SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.)
Filed by the Registrant [ x ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ x ] | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
[ ] | Confidential, for the use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
[ ] | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
[ ] | Definitive Additional Materials | |
[ ] | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
ALTERNET SYSTEMS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| [ x ] | No fee required. | |
| [ ] | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |
| (1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |
| (2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | ||
| (4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
| (5) | Total fee paid: | |
| [ ] | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |
[ ] | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-1l (a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | ||
| (1) | Amount Previously Paid: | |
| (2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
| (3) | Filing Party: | |
| (4) | Date Filed: |
ALTERNET SYSTEMS, INC.
2014
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
_____________________
________, 2014
at ______, Eastern Time
_____________________
_________
_________
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ALTERNET SYSTEMS, INC.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON _________, 2014
A Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) of Alternet Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at _____________, on _______, _________, 2014, at _________ Eastern Time, to consider the following proposals:
1. | To approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 500,000,000; | |
2. | To approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock; | |
3. | To approve the Alternet Systems, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan; and | |
4. | To act on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE PROPOSALS TO THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS, IT IS VITAL THAT EVERY STOCKHOLDER VOTES AT THE SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON OR BY PROXY.
These proposals are fully set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement, which you are urged to read thoroughly. For the reasons set forth in the Proxy Statement, your Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" Proposals 1, 2 and 3.The Company intends to mail the Proxy Statement and Proxy Card enclosed with this notice on or about _________ , 2014 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on _________, 2014 will be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. A list of all stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available at the principal office of the Company during usual business hours, for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Special Meeting for 10 days prior to the date thereof. Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting. However, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, your shares should be represented and voted. After reading the enclosed Proxy Statement, please sign, date, and return promptly the enclosed Proxy in the accompanying postpaid envelope we have provided for your convenience to ensure that your shares will be represented. Alternatively, you may wish to provide your response by telephone or electronically through the Internet by following the instructions set out on the enclosed Proxy Card. If you do attend the meeting and wish to vote your shares personally, you may revoke your Proxy.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held ______, 2014. The Proxy Statement is available at: _____________.
By Order of the Board of Directors | ||
| ||
| /s/ Henryk Dabrowski | |
| Henryk Dabrowski | |
| Chairman of the Board of Directors |
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE VOTE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED.
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Alternet Systems, Inc.
2665 S. Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33133
______________________
PROXY STATEMENT
_______________________
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Alternet Systems, Inc. (“Alternet”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) to be voted at the Special Meeting of Stockholders (“Special Meeting”) which will be held at ___________on _________, ________, 2014, at _________ Eastern Time, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. The proxy materials will be furnished to stockholders on or about _________, 2014.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY AND SOLICITATION
Any stockholder executing a proxy that is solicited hereby has the power to revoke it prior to the voting of the proxy. Revocation may be made by attending the Special Meeting and voting the shares of stock in person, or by delivering to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company prior to the Special Meeting a written notice of revocation or a later-dated, properly executed proxy. Solicitation of proxies may be made by directors, officers and other employees of the Company by personal interview, telephone, facsimile transmittal or electronic communications. No additional compensation will be paid for any such services. This solicitation of proxies is being made by the Company which will bear all costs associated with the mailing of this proxy statement and the solicitation of proxies.
RECORD DATE
Stockholders of record at the close of business on ________ , 2014, will be entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the meeting.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING
Why am I receiving these materials?
The Company has delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail, in connection with the Company’s solicitation of proxies for use at the Special Meeting. These materials describe the proposals on which the Company would like you to vote and also give you information on these proposals so that you can make an informed decision.
What is included in these materials?
These materials include:
this Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting; and
the Proxy Card or vote instruction form for the Special Meeting.
What is the Proxy Card?
The Proxy Card enables you to appoint Henryk Dabrowski, our President and Chairman, as your representative at the Special Meeting. By completing and returning a Proxy Card, you are authorizing Mr. Dabrowski to vote your shares at the Special Meeting in accordance with your instructions on the Proxy Card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Special Meeting.
What is the purpose of the Special Meeting?
At our Special Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the Notice of Special Meeting on the cover page of this Proxy Statement, including (i) to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 500,000,000, (ii) to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, and (iii) to approve the Alternet Systems, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.
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What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum permitting the meeting to conduct its business. We anticipate that as of the record date, there will be _________shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding. Thus, the presence of the holders of _______ shares of common stock will be required to establish a quorum.
What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?
Most of our stockholders hold their shares in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee holder, rather than holding share certificates in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially in street name.
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Stockholder of Record
If on _______, 2014, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Transfer Online, you are considered a stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and the Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement was sent directly to you by the Company. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to direct the voting of your shares by returning the Proxy Card to us. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, if you do not vote over the Internet or telephonically, please complete, date, sign and return a Proxy Card to ensure that your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name
If on ________, 2014, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer, or other nominee holder, then you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and the Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement was forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Special Meeting. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct that organization on how to vote the shares held in your account. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Special Meeting unless you receive a valid proxy from the organization.
How do I vote?
Stockholders of Record.If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by any of the following methods:
Via the Internet.You may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided on the enclosed Proxy Card.
By Telephone.You may vote by calling the toll free number found on the Proxy Card.
By Mail.You may vote by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided.
In Person.You may attend and vote at the Special Meeting. The Company will give you a ballot when you arrive.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name.If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you may vote by any of the following methods:
Via the Internet.You may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided on the enclosed Proxy Card.
By Telephone.You may vote by proxy by calling the toll free number found on the vote instruction form.
By Mail.You may vote by proxy by filling out the vote instruction form and returning it in the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided.
In Person.If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you wish to vote in person at the Special Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the organization that holds your shares.
Abstentions and broker non-votes
While the inspectors of election will treat shares represented by Proxies that reflect abstentions or include "broker non-votes" as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, abstentions or "broker non-votes" do not constitute a vote "for" or "against" any matter and thus will be disregarded in any calculation of "votes cast." However, abstentions and "broker non-votes" will have the effect of a negative vote if an item requires the approval of a majority of a quorum or of a specified proportion of all issued and outstanding shares.
Brokers holding shares of record for customers generally are not entitled to vote on “non-routine” matters, unless they receive voting instructions from their customers. As used herein, “uninstructed shares” means shares held by a broker who has not received voting instructions from its customers on a proposal. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding uninstructed shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that non-routine matter. In connection with the treatment of abstentions and broker non-votes, the proposed amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 500,000,000, is considered a “routine” matter. Accordingly, brokers are entitled to vote uninstructed shares with respect to this proposal.
