ViaSat, Inc.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 10, 2006
ViaSat, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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0-21767
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33-0174996 |
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
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(Commission File No.)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
6155 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, California 92009
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (760) 476-2200
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy
the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General
Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
At the annual meeting of stockholders of ViaSat, Inc. held on October 4, 2006, ViaSats
stockholders approved The Third Amended and Restated 1996 Equity Participation Plan (the Equity Plan)
which increased the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Equity Plan
by 3,000,0000 shares and made certain other changes which the Board of Directors believe will more
closely align the terms of the Equity Plan with best practices and stockholder interests. A copy
of the Equity Plan, as amended and restated, is filed as an exhibit to this report and incorporated
herein by this reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of Exhibit |
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99.1 |
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The
Third Amended and Restated 1996 Equity Participation Plan of ViaSat, Inc. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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Date: October 10, 2006 |
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VIASAT, INC. |
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By: |
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/s/ Ronald G. Wangerin |
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Name:
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Ronald G. Wangerin |
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Title:
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Vice President, CFO |
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of Exhibit |
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99.1 |
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The
Third Amended and Restated 1996 Equity Participation Plan of ViaSat,
Inc. |
Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit 99.1
THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
1996 EQUITY PARTICIPATION PLAN
OF
VIASAT, INC.
ViaSat, Inc., a Delaware corporation, adopted The 1996 Equity
Participation Plan of ViaSat, Inc. (the Plan),
effective October 24, 1996, for the benefit of its eligible
employees, consultants and directors. The Plan consists of two
plans, one for the benefit of key Employees (as such term is
defined below) and consultants and one for the benefit of
Independent Directors (as such term is defined below). The
following is an amendment and restatement of the Plan effective
as
of October 4, 2006, as further amended.
The purposes of this Plan are as follows:
(1) To provide an additional incentive for directors, key
Employees and consultants to further the growth, development and
financial success of ViaSat, Inc. (the Company) by
personally benefiting through the ownership of Company stock
and/or rights which recognize such growth, development and
financial success.
(2) To enable the Company to obtain and retain the services
of directors, key Employees and consultants considered essential
to the long range success of the Company by offering them an
opportunity to own stock in the Company and/or rights which will
reflect the growth, development and financial success of the
Company.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 General. Wherever the
following terms are used in this Plan they shall have the
meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
1.2 Award Limit. Award
Limit shall mean Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of
Common Stock with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights granted under the Plan and One Hundred Fifty Thousand
(150,000) shares of Common Stock with respect to awards of
Restricted Stock, Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalents,
Deferred Stock, or Stock Payments granted under the Plan;
provided, however, that in connection with an
individuals initial service as an Employee, such limit
will be Three Hundred Thousand (300,000) shares of Common Stock
with respect to awards of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards,
Dividend Equivalents, Deferred Stock or Stock Payments granted
under the Plan. Individual awards designated to be paid in cash
shall not exceed $1,000,000.
1.3 Board. Board
shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.4 Change in Control.
Change in Control shall mean a change in ownership
or control of the Company effected through either of the
following transactions:
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(a) any person or related group of persons (other than the
Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company)
directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of
Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
Companys outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or
exchange offer made directly to the Companys stockholders
which the Board does not recommend such stockholders to
accept; or |
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(b) there is a change in the composition of the Board over
a period of thirty-six (36) consecutive months (or less)
such that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the
nearest whole number) ceases, by reason of one or more proxy
contests for the election of Board members, to be comprised of
individuals who either (i) have been Board members
continuously since the beginning of such period or
(ii) have been elected or nominated for election as Board
members during such period by at least a majority of the Board
members described in clause (i) who were still in office at
the time such election or nomination was approved by the Board. |
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1.5 Code. Code
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
1.6 Committee.
Committee shall mean the Compensation Committee of
the Board, or another committee of the Board, appointed as
provided in Section 9.1.
1.7 Common Stock.
Common Stock shall mean the common stock of the
Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and any equity
security of the Company issued or authorized to be issued in the
future, but excluding any preferred stock and any warrants,
options or other rights to purchase Common Stock. Debt
securities of the Company convertible into Common Stock shall be
deemed equity securities of the Company.
1.8 Company.
Company shall mean ViaSat, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
1.9 Corporate Transaction.
Corporate Transaction shall mean any of the
following stockholder-approved transactions to which the Company
is a party:
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(a) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not
the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal
purpose of which is to change the State in which the Company is
incorporated, form a holding company or effect a similar
reorganization as to form whereupon this Plan and all Options
are assumed by the successor entity; |
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(b) the sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, in
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company in a
transaction not covered by the exceptions to clause (a),
above; or |
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(c) any reverse merger in which the Company is the
surviving entity but in which securities possessing more than
fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
Companys outstanding securities are transferred or issued
to a person or persons different from those who held such
securities immediately prior to such merger. |
1.10 Deferred Stock.
Deferred Stock shall mean Common Stock awarded under
Article VII of this Plan.
1.11 Director.
Director shall mean a member of the Board.
1.12 Dividend Equivalent.
Dividend Equivalent shall mean a right to receive
the equivalent value (in cash or Common Stock) of dividends paid
on Common Stock, awarded under Article VII of this Plan.
1.13 Employee.
Employee shall mean any officer or other employee
(as defined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code)
of the Company, or of any corporation which is a Subsidiary.
1.14 Exchange Act.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.
1.15 Fair Market Value.
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as of a
given date shall be (i) the closing price of a share of
Common Stock on the principal exchange on which shares of Common
Stock are then trading or quoted, if any (or as reported on any
composite index which includes such principal exchange), on such
date, or if shares were not traded on such date, then on the
next following date on which a trade occurs, or (ii) if
Common Stock is not traded on an exchange but is quoted on
NASDAQ or a successor quotation system, the closing price of a
share of Common Stock on such date as reported by NASDAQ or such
successor quotation system; or (iii) if Common Stock is not
publicly traded on an exchange and not quoted on NASDAQ or a
successor quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock as established by the Committee (or the Board, in
the case of Options granted to Independent Directors) acting in
good faith.
1.16 Grantee.
Grantee shall mean an Employee or consultant granted
a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, Stock Payment or Stock
Appreciation Right, or an award of Deferred Stock, under this
Plan.
1.17 Incentive Stock Option.
Incentive Stock Option shall mean an option which
conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the
Code and which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option by the
Committee.
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1.18 Independent Director.
Independent Director shall mean a member of the
Board who is not an Employee of the Company.
1.19 Non-Qualified Stock
Option. Non-Qualified Stock Option shall mean an
Option which is not designated as an Incentive Stock Option by
the Committee.
1.20 Option.
Option shall mean a stock option granted under
Article III of this Plan. An Option granted under this Plan
shall, as determined by the Committee, be either a Non-Qualified
Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided,
however, that Options granted to Independent Directors and
consultants shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
1.21 Optionee.
Optionee shall mean an Employee, consultant or
Independent Director granted an Option under this Plan.
1.22 Performance Award.
Performance Award shall mean a cash bonus, stock
bonus or other performance or incentive award that is paid in
cash, Common Stock or a combination of both, awarded under
Article VII of this Plan.
1.23 Plan. Plan
shall mean The 1996 Equity Participation Plan of ViaSat, Inc.
1.24 QDRO. QDRO
shall mean a qualified domestic relations order as defined by
the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.
1.25 Restricted Stock.
Restricted Stock shall mean Common Stock awarded
under Article VI of this Plan.
1.26 Restricted Stockholder.
Restricted Stockholder shall mean an Employee or
consultant granted an award of Restricted Stock under
Article VI of this Plan.
1.27 Rule 16b-3.
Rule 16b-3
shall mean that certain
Rule 16b-3 under
the Exchange Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time.
1.28 Stock Appreciation
Right. Stock Appreciation Right shall mean a
stock appreciation right granted under Article VIII of this
Plan.
1.29 Stock Payment.
Stock Payment shall mean (i) a payment in the
form of shares of Common Stock, or (ii) an option or other
right to purchase shares of Common Stock, as part of a deferred
compensation arrangement, made in lieu of all or any portion of
the compensation, including without limitation, salary, bonuses
and commissions, that would otherwise become payable to a key
Employee or consultant in cash, awarded under Article VII
of this Plan.
1.30 Subsidiary.
Subsidiary shall mean any corporation in an unbroken
chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the
corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken
chain then owns stock possessing 50 percent or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of
the other corporations in such chain.
1.31 Termination of
Consultancy. Termination of Consultancy shall
mean the time when the engagement of an Optionee, Grantee or
Restricted Stockholder as a consultant to the Company or a
Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause,
including, but not by way of limitation, by resignation,
discharge, death or retirement; but excluding terminations where
there is a simultaneous commencement of employment with the
Company or any Subsidiary. The Committee, in its absolute
discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and
questions relating to Termination of Consultancy, including, but
not by way of limitation, the question of whether a Termination
of Consultancy resulted from a discharge for good cause, and all
questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute
Terminations of Consultancy. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Plan, the Company or any Subsidiary has an absolute and
unrestricted right to terminate a consultants service at
any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause,
except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in writing.
1.32 Termination of
Directorship. Termination of Directorship shall
mean the time when an Optionee who is an Independent Director
ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, but not by
way of
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limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected,
death or retirement. The Board, in its sole and absolute
discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and
questions relating to Termination of Directorship with respect
to Independent Directors.
1.33 Termination of
Employment. Termination of Employment shall mean
the time when the employee-employer relationship between an
Optionee, Grantee or Restricted Stockholder and the Company or
any Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without
cause, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by
resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but
excluding (i) terminations where there is a simultaneous
reemployment or continuing employment of an Optionee, Grantee or
Restricted Stockholder by the Company or any Subsidiary,
(ii) at the discretion of the Committee, terminations which
result in a temporary severance of the employee-employer
relationship, and (iii) at the discretion of the Committee,
terminations which are followed by the simultaneous
establishment of a consulting relationship by the Company or a
Subsidiary with the former employee. The Committee, in its
absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters
and questions relating to Termination of Employment, including,
but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a
Termination of Employment resulted from a discharge for good
cause, and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence
constitute Terminations of Employment; provided, however,
that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its
discretion, a leave of absence, change in status from an
employee to an independent contractor or other change in the
employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of
Employment if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence,
change in status or other change interrupts employment for the
purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then
applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Company or
any Subsidiary has an absolute and unrestricted right to
terminate an Employees employment at any time for any
reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent
expressly provided otherwise in writing.
ARTICLE II
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN
2.1 Shares Subject to Plan.
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(a) The shares of stock subject to Options, awards of
Restricted Stock, Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalents,
awards of Deferred Stock, Stock Payments or Stock Appreciation
Rights shall be Common Stock, initially shares of the
Companys Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
The aggregate number of such shares which may be issued upon
exercise of such options or rights or upon any such awards under
the Plan shall not exceed Ten Million Six Hundred Thousand
(10,600,000). The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of such options or rights or upon any such awards may be either
previously authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. |
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(b) Any shares subject to Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights shall be counted against the numerical limit of
Section 2.1(a) as one share for every share subject
thereto. Any shares subject to awards of Restricted Stock,
Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalents, awards of Deferred
Stock, or Stock Payments with a per share purchase price lower
than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant will be
counted against the numerical limit of Section 2.1(a) as
two shares for every one share subject thereto. To the extent
that a share that was subject to an award that counted as two
shares against the Plan reserve pursuant to the preceding
sentence is recycled back into the Plan under Section 2.2,
the Plan will be credited with two shares. |
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(c) The maximum number of shares which may be subject to
awards granted under the Plan to any individual in any fiscal
year shall not exceed the applicable Award Limit. To the extent
required by Section 162(m) of the Code, shares subject to
Options which are canceled continue to be counted against the
Award Limit and if, after grant of an Option, the Company
stockholders approve an option exchange program whereby the
price of shares subject to such Option is reduced, the
transaction is treated as a cancellation of the Option and a
grant of a new Option and both the Option deemed to be canceled
and the Option deemed to be granted are counted against the
Award Limit. Furthermore, to the extent required by
Section 162(m) of the Code, if, after grant of a Stock
Appreciation Right, the base amount |
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on which stock appreciation is calculated is reduced to reflect
a reduction in the Fair Market Value of the Companys
Common Stock, the transaction is treated as a cancellation of
the Stock Appreciation Right and a grant of a new Stock
Appreciation Right and both the Stock Appreciation Right deemed
to be canceled and the Stock Appreciation Right deemed to be
granted are counted against the Award Limit. |
2.2 Add-Back of Options and
Other Rights. If any Option, or other right to acquire
shares of Common Stock under any other award under this Plan,
expires or is canceled without having been fully exercised, the
number of shares subject to such Option or other right but as to
which such Option or other right was not exercised prior to its
expiration or cancellation may again be optioned, granted or
awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of
Section 2.1. Furthermore, any shares subject to Options or
other awards which are adjusted pursuant to Section 10.3
and become exercisable with respect to shares of stock of
another corporation shall be considered canceled and may again
be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the
limitations of Section 2.1. If any share of Restricted
Stock is forfeited by the Grantee or repurchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 6.6 hereof, such share may again be
optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the
limitations of Section 2.1.
ARTICLE III
GRANTING OF OPTIONS
3.1 Eligibility. Any
Employee or consultant selected by the Committee pursuant to
Section 3.4(a)(i) shall be eligible to be granted an
Option. Each Independent Director of the Company shall be
eligible to be granted Options at the times and in the manner
set forth in Section 3.4(d).
3.2 Disqualification for Stock
Ownership. No person may be granted an Incentive Stock
Option under this Plan if such person, at the time the Incentive
Stock Option is granted, owns stock possessing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock of the Company or any then existing Subsidiary or
parent corporation (within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Code) unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the
applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
3.3 Qualification of Incentive
Stock Options. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to
any person who is not an Employee.
