SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrantx Filed by a Party other than the Registrant¨
Check the appropriate box:
¨ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 |
DWANGO NORTH AMERICA CORP.
(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):
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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: |
¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(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.: |
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| | 200 West Mercer Street Suite 501 Seattle, WA 98119 (206) 286-1440 |
September 24, 2004
Dear Stockholder:
The Board of Directors and management of Dwango North America Corp. cordially invite you to attend Dwango’s 2004 annual meeting of stockholders. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. local time, at 220 West Mercer Street, West Tower Conference Room, Suite 100, Seattle, Washington. A notice of the annual meeting, a proxy statement containing information about the matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting and a proxy card are enclosed.
We urge you to attend our annual meeting. In addition to the items listed in the enclosed proxy statement, there will be a report on the company’s progress and an opportunity to ask questions of general interest to you as a stockholder.
Your vote is very important. Therefore, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided. If you attend the meeting and desire to vote in person, you may do so even though you have previously returned a proxy card.
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Sincerely, |
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Rick J. Hennessey |
Chief Executive Officer |
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, 10:00 a.m. Local Time
To the Stockholders of Dwango North America Corp.:
Notice is hereby given that the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders of Dwango North America Corp., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. local time at 220 West Mercer Street, West Tower Conference Room, Suite 100, Seattle, Washington for the following purposes:
| 1. | To elect six directors to serve until the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors have been elected or appointed; |
| 2. | To approve an amendment to the Company’s 2003 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved under the plan by 3,000,000 from 3,000,000 to 6,000,000; |
| 3. | To ratify the appointment by the audit committee of Eisner, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004; and |
| 4. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.
The approximate date of mailing this proxy statement and accompanying proxy card is September 24, 2004.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2004 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Please note that attendance at the annual meeting will be limited to stockholders as of the record date, or their authorized representatives, and guests of the Company.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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J. Paul Quinn |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and |
Treasurer |
Dwango North America Corp.
200 West Mercer St., Suite 501
Seattle, Washington 98119
September 24, 2004
IMPORTANT: Please fill in, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope to have your shares represented at the meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person, if you wish to do so, even though you have previously sent in your proxy card.
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Dwango North America Corp.
200 West Mercer Street, Suite 501
Seattle, Washington 98109
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR 2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
General
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of Dwango North America Corp., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), for use at the Company’s 2004 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. local time and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof. The Company first mailed this proxy statement and form of proxy to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting on or about September 24, 2004.
Record Date and Outstanding Shares
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2004 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. The only outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share. As of the Record Date there were issued and outstanding 7,186,638 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Solicitation and Revocability of Proxies
Proxies may be solicited by officers, directors and regular supervisory employees of the Company, none of whom will receive any additional compensation for their services, although they will be reimbursed for the expenses they incur. Solicitation of proxies may be made personally or by mail, telephone, facsimile or messenger. All costs of solicitation of proxies will be paid by the Company. The Company may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners.
Any stockholder granting a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is used. A proxy may be revoked either by (i) delivering to the Corporate Secretary of the Company prior to the Annual Meeting, at the Company’s principal office, either a written instrument revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or (ii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, regardless of whether a proxy has previously been given. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not revoke a stockholder’s proxy unless the stockholder votes in person.
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Quorum; Vote Required
Each share of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote on each matter on which it is entitled to vote. At the Annual Meeting, the inspector of election will determine the presence of a quorum and tabulate the results of the voting by stockholders. A quorum exists when holders of a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock that are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are present, in person or by proxy. A quorum is necessary for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. The six nominees for election as directors who receive the most votes “for” election will be elected. Stockholders are not entitled to cumulate votes in electing directors.
Approval of the increase in the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company’s 2003 Equity Incentive Plan and ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent auditors will occur if the number of votes cast in favor of the action exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the action.
Abstentions; Broker Non-Votes
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. An abstention occurs when a stockholder affirmatively instructs the vote to be withheld (for example, by checking the “abstain” or “withhold authority to vote” box on the proxy card) or when the stockholder is present at a meeting but does not cast a ballot. Broker non-votes occur when a person holding shares in street name, meaning through a bank or brokerage account, does not provide instructions as to how his or her shares should be voted and the bank or broker does not have discretion to vote those shares, or, if the bank or broker has discretion to vote such shares, does not exercise such discretion.
In the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect because the outcome is determined by a plurality of the votes cast. For the purpose of determining whether the stockholders have approved matters other than the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for the purpose of determining whether stockholders have approved the matter and therefore have no effect on the outcome.
If you properly execute and return the enclosed proxy card, your shares will be voted in accordance with the instructions you give. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. The Company is not aware, as of the date hereof, of any matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting other than those described in this proxy statement and the accompanying notice of Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the enclosed proxy gives discretionary authority to the persons named in it to vote the shares in their best judgment.
If the Annual Meeting is postponed or adjourned for any reason, at any subsequent reconvening of the Annual Meeting all proxies will be voted in the same manner as the proxies would have been voted at the original convening of the Annual Meeting, except for any proxies that have at that time effectively been revoked or withdrawn.
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Change of Control of Registrant in Last Fiscal Year
The Company was incorporated in Nevada on May 16, 1997 under the name of Kafco Corp. On April 11, 2001, the Company changed its name to Woodland Hatchery, Inc. On September 29, 2003, the Company acquired Dwango North America, Inc. (formerly Dwango USA, Inc.), which company was incorporated in Texas on November 20, 2000, by means of an exchange offer (the “Woodland Hatchery Reorganization”). Upon the closing of such exchange offer, the Company changed its name to Dwango North America Corp. and Dwango North America, Inc. became a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company. Dwango North America, Inc. has since become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dwango North America Corp. after its final stockholder elected to convert its securities into securities of the Company. In that the security holders of Dwango North America, Inc. acquired a majority of the Company’s voting securities, Dwango North America, Inc. was deemed to be the accounting acquiror.