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What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?
Shareholders of Record.If you are a stockholder of record and you:
indicate when voting on the Internet or by telephone that you wish to vote as recommended by the Board of Directors, or
sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions,
then the proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by the Board of Directors on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Special Meeting.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on routine matters, such as the proposed amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 500,000,000, but cannot vote on non-routine matters, such as the proposed amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, and the proposal to approve the Alternet Systems, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.
What are the Board’s recommendations?
The Board’s recommendation is set forth together with the description of each item in this Proxy Statement. In summary, the Board recommends a vote:
for approval of the amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 500,000,000;
for approval of the amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock; and
for approval of the Alternet Systems, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.
With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holder will vote as recommended by the Board of Directors or, if no recommendation is given, in his own discretion.
Dissenters’ Right of Appraisal
Holders of shares of our common stock do not have appraisal rights under Nevada law or under the governing documents of the Company in connection with this solicitation.
How are Proxy materials delivered to households?
Only one copy of this Proxy Statement will be delivered to an address where two or more stockholders reside with the same last name or who otherwise reasonably appear to be members of the same family based on the stockholders’ prior express or implied consent.
We will deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of this Proxy Statement upon such request. If you share an address with at least one other stockholder, currently receive one copy of our Proxy Statement at your residence, and would like to receive a separate copy of our Proxy Statement for future stockholder meetings of the Company, please specify such request in writing and send such written request to Alternet Systems, Inc., 2665 S. Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33133, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Interest of Officers and Directors in Matters to Be Acted Upon
None of our officers or directors has any interest in any of the matters to be acted upon at the Special Meeting, except that, our officers and directors may receive grants of shares or options under the Alternet Systems, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.
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How much stock is owned by 5% stockholders, directors, and executive officers?
The following table sets forth the number of shares known to be beneficially owned by all persons who own at least 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, the Company's directors and officers, and the directors and officers as a group as of May 31, 2014. Unless otherwise indicated, the stockholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated.
Common Stock | Percentage | |||||
Beneficially | Common | |||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Owned** | Stock** | ||||
Henryk Dabrowski | 5,819,930 | 6.0% | ||||
Fabio Alvino | 4,454,592 | 4.6% | ||||
Robin Bjorklund | 4,258,170 | 4.4% | ||||
Michael Viadero | 2,078,000 | 2.1% | ||||
Flow Capital LLC (1) | 8,179,700 | 8.5% | ||||
Global Equity Trading & Finance, Ltd. | 7,075,000 | 7.3% | ||||
All officers and directors as a group (4 persons) | 16,610,692 | 17.2% |
*Less than 1% of the outstanding common stock
** Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to options, warrants, convertible debentures, or preferred shares exercisable or convertible within 60 days of May 31, 2014 are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities. Percentages are based on 96,752,064 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of May 31, 2014.
(1) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed by the stockholder with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 7, 2014. Fernando Cisneros, as manager of Flow Capital, LLC, shares voting and dispositive power with Flow Capital as to the shares of the Company owned by each of them, respectively. Also includes 770,000 shares owned by the spouse of Fernando Cisneros as to which Fernando Cisneros and Flow Capital, LLC disclaim beneficial ownership.
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ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN AT THE MEETING
PROPOSAL NO. 1
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FROM 100,000,000 TO 500,000,000
Our Board of Directors has approved, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation (the “Common Shares Increase Amendment”) to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 100,000,000 to 500,000,000.
If the Common Shares Increase Amendment is approved by our shareholders at the Special Meeting, we intend to file the Common Shares Increase Amendment with the Secretary of State of Nevada, substantially in the form of Appendix A hereto (provided that, if both the Common Shares Increase Amendment and the Blank Check Preferred Amendment (see Proposal No. 2 below) are approved by shareholders at the Special Meeting, we may file a single amendment for both actions) with the Secretary of State of Nevada as soon as practicable following the Special Meeting. The increase in authorized shares of common stock under the Common Shares Increase Amendment will be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of Nevada.
Outstanding Shares and Purpose of the Proposal
Our articles of incorporation currently authorizes us to issue a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share. Our issued and outstanding securities, as of May 31, 2014, on a fully diluted basis, are as follows:
- 96,752,064 shares of common stock; and
- Convertible debenture in the aggregate principal amount of $370,533 convertible into 4,940,437 shares of common stock at an average conversion price of $0.75 per share.
The Board believes that the increase in authorized shares of common stock will provide the Company greater flexibility with respect to the Company’s capital structure for purposes including additional equity financings and stock based acquisitions.
Effects of the Increase in Authorized Common Stock
The additional shares of common stock will have the same rights as the presently authorized shares, including the right to cast one vote per share of common stock. Although the authorization of additional shares will not, in itself, have any effect on the rights of any holder of our common stock, the future issuance of additional shares of common stock (other than by way of a stock split or dividend) would have the effect of diluting the voting rights and could have the effect of diluting earnings per share and book value per share of existing shareholders.
At present, other than in connection with the possible conversion of outstanding convertible debentures (at the option of their respective holders), the Board of Directors has no other plans to issue the additional shares of common stock to be authorized by the Common Shares Increase Amendment. However, it is possible that some of these additional shares could be used in the future for various other purposes without further shareholder approval, except as such approval may be required in particular cases by our charter documents, applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or other market on which our securities may then be listed. These purposes may include: raising capital, providing equity incentives to employees, officers or directors, establishing strategic relationships with other companies, and expanding the Company’s business or product lines through the acquisition of other businesses or products.
We could also use the additional shares of common stock that will become available pursuant to the Common Shares Increase Amendment to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or to delay or prevent changes in control or management of the Company. Although the proposal to increase the authorized common stock has not been prompted by the threat of any hostile takeover attempt (nor is the Board currently aware of any such attempts directed at the Company), nevertheless, shareholders should be aware that the Common Shares Increase Amendment could facilitate future efforts by us to deter or prevent changes in control of the Company, including transactions in which shareholders of the Company might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices. However, the Board of Directors has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the Company's shareholders at all times.
Required Vote
Approval of the Common Shares Increase Amendment requires the receipt of the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Company's common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date.
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RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD FOR PROPOSAL NO. 1:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARESOF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK FROM 100,000,000 TO 500,000,000
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ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN AT THE MEETING (Continued)
PROPOSAL NO. 2
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF UP TO 10,000,000 SHARES OF BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK
Our Board of Directors has approved, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation (the “Blank Check Preferred Amendment”) to authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock.
If the Blank Check Preferred Amendment is approved by our shareholders at the Special Meeting, we intend to file the Blank Check Preferred Amendment with the Secretary of State of Nevada, substantially in the form of Appendix B hereto (provided that, if both the Common Shares Increase Amendment and the Blank Check Preferred Amendment are approved by shareholders at the Special Meeting, we may file a single amendment for both actions) with the Secretary of State of Nevada as soon as practicable following the Special Meeting.
Outstanding Shares and Purpose of the Proposal
Our Articles of Incorporation currently authorizes us to issue a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share. Our issued and outstanding securities, as of May 31, 2014, on a fully diluted basis, are as follows:
- 96,752,064 shares of common stock; and
- Convertible debenture in the aggregate principal amount of $370,533 convertible into 4,940,437 shares of common stock at an average conversion price of $0.75 per share.
Upon filing with the Nevada Secretary of State, the Blank Check Preferred Amendment will authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.00001 par value. The Board of Directors will be authorized to fix the designations, rights, preferences, powers and limitations of each series of the preferred stock.
The term "blank check" preferred stock refers to stock which gives the board of directors of a corporation the flexibility to create one or more series of preferred stock, from time to time, and to determine the relative rights, preferences, powers and limitations of each series, including, without limitation: (i) the number of shares in each series, (ii) whether a series will bear dividends and whether dividends will be cumulative, (iii) the dividend rate and the dates of dividend payments, (iv) liquidation preferences and prices, (v) terms of redemption, including timing, rates and prices, (vi) conversion rights, (vii) any sinking fund requirements, (viii) any restrictions on the issuance of additional shares of any class or series, (ix) any voting rights and (x) any other relative, participating, optional or other special rights, preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations or restrictions. Any issuances of preferred stock by the Company will need to be approved the board of directors.
The Board of Directors believes that the authorization of shares of preferred stock is desirable because it will provide the Company with increased flexibility of action to meet future working capital and capital expenditure requirements through equity financings without the delay and expense ordinarily attendant on obtaining further shareholder approvals. The Board of Directors believes that the authorization of blank check preferred stock will improve the Company's ability to attract needed investment capital, as various series of the preferred stock may be customized to meet the needs of any particular transaction or market conditions.
Effects of Blank Check Preferred Amendment on Current Shareholders
The shares of preferred stock to be authorized pursuant to the Blank Check Preferred Amendment could be issued, at the discretion of the Board, for any proper corporate purpose, without further action by the shareholders other than as may be required by applicable law. Existing shareholders do not have preemptive rights with respect to future issuance of preferred stock by the Company and their interest in the Company could be diluted by such issuance with respect to any of the following: earnings per share, voting, liquidation rights and book and market value.
The Board of Directors will have the power to issue the shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series with such preferences and voting rights as the Board of Directors may fix in the resolution providing for the issuance of such shares. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could affect the relative rights of the Company's shares of common stock. Depending upon the exact terms, limitations and relative rights and preferences, if any, of the shares of preferred stock as determined by the Board of Directors at the time of issuance, the holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to a higher dividend rate than that paid on the common stock, a prior claim on funds available for the payment of dividends, a fixed preferential payment in the event of liquidation and dissolution of the Company, redemption rights, rights to convert their shares of preferred stock into shares of common stock, and voting rights which would tend to dilute the voting control of the Company by the holders of shares of common stock. Depending on the particular terms of any series of the preferred stock, holders thereof may have significant voting rights and the right to representation on the Company's Board of Directors. In addition, the approval of the holders of shares of preferred stock, voting as a class or as a series, may be required for the taking of certain corporate actions, such as mergers.
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The issuance of shares of preferred stock may have the effect of discouraging or thwarting persons seeking to take control of the Company through a tender offer, proxy fight or otherwise or seeking to bring about removal of incumbent management or a corporate transaction such as a merger. For example, the issuance of shares of preferred stock in a public or private sale, merger or in a similar transaction may, depending on the terms of the series of preferred stock dilute the interest of a party seeking to take over the Company. Further, the authorized preferred stock could be used by the Board of Directors for adoption of a shareholder rights plan or "poison pill."
The Blank Check Preferred Amendment was not proposed in response to, or for the purpose of deterring, any effort to obtain control of the Company or as an anti-takeover measure. It should be noted that any action taken by the Company to discourage an attempt to acquire control of the Company might result in shareholders not being able to participate in any possible premiums which might be obtained in the absence of anti-takeover provisions. Any transaction which may be so discouraged or avoided could be a transaction that the Company's shareholders might consider to be in their best interests. However, the Board of Directors has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the Company's shareholders at all times.
Required Vote
Approval of the Blank Check Preferred Amendment requires the receipt of the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Company's common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF UP TO 10,000,000 SHARES OF BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK
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ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN AT THE MEETING
PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF THE ALTERNET SYSTEMS, INC. 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
We have adopted the Alternet Systems, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), in the form of Appendix C hereto. The term of the 2014 Plan is ten years from July 17, 2014, its effective date. No grants have been made to date under the 2014 Plan. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2014 Plan shall initially be 5,000,000 and thereafter shall automatically be increased each time the Company issues additional shares of common stock so that the total number of shares issuable under the 2014 Plan shall at all times equal 5% of the then outstanding shares of common stock, unless in any case the Board of Directors adopts a resolution providing that the number of shares issuable under this Plan shall not be so increased.
The purpose of our 2014 Plan is to provide an incentive to attract and retain directors, officers, consultants, advisors and employees whose services are considered valuable, to encourage a sense of proprietorship and to stimulate an active interest of such persons into our development and financial success. The 2014 Plan permits the grant of the following types of incentive awards:
- Incentive Stock Options
- Non-qualified stock options
- Restricted Stock.
The 2014 Plan is administered by our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors consisting of at least two directors who qualify as “independent directors” under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, “non-employee directors” under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as “outside directors” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Our board of directors has not yet appointed a committee meeting the above qualifications.
Subject to the terms of the 2014 Plan, the Board of Directors as administrator has the sole discretion to select the directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors who will receive awards, determine the terms and conditions of the awards, and interpret the provisions of the 2014 Plan and outstanding awards. Our Board of Directors generally may amend or terminate the 2014 Plan at any time and for any reason, except that no amendment, suspension, or termination may impair the rights of any participant without his or her consent, and except that approval of our stockholders is required for any amendment which:
- materially increases the number of shares subject to the 2014 Plan;
- materially increases the benefits accruing to the participants;
- materially modifies the requirements for eligibility for awards;
- decreases the exercise price of an option to less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 2014 Plan) on the date of grant;
- extends the term of any option beyond the limits currently provided by the 2014 Plan; or
- reduces the exercise price of outstanding options or effects repricing through cancellations and regranting of new options
Subject to the foregoing, our 2014 Plan’s administrator also has authority to amend outstanding awards prospectively or retrospectively, but no such amendment shall impair the rights of any participant without such participant’s consent.
If any award under the 2014 Plan is cancelled prior to its exercise or vesting in full, or if the number of shares subject to an award is reduced for any reason, the shares of our stock that are no longer subject to such award will be returned to the available pool of shares reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan, except where such reissuance is inconsistent with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences generally applicable to awards under the 2014 Plan. This summary does not purport to consider all of the possible U.S. federal tax consequences of the awards and is not intended to reflect the particular tax position of any award recipient. This summary is based upon the U.S. federal tax laws and regulations now in effect and as currently interpreted and does not take into account possible changes in such tax laws or such interpretations, any of which may be applied retroactively. Award recipients are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisors for additional information.
Grant of an Option.The grant of an option is not expected to result in any taxable income for the recipient as of the date of the grant, except that in the event non-statutory options are granted with an exercise price lower than the then-current fair market value of the common stock, the difference between the exercise price and the then-current fair market value may be treated as deferred compensation income recognized as of the date the non-statutory options are granted.
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Exercise of Incentive Stock Option.The holder of an incentive stock option generally will have no taxable income upon exercising the option (except that a tax liability may arise pursuant to the alternative minimum tax), and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction.
Exercise of Nonqualified Stock Option.Generally, subject to Code Section 409A, upon exercising a nonqualified stock option, the award recipient must recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock acquired on the date of exercise over the exercise price. The income will be treated as compensation income subject to payroll and withholding tax obligations. The Company would be entitled to a compensation deduction in the amount of income recognized by the award recipient.
Disposition of Shares Acquired Through an Option.The tax consequence to a holder of an option upon a disposition of shares acquired through the exercise of an option will depend on how long the shares have been held and upon whether such shares were acquired by exercising an incentive stock option or by exercising a nonqualified stock option.
Generally, the disposition of shares which were acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option will be taxable as long-term capital gain or loss if the award recipient disposes of the shares more than two years after the option was granted and at least one year after exercising the option. If the award recipient fails to satisfy the holding period requirements for treatment as an incentive stock option, a disposition will result in any gain being treated as compensation income subject to ordinary tax rates. If the award recipient is still an employee of the Company at the time of the disposition, the amount of gain treated as compensation will also be subject to payroll and withholding taxes.
If an award recipient disposes of shares acquired through the exercise of a nonqualified option, any gain or loss will be treated as a capital gain or loss. To the extent such shares have been held for at least one year after exercise of the nonqualified option, the gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss.
Generally, there will be no tax consequence to the Company in connection with the disposition of shares acquired under an option, except that the Company may be entitled to a tax deduction in the case of the disposition of shares acquired under an incentive stock option before the applicable incentive stock option holding periods set forth in the Code have been satisfied.
The grant by the Board of other stock-based awards may have varying tax consequences to award recipients. Grants made pursuant to the 2014 Plan may be subject to Code Section 409A and plan administration may have to conform to Code Section 409A. Failure to comply with Code Section 409A, if applicable, will result in acceleration of income and imposition of penalties and interest to award recipients.
Application of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.Special rules may apply in the case of individuals subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In particular, unless a special election is made pursuant to the Code, shares received pursuant to the exercise of a stock option may be treated as restricted as to transferability and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture for a period of up to six months after the date of exercise. Accordingly, the amount of any ordinary income recognized, and the amount of the Company's tax deduction, are determined as of the end of such period.
New Plan Benefits
Future awards under the 2014 Plan to our non-employee directors, executive officers and employees are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. At this time, therefore, the benefits that may be received by our executive officers and other employees cannot be determined, and we have not included a table reflecting such benefits and awards.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
We had no equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2013.
Required Vote
Approval of the Alternet Systems, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan requires the receipt of the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Company's common stock present in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD FOR PROPOSAL NO. 3:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE ALTERNET SYSTEMS, INC. 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth all compensation paid in respect of the Company’s named executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Change in | |||||||||
Pension Value | |||||||||
Non-Equity | and | ||||||||
Incentive | Nonqualified | ||||||||
Plan | Deferred | ||||||||
Stock | Option | Compensatio | Compensation | All Other | |||||
Name & | Fiscal | Salary | Bonus | Awards | Awards | n | Earnings | Compensation | Total |
Position | Year | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) |
Henryk Dabrowski, President | 2013 2012 | 165,000 165,000 | 165,000 82,500 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 9,852 | 339,852 265,365 |
Michael Viadero, Chief Financial Officer | 2013 2012 | 160,000 160,000 | 160,000 80,000 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 9,926 9,944 | 329,926 249,944 |
Fabio Alvino, VP Business Development | 2013 2012 | 130,000 130,000 | 130,000 65,000 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 29,290 29,340 | 289,290 224,340 |
Employment Agreements
We are not party to any employment agreements.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
SEC regulations state that we must disclose information regarding agreements, plans or arrangements that provide for payments or benefits to our executive officers in connection with any termination of employment or change in control of the Company. We currently have no employment agreements nor any compensatory plans or arrangements with any of our executive officers that may result from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of any of our executive officers, from a change-incontrol, or from a change in any executive officer’s responsibilities following a change-in-control.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The Company had no outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2013.
Risk Management
The Company does not believe risks arising from its compensation policies and practices for its employees are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be presented at the Special Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy, or their substitutes, will vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Proxy Solicitation Costs
The proxies being solicited hereby are being solicited by the Company. The Company will bear the entire cost of solicitation of proxies, including preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of the Notice, the Proxy Statement, the Proxy Card and establishment of the Internet site hosting the proxy material. Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of common stock beneficially owned by others to forward to such beneficial owners. Officers and regular employees of the Company may, but without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies by further mailing or personal conversations, or by telephone, telex, facsimile or electronic means. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock.
By Order of the Board of Directors, | |
/s/ Henryk Dabrowski | |
Henryk Dabrowski | |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Appendix A
Form of Common Shares Increase Amendment
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
For Nevada Profit Corporations
1. Name of corporation: Alternet Systems, Inc.
2. The articles have been amended as follows (provide article numbers, if available):
Section 4.01 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
The amount of the total authorized capital stock of the corporation is Five Hundred Million (500,000,000) shares of common stock with a par value of one thousandth of one cent ($0.00001) . The common stock may be issued from time to time without action by the stockholders. The Common Stock may be issued for consideration as may be fixed by the Board of Directors.
3. The vote by which the stockholders holding shares in the corporation entitling them to exercise at least a majority of the voting power, or such greater proportion of the voting power as may be required in the case of a vote by classes or series, or as may be required by the provisions of the articles of incorporation have voted in favor of the amendment is: More than 50%
4. Effective date of filing (optional):
5. Signature:
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Appendix B
Form of Blank Check Preferred Amendment
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
For Nevada Profit Corporations
1. Name of corporation:
Alternet Systems, Inc.
2. The articles have been amended as follows (provide article numbers, if available):
Section 4.01 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
The amount of the total authorized capital stock of the corporation is One Hundred Ten Million (110,000,000) shares, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of one thousandth of one cent ($0.00001), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of one thousandth of one cent ($0.00001) . The common stock may be issued from time to time without action by the stockholders. The Common Stock may be issued for consideration as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. The Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, shall have such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such stock adopted by the board of directors and may be made dependent upon facts ascertainable outside such resolution or resolutions of the board of directors, provided that the matter in which such facts shall operate upon such designations, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such stock by the board of directors.
3. The vote by which the stockholders holding shares in the corporation entitling them to exercise at least a majority of the voting power, or such greater proportion of the voting power as may be required in the case of a vote by classes or series, or as may be required by the provisions of the articles of incorporation have voted in favor of the amendment is: More than 50%
4. Effective date of filing (optional):
5. Signature:
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Appendix C
ALTERNET SYSTEMS, INC.
2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. | Purpose of the Plan. |
This Alternet Systems, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is intended as an incentive, to retain in the employ of and as directors, officers, consultants, advisors and employees to Alternet Systems, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company ”), and any Subsidiary of the Company, within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code ”), persons of training, experience and ability, to attract new directors, officers, consultants, advisors and employees whose services are considered valuable, to encourage the sense of proprietorship and to stimulate the active interest of such persons in the development and financial success of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
It is further intended that certain options granted pursuant to the Plan shall constitute incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code (the “Incentive Options”) while certain other options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be nonqualified stock options (the “Nonqualified Options”). Incentive Options and Nonqualified Options are hereinafter referred to collectively as “Options.”
The Company intends that the Plan meet the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (“Rule 16b-3”) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act ”), and that transactions of the type specified in subparagraphs (c) to (f) inclusive of Rule 16b-3 by officers and directors of the Company pursuant to the Plan will be exempt from the operation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Further, the Plan is intended to satisfy the performance-based compensation exception to the limitation on the Company’s tax deductions imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to those Options for which qualification for such exception is intended. In all cases, the terms, provisions, conditions and limitations of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted consistent with the Company’s intent as stated in this Section 1.
2. | Administration of the Plan. |
The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board ”) shall appoint and maintain as administrator of the Plan a Committee (the “Committee”) consisting of two or more directors who are (i) “Independent Directors” (as such term is defined under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market), (ii) “Non-Employee Directors” (as such term is defined in Rule 16b-3) and (iii) “Outside Directors” (as such term is defined in Section 162(m) of the Code), which shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Committee, subject to Sections 3, 5 and 6 hereof, shall have full power and authority to designate recipients of Options and restricted stock (“Restricted Stock”) and to determine the terms and conditions of the respective Option and Restricted Stock agreements (which need not be identical) and to interpret the provisions and supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority, without limitation, to designate which Options granted under the Plan shall be Incentive Options and which shall be Nonqualified Options. To the extent any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Option, it shall constitute a separate Nonqualified Option.
Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall interpret the Plan and all Options and Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, shall make such rules as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan, shall make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and shall correct any defects or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Options or Restricted Stock granted under the Plan in the manner and to the extent that the Committee deems desirable to carry into effect the Plan or any Options or Restricted Stock. The act or determination of a majority of the Committee shall be the act or determination of the Committee and any decision reduced to writing and signed by all of the members of the Committee shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a majority of the Committee at a meeting duly held for such purpose. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, any action taken or determination made by the Committee pursuant to this and the other Sections of the Plan shall be conclusive on all parties.
In the event that for any reason the Committee is unable to act or if the Committee at the time of any grant, award or other acquisition under the Plan does not consist of two or more Non-Employee Directors, or if there shall be no such Committee, or if the Board otherwise determines to administer the Plan, then the Plan shall be administered by the Board, and references herein to the Committee (except in the proviso to this sentence) shall be deemed to be references to the Board, and any such grant, award or other acquisition may be approved or ratified in any other manner contemplated by subparagraph (d) of Rule 16b-3.
3. | Designation of Optionees and Grantees. |
The persons eligible for participation in the Plan as recipients of Options (the “Optionees”) or Restricted Stock (the “Grantees” and together with Optionees, the “Participants ”) shall include directors, officers and employees of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that Incentive Options may only be granted to employees of the Company and any Subsidiary. In selecting Participants, and in determining the number of shares to be covered by each Option or award of Restricted Stock granted to Participants, the Committee may consider any factors it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the office or position held by the Participant or the Participant’s relationship to the Company, the Participant’s degree of responsibility for and contribution to the growth and success of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Participant’s length of service, promotions and potential. A Participant who has been granted an Option or Restricted Stock hereunder may be granted an additional Option or Options, or Restricted Stock if the Committee shall so determine.
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4. | Stock Reserved for the Plan. |
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 hereof, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan (the “Stock”) shall initially be 5,000,000 and thereafter shall automatically be increased each time the Company issues additional shares of Common Stock so that the total number of shares issuable hereunder shall at all times equal 5% of the then outstanding shares of common stock, unless in any case the Board of Directors adopts a resolution providing that the number of shares issuable under this Plan shall not be so increased. The shares of Stock subject to the Plan shall consist of unissued shares, treasury shares or previously issued shares held by any Subsidiary of the Company, and such number of shares of Stock shall be and is hereby reserved for such purpose. Any of such shares of Stock that may remain unissued and that are not subject to outstanding Options at the termination of the Plan shall cease to be reserved for the purposes of the Plan, but until termination of the Plan the Company shall at all times reserve a sufficient number of shares of Stock to meet the requirements of the Plan. Should any Option or award of Restricted Stock expire or be canceled prior to its exercise or vesting in full or should the number of shares of Stock to be delivered upon the exercise or vesting in full of an Option or award of Restricted Stock be reduced for any reason, the shares of Stock theretofore subject to such Option or Restricted Stock may be subject to future Options or Restricted Stock under the Plan, except where such reissuance is inconsistent with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code where qualification as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code is intended.
5. | Terms and Conditions of Options. |
Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:
(a)Option Price. The purchase price of each share of Stock purchasable under an Incentive Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of such share of Stock on the date the Option is granted;provided,however , that with respect to an Optionee who, at the time such Incentive Option is granted, owns (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 of any Subsidiary, the purchase price per share of Stock shall be at least 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on the date of grant. The purchase price of each share of Stock purchasable under a Nonqualified Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share of Stock on the date the Option is granted. The exercise price for each Option shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 below. “Fair Market Value” means otherwise determined or provided by the Committee in the circumstances, the closing price for a share of Common Stock on the trading day immediately before the grant date, as furnished by the NASDAQ Stock Market or other principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted for the date in question, or if the Common Stock is not listed or quoted on a principal stock exchange, then by the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board or OTC Markets. If the Common Stock is not listed or quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market or listed or quoted on a principal stock exchange or is not traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board or OTC Markets as of the applicable date, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the value as reasonably determined by the Committee for purposes of the award in the circumstances. Anything in this Section 5(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the purchase price of a share of Stock be less than the minimum price permitted under the rules and policies of any national securities exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed.
(b)Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date such Option is granted and in the case of an Incentive Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time such Incentive Option is granted, owns (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 of any Subsidiary, no such Incentive Option shall be exercisable more than five years after the date such Incentive Option is granted.
(c)Exercisability. Subject to Section 5(j) hereof, Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant;provided,however , that in the absence of any Option vesting periods designated by the Committee at the time of grant, Options shall vest and become exercisable as to one-tenth of the total number of shares subject to the Option on each of the three month anniversary of the date of grant; and provided further that no Options shall be exercisable until such time as any vesting limitation required by Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and related rules, shall be satisfied if such limitation shall be required for continued validity of the exemption provided under Rule 16b-3(d)(3).
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Upon the occurrence of a “Change in Control” (as hereinafter defined), the Committee may accelerate the vesting and exercisability of outstanding Options, in whole or in part, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. In its sole discretion, the Committee may also determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each outstanding Option shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the Optionee thereunder, and each such Optionee shall receive, with respect to each share of Company Stock subject to such Option, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such shares immediately prior to such Change in Control over the exercise price per share of such Option; such amount shall be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of property (including the property, if any, payable in the transaction) or a combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.
For purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise defined in an employment or consulting agreement between the Company and the relevant Optionee, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) a tender offer (or series of related offers) shall be made and consummated for the ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, unless as a result of such tender offer more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to the commencement of such offer), any employee benefit plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates;
(ii) the Company shall be merged or consolidated with another corporation, unless as a result of such merger or consolidation more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), any employee benefit plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates;
(iii) the Company shall sell substantially all of its assets to another corporation that is not wholly owned by the Company, unless as a result of such sale more than 50% of such assets shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), any employee benefit plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries and their affiliates; or
(iv) a Person (as defined below) shall acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (whether directly, indirectly, beneficially or of record), unless as a result of such acquisition more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to the first acquisition of such securities by such Person), any employee benefit plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Change of Control is defined in an employment or consulting agreement between the Company and the relevant Optionee, then, with respect to such Optionee, Change of Control shall have the meaning ascribed to it in such employment agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), ownership of voting securities shall take into account and shall include ownership as determined by applying the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(I)(i) (as in effect on the date hereof) under the Exchange Act. In addition, for such purposes, “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof;provided,however, that a Person shall not include (A) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities; or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company.
(d)Method of Exercise. Options to the extent then exercisable may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the option period, by giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of shares of Stock to be purchased, accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price, in cash, or by check or such other instrument as may be acceptable to the Committee. As determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at or after grant, payment in full or in part may be made at the election of the Optionee (i) in the form of Stock owned by the Optionee (based on the Fair Market Value of the Stock which is not the subject of any pledge or security interest, (ii) in the form of shares of Stock withheld by the Company from the shares of Stock otherwise to be received with such withheld shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price of the Option, or (iii) by a combination of the foregoing, such Fair Market Value determined by applying the principles set forth in Section 5(a), provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any shares surrendered to the Company is at least equal to such exercise price and except with respect to (ii) above, such method of payment will not cause a disqualifying disposition of all or a portion of the Stock received upon exercise of an Incentive Option. An Optionee shall have the right to dividends and other rights of a stockholder with respect to shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of an Option at such time as the Optionee (i) has given written notice of exercise and has paid in full for such shares, and (ii) has satisfied such conditions that may be imposed by the Company with respect to the withholding of taxes.
(e)Non-transferability of Options. Options are not transferable and may be exercised solely by the Optionee during his lifetime or after his death by the person or persons entitled thereto under his will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a transfer of a Nonqualified Option to (i) a trust for the benefit of the Optionee, (ii) a member of the Optionee’s immediate family (or a trust for his or her benefit) or (iii) pursuant to a domestic relations order. Any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of, or to subject to execution, attachment or similar process, any Option contrary to the provisions hereof shall be void and ineffective and shall give no right to the purported transferee.
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(f)Termination by Death. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if any Optionee’s employment with or service to the Company or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of death, the Option may thereafter be exercised, to the extent then exercisable (or on such accelerated basis as the Committee shall determine at or after grant), by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the Optionee under the will of the Optionee, for a period of one (1) year after the date of such death (or, if later, such time as the Option may be exercised pursuant to Section 15(d) hereof) or until the expiration of the stated term of such Option as provided under the Plan, whichever period is shorter.
(g)Termination by Reason of Disability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if any Optionee’s employment with or service to the Company or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of Disability (as defined below), then any Option held by such Optionee may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination due to Disability (or on such accelerated basis as the Committee shall determine at or after grant), but may not be exercised after one (1) year after the date of such termination of employment or service (or, if later, such time as the Option may be exercised pursuant to Section 15(d) hereof) or the expiration of the stated term of such Option, whichever period is shorter;provided,however, that, if the Optionee dies within such ninety (90) day period, any unexercised Option held by such Optionee shall thereafter be exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death for a period of one (1) year after the date of such death (or, if later, such time as the Option may be exercised pursuant to Section 15(d) hereof) or for the stated term of such Option, whichever period is shorter. “Disability” shall mean an Optionee’s total and permanent disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code;provided, that if Disability is defined in an employment agreement or consulting agreement between the Company and the relevant Optionee, then, with respect to such Optionee, Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it in such employment or consulting agreement
(h)Termination by Reason of Retirement. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if any Optionee’s employment with or service to the Company or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of Normal or Early Retirement (as such terms are defined below), any Option held by such Optionee may thereafter be exercised to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such Retirement (or on such accelerated basis as the Committee shall determine at or after grant), but may not be exercised after ninety (90) days after the date of such termination of employment or service (or, if later, such time as the Option may be exercised pursuant to Section 15(d) hereof) or the expiration of the stated term of such Option, whichever date is earlier;provided,however, that, if the Optionee dies within such ninety (90) day period, any unexercised Option held by such Optionee shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one (1) year after the date of such death (or, if later, such time as the Option may be exercised pursuant to Section 15(d) hereof) or for the stated term of such Option, whichever period is shorter.
For purposes of this paragraph (h), “Normal Retirement” shall mean retirement from active employment with the Company or any Subsidiary on or after the normal retirement date specified in the applicable Company or Subsidiary pension plan or if no such pension plan, age 65, and “Early Retirement” shall mean retirement from active employment with the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to the early retirement provisions of the applicable Company or Subsidiary pension plan or if no such pension plan, age 55.
(i)Other Terminations. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee upon grant, if any Optionee’s employment with or service to the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated by such Optionee for any reason other than death, Disability, Normal or Early Retirement or Good Reason (as defined below), the Option shall thereupon terminate, except that the portion of any Option that was exercisable on the date of such termination of employment or service may be exercised for the lesser of ninety (90) days after the date of termination (or, if later, such time as the Option may be exercised pursuant to Section 15(d) hereof) or the balance of such Option’s term, whichever period is shorter. The transfer of an Optionee from the employ of or service to the Company to the employ of or service to a Subsidiary, or vice versa, or from one Subsidiary to another, shall not be deemed to constitute a termination of employment or service for purposes of the Plan.
(i) In the event that the Optionee’s employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated by the Company or such Subsidiary for “cause” any unexercised portion of any Option shall immediately terminate in its entirety. For purposes hereof, unless otherwise defined in an employment or consulting agreement between the Company and the relevant Optionee, “Cause” shall exist upon a good-faith determination by the Board, following a hearing before the Board at which an Optionee was represented by counsel and given an opportunity to be heard, that such Optionee has been accused of fraud, dishonesty or act detrimental to the interests of the Company or any Subsidiary of Company or that such Optionee has been accused of or convicted of an act of willful and material embezzlement or fraud against the Company or of a felony under any state or federal statute;provided,however, that it is specifically understood that “Cause” shall not include any act of commission or omission in the good-faith exercise of such Optionee’s business judgment as a director, officer or employee of the Company, as the case may be, or upon the advice of counsel to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Cause is defined in an employment or consulting agreement between the Company and the relevant Optionee, then, with respect to such Optionee, Cause shall have the meaning ascribed to it in such employment or consulting agreement.
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(ii) In the event that an Optionee is removed as a director, officer or employee by the Company at any time other than for “Cause” or resigns as a director, officer or employee for “Good Reason” the Option granted to such Optionee may be exercised by the Optionee, to the extent the Option was exercisable on the date such Optionee ceases to be a director, officer or employee. Such Option may be exercised at any time within one (1) year after the date the Optionee ceases to be a director, officer or employee (or, if later, such time as the Option may be exercised pursuant to Section 15(d) hereof), or the date on which the Option otherwise expires by its terms; which ever period is shorter, at which time the Option shall terminate;provided ,however , if the Optionee dies before the Options terminate and are no longer exercisable, the terms and provisions of Section 5(f) shall control. For purposes of this Section 5(i), and unless otherwise defined in an employment agreement between the Company and the relevant Optionee, Good Reason shall exist upon the occurrence of the following:
(A) | the assignment to Optionee of any duties inconsistent with the position in the Company that Optionee held immediately prior to the assignment; | |
(B) | a Change of Control resulting in a significant adverse alteration in the status or conditions of Optionee’s participation with the Company or other nature of Optionee’s responsibilities from those in effect prior to such Change of Control, including any significant alteration in Optionee’s responsibilities immediately prior to such Change in Control; and | |
(C) | the failure by the Company to continue to provide Optionee with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by Optionee prior to such failure. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Good Reason is defined in an employment or consulting agreement between the Company and the relevant Optionee, then, with respect to such Optionee, Good Reason shall have the meaning ascribed to it in such employment or consulting agreement.
(j)Limit on Value of Incentive Option. The aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the date the Incentive Option is granted, of Stock for which Incentive Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar year under the Plan (and/or any other stock option plans of the Company or any Subsidiary) shall not exceed $100,000.
6. | Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock. |
Restricted Stock may be granted under this Plan aside from, or in association with, any other award and shall be subject to the following conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions (including provisions relating to the acceleration of vesting of Restricted Stock upon a Change of Control), not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:
(a)Grantee rights. A Grantee shall have no rights to an award of Restricted Stock unless and until Grantee accepts the award within the period prescribed by the Committee and, if the Committee shall deem desirable, makes payment to the Company in cash, or by check or such other instrument as may be acceptable to the Committee. After acceptance and issuance of a certificate or certificates, as provided for below, the Grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to Restricted Stock subject to the non-transferability and forfeiture restrictions described in Section 6(d) below.
(b)Issuance of Certificates. The Company shall issue in the Grantee’s name a certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock associated with the award promptly after the Grantee accepts such award.
(c)Delivery of Certificates. Unless otherwise provided, any certificate or certificates issued evidencing shares of Restricted Stock shall not be delivered to the Grantee until such shares are free of any restrictions specified by the Committee at the time of grant.
(d)Forfeitability, Non-transferability of Restricted Stock. Shares of Restricted Stock are forfeitable until the terms of the Restricted Stock grant have been satisfied. Shares of Restricted Stock are not transferable until the date on which the Committee has specified such restrictions have lapsed. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee at or after grant, distributions in the form of dividends or otherwise of additional shares or property in respect of shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same restrictions as such shares of Restricted Stock.
(e)Change of Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control as defined in Section 5(c), the Committee may accelerate the vesting of outstanding Restricted Stock, in whole or in part, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
(f)Termination of Employment. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or after grant, in the event the Grantee ceases to be an employee or otherwise associated with the Company for any other reason, all shares of Restricted Stock theretofore awarded to him which are still subject to restrictions shall be forfeited and the Company shall have the right to complete the blank stock power. The Committee may provide (on or after grant) that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to shares of Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of termination resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock.
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7. | Term of Plan. |
No Option or award of Restricted Stock shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the date which is ten years from the effective date of the Plan, but Options and awards of Restricted Stock theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
8. | Capital Change of the Company. |
In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, or other change in corporate structure affecting the Stock, the Committee shall make an appropriate and equitable adjustment in the number and kind of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan and in the number and option price of shares subject to outstanding Options granted under the Plan, to the end that after such event each Optionee’s proportionate interest shall be maintained (to the extent possible) as immediately before the occurrence of such event. The Committee shall, to the extent feasible, make such other adjustments as may be required under the tax laws so that any Incentive Options previously granted shall not be deemed modified within the meaning of Section 424(h) of the Code. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made in the case of outstanding Restricted Stock granted under the Plan.
The adjustments described above will be made only to the extent consistent with continued qualification of the Option under Section 422 of the Code (in the case of an Incentive Option) and Section 409A of the Code.
9. | Purchase for Investment/Conditions. |
Unless the Options and shares covered by the Plan have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Company has determined that such registration is unnecessary, each person exercising or receiving Options or Restricted Stock under the Plan may be required by the Company to give a representation in writing that he is acquiring the securities for his own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any part thereof. The Committee may impose any additional or further restrictions on awards of Options or Restricted Stock as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of award.
10. | Taxes. |
(a) The Company may make such provisions as it may deem appropriate, consistent with applicable law, in connection with any Options or Restricted Stock granted under the Plan with respect to the withholding of any taxes (including income or employment taxes) or any other tax matters.
(b) If any Grantee, in connection with the acquisition of Restricted Stock, makes the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code (that is, an election to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Section 83(b)), such Grantee shall notify the Company of the election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Code Section 83(b).
(c) If any Grantee shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten (10) days hereof.
11. | Effective Date of Plan. |
The Plan shall be effective on July 17, 2014; provided, however, that if, and only if, certain options are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, the Plan must subsequently be approved by majority vote of the Company’s stockholders no later than July 17, 2015, and further, that in the event certain Option grants hereunder are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the requirements as to stockholder approval set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code are satisfied.
12. | Amendment and Termination. |
The Board may amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan, except that no amendment shall be made that would impair the rights of any Participant under any Option or Restricted Stock theretofore granted without the Participant’s consent, and except that no amendment shall be made which, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company would:
(a) materially increase the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan, except as is provided in Section 8;
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(b) materially increase the benefits accruing to the Participants under the Plan;
(c) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan;
(d) decrease the exercise price of an Incentive Option to less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on the date of grant thereof or the exercise price of a Nonqualified Option to less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on the date of grant thereof; or
(e) extend the term of any Option beyond that provided for in Section 5(b).
(f) except as otherwise provided in Sections 5(d) and 8 hereof, reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or effect repricing through cancellations and re-grants of new Options.
Subject to the forgoing, the Committee may amend the terms of any Option theretofore granted, prospectively or retrospectively, but no such amendment shall impair the rights of any Optionee without the Optionee’s consent.
It is the intention of the Board that the Plan comply strictly with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulations and other Internal Revenue Service guidance promulgated thereunder (the “Section 409A Rules ”) and the Committee shall exercise its discretion in granting awards hereunder (and the terms of such awards), accordingly. The Plan and any grant of an award hereunder may be amended from time to time (without, in the case of an award, the consent of the Participant) as may be necessary or appropriate to comply with the Section 409A Rules.
13. | Government Regulations. |
The Plan, and the grant and exercise of Options or Restricted Stock hereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares under such Options and Restricted Stock shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies, national securities exchanges and interdealer quotation systems as may be required.
14. | Indemnification. |
In addition to such other rights or indemnifications as they may have as directors or otherwise, and to the extent allowed by applicable law, the members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any claim, action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal thereof, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken, or failure to act, under or in connection with the Plan or any grant granted thereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, except in any case in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such claim, action, suit or proceeding that such Committee member is liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duties; provided that within sixty (60) days after institution of any such action, suit or Board proceeding the member involved shall offer the Company, in writing, the opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same.
15. | General Provisions. |
(a)Certificates. All certificates for shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or other securities commission having jurisdiction, any applicable Federal or state securities law, any stock exchange or interdealer quotation system upon which the Stock is then listed or traded and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(b)Employment Matters. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor any grant or award under the Plan shall confer upon any Participant who is an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary any right to continued employment or, in the case of a Participant who is a director, continued service as a director, with the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any of its employees, the service of any of its directors or the retention of any of its consultants or advisors at any time.
(c)Limitation of Liability. No member of the Committee, or any officer or employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Committee and each and any officer or employee of the Company acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, determination or interpretation.
(d)Registration of Stock. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, no Option may be exercised unless and until the Stock to be issued upon the exercise thereof has been registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or are, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, exempt from such registration in the United States. The Company shall not be under any obligation to register under applicable federal or state securities laws any Stock to be issued upon the exercise of an Option granted hereunder in order to permit the exercise of an Option and the issuance and sale of the Stock subject to such Option, although the Company may in its sole discretion register such Stock at such time as the Company shall determine. If the Company chooses to comply with such an exemption from registration, the Stock issued under the Plan may, at the direction of the Committee, bear an appropriate restrictive legend restricting the transfer or pledge of the Stock represented thereby, and the Committee may also give appropriate stop transfer instructions with respect to such Stock to the Company’s transfer agent.
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16. | Non-Uniform Determinations. |
The Committee’s determinations under the Plan, including, without limitation, (i) the determination of the Participants to receive awards, (ii) the form, amount and timing of such awards, (iii) the terms and provisions of such awards and (iv) the agreements evidencing the same, need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Participants who receive, or who are eligible to receive, awards under the Plan, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated.
17. | Governing Law. |
The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable federal law.
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