a discussion of provisions of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Corning that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Corning.

Liquidation Preference

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

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

Voting Rights

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

Outstanding Preferred Stock

        At March 5, 2001, there were 79,725 shares of Series B preferred stock outstanding.

Series B Preferred Stock

        Cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 8% per annum are payable on shares of the Series B preferred stock that have been issued. Corning has regularly paid dividends on the Series B preferred stock. No dividends may be paid or declared on the Series A preferred stock or the common stock unless all dividends for all prior dividend periods have been paid or declared on the Series B preferred stock.

        Holders of Series B preferred stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of common stock and not as a separate class, on all matters submitted to holders of the common stock. Each share of Series B preferred stock has fourteen votes, subject to adjustment.

        Holders of Series B preferred stock have no preemptive rights. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Corning, holders of Series B preferred stock would be entitled to receive a

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distribution in the amount of $100 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, before any distribution on the common stock or Series A preferred stock.

        The Series B preferred stock is redeemable, in whole or in part, at the election of Corning, at any time, at $100 per share.

        The Series B preferred stock is subject to redemption, at the option of the holder, at any time upon five business day's notice, at a redemption price equal to $100 plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if the proceeds are necessary:

        Corning, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of Series B preferred stock in cash or in shares of common stock, or in any combination of shares of common stock and cash.

        The Series B preferred stock is convertible at the option of the holder, at any time, into common stock at a conversion price of $6.96 per share of common stock, each share of Series B preferred stock being valued at $100 for the purpose of this conversion, producing a conversion ratio equal to 14.37 shares of common stock for each share of Series B preferred stock so converted, subject to adjustments to prevent dilution.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

        The following briefly summarizes the material provisions of the deposit agreement and of the depositary shares and depositary receipts, other than pricing and related terms disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read the particular terms of any depositary shares and any depositary receipts that are offered by us and any deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock which will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the generalized provisions summarized below do not apply to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered. A form of deposit agreement, including the form of depositary receipt, will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below for information on how to obtain a copy of the form of deposit agreement.

General

        Corning may, at its option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If it decides to do so, Corning will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

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

        The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

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

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

Redemption of Preferred Stock

        If Corning is to redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the preferred stock depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary shares will be redeemed by the preferred stock depositary at a price per depositary share equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable in respect of the shares of preferred stock so redeemed.

        Whenever Corning redeems shares of preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the preferred stock depositary will redeem as of the same date the number of depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be

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redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the preferred stock depositary by lot or ratably or by any other equitable method as the preferred stock depositary decides.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

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

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

Voting Deposited Preferred Stock

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

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

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

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

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

Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary; Taxes and Other Governmental Charges

        No fees, charges and expenses of the preferred stock depositary or any agent of the preferred stock depositary or of any registrar will be payable by any person other than Corning, except for any taxes and other governmental charges and except as provided in the deposit agreement. If the preferred stock depositary incurs fees, charges or expenses for which it is not otherwise liable at the election of a holder of a depositary receipt or other person, that holder or other person will be liable for those fees, charges and expenses.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

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

Miscellaneous

        The preferred stock depositary will forward all reports and communications from Corning which are delivered to the preferred stock depositary and which Corning is required to furnish to the holders of the deposited preferred stock.

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

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

        Corning has authorized the issuance of 3,800,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.50 per share. As of March 5, 2001, Corning had 928,176,165 shares outstanding. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share for all matters to be voted on by shareholders of Corning Holders of common stock may not cumulate their votes in the election of directors, and are entitled to share equally in the dividends that may be declared by the board of directors, but only after payment of dividends required to be paid on outstanding shares of preferred stock. The current quarterly cash dividend of Corning Incorporated is $.06 per share of common stock. The continued declaration of dividends by the board of directors is subject to the current and prospective earnings, financial condition and capital requirements of Corning Incorporated and any other factors that the board of directors deems relevant.

        Upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Corning, the holders of the common stock share ratably in the assets remaining after payments to creditors and provision for the preference of any preferred stock. There are no preemptive or other subscription rights, conversion rights or redemption or scheduled installment payment provisions relating to shares of common stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Investor Services, LLC. The common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Rights Agreement

        Attached to each share of common stock is one preferred share purchase right. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from Corning one one-hundredth of a share of Series A preferred stock at a price of $125.00 per one one-hundredth of a share of Series A preferred stock, subject to adjustment. The rights expire on July 15, 2006, unless the final expiration date is extended or unless the rights are earlier redeemed by Corning.

        The rights represented by the certificates for common stock are not exercisable, and are not separately transferable from the common stock, until the earlier of:

        The earlier of these two dates is called the "distribution date". Separate certificates for the rights will be mailed to holders of record of the common stock as of the distribution date. The rights could then begin trading separately from the common stock.

        Generally, in the event that a person or group becomes an acquiring person, each right, other than the rights owned by the acquiring person, will entitle the holder to receive, upon exercise of the right, common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. In the event that Corning is acquired in a merger, consolidation, or other business combination transaction or more than 50% of its assets, cash flow or earning power is sold or transferred, each right, other than the rights owned by an acquiring person, will entitle the holder to receive, upon the exercise of the right, common stock of the surviving corporation having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right.

