discourage inadequate takeover bids and encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits provided by our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unsolicited proposal would outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals. We believe the negotiation of an unsolicited proposal could result in terms more favorable to our stockholders.
We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits persons deemed to be “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation's voting stock. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this law may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors.
This summary of the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws, and the DGCL.
Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws
Certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws summarized below could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or changes in our management that the stockholders of our Company may deem advantageous.
Preferred Stock
Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the board of directors may issue, without further stockholder approval, shares of preferred stock in one or more series and may also set forth the voting powers, full or limited or none, of each such series of preferred stock, which the board could use to implement a stockholder rights plan (also known as a “poison pill”). The board of directors shall fix the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each such series of preferred stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such powers, designations, preferences or rights.
No Action by Written Consent
Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, stockholders of the Company may not take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Special Meetings of Stockholders
Under our amended and restated bylaws, special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the board of directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, or the president of the Company.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholders Proposals and Director Nominations
Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals to be brought before a stockholder meeting and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors.
Board of Directors and Vacancies
The authorized number of directors on the board of directors will be established from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. Vacancies arising through death, resignation, removal, an increase in the number of directors or otherwise may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
Amendment of Our Amended and Restated Bylaws
The board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our amended and restated bylaws. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that stockholders are permitted to amend the amended and restated bylaws only with the approval of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of outstanding capital stock entitled to vote at an election of directors.