3.4 Granting of Options.
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(a) The Committee shall from time to time, in its absolute
discretion, and subject to applicable limitations of this Plan: |
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(i) Determine which Employees are key Employees and select
from among the key Employees or consultants (including Employees
or consultants who have previously received Options or other
awards under this Plan) such of them as in its opinion should be
granted Options; |
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(ii) Subject to the Award Limit, determine the number of
shares to be subject to such Options granted to the selected key
Employees or consultants; |
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(iii) Subject to Section 3.3, determine whether such
Options are to be Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock
Options and whether such Options are to qualify as
performance-based compensation as described in
Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code; and |
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(iv) Determine the terms and conditions of such Options,
consistent with this Plan; provided, however, that the
terms and conditions of Options intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation as described in
Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall include, but not be
limited to, such terms and conditions as may be necessary to
meet the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the
Code. |
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(b) Upon the selection of a key Employee or consultant to
be granted an Option, the Committee shall instruct the Secretary
of the Company to issue the Option and may impose such
conditions on the grant of the Option as it deems appropriate.
Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the
Committee may, in its discretion and on such terms as it deems
appropriate, require as a condition on the |
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grant of an Option to an Employee or consultant that the
Employee or consultant surrender for cancellation some or all of
the unexercised Options, awards of Restricted Stock or Deferred
Stock, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents or Stock Payments or other rights which have been
previously granted to him under this Plan or otherwise. An
Option, the grant of which is conditioned upon such surrender,
may have an option price lower (or higher) than the exercise
price of such surrendered Option or other award, may cover the
same (or a lesser or greater) number of shares as such
surrendered Option or other award, may contain such other terms
as the Committee deems appropriate, and shall be exercisable in
accordance with its terms, without regard to the number of
shares, price, exercise period or any other term or condition of
such surrendered Option or other award; provided,
however, except as permitted under Section 10.3 of the
Plan, no Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall, without
stockholder approval, be (i) repriced, exchanged for an
Option with a lower price or otherwise modified where the effect
would be to reduce the exercise price of the Option; or
(ii) exchanged for cash or an alternate award under the
Plan. |
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(c) Any Incentive Stock Option granted under this Plan may
be modified by the Committee to disqualify such option from
treatment as an incentive stock option under
Section 422 of the Code. |
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(d) During the term of the Plan, each person who is an
Independent Director as of the date of the consummation of the
initial public offering of Common Stock automatically shall be
granted (i) an Option to purchase Fifteen Thousand (15,000)
shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 10.3) on the date of such initial public offering
and (ii) an Option to purchase Ten Thousand (10,000) shares
of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 10.3) on the date of each annual meeting of
stockholders after such initial public offering at which
directors are elected to the Board. During the term of the Plan,
a person who is initially elected to the Board after the
consummation of the initial public offering of Common Stock and
who is an Independent Director at the time of such initial
election automatically shall be granted (i) an Option to
purchase Fifteen Thousand (15,000) shares of Common Stock
(subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10.3) on the
date of such initial election and (ii) an Option to
purchase Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of Common Stock (subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 10.3) on the date of
each annual meeting of stockholders after such initial election
at which directors are elected to the Board. Members of the
Board who are employees of the Company who subsequently retire
from the Company and remain on the Board will not receive an
initial Option grant pursuant to clause (i) of the
preceding sentence, but to the extent that they are otherwise
eligible, will receive, after retirement from employment with
the Company, Options as described in clause (ii) of the
preceding sentence. All of the foregoing Option grants
authorized by this Section 3.4(d) are subject to
stockholder approval of the Plan. |
ARTICLE IV
TERMS OF OPTIONS
4.1 Option Agreement. Each
Option shall be evidenced by a written Stock Option Agreement,
which shall be executed by the Optionee and an authorized
officer of the Company and which shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Committee (or the Board, in the case of
Options granted to Independent Directors) shall determine,
consistent with this Plan. Stock Option Agreements evidencing
Options intended to qualify as performance-based compensation as
described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall contain
such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the
applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code. Stock
Option Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall
contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet
the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
4.2 Option Price. The price
per share of the shares subject to each Option shall be set by
the Committee; provided, however, that such price shall
not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock on the date the Option is granted and in the case
of Incentive Stock Options granted to an individual then owning
(within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more
than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation
thereof
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(within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) such price
shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share
of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted.
4.3 Option Term. The term of
an Option shall be set by the Committee in its discretion;
provided, however, that no Option shall have a term
longer than six (6) years from the date the Option is
granted and in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to an
individual then owning (within the meaning of
Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or
any Subsidiary or parent corporation thereof (within the meaning
of Section 422 of the Code) the term may not exceed five
(5) years from such date if the Incentive Stock Option is
granted. Except as limited by requirements of Section 422
of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder applicable to
Incentive Stock Options, the Committee may extend the term of
any outstanding Option in connection with any Termination of
Employment or Termination of Consultancy of the Optionee, or
amend any other term or condition of such Option relating to
such a termination.
4.4 Option Vesting.
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(a) The period during which the right to exercise an Option
in whole or in part vests in the Optionee shall be set by the
Committee and the Committee may determine that an Option may not
be exercised in whole or in part for a specified period after it
is granted; provided, however, that, Options granted to
Independent Directors shall become (i) exercisable in
cumulative annual installments of
331/3%
on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date
of Option grant for grants made on the initial election of a
Independent Director and (ii) fully exercisable on the one
year anniversary of the date of Option grant for grants made on
the date of each annual meeting after such initial election at
which directors are elected to the Board, without variation or
acceleration hereunder except as provided in
Section 10.3(b). At any time after grant of an Option, the
Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and subject
to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the
period during which an Option (except an Option granted to an
Independent Director) vests. |
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(b) No portion of an Option which is unexercisable at
Termination of Employment, Termination of Directorship or
Termination of Consultancy, as applicable, shall thereafter
become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the
Committee in the case of Options granted to Employees or
consultants either in the Stock Option Agreement or by action of
the Committee following the grant of the Option. |
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(c) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of
stock with respect to which incentive stock options
(within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without
regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for
the first time by an Optionee during any calendar year (under
the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the
Company and any Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall
be treated as Non-Qualified Options to the extent required by
Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the
preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options into
account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of
this Section 4.4(c), the Fair Market Value of stock shall
be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such
stock is granted. |
4.5 Consideration. In
consideration of the granting of an Option, the Optionee shall
agree, in the written Stock Option Agreement, to remain in the
employ of (or to consult for or to serve as an Independent
Director of, as applicable) the Company or any Subsidiary for a
period of at least one year (or such shorter period as may be
fixed in the Stock Option Agreement or by action of the
Committee following grant of the Option) after the Option is
granted (or, in the case of an Independent Director, until the
next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company). Nothing in
this Plan or in any Stock Option Agreement hereunder shall
confer upon any Optionee any right to continue in the employ of,
or as a consultant for, the Company or any Subsidiary, or as a
director of the Company, or shall interfere with or restrict in
any way the rights of the Company and any Subsidiary, which are
hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Optionee at any time
for any reason whatsoever, with or without good cause.
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ARTICLE V
EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
5.1 Partial Exercise. An
exercisable Option may be exercised in whole or in part.
However, an Option shall not be exercisable with respect to
fractional shares and the Committee (or the Board, in the case
of Options granted to Independent Directors) may require that,
by the terms of the Option, a partial exercise be with respect
to a minimum number of shares.
5.2 Manner of
Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Option
shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following
to the Secretary of the Company or his office:
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(a) A written notice complying with the applicable rules
established by the Committee (or the Board, in the case of
Options granted to Independent Directors) stating that the
Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be
signed by the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise
the Option or such portion; |
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(b) Such representations and documents as the Committee (or
the Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent
Directors), in its absolute discretion, deems necessary or
advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other federal or
state securities laws or regulations. The Committee or Board
may, in its absolute discretion, also take whatever additional
actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance
including, without limitation, placing legends on share
certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and
registrars; |
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(c) In the event that the Option shall be exercised
pursuant to Section 10.1 by any person or persons other
than the Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such person
or persons to exercise the Option; and |
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(d) Full cash payment to the Secretary of the Company for
the shares with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof,
is exercised. However, the Committee (or the Board, in the case
of Options granted to Independent Directors), may in its
discretion, (i) allow a delay in payment up to thirty
(30) days from the date the Option, or portion thereof, is
exercised; (ii) allow payment, in whole or in part, through
the delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Optionee,
duly endorsed for transfer to the Company with a Fair Market
Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise
price of the Option or exercised portion thereof;
(iii) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the
surrender of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise
of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of Option
exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or
exercised portion thereof; (iv) allow payment, in whole or
in part, through the delivery of property of any kind which
constitutes good and valuable consideration; (v) allow
payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of a full
recourse promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such
rate as shall then preclude the imputation of interest under the
Code) and payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the
Committee or the Board; (vi) allow payment, in whole or in
part, through the delivery of a notice that the Optionee has
placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares
of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and
that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of
the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of
the Option exercise price; or (vii) allow payment through
any combination of the consideration provided in the foregoing
subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi). In the
case of a promissory note, the Committee (or the Board, in the
case of Options granted to Independent Directors) may also
prescribe the form of such note and the security to be given for
such note. The Option may not be exercised, however, by delivery
of a promissory note or by a loan or other extension of credit
from the Company when or where such loan or other extension of
credit is prohibited by law. |
5.3 Conditions to Issuance of
Stock Certificates. The Company shall not be required to
issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of
stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option or portion
thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
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(a) The admission of such shares to listing on all stock
exchanges on which such class of stock is then listed; |
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(b) The completion of any registration or other
qualification of such shares under any state or federal law, or
under the rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any other governmental regulatory body which the
Committee or Board shall, in its absolute discretion, deem
necessary or advisable; |
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(c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from
any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee (or
Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent Directors)
shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or
advisable; |
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(d) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following
the exercise of the Option as the Committee (or Board, in the
case of Options granted to Independent Directors) may establish
from time to time for reasons of administrative
convenience; and |
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(e) The receipt by the Company of full payment for such
shares, including payment of any applicable withholding tax. |
5.4 Rights as Stockholders.
The holders of Options shall not be, nor have any of the rights
or privileges of, stockholders of the Company in respect of any
shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of an Option
unless and until certificates representing such shares have been
issued by the Company to such holders.
5.5 Ownership and Transfer
Restrictions. The Committee (or Board, in the case of
Options granted to Independent Directors), in its absolute
discretion, may impose such restrictions on the ownership and
transferability of the shares purchasable upon the exercise of
an Option as it deems appropriate. Any such restriction shall be
set forth in the respective Stock Option Agreement and may be
referred to on the certificates evidencing such shares. The
Committee may require the Employee to give the Company prompt
notice of any disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired by
exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within (i) two years
from the date of granting such Option to such Employee or
(ii) one year after the transfer of such shares to such
Employee. The Committee may direct that the certificates
evidencing shares acquired by exercise of an Option refer to
such requirement to give prompt notice of disposition.
5.6 Limitations on Exercise of
Options Granted to Independent Directors. No Option granted
to an Independent Director may be exercised to any extent by
anyone after the first to occur of the following events:
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(a) The expiration of twelve (12) months from the date
of the Optionees death; |
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(b) the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date
of the Optionees Termination of Directorship by reason of
his permanent and total disability (within the meaning of
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code); |
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(c) the expiration of three (3) months from the date
of the Optionees Termination of Directorship for any
reason other than such Optionees death or his permanent
and total disability, unless the Optionee dies within said
three-month period; or |
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(d) The expiration of six (6) years from the date the
Option was granted. |
ARTICLE VI
AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK
6.1 Award of Restricted
Stock.
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(a) The Committee may from time to time, in its absolute
discretion: |
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(i) Select from among the key Employees or consultants
(including Employees or consultants who have previously received
other awards under this Plan) such of them as in its opinion
should be awarded Restricted Stock; and |
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(ii) Determine the purchase price, if any, and other terms
and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock, consistent
with this Plan. |
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(b) The Committee shall establish the purchase price, if
any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided,
however, that such purchase price shall be no less than the
par value of the Common Stock to be purchased, unless otherwise
permitted by applicable state law. In all cases, legal
consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted
Stock. |
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(c) Upon the selection of a key Employee or consultant to
be awarded Restricted Stock, the Committee shall instruct the
Secretary of the Company to issue such Restricted Stock and may
impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock
as it deems appropriate. |
6.2 Restricted Stock
Agreement. Restricted Stock shall be issued only pursuant to
a written Restricted Stock Agreement, which shall be executed by
the selected key Employee or consultant and an authorized
officer of the Company and which shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Committee shall determine, consistent with
this Plan.
6.3 Consideration. As
consideration for the issuance of Restricted Stock, in addition
to payment of any purchase price, the Restricted Stockholder
shall agree, in the written Restricted Stock Agreement, to
remain in the employ of, or to consult for, the Company or any
Subsidiary for a period of at least one year after the
Restricted Stock is issued (or such shorter period as may be
fixed in the Restricted Stock Agreement or by action of the
Committee following grant of the Restricted Stock). Nothing in
this Plan or in any Restricted Stock Agreement hereunder shall
confer on any Restricted Stockholder any right to continue in
the employ of, or as a consultant for, the Company or any
Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the
rights of the Company and any Subsidiary, which are hereby
expressly reserved, to discharge any Restricted Stockholder at
any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without good cause.
6.4 Rights as Stockholders.
Upon delivery of the shares of Restricted Stock to the escrow
holder pursuant to Section 6.7, the Restricted Stockholder
shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, all the
rights of a stockholder with respect to said shares, subject to
the restrictions in his Restricted Stock Agreement, including
the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid
or made with respect to the shares; provided, however,
that in the discretion of the Committee, any extraordinary
distributions with respect to the Common Stock shall be subject
to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.5.
6.5 Restriction. All shares
of Restricted Stock issued under this Plan (including any shares
received by holders thereof with respect to shares of Restricted
Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other
form of recapitalization) shall, in the terms of each individual
Restricted Stock Agreement, be subject to such restrictions as
the Committee shall provide, which restrictions may include,
without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and
transferability and vesting restrictions based on duration of
employment with the Company, Company performance and individual
performance; provided, further, that by action taken
after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Committee may, on such
terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate,
remove any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of
the Restricted Stock Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
except as permitted under Section 10.3 of the Plan, shares
of Restricted Stock will vest no more rapidly than ratably over
a three (3) year period from the date of grant, unless the
Plan administrator determines that the Restricted Stock award is
to vest upon the achievement of one or more performance
objectives, in which case the period for measuring performance
will be at least twelve (12) months. Restricted Stock may
not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated
or expire. Unless provided otherwise by the Committee, if no
consideration was paid by the Restricted Stockholder upon
issuance, a Restricted Stockholders rights in unvested
Restricted Stock shall lapse upon Termination of Employment or,
if applicable, upon Termination of Consultancy with the Company.
6.6 Repurchase of Restricted
Stock. The Committee shall provide in the terms of each
individual Restricted Stock Agreement that the Company shall
have the right to repurchase from the Restricted Stockholder the
Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions under the
Restricted Stock Agreement immediately upon a Termination of
Employment or, if applicable, upon a Termination of Consultancy
between the Restricted Stockholder and the Company, at a cash
price per share equal to the price paid by the Restricted
Stockholder for such Restricted Stock; provided, however,
that provision may be made that no such right of repurchase
shall exist in the event of a Termination of Employment or
Termination of Consultancy
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without cause, or following a change in control of the Company
or because of the Restricted Stockholders retirement,
death or disability, or otherwise.
6.7 Escrow. The Secretary of
the Company or such other escrow holder as the Committee may
appoint shall retain physical custody of each certificate
representing Restricted Stock until all of the restrictions
imposed under the Restricted Stock Agreement with respect to the
shares evidenced by such certificate expire or shall have been
removed.
6.8 Legend. In order to
enforce the restrictions imposed upon shares of Restricted Stock
hereunder, the Committee shall cause a legend or legends to be
placed on certificates representing all shares of Restricted
Stock that are still subject to restrictions under Restricted
Stock Agreements, which legend or legends shall make appropriate
reference to the conditions imposed thereby.
ARTICLE VII
PERFORMANCE AWARDS, DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS,
DEFERRED STOCK, STOCK PAYMENTS
7.1 Performance Awards. Any
key Employee or consultant selected by the Committee may be
granted one or more Performance Awards. The value of such
Performance Awards may be linked to the market value, book
value, net profits or other measure of the value of Common Stock
or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by
the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over
any period or periods determined by the Committee, or may be
based upon the appreciation in the market value, book value, net
profits or other measure of the value of a specified number of
shares of Common Stock over a fixed period or periods determined
by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee
shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in
light of the specific type of award) the contributions,
responsibilities and other compensation of the particular key
Employee or consultant.
7.2 Equivalents. Any key
Employee or consultant selected by the Committee may be granted
Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on Common
Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the
period between the date an Option, Stock Appreciation Right,
Deferred Stock or Performance Award is granted, and the date
such Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Deferred Stock or
Performance Award is exercised, vests or expires, as determined
by the Committee. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted
to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and
at such time and subject to such limitations as may be
determined by the Committee. With respect to Dividend
Equivalents granted with respect to Options intended to be
qualified performance-based compensation for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Code, such Dividend Equivalents shall
be payable regardless of whether such Option is exercised.
7.3 Stock Payments. Any key
Employee or consultant selected by the Committee may receive
Stock Payments in the manner determined from time to time by the
Committee. The number of shares shall be determined by the
Committee and may be based upon the Fair Market Value, book
value, net profits or other measure of the value of Common Stock
or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by
the Committee, determined on the date such Stock Payment is made
or on any date thereafter.
7.4 Deferred Stock. Any key
Employee or consultant selected by the Committee may be granted
an award of Deferred Stock in the manner determined from time to
time by the Committee. The number of shares of Deferred Stock
shall be determined by the Committee and may be linked to the
market value, book value, net profits or other measure of the
value of Common Stock or other specific performance criteria
determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a
specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined
by the Committee. Common Stock underlying a Deferred Stock award
will not be issued until the Deferred Stock award has vested,
pursuant to a vesting schedule or performance criteria set by
the Committee. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a
Grantee of Deferred Stock shall have no rights as a Company
stockholder with respect to such Deferred Stock until such time
as the award has vested and the Common Stock underlying the
award has been issued.
7.5 Performance Award Agreement,
Dividend Equivalent Agreement, Deferred Stock Agreement, Stock
Payment Agreement. Each Performance Award, Dividend
Equivalent, award of Deferred Stock and/or
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Stock Payment shall be evidenced by a written agreement, which
shall be executed by the Grantee and an authorized Officer of
the Company and which shall contain such terms and conditions as
the Committee shall determine, consistent with this Plan.
7.6 Term. The term of a
Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award of Deferred Stock
and/or Stock Payment shall be set by the Committee in its
discretion.
7.7 Exercise Upon Termination of
Employment. A Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, award
of Deferred Stock and/or Stock Payment is exercisable or payable
only while the Grantee is an Employee or consultant; provided
that the Committee may determine that the Performance Award,
Dividend Equivalent, award of Deferred Stock and/or Stock
Payment may be exercised or paid subsequent to Termination of
Employment or Termination of Consultancy without cause, or
following a change in control of the Company, or because of the
Grantees retirement, death or disability, or otherwise.
7.8 Payment on Exercise.
Payment of the amount determined under Section 7.1 or 7.2
above shall be in cash, in Common Stock or a combination of
both, as determined by the Committee. To the extent any payment
under this Article VII is effected in Common Stock, it
shall be made subject to satisfaction of all provisions of
Section 5.3.
7.9 Consideration. In
consideration of the granting of a Performance Award, Dividend
Equivalent, award of Deferred Stock and/or Stock Payment, the
Grantee shall agree, in a written agreement, to remain in the
employ of, or to consult for, the Company or any Subsidiary for
a period of at least one year after such Performance Award,
Dividend Equivalent, award of Deferred Stock and/or Stock
Payment is granted (or such shorter period as may be fixed in
such agreement or by action of the Committee following such
grant). Nothing in this Plan or in any agreement hereunder shall
confer on any Grantee any right to continue in the employ of, or
as a consultant for, the Company or any Subsidiary or shall
interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company
and any Subsidiary, which are hereby expressly reserved, to
discharge any Grantee at any time for any reason whatsoever,
with or without good cause.
ARTICLE VIII
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
8.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation
Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any key
Employee or consultant selected by the Committee. A Stock
Appreciation Right may be granted (i) in connection and
simultaneously with the grant of an Option, (ii) with
respect to a previously granted Option, or
(iii) independent of an Option. A Stock Appreciation Right
shall be subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent
with this Plan as the Committee shall impose and shall be
evidenced by a written Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, which
shall be executed by the Grantee and an authorized officer of
the Company; provided, however, that no Stock
Appreciation Right shall have a term longer than six
(6) years from the date the Stock Appreciation Right is
granted. The Committee, in its discretion, may determine whether
a Stock Appreciation Right is to qualify as performance-based
compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the
Code and Stock Appreciation Right Agreements evidencing Stock
Appreciation Rights intended to so qualify shall contain such
terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable
provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may, in its
discretion and on such terms as it deems appropriate, require as
a condition of the grant of a Stock Appreciation Right to an
Employee or consultant that the Employee or consultant surrender
for cancellation some or all of the unexercised Options, awards
of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock, Performance Awards, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments, or
other rights which have been previously granted to him under
this Plan or otherwise. A Stock Appreciation Right, the grant of
which is conditioned upon such surrender, may have an exercise
price lower (or higher) than the exercise price of the
surrendered Option or other award, may cover the same (or a
lesser or greater) number of shares as such surrendered Option
or other award, may contain such other terms as the Committee
deems appropriate, and shall be exercisable in accordance with
its terms, without regard to the number of shares, price,
exercise period or any other term or condition of such
surrendered Option or other award.
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8.2 Coupled Stock Appreciation
Rights.
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(a) A Coupled Stock Appreciation Right (CSAR)
shall be related to a particular Option and shall be exercisable
only when and to the extent the related Option is exercisable. |
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(b) A CSAR may be granted to the Grantee for no more than
the number of shares subject to the simultaneously or previously
granted Option to which it is coupled. |
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(c) A CSAR shall entitle the Grantee (or other person
entitled to exercise the Option pursuant to this Plan) to
surrender to the Company unexercised a portion of the Option to
which the CSAR relates (to the extent then exercisable pursuant
to its terms) and to receive from the Company in exchange
therefor an amount determined by multiplying the difference
obtained by subtracting the Option exercise price from the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise
of the CSAR by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect
to which the CSAR shall have been exercised, subject to any
limitations the Committee may impose. |
8.3 Independent Stock
Appreciation Rights.
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(a) An Independent Stock Appreciation Right
(ISAR) shall be unrelated to any Option and shall
have a term set by the Committee. An ISAR shall be exercisable
in such installments as the Committee may determine. An ISAR
shall cover such number of shares of Common Stock as the
Committee may determine; provided, however, that unless
the Committee otherwise provides in the terms of the ISAR or
otherwise, no ISAR granted to a person subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exercisable until
at least six months have elapsed from (but excluding) the date
on which the Option was granted. The exercise price per share of
Common Stock subject to each ISAR shall be set by the Committee;
provided, however, that such price shall not be less than
100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the
date the ISAR is granted. An ISAR is exercisable only while the
Grantee is an Employee or consultant; provided that the
Committee may determine that the ISAR may be exercised
subsequent to Termination of Employment or Termination of
Consultancy without cause, or following a change in control of
the Company, or because of the Grantees retirement, death
or disability, or otherwise. |
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(b) An ISAR shall entitle the Grantee (or other person
entitled to exercise the ISAR pursuant to this Plan) to exercise
all or a specified portion of the ISAR (to the extent then
exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the
Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference
obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of the ISAR
from the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the
date of exercise of the ISAR by the number of shares of Common
Stock with respect to which the ISAR shall have been exercised,
subject to any limitations the Committee may impose. |
8.4 Payment and Limitations on
Exercise.
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(a) Payment of the amount determined under
Sections 8.2(c) and 8.3(b) above shall be in cash, in
Common Stock (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the
Stock Appreciation Right is exercised) or a combination of both,
as determined by the Committee. To the extent such payment is
effected in Common Stock it shall be made subject to
satisfaction of all provisions of Section 5.3 above
pertaining to Options. |
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(b) Grantees of Stock Appreciation Rights may be required
to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to
the settlement or exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right,
including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the
discretion of the Board or Committee. |
8.5 Consideration. In
consideration of the granting of a Stock Appreciation Right, the
Grantee shall agree, in the written Stock Appreciation Right
Agreement, to remain in the employ of, or to consult for, the
Company or any Subsidiary for a period of at least one year
after the Stock Appreciation Right is granted (or such shorter
period as may be fixed in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement
or by action of the Committee following grant of the Restricted
Stock). Nothing in this Plan or in any Stock Appreciation Right
Agreement hereunder shall confer on any Grantee any right to
continue in the employ of, or as a consultant for, the Company
or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way
the rights of the Company and
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any Subsidiary, which are hereby expressly reserved, to
discharge any Grantee at any time for any reason whatsoever,
with or without good cause.
ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATION
9.1 Compensation Committee.
Prior to the Companys initial registration of Common Stock
under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Compensation
Committee shall consist of the entire Board. Following such
registration, the Compensation Committee (or another committee
or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the
Committee under this Plan) shall consist solely of two or more
Independent Directors appointed by and holding office at the
pleasure of the Board, each of whom is both a non-employee
director as defined by
Rule 16b-3 and an
outside director for purposes of Section 162(m)
of the Code. Appointment of Committee members shall be effective
upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at
any time by delivering written notice to the Board. Vacancies in
the Committee may be filled by the Board.
9.2 Duties and Powers of
Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct
the general administration of this Plan in accordance with its
provisions. The Committee shall have the power to interpret this
Plan and the agreements pursuant to which Options, awards of
Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock, Performance Awards, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments are
granted or awarded, and to adopt such rules for the
administration, interpretation, and application of this Plan as
are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any
such rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the full Board,
acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the
general administration of the Plan with respect to Options
granted to Independent Directors. Any such grant or award under
this Plan need not be the same with respect to each Optionee,
Grantee or Restricted Stockholder. Any such interpretations and
rules with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be
consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from
time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the
Committee under this Plan except with respect to matters which
under Rule 16b-3
or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any regulations or rules
issued thereunder, are required to be determined in the sole
discretion of the Committee. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, the Committee may from time to time delegate to
a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more
officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards
to Participants other than (a) senior executives of the
Company who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act,
(b) Covered Employees (162(m) covered individuals), or
(c) officers of the Company (or members of the Board) to
whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated
hereunder. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the
restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time
of such delegation, and the Committee may at any time rescind
the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all
times, the delegatee appointed under this Section shall serve in
such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee.
9.3 Majority Rule; Unanimous
Written Consent. The Committee shall act by a majority of
its members in attendance at a meeting at which a quorum is
present or by a memorandum or other written instrument signed by
all members of the Committee.
9.4 Compensation; Professional
Assistance; Good Faith Actions. Members of the Committee
shall receive such compensation for their services as members as
may be determined by the Board. All expenses and liabilities
which members of the Committee incur in connection with the
administration of this Plan shall be borne by the Company. The
Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ attorneys,
consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers, or other persons.