        At any time after the acquisition by the acquiring person of beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of the common stock of Corning and before the acquisition by the acquiring person of 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the common stock of Corning, the board of directors may exchange the rights, other than rights owned by the acquiring person, which

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would have become void, in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of our common stock per right, subject to adjustment.

        The rights are redeemable in whole, but not in part, at $.01 per right until any person or group becomes an acquiring person. The ability to exercise the rights terminates at the time that the board of directors elects to redeem the rights. Notice of redemption will be given by mail to the registered holders of the rights. At no time will the rights have any voting rights. The rights agent is Computershare Investor Services, LLC.

        The exercise price payable, and the number of shares of Series A preferred stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution:

        The number of outstanding rights and the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Series A preferred stock issuable upon exercise of each right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of, or stock dividend on, or subdivision, consolidation or combination of, the common stock prior to the distribution date. With some exceptions, no adjustment in the exercise price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in the exercise price.

        Upon the exercise of the rights, no fractional shares of Series A preferred stock will be issued and instead an adjustment in cash will be made. However, fractional shares of Series A preferred stock may be issued where these fractions are integral multiples of one-hundredth of a share which may, at the election of Corning, be evidenced by depositary receipts.

        The rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The rights may cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by the board of directors of Corning, except in the case of an offer conditioned on a substantial number of rights being acquired. The rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the board of directors since, subject to exceptions, the rights may be redeemed by us at $.01 per right at any time prior to the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the common stock. The redemption of the rights may be made effective at any time, on any basis, and with any conditions that the board of directors in its sole discretion may establish.

        The shares of Series A preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the right will rank junior to all other series of preferred stock of Corning, including the Series B preferred stock, or any similar stock that specifically provides that it ranks prior to the shares of Series A preferred stock. The shares of Series A preferred stock will be nonredeemable. Each share of Series A preferred stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share, but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per share of common stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the shares of Series A preferred stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $100 per share, but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of common stock. Each share of Series A preferred stock will have 100 votes, voting together with the common stock. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which common stock is exchanged, each share of Series A preferred stock will be entitled

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to receive 100 times the amount and type of consideration received per share of common stock. These rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions. Because of the nature of the Series A preferred stock's dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the interest in a share of Series A preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each right should approximate the value of one share of common stock.

        The description of the rights contained in this section does not describe every aspect of the rights. The rights agreement dated as of June 5, 1996, between Corning and the rights agent, contains the full legal text of the matters described in this section. A copy of the rights agreement has been incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below for information on how to obtain a copy.

Fair Price Amendment

        In 1985, shareholders of Corning adopted a "fair price amendment" to the certificate of incorporation of Corning that, in general, requires the approval by the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of Corning entitled to vote generally in the election of directors as a condition for mergers and other forms of business combinations with any beneficial owner of more than 10% of this voting power unless:

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

Other Anti-takeover Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

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

        The by-laws of Corning contain procedural requirements with respect to the nomination of directors by shareholders that require, among other things, delivery of notice by nominating shareholders to its Secretary not later than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the date of the shareholders meeting at which the nomination is to be considered. The by-laws do not provide that a meeting of the board of directors may be called by shareholders.

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

        The effect of these provisions may be to deter attempts either to obtain control of Corning or to acquire a substantial amount of its stock, even if a proposed acquisition transaction were at a significant premium over the then-prevailing market value of the common stock, or to deter attempts to

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remove the board of directors and management of Corning, even though some or a majority of the holders of common stock may believe these actions to be beneficial.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell securities to or through underwriters, and we may also sell securities directly to other purchasers or through agents. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of any underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions precedent and these underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities if any are purchased.

        The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to these prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities.

        In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them and any profit on the resale of securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriter, dealer or agent that will participate in the distribution of the securities will be identified, and any compensation it will receive will be described, in the prospectus supplement.

        Under agreements which may be entered into by us, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against some liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make relating to these liabilities. Any agreement in which we agree to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize dealers or other persons acting as our agent to solicit offers by some institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which these contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others.


VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

        The validity of the securities is being passed on for us by William D. Eggers, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Corning, and for any underwriters, dealers or agents by Sullivan & Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York. Mr. Eggers owns substantially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Corning common stock.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of Corning incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Corning's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        As required by the Securities Act, we filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with SEC. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information.

        Corning files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy this information at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. You can also request copies of the documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. These SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update information in this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement.

        This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that Corning has previously filed with the SEC. They contain important information about Corning and its financial condition.

        We incorporate by reference additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 4 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the completion of the offerings covered by this prospectus.

        You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

        Information in this prospectus may add to, update or change information in a previously filed document incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In that case, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. Information in a document filed after the date of this prospectus may add to, update or change information in this prospectus or in a previously filed document incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In that case, you should rely on the information in the later filed document.

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$400,000,000

GRAPHIC

Corning Incorporated
$200,000,000 5.90% Notes due 2014
$200,000,000 6.20% Notes due 2016


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
March 9, 2004

Joint Book-Running Managers

         Banc of America Securities LLC
JPMorgan

Lead Manager

         Citigroup



QuickLinks

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CORNING INCORPORATED
CORNING FINANCE B.V.
RISK FACTORS
USE OF PROCEEDS
SECURITIES WE MAY ISSUE
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES INCLUDING PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
EXPERTS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION