restricted stock units or other non-stock option awards. The 2005 Plan also provides that no more than one-third of the shares of Common Stock covered by an Award of restricted stock, restricted stock units or other non-stock option awards may vest in any twelve (12) month period. Subject to any restrictions applicable to the award, a participant holding restricted stock, whether vested or unvested, will be entitled to enjoy all rights of a stockholder with respect to such restricted stock, including the right to receive dividends and to vote the shares.
In general, under Section 162(m) of the Code, SeaChange cannot deduct, for federal income tax purposes, compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to certain executive officers. This deduction limitation, however, does not apply to compensation that constitutes “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code contain a “safe harbor” that treats stock options granted at fair market value as qualified performance-based compensation (assuming certain other requirements are satisfied).
Except as the Committee may otherwise determine or provide in an Award, Awards may be transferred only by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that nonstatutory stock options may be transferred pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or to a grantor-retained annuity trust or a similar estate-planning vehicle under which the trust is bound by all provisions of the option which are applicable to the holder thereof.
In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, liquidation, spin-off, split-up, or other similar change in capitalization or event, the following shall be equitably adjusted:
Treatment upon Acquisition
Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award, upon the occurrence of an acquisition of SeaChange, appropriate provision is to be made for the continuation or the assumption by the surviving or acquiring entity of all Awards. In addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, the Committee may provide that one or more Awards granted under the 2005 Plan must be exercised by a certain date or shall be terminated, or that any such Awards shall be terminated in exchange for a cash payment.
Effect of Termination, Disability or Death
The Committee determines the effect on an Award of the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the participant, or the participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or designated beneficiary, may exercise rights under the Award, subject to applicable law and the provisions of the Code related to incentive stock options.
Amendment of Awards
The Committee may, without stockholder approval, amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award,provided that, the Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless the Committee determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant,provided, further, that previously-issued options may not be amended without stockholder approval to reduce the price at which such previously issued options are exercisable.
Termination of 2005 Plan; Amendments
Awards may be granted under the 2005 Plan at any time prior to July 13, 2015. The Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the 2005 Plan or any portion thereof at any time,provided, however, that any material amendment to the 2005 Plan will not be effective unless approved by SeaChange’s stockholders. If any Award expires, or is terminated, surrendered or forfeited, in whole or in part, the unissued shares covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards under the 2005 Plan.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Incentive Stock Options
The following general rules are applicable under current United States federal income tax law to incentive stock options (“ISOs”) granted under SeaChange’s 2005 Plan.
1. In general, no taxable income results to the optionee upon the grant of an ISO or upon the issuance of shares to him or her upon the exercise of the ISO, and no corresponding federal tax deduction is allowed to SeaChange upon either grant or exercise of an ISO.
2. If shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO are not disposed of within (i) two years following the date the option was granted or (ii) one year following the date the shares are issued to the optionee pursuant to the ISO exercise (the “Holding Periods”), the difference between the amount realized on any subsequent disposition of the shares and the exercise price will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss to the optionee.
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3. If shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO are disposed of before the Holding Periods are met (a “Disqualifying Disposition”), then in most cases the lesser of (i) any excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise of the ISO over the exercise price or (ii) the actual gain on disposition will be treated as compensation to the optionee and will be taxed as ordinary income in the year of such disposition.
4. In any year that an optionee recognizes ordinary income as the result of aDisqualifying Disposition, SeaChange generally should be entitled to a corresponding deduction for federal income tax purposes.
5. Any excess of the amount realized by the optionee as the result of a DisqualifyingDisposition over the sum of (i) the exercise price and (ii) the amount of ordinary income recognized under the above rules will be treated as capital gain to the optionee.
6. Capital gain or loss recognized by an optionee upon a disposition of shares will be long-term capital gain or loss if the optionee’s holding period for the shares exceeds one year.
7. An optionee may be entitled to exercise an ISO by delivering shares of SeaChange’sCommon Stock to SeaChange in payment of the exercise price. If an optionee exercises an ISO in such fashion, special rules will apply.
8. In addition to the tax consequences described above, the exercise of an ISO may result in additional tax liability to the optionee under the alternative minimum tax rules. The Code provides that an alternative minimum tax (at a maximum rate of 28%) will be applied against a taxable base which is equal to “alternative minimum taxable income” reduced by a statutory exemption. In general, the amount by which the value of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the ISO exceeds the exercise price is included in the optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income. A taxpayer is required to pay the higher of his or her regular tax liability or the alternative minimum tax. A taxpayer that pays alternative minimum tax attributable to the exercise of an ISO may be entitled to a tax credit against his or her regular tax liability in later years.
9. Special rules apply if the stock acquired is subject to vesting, or is subject to certain restrictions on resale under federal securities laws applicable to directors, officers or 10% stockholders.
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Nonstatutory Stock Options
The following general rules are applicable under current federal income tax law to options that do not qualify as ISOs (“Nonstatutory Stock Options”) granted under the 2005 Plan:
1. The optionee generally does not realize any taxable income upon the grant of aNonstatutory Stock Option, and SeaChange is not allowed a federal income tax deduction by reason of such grant.
2. The optionee generally will recognize ordinary income at the time of exercise of aNonstatutory Stock Option in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price.
3. When the optionee sells the shares acquired pursuant to a Nonstatutory Stock Option, he or she generally will recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale of the shares and his or her basis in the shares (generally, the exercise price plus the amount taxed to the optionee as ordinary income). If the optionee’s holding period for the shares exceeds one year, such gain or loss will be a long-term capital gain or loss.
4. SeaChange generally should be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction for federal income tax purposes when the optionee recognizes ordinary income.
5. An optionee may be entitled to exercise a Nonstatutory Stock Option by delivering shares of SeaChange’s Common Stock to SeaChange in payment of the exercise price. If an optionee exercises a Nonstatutory Stock Option in such fashion, special rules will apply.
6. Special rules apply if a Nonstatutory Stock Option has an exercise price less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant, or if the stock acquired is subject to vesting, or is subject to certain restrictions on resale under federal securities laws applicable to directors, officers or 10% stockholders.
Awards and Purchases
The following general rules are applicable under current federal income tax law to awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units (“Restricted Awards”) or the granting of opportunities to make direct stock purchases under the 2005 Plan (“Purchases”):
1. Persons receiving Common Stock pursuant to a Restricted Award or Purchase generally will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares received, reduced by any purchase price paid.
2. SeaChange generally should be entitled to a corresponding deduction for federal income tax purposes when such person recognizes ordinary income. When such Common Stock is sold, the seller generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale and the seller’s tax basis in the Common Stock (generally, the amount that the seller paid for such stock plus the amount taxed to the Seller as ordinary income).
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3. Special rules apply if the stock acquired pursuant to an award of stock or direct stock purchase is subject to vesting, or is subject to certain restrictions on resale under federal securities laws applicable to directors, officers or 10% stockholders.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “For” the approval of the amendments to the 2005 Plan.
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PROPOSAL NO. III
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
As previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 18, 2006, Grant Thornton LLP currently serves as SeaChange’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Board of Directors is seeking ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as the registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2008. Prior to October 12, 2006, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP had served as SeaChange’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Change in Independent Registered Accounting Firm
OnOctober 12, 2006, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was dismissed as SeaChange’s independent registered public accounting firm. The dismissal of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was approved by SeaChange’s Audit Committee.
The reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on SeaChange’s financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
During SeaChange’s fiscal years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006 and throughOctober 12, 2006 there were no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with their reports on the financial statements for such years. During SeaChange’s fiscal years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006 and through October 12, 2006 there were no reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
Effective as of October 17, 2006, SeaChange’s Audit Committee engaged Grant Thornton LLP as its new independent registered public accounting firm to audit SeaChange’s financial statements for SeaChange’s fiscal year ending January 31, 2007. The decision to engage Grant Thornton LLP as SeaChange’s independent registered public accounting firm was the result of a competitive selection process.
Prior to the engagement of Grant Thornton LLP, neither SeaChange nor anyone on behalf of SeaChange consulted with Grant Thornton LLP during SeaChange’s fiscal years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006 and through October 12, 2006, in any manner regarding: (A) either the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on SeaChange’s financial statements, and neither was a written report provided to SeaChange nor was oral advice provided that Grant Thornton LLP concluded was an important factor considered by SeaChange in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue, or (B) the subject of either a disagreement or a reportable event, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and (v), respectively, of Regulation S-K.
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year 2008
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected the firm of Grant Thornton LLP, independent accountants, to serve as the registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2008.
A representative of Grant Thornton LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board of Directors has put the ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP before the stockholders because the Board believes that seeking stockholder ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm is good corporate practice. If the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP is not ratified, the Audit Committee will first review the basis for the stockholder vote and SeaChange’s relationship with Grant Thornton LLP and will then take such action as it deems necessary.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of SeaChange’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Fees for Services Provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Grant Thornton LLP
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for services provided byPricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Grant Thornton LLP, SeaChange’s independent registered public accounting firms for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2007 and January 31, 2006. All fees for fiscal 2006 were billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Both PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Grant Thornton LLP billed fees for services during fiscal 2007.
| 2007(1) | | 2006(2) |
Audit Fees | $1,307,636 | | $1,287,857 |
Audit-Related Fees | 0 | | 0 |
Tax Fees | 262,563 | | 431,700 |
All Other Fees | 0 | | 0 |
Total: | 1,570,199 | | 1,719,557 |
(1) | | Includes (a) fees billed and estimated to be billed by Grant Thornton LLP in 2007 as follows: audit fees of $990,405; audit-related fees of $0; tax fees of $15,987; and other fees of $0; and (b) fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as follows: audit fees of $317,231; audit-related fees of $0; tax fees of $246,576; and other fees of $0. |
| | |
(2) | | Consists solely of fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. |
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Audit Fees
These are aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and by Grant Thornton for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2007 and January 31, 2006, for (a) the annual audit of SeaChange’s financial statements for each such fiscal year including statutory audits of foreign subsidiaries and the accompanying attestation report regarding SeaChange’s internal control over financial reporting contained in SeaChange’s annual report on Form 10-K, (b) reviews of the quarterly financial information included in SeaChange’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each such fiscal year and (c) reviews of SEC filings.
Tax Fees
These are fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2007 and January 31, 2006.The Tax Fees for each of the foregoing fiscal years related to tax planning and compliance services, including the preparation of original and amended tax returns and claims for refunds.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has determined that the provision of the services as set out above is compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton LLP’s independence.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit, audit-related, tax and other non-audit services that may be provided by Grant Thornton LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy identifies the principles that must be considered by the Audit Committee in approving these services to ensure that Grant Thornton LLP’s independence is not impaired; describes the audit and audit-related, tax and other services that may be provided; and sets forth pre-approval requirements for all permitted services. To date, Audit Committee pre-approval has been sought for the provision of all services by Grant Thornton LLP.
OTHER MATTERS
Expenses and Solicitation
All costs of solicitation of proxies will be borne by SeaChange. In addition to solicitations by mail, certain of SeaChange’s directors, officers and regular employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, e-mail and personal interviews. Brokers, custodians and fiduciaries will be requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the owners of stock held in their names, and SeaChange will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs. SeaChange has retained Morrow & Co., Inc., New York, New York to assist in the solicitation of proxies at a cost estimated not to exceed $15,000.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires SeaChange’s directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of SeaChange’s common stock (collectively, “Reporting Persons”) to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock of SeaChange. Such persons are required by regulations of the SEC to furnish SeaChange with copies of all such filings. Based on its review of the copies of such filings received by it with respect to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 and written representations from certain Reporting Persons, SeaChange believes that all Reporting Persons complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007.
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
SeaChange has adopted a written policy pursuant to the Amended and Restated Charter of the Audit Committee and the Charter of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee that all transactions between SeaChange and its officers, directors, principal stockholders and affiliates will be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, including a majority of the independent and disinterested outside directors on the Board of Directors, and will be on terms no less favorable to SeaChange than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
On September 23, 2005, SeaChange entered into an Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Share Capital of ODG (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) by and among SeaChange, Anthony William Kelly, Andrew Thomas Birchall, Judith Kelly and Michael Kelly (collectively, the “ODG Stockholders”) providing for the purchase by SeaChange of the remaining 72.4% of the outstanding capital stock of On Demand Group Limited, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom (“ODG”), not then owned by SeaChange. Prior to that date, SeaChange had previously purchased a 27.6% interest in ODG for an aggregate of $3,100,000. At the closing of the Share Purchase Agreement, SeaChange paid the ODG Stockholders approximately $13,400,000 in cash, with Mr. Birchall receiving $6,700,000 and Mr. Kelly and his immediate family receiving $6,700,000. Mr. Kelly and Mr. Birchall became executive officers of SeaChange following the closing of the Share Purchase Agreement. The Share Purchase Agreement also provides for additional payments to be made to the ODG Stockholders based on their prior holdings of ODG capital stock both if ODG meets certain annual performance goals through the period ending January 31, 2008 and if ODG sells its interest in Filmflex. On May 10, 2006, SeaChange paid to the ODG Stockholders an aggregate of $2,800,000 in cash pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement and based on the performance of ODG through January 31, 2006, with Mr. Birchall receiving $1,400,000 and Mr. Kelly and his immediate family receiving $1,400,000.
On June 30, 2006, SeaChange and the ODG Stockholders entered into an amendment to the Share Purchase Agreement that accelerated the second earnout payment of $2,286,416 otherwise payable in cash within seventy-five business days of January 31, 2007 under the Share Purchase Agreement. The amendment provided that the second earnout payment be satisfied as of June 30, 2006 by the issuance to the sellers of shares of SeaChange’s common stock having a fair market value of $2,286,416 as of the date of the amendment, resulting in the issuance of an aggregate of 341,360 shares of SeaChange’s common stock. SeaChange entered into this amendment to support ODG’s long-term operational focus and to enable SeaChange to reduce its future cash expenditures. The amounts received by Mr. Kelly and Mr. Birchall pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement and the amendment thereto are not considered compensation and thus are not included in the Summary Compensation Table.
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Appendix A
SEACHANGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
2005 EQUITY COMPENSATION AND INCENTIVE PLAN
1.Purpose and Eligibility.
The purpose of thisAmended and Restated 2005 Equity Compensation and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of SeaChange International, Inc. is to provide equity ownership opportunities in the Company (each an “Award”) to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its Subsidiaries, all of whom are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. Any person to whom an Award has been granted under the Plan is called a “Participant”. Additional definitions are contained in Section 10.
2.Administration.
a.Administration by Committee of Independent Members of the Board of Directors. The Plan will be administered by a committee (the “Committee”) composed solely of members of the Board of Directors of the Company that are “independent”, as defined pursuant to Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; provided, however, that at any time and on any one or more occasions the Board may itself exercise any of the powers and responsibilities assigned the Committee under the Plan and when so acting shall have the benefit of all of the provisions of the Plan pertaining to the Committee’s exercise of its authorities hereunder. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to grant and amend Awards, to adopt, amend and repeal rules relating to the Plan and to interpret and correct the provisions of the Plan and any Award. All decisions by the Committee shall be final and binding on all interested persons. Neither the Company nor any member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination relating to the Plan.
b.Delegation to Executive Officers. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more executive officers of the Company the power to grant Awards and exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Committee may determine; provided, however, that the Committee shall fix the maximum number of Awards to be granted and the maximum number of shares issuable to any one Participant pursuant to Awards granted by such executive officer or officers. The Committee may, by a resolution adopted by the Committee, authorize one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following: (i) designate employees of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries to be recipients of Awards created by the Company and (ii) determine the number of such Awards to be received by such employees; provided, however, that the resolution so authorizing such officer or officers shall specify the maximum number of Awards such officer or officers may so award. The Committee may not authorize an officer to designate himself or herself as a recipient of any such Awards and the Committee may not authorize an officer to grant Awards to other executive officers of the Company.
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3.Stock Available for Awards.
a.Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Section 3(c), the aggregate number of shares (the “Authorized Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) that may be issued pursuant to the Plan shall be1,500,0002,800,000shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that no more than375,0001,675,000of the Authorized Shares may be issued to Participants pursuant to Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units or Awards issued pursuant to Section 7 hereof. If any Award expires, or is terminated, surrendered or forfeited, in whole or in part, the unissued Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan;provided, however, that (i) shares of Common Stock tendered in payment of anOption shall not be added to the aggregate plan limit described above; (ii) shares ofCommon Stock withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation shallnot be added to the aggregate plan limit described above; and (iii) shares of Common Stockthat are repurchased by the Company with Option proceeds shall not be added to theaggregate plan limit described above. Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
b.Per-Participant Limit. Subject to adjustment under Section 3(c), no Participant may be granted Awards during any one fiscal year to purchase more than 120,000 shares of Common Stock, other than Awards granted in connection with a Person assuming status as a Participant.
c.Adjustment to Common Stock. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, liquidation, spin-off, split-up, or other similar change in capitalization or event, (i) the number and class of securities available for Awards under the Plan and the per-Participant share limit, (ii) the number and class of securities, vesting schedule and exercise price per share subject to each outstanding Option (as defined below), (iii) the repurchase price per security subject to repurchase, and (iv) the terms of each other outstanding stock-based Award shall be adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made) to the extent the Committee shall determine, in good faith, that such an adjustment (or substitution) is appropriate. If Section 8(e)(i) applies for any event, this Section 3(c) shall not be applicable.
d.Fractional Shares. No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the Participant shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares.
4.Stock Options.
a.General. The Committee may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an “Option”) and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and the Common Stock issued upon the exercise of each Option, including vesting provisions, repurchase provisions and restrictions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers advisable.
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b.Incentive Stock Options. An Option that the Committee intends to be an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an “Incentive Stock Option”) shall be granted only to employees of the Company and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Committee and the Company shall have no liability if an Option or any part thereof that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option does not qualify as such. An Option or any part thereof that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option is referred to herein as a “Nonstatutory Stock Option.”
c.Dollar Limitation. For so long as the Code shall so provide, Options granted to any employee under the Plan (and any other plans of the Company) which are intended to constitute Incentive Stock Options shall not constitute Incentive Stock Options to the extent that such Options, in the aggregate, become exercisable for the first time in any one calendar year for shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as defined below) of more than $100,000 (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant). To the extent that any such Incentive Stock Options exceed the $100,000 limitation, such Options shall be Nonstatutory Stock Options.
d.Exercise Price. The Committee shall establish the exercise price (or determine the method by which the exercise price shall be determined) at the time each Option is granted and specify the exercise price in the applicable option agreement, provided, that the exercise price per share specified in the agreement relating to each Option granted under the Plan shall not be less than the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date of such grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option to be granted to an employee owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the price per share specified in the agreement relating to such Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date of grant. For purposes of determining stock ownership under this subsection, the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall apply. Subject to Section 3(c), an Option may not be amended subsequent to its issuance to reduce the price at which it is exercisable unless such amendment is approved by the Company’s stockholders.
e.Duration of Options. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify in the applicable option agreement; provided, that no Option shall be exercisable for a period of time greater than seven (7) years from the date of grant of such Option; provided, further, that Incentive Stock Options granted to an employee owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company shall be exercisable for a maximum of five (5) years from the date of grant of such option. For purposes of determining stock ownership under this subsection, the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall apply.
f.Vesting of Options. Subject to Section 8(e) and Section 8(i), no more than one-third of the shares of Common Stock covered by an Option may vest in any twelve (12) month period; provided, however, that the vesting of an Option granted in connection with a person assuming status as a Participant and the vesting of an Option upon a Participant’s disability, death, cessation of status as a Participant and other similar circumstances may be other than as specified in this Section 4(f) and will be provided in the agreement evidencing the Option.
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g.Exercise of Option. Options may be exercised only by delivery to the Company at its principal office address or to such transfer agent as the Company shall designate of a written notice of exercise specifying the number of shares as to which such Option is being exercised, signed by the proper person, or by notification of the Company-designated third party commercial provider (the “Third Party Commercial Provider”), in accordance with the procedures approved by the Company and to which the holder of the Option shall have ongoing access by means of accessing such person’s account maintained with the Third Party Commercial Provider, together with payment in full as specified in Section 4(h) for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised.
h.Payment Upon Exercise. Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option shall be paid for by one or any combination of the following forms of payment:
| (i) | | in United States dollars in cash or by check or by fund transfer from the Option holder’s account maintained with the Third Party Commercial Provider; |
| |
| (ii) | | at the discretion of the Committee, through delivery of shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal as of the date of the exercise to the cash exercise price of the Option,providedthat such shares were not acquired by the Participant in the prior six months; |
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| (iii) | | at the discretion of the Committee and consistent with applicable law, through the delivery of an assignment to the Company of a sufficient amount of the proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option and an authorization to the broker or selling agent to pay that amount to the Company, which sale shall be at the participant’s direction at the time of exercise; |
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| (iv) | | at the discretion of the Committee, by any combination of (i), (ii), or (iii) above. |
If the Committee exercises its discretion to permit payment of the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option by means of the methods set forth in clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the preceding sentence, such discretion shall be exercised in writing at the time of the grant of the Incentive Stock Option in question.
i.Notice to Company of Disqualifying Disposition. By accepting an Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan, each optionee agrees to notify the Company in writing immediately after such optionee makes a disqualifying disposition of any stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan. A “disqualifying disposition” is generally any disposition occurring on or before the later of (a) the date two years following the date the Incentive Stock Option was granted or (b) the date one year following the date the Incentive Stock Option was exercised.
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j.Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, each Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action or at such other time and subject to such other conditions as shall be determined by the Committee.
k.Issuances of Securities. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Options. No adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property other than securities of the Company.
5.Restricted Stock.
a.Grants. The Committee may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock, subject to (i) delivery to the Company by the Participant of a check in an amount at least equal to the par value of the shares purchased, and (ii) the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant in the event that conditions specified by the Committee in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Committee for such Award (each, a “Restricted Stock Award”).
b.Terms and Conditions. A Participant that is the holder of a Restricted Stock Award, whether vested or unvested, shall be entitled to enjoy all stockholder rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Award, including the right to receive dividends and vote such shares. Subject to Section 5(c) hereof, the Committee shall determine all other terms and conditions of any such Restricted Stock Award. Any stock certificates issued in respect of a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the name of the Participant and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, deposited by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee). After the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or, if the Participant has died, to the beneficiary designated by the Participant, in a manner determined by the Committee, to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death (the “Designated Beneficiary”). In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, Designated Beneficiary shall mean the Participant’s estate.
c.Vesting of Restricted Stock. Subject to Section 8(e) and Section 8(i), no more than one-third of the shares covered by a Restricted Stock Award may vest in any twelve (12) month period; provided, however, that the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award granted in connection with a person assuming status as a Participant and the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award upon a Participant’s disability, death, cessation of status as a Participant and other similar circumstances may be other than as specified in this Section 5(c) and will be provided in the agreement evidencing the Restricted Stock Award.
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6.Restricted Stock Unit.
a.Grants. The Committee may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock in the future, with the future delivery of the Common Stock subject to a risk of forfeiture or other restrictions that will lapse upon the satisfaction of one or more specified conditions (each, a “Restricted Stock Unit”).
b.Terms and Conditions. Subject to Section 6(c) hereof, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Restricted Stock Unit. A Participant may not vote the shares represented by a Restricted Stock Unit, but a Restricted Stock Unit may provide a Participant with the right to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with respect to Common Stock subject to the Award (both before and after such Common Stock is earned or vested), which payments may be either made currently or credited to an account for the Participant, and may be settled in cash or Common Stock, as determined by the Committee. Any such settlements, any such crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents or reinvestment in shares of Common Stock, may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee shall establish, including the reinvestment of such credited amounts in Common Stock equivalents.
c.Vesting of Restricted Stock Unit. Subject to Section 8(e) and Section 8(i), no more than one-third of the shares covered by a Restricted Stock Unit may vest in any twelve (12) month period; provided, however, that the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit granted in connection with a person assuming status as a Participant and the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit upon a Participant’s disability, death, cessation of status as a Participant and other similar circumstances may be other than as specified in this Section 6(c) and will be provided in the agreement evidencing the Restricted Stock Unit.
7.Other Stock-Based Awards.
The Committee shall have the right to grant other Awards based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Common Stock and the grant of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards or stock units. No more than one-third of the shares covered by an Award pursuant to this Section 7 may vest in any twelve (12) month period; provided, however, that the vesting of an Award pursuant to this Section 7 granted in connection with a person assuming status as a Participant and the vesting of an Award pursuant to this Section 7 upon a Participant’s disability, death, cessation of status as a Participant and other similar circumstances may be other than as specified in this Section 7 and will be provided in the agreement evidencing such Award.
8.General Provisions Applicable to Awards.
a.Transferability of Awards. Except as the Committee may otherwise determine or provide in an Award, Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant, provided, however, that Nonstatutory Stock Options may be transferred pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (as defined in the Code) or to a grantor-retained annuity trust or a similar estate-planning vehicle in which the trust is bound by all provisions of the Option which are applicable to the Participant. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.
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b.Documentation. Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written Award agreement in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve. Award agreements shall comply with the terms and conditions of the Plan and may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan as the Committee shall deem advisable. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Award agreement shall contain, or refer to, such provisions relating to exercise and other matters as are required of “incentive stock options” under the Code. Award agreements may be evidenced by an electronic transmission (including an e-mail or reference to a website or other URL) sent to the Participant through the Company’s normal process for communicating electronically with its employees. As a condition to receiving an Award, the Committee may require the proposed Participant to affirmatively accept the Award and agree to the terms and conditions set forth in the Award agreement by physically and/or electronically executing the Award agreement or by otherwise physically and/or electronically acknowledging such acceptance and agreement. With or without such affirmative acceptance, however, the Committee may prescribe conditions (including the exercise or attempted exercise of any benefit conferred by the Award) under which the proposed Participant may be deemed to have accepted the Award and agreed to the terms and conditions set forth in the Award agreement.
c.Committee Discretion. The terms of each type of Award need not be identical, and the Committee need not treat Participants uniformly.
d.Termination of Status. The Committee shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary, may exercise rights under the Award, subject to applicable law and the provisions of the Code related to Incentive Stock Options.
e.Acquisition of the Company.