The Committee, the Company and the Companys officers and
Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or
valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all
interpretations and determinations made by the Committee or the
Board in good faith shall be final and binding upon all
Optionees, Grantees, Restricted Stockholders, the Company and
all other interested persons. No members of the Committee or
Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination
or interpretation made in good faith with respect to this Plan,
Options, awards of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock,
Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents or Stock
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Payments, and all members of the Committee and the Board shall
be fully protected by the Company in respect of any such action,
determination or interpretation.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
10.1 Not Transferable.
Options, Restricted Stock awards, Deferred Stock awards,
Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents or Stock Payments under this Plan may not be sold,
pledged, assigned, or transferred in any manner other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a
QDRO, unless and until such rights or awards have been
exercised, or the shares underlying such rights or awards have
been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have
lapsed. No Option, Restricted Stock award, Deferred Stock award,
Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent
or Stock Payment or interest or right therein shall be liable
for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Optionee, Grantee
or Restricted Stockholder or his successors in interest or shall
be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation,
pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such
disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law
by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or
equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted
disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect,
except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the
preceding sentence.
During the lifetime of the Optionee or Grantee, only he may
exercise an Option or other right or award (or any portion
thereof) granted to him under the Plan, unless it has been
disposed of pursuant to a QDRO. After the death of the Optionee
or Grantee, any exercisable portion of an Option or other right
or award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes
unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Stock Option
Agreement or other agreement, be exercised by his personal
representative or by any person empowered to do so under the
deceased Optionees or Grantees will or under the
then applicable laws of descent and distribution.
10.2 Amendment, Suspension or
Termination of this Plan. Except as otherwise provided in
this Section 10.2, this Plan may be wholly or partially
amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any
time or from time to time by the Board or the Committee.
However, without approval of the Companys stockholders
given within twelve months before or after the action by the
Board or the Committee, no action of the Board or the Committee
may, except as provided in Section 10.3, increase the
limits imposed in Section 2.1 on the maximum number of
shares which may be issued under this Plan or modify the Award
Limit, and no action of the Board or the Committee may be taken
that would otherwise require stockholder approval as a matter of
applicable law, or the rules and regulations of any stock
exchange or national market system on which the Common Stock is
then listed. No amendment, suspension or termination of this
Plan shall, without the consent of the holder of Options,
Restricted Stock awards, Deferred Stock awards, Performance
Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock
Payments, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any
Options, Restricted Stock awards, Deferred Stock awards,
Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents or Stock Payments theretofore granted or awarded,
unless the award itself otherwise expressly so provides. No
Options, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock, Performance Awards,
Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock
Payments may be granted or awarded during any period of
suspension or after termination of this Plan, and in no event
may any Incentive Stock Option be granted under this Plan after
the first to occur of the following events:
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(a) The expiration of ten years from the date the Plan is
adopted by the Board; or |
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(b) The expiration of ten years from the date the Plan is
approved by the Companys stockholders under
Section 10.4. |
10.3 Changes in Common Stock or
Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company
and Other Corporate Events.
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(a) Subject to Section 10.3(d), in the event that the
Committee (or the Board, in the case of Options granted to
Independent Directors) determines that any dividend or other
distribution (whether |
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in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other
property), recapitalization, reclassification, stock split,
reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation,
split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, liquidation,
dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
(including, but not limited to, a Corporate Transaction), or
exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company,
issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or
other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate
transaction or event, in the Committees sole discretion
(or in the case of Options granted to Independent Directors, the
Boards sole discretion), affects the Common Stock such
that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be
appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available
under the Plan or with respect to an Option, Restricted Stock
award, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend
Equivalent, Deferred Stock award or Stock Payment, then the
Committee (or the Board, in the case of Options granted to
Independent Directors) shall, in such manner as it may deem
equitable, adjust any or all of: |
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(i) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other
securities or property) with respect to which Options,
Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents or Stock Payments may be granted under the Plan, or
which may be granted as Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock
(including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations
in Section 2.1 on the maximum number and kind of shares
which may be issued and adjustments of the Award Limit), |
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(ii) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or
other securities or property) subject to outstanding Options,
Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents, or Stock Payments, and in the number and kind of
shares of outstanding Restricted Stock or Deferred
Stock, and |
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(iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any
Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend
Equivalent or Stock Payment. |
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(b) Subject to Sections 10.3(b)(vii) and 10.3(d), in
the event of any Corporate Transaction or other transaction or
event described in Section 10.3(a) or any unusual or
nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any
affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the
Company or any affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws,
regulations, or accounting principles, the Committee (or the
Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent Directors)
in its discretion is hereby authorized to take any one or more
of the following actions whenever the Committee (or the Board,
in the case of Options granted to Independent Directors)
determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits
intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to
any option, right or other award under this Plan, to facilitate
such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in
laws, regulations or principles: |
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(i) In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms
and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee (or the
Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent Directors)
may provide, either by the terms of the agreement or by action
taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and
either automatically or upon the optionees request, for
either the purchase of any such Option, Performance Award, Stock
Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or
any Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock for an amount of cash
equal to the amount that could have been attained upon the
exercise of such option, right or award or realization of the
optionees rights had such option, right or award been
currently exercisable or payable or fully vested or the
replacement of such option, right or award with other rights or
property selected by the Committee (or the Board, in the case of
Options granted to Independent Directors) in its sole discretion; |
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(ii) In its sole and absolute discretion, the Committee (or
the Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent
Directors) may provide, either by the terms of such Option,
Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend
Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or Restricted Stock or Deferred
Stock or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such
transaction or event that it cannot be exercised after such
event; |
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(iii) In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such
terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee (or
the Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent
Directors) may provide, either by the terms of such Option,
Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend
Equivalent, or Stock Payment, or Restricted Stock or Deferred
Stock or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such
transaction or event, that for a specified period of time prior
to such transaction or event, such option, right or award shall
be exercisable as to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in (i) Section 4.4 or
(ii) the provisions of such Option, Performance Award,
Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock Payment,
or Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock; |
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(iv) In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms
and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee (or the
Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent Directors)
may provide, either by the terms of such Option, Performance
Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock
Payment, or Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock or by action
taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, that
upon such event, such option, right or award be assumed by the
successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary
thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights
or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor
corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate
adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices; |
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(v) In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms
and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee (or the
Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent Directors)
may make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common
Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding
Options, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents, or Stock Payments, and in the number and kind of
outstanding Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock and/or in the
terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price),
and the criteria included in, outstanding options, rights and
awards and options, rights and awards which may be granted in
the future; |
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(vi) In its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms
and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may
provide either by the terms of a Restricted Stock award or
Deferred Stock award or by action taken prior to the occurrence
of such event that, for a specified period of time prior to such
event, the restrictions imposed under a Restricted Stock
Agreement or a Deferred Stock Agreement upon some or all shares
of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock may be terminated, and, in
the case of Restricted Stock, some or all shares of such
Restricted Stock may cease to be subject to repurchase under
Section 6.6 or forfeiture under Section 6.5 after such
event; and |
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(vii) None of the foregoing discretionary actions taken
under this Section 10.3(b) shall be permitted with respect
to Options granted under Section 3.4(d) to Independent
Directors to the extent that such discretion would be
inconsistent with the applicable exemptive conditions of
Rule 16b-3. In the
event of a Change in Control or a Corporate Transaction, to the
extent that the Board does not have the ability under
Rule 16b-3 to take
or to refrain from taking the discretionary actions set forth in
Section 10.3(b)(iii) above, each Option granted to an
Independent Director shall be exercisable as to all shares
covered thereby upon such Change in Control or during the five
days immediately preceding the consummation of such Corporate
Transaction and subject to such consummation, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in Section 4.4 or the vesting
schedule of such Options. In the event of a Corporate
Transaction, to the extent that the Board does not have the
ability under
Rule 16b-3 to take
or to refrain from taking the discretionary actions set forth in
Section 10.3(b)(ii) above, no Option granted to an
Independent Director may be exercised following such Corporate
Transaction unless such Option is, in connection with such
Corporate Transaction, either assumed by the successor or
survivor corporation (or parent or subsidiary thereof) or
replaced with a comparable right with respect to shares of the
capital stock of the successor or survivor corporation (or
parent or subsidiary thereof). |
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(c) Subject to Sections 10.3(d) and 10.8, the
Committee (or the Board, in the case of Options granted to
Independent Directors) may, in its discretion, include such
further provisions and limitations in any Option, Performance
Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent, or Stock
Payment, or Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock agreement or
certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests
of the Company. |
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(d) With respect to Incentive Stock Options and Options and
Stock Appreciation Rights intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), no
adjustment or action described in this Section 10.3 or in
any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the
extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to
violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code or would cause such
option or stock appreciation right to fail to so qualify under
Section 162(m), as the case may be, or any successor
provisions thereto. Furthermore, no such adjustment or action
shall be authorized to the extent such adjustment or action
would result in short-swing profits liability under
Section 16 or violate the exemptive conditions of
Rule 16b-3 unless
the Committee (or the Board, in the case of Options granted to
Independent Directors) determines that the option or other award
is not to comply with such exemptive conditions. The number of
shares of Common Stock subject to any option, right or award
shall always be rounded to the next whole number. |
10.4 Approval of Plan by
Stockholders. This Plan will be submitted for the approval
of the Companys stockholders within twelve months after
the date of the Boards initial adoption of this Plan.
Options, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents or Stock Payments may be granted and Restricted
Stock or Deferred Stock may be awarded prior to such stockholder
approval, provided that such Options, Performance Awards, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments
shall not be exercisable and such Restricted Stock or Deferred
Stock shall not vest prior to the time when this Plan is
approved by the stockholders, and provided further that if such
approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve-month
period, all Options, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation
Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments previously
granted and all Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock previously
awarded under this Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become
null and void.
10.5 Tax Withholding. The
Company shall be entitled to require payment in cash or
deduction from other compensation payable to each Optionee,
Grantee or Restricted Stockholder of any sums required by
federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to
the issuance, vesting or exercise of any Option, Restricted
Stock, Deferred Stock, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation
Right, Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment. The Committee (or
the Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent
Directors) may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the
foregoing requirement allow such Optionee, Grantee or Restricted
Stockholder to elect to have the Company withhold shares of
Common Stock otherwise issuable under such Option or other award
(or allow the return of shares of Common Stock) having a Fair
Market Value equal to the minimum amounts required to be
withheld.
10.6 Loans. The Committee
may, in its discretion, and to the extent permitted by law
extend one or more loans to key Employees in connection with the
exercise or receipt of an Option, Performance Award, Stock
Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment granted
under this Plan, or the issuance of Restricted Stock or Deferred
Stock awarded under this Plan. The terms and conditions of any
such loan shall be set by the Committee. No loans will be made
to key Employees if such loans would be prohibited by
Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
10.7 Forfeiture Provisions.
Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and
conditions applicable to awards under the Plan, the Committee
(or the Board, in the case of Options granted to Independent
Directors) shall have the right (to the extent consistent with
the applicable exemptive conditions of
Rule 16b-3) to
provide, in the terms of Options or other awards made under the
Plan, or to require the recipient to agree by separate written
instrument, that (i) any proceeds, gains or other economic
benefit actually or constructively received by the recipient
upon any receipt or exercise of the award, or upon the receipt
or resale of any Common Stock underlying such award, must be
paid to the Company, and (ii) the award shall terminate and
any unexercised portion of such award (whether or not vested)
shall be forfeited, if (a) a Termination of Employment,
Termination of Consultancy or Termination of Directorship occurs
prior to
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a specified date, or within a specified time period following
receipt or exercise of the award, or (b) the recipient at
any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any
activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical,
contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further
defined by the Committee (or the Board, as applicable).
10.8 Limitations Applicable to
Section 16 Persons and Performance-Based Compensation.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, this Plan, and
any Option, Performance Award, Stock Appreciation Right,
Dividend Equivalent or Stock Payment granted, or Restricted
Stock or Deferred Stock awarded, to any individual who is then
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject
to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable
exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act
(including any amendment to
Rule 16b-3 of the
Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such
exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the
Plan, Options, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Dividend Equivalents, Stock Payments, Restricted Stock and
Deferred Stock granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed
amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable
exemptive rule. Furthermore, notwithstanding any other provision
of this Plan, any Option or Stock Appreciation Right intended to
qualify as performance-based compensation as described in
Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall be subject to any
additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the
Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m) of the
Code) or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are
requirements for qualification as performance-based compensation
as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and this
Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform
to such requirements.
10.9 Effect of Plan Upon Options
and Compensation Plans. The adoption of this Plan shall not
affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for
the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in this Plan shall be
construed to limit the right of the Company (i) to
establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for
Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any
Subsidiary or (ii) to grant or assume options or other
rights otherwise than under this Plan in connection with any
proper corporate purpose including but not by way of limitation,
the grant or assumption of options in connection with the
acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or
otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.
10.10 Compliance with Laws.
This Plan, the granting and vesting of Options, Restricted Stock
awards, Deferred Stock awards, Performance Awards, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments
under this Plan and the issuance and delivery of shares of
Common Stock and the payment of money under this Plan or under
Options, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend
Equivalents or Stock Payments granted or Restricted Stock or
Deferred Stock awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with
all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations
(including but not limited to state and federal securities law
and federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any
listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in
connection therewith. Any securities delivered under this Plan
shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring
such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such
assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may
deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all
applicable legal requirements. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, the Plan, Options, Restricted Stock awards,
Deferred Stock awards, Performance Awards, Stock Appreciation
Rights, Dividend Equivalents or Stock Payments granted or
awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent
necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
10.11 Titles. Titles are
provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a
basis for interpretation or construction of this Plan.
10.12 Governing Law. This
Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered,
interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of
California without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.
10.13 Section 409A. To
the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted
under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the
Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the
terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code.
To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be
interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and
Department of Treasury
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regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder,
including without limitation any such regulations or other
guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in
the event that following the Effective Date the Committee
determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of
the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including
such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the
Effective Date), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the
Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies
and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures
with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the
Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to
(a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code
and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits
provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related
Department of Treasury guidance.
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