(i)Consequences of an Acquisition. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger or other reorganization in which the holders of the outstanding voting stock of the Company immediately preceding the consummation of such event, shall, immediately following such event, hold, as a group, less than a majority of the voting securities of the surviving or successor entity, or in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise (each, an “Acquisition”), the Committee or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the “Successor Committee”), shall, as to outstanding Awards, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Awards by substituting on an equitable basis for the shares then subject to such Awards either (a) the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares
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of Common Stock in connection with the Acquisition, (b) shares of stock of the surviving or successor corporation or (c) such other securities as the Successor Committee deems appropriate, the fair market value of which shall not materially exceed the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Awards immediately preceding the Acquisition; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that all Awards must be exercised, to the extent then exercisable or to be exercisable as a result of the Acquisition, within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period the Awards shall terminate; or (iii) terminate all Awards in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares subject to such Awards (to the extent then exercisable or to be exercisable as a result of the Acquisition) over the exercise price thereof.
(ii)Assumption of Awards Upon Certain Events. In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Committee may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock-based awards issued by such entity or an affiliate thereof. The substitute Awards shall be granted on such terms and conditions as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.
f.Withholding. Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or make provisions satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with Awards to such Participant no later than the date of the event creating the tax liability. The Committee may allow Participants to satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by transferring shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value. The Company may, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such tax obligations from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant.
g.Amendment of Awards. The Committee may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award including, but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, modifying the exercise price, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option; provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 8(e)(i), the Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless the Committee determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant; provided, further, that subject to Section 3(c), an Option may not be amended subsequent to its issuance either to reduce the price at which such previously issued Option is exercisable or to extend the period of time for which such previously-issued Option shall be exercisable unless such amendment is approved by the Company’s stockholders.
h.Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations, and (iv) the Participant has paid to the Company, or made provisions satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with the Award.
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(i)Acceleration. The Committee may at any time provide that any Options shall become immediately exercisable in full or in part, that any Restricted Stock Awards shall be free of some or all restrictions, or that any other stock-based Awards may become exercisable in full or in part or free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the case may be, despite the fact that the foregoing actions may (i) cause the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code if a change of control of the Company occurs, or (ii) disqualify all or part of the Option as an Incentive Stock Option. In the event of the acceleration of the exercisability of one or more outstanding Options, including pursuant to Section 8(e)(i), the Committee may provide, as a condition of full exercisability of any or all such Options, that the Common Stock or other substituted consideration, including cash, as to which exercisability has been accelerated shall be restricted and subject to forfeiture back to the Company at the option of the Company at the cost thereof upon termination of employment or other relationship, with the timing and other terms of the vesting of such restricted stock or other consideration being equivalent to the timing and other terms of the superseded exercise schedule of the related Option.
9.Foreign Jurisdictions.
To the extent that the Committee determines that the material terms set by the Committee or imposed by the Plan preclude the achievement of the material purposes of the Plan in jurisdictions outside the United States, the Committee will have the authority and discretion to modify those terms and provide for such additional terms and conditions as the Committee determines to be necessary, appropriate or desirable to accommodate differences in local law, policy or custom or to facilitate administration of the Plan. The Committee may adopt or approve sub-plans, appendices or supplements to, or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of, the Plan as it may consider necessary, appropriate or desirable, without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose. The special terms and any appendices, supplements, amendments, restatements or alternative versions, however, shall not include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of the Plan as then in effect, unless the Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without further approval by the stockholders. The Committee shall also have the authority and discretion to delegate the foregoing powers to appropriate officers of the Company.
10.Miscellaneous.
a.Definitions.
(i) “Company” for purposes of eligibility under the Plan, shall include any present or future subsidiary corporations of SeaChange International, Inc., as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code (a “Subsidiary”), and any present or future parent corporation of SeaChange International, Inc., as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code. For purposes of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the term “Company” shall include any other business venture in which the Company has a direct or indirect significant interest, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
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(ii) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(iii) “employee” for purposes of eligibility under the Plan (but not for purposes of Section 4(b)) shall include a person to whom an offer of employment has been extended by the Company and who has actually commenced employment with the Company, whether full or part-time status.
(iv) “Fair Market Value” of the Company’s Common Stock on any date means (i) the average (on that date) of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is traded, if the Common Stock is then traded on a national securities exchange; or (ii) the last reported sale price (on that date) of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market, if the Common Stock is not then traded on a national securities exchange; or (iii) the average of the closing bid and asked prices last quoted (on that date) by an established quotation service for over-the-counter securities, if the Common Stock is not reported on the NASDAQ National Market; or (iv) if the Common Stock is not publicly traded, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by the Committee after taking into consideration all factors which it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, recent sale and offer prices of the Common Stock in private transactions negotiated at arm’s length); provided, that, in all events the Fair Market Value shall represent the Committee’s good faith determination of the fair market value of the Common Stock. The Committee’s determination shall be conclusive as to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock.
b.No Right To Employment or Other Status. No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan.
c.No Rights As Stockholder. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder thereof.
d.Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the date on which it is approved by the stockholders of the Company (the “Effective Date”). No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the completion of ten years from the Effective Date, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.
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e.Amendment of Plan. The Committee may amend this Plan at any time, provided that any material amendment to the Plan will not be effective unless approved by the Company’s stockholders. For this purpose, a material amendment is any amendment that would (i) other thanpursuant to Section 3(c), materially increase either the number of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan; the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted as Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or pursuant to Section 7; or the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable in one fiscal year to a Participant; (ii) expand the class of persons eligible to receive awards or otherwise participate in the Plan; (iii) subject to Section 3(c), reduce the price at which a previously-issued Option is exercisable or to extend the period of time for which a previously-issued Option shall be exercisable; (iv) subject to Section 8(e) and Section 8(i), amend the minimum vesting provisions of Awards contained in Sections 4(f), 5(c), 6(c) or 7 of the Plan; or (v) require stockholder approval pursuant to the requirements of Nasdaq or any exchange on which the Company is then listed or applicable law.
f.Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, exclusive of reference to rules and principles of conflicts of law.
Adopted by the Board of Directors on |
May25, 2005 | 22, 2007 | |
Approved by the stockholders on July |
13, 2005 | 18, 2007 | |
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C/O MELLON INVESTOR SERVICES LLC
SUITE 3500
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE STOCKHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by SeaChange International, Inc. in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access stockholder communications electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to SeaChange International, Inc., c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
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TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: | SECHA1 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
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THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
SEACHANGE INTERNATIONAL, INC. | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Vote on Directors | | | | | | | | |
1. To elect two (2) Class II Directors to serve for a three-year term. | | | | | | | | |
Nominees: | | For | Against | Abstain | Vote on Proposals | | For | Against | Abstain |
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1a. Martin R. Hoffmann | | o | o | o | 2. To approve the amendments to SeaChange's 2005 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan. | o | o | o |
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1b. Thomas F. Olson | | o | o | o | 3. To ratify the appointment of SeaChange's independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP. | o | o | o |
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Please sign exactly as name appears below. Joint owners must both sign. Attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian must give full title as such. A company or partnership must sign its full name by authorized person. | | | | | | |
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For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated. | | o | | | | | Yes | No | |
MATERIALS ELECTION As of July 1, 2007, SEC rules permit companies to send you a notice that proxy information is available on the Internet, instead of mailing you a complete set of materials. Check the box to the right if you want to receive a complete set of future proxy materials by mail, at no cost to you. If you do not take action you may receive only a Notice. | | o | | | Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting. | o | o | |
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date | | | | | | Signature (Joint Owners) | Date | | | |
SEACHANGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 18, 2007
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSThe undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints William C. Styslinger, III and Kevin M. Bisson and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to represent and vote all shares of common stock of SeaChange International, Inc. which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SeaChange to be held on July 18, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at SeaChange's offices located at 50 Nagog Park, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, and at all adjournments thereof, upon matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement dated May 25, 2007, a copy of which has been received by the undersigned. The proxies are further authorized to vote, in their discretion, upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS, FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE 2005 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN, AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF SEACHANGE'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
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(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)SEE REVERSE SIDE