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting, each to hold office until the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors, if any, are elected or appointed.
The Board has nominated the persons listed below to serve as directors for the term beginning at the Annual Meeting on November 3, 2004. Unless proxy cards are otherwise marked, the persons named as proxies will vote all proxiesFOR the election of each nominee named below. The nominees have consented to serve as directors of the Company if elected. If, at the time of the Annual Meeting, any of the nominees is unable or declines to serve as a director, the persons named as proxies may vote either for (1) a substitute candidate designated by the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy or (2) the balance of the nominees, thus leaving a vacancy. Alternatively, the Board may reduce the size of the Board. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or will decline to serve as a director.
If a quorum is present and voting, the six nominees who receive the greatest number of votes will be elected to the Board of Directors.THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING NOMINEES:
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Name (Age)
| | Director Since
| | Principal Occupation and Business Experience for the Past Five Years
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Rick J. Hennessey (37) | | 2004 | | Rick J. Hennessey joined the Company in April 2003 as Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Hennessey served as Vice President of Business Development from April 2003 until July 2003, at which time he was appointed Executive Vice President of the Company. In January 2004, Mr. Hennessey was elected a director of the Company and was promoted to Chief Executive |
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Name (Age)
| | Director Since
| | Principal Occupation and Business Experience for the Past Five Years
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| | | | Officer and President. Mr. Hennessey relinquished his title as President in March 2004. Mr. Hennessey co-founded Over-the-Air Wireless, Inc., a company engaged in the wireless ringtone business (“OTA”) in June 2001 and served as its Chief Executive Officer until its acquisition by the Company in February 2004. Prior to that, from January 1996 to December 2002, Mr. Hennessey was Chief Executive Officer of Eversio Technologies, a mobile enterprise solutions provider. From January 1996 to the present, Mr. Hennessey has served as Chairman of Eversio Technologies. |
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L. Derrick Ashcroft (75) | | 2000 | | L. Derrick Ashcroft has been a director of the Company since November 2000. Mr. Ashcroft is currently the manager of Ashcroft Land & Cattle, a company engaged in the raising calves for sale, a position he has held since 1996. From 1990 through the present, Mr. Ashcroft has been a director of Tatatech Inc., an investment company. Mr. Ashcroft previously served on the board of directors of the following public and private companies in the United States and abroad: Leasing Edge Corporation, Access West, Inc., Publistix, Inc., Boreham Services, Ltd. (UK), Premier Laser Systems, and Westergaard.com, Inc. Mr. Ashcroft has served as President of AARK Enterprise, Inc., Senior Vice President of the Carteret Financial Group, Chairman of Ashcroft Rubin, Inc. and Chairman of Cardiopet, Inc. |
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Name (Age)
| | Director Since
| | Principal Occupation and Business Experience for the Past Five Years
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Alexander U. Conrad (34) | | 2004 | | Alexander U. Conrad has been employed by the Company since May 2003. In March 2004, Mr. Conrad was elected a director of the Company. He was also elected as President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of the Company in March 2004. Mr. Conrad was the Vice President of Business Development of OTA from June 2002 until it was acquired by the Company in February 2004. Prior to such time, from January 2001 through June 2002, Mr. Conrad was Senior Product Manager, New Initiatives, for eFunds Corporation, a company that provides transaction processing, risk management and outsourcing services. From April 2000 through January 2001, Mr. Conrad was Director of Product Management for DocuTouch Corporation, a provider of document management, authentication, secure repository and digital signature services. From August 1999 through April 2000, Mr. Conrad was Marketing and Services Manager of Segueonline, Inc., a digital marketing and development agency. Mr. Conrad received his MBA from Seattle University, Albers School of Business and Economics in March 2000. |
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Vishal Bhutani (29) | | 2004 | | Vishal Bhutani has been a director of the Company since January 2004. From August 2002 through the present, Mr. Bhutani has been the Head of Research for Alexandra Investment Management, LLC (“AIM”), the investment advisor for Alexandra Global Master Fund Ltd, an investor in the Company (“Alexandra”). From March 2002 to August 2002, Mr. Bhutani was Vice President of Magten Asset Management, a company engaged in asset management. From August 2000 through March 2002, Mr. Bhutani was a Corporate Finance Specialist for McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm. In 2000, Mr. Bhutani received his MBA in Finance from the NYU Stern School of Business. |
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Name (Age)
| | Director Since
| | Principal Occupation and Business Experience for the Past Five Years
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James Scibelli (54) | | 2004 | | James Scibelli has been a director of the Company since March 2004. Since March 1996, Mr. Scibelli has served as President of Roberts & Green, Inc., a New York financial consulting firm offering a variety of financial and investment consulting services. He is also a member of RG Securities, LLC, an investment banking company that has acted as co-placement agent for various private placements completed by the Company. Mr. Scibelli is also a director of Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., a company that develops, markets and distributes interactive entertainment software, a position he has held since 1993. |
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Paul Eibeler (49) | | 2003 | | Paul Eibeler has been a director of the Company since August 2003. Since April 2004, Mr. Eibeler has been the President and a director of Take 2 Interactive Software, Inc. (“Take 2”), a developer, publisher and distributor of interactive game software. From July 2003 through April 2004, Mr. Eibeler engaged in consulting for various business enterprises, including the Company. From July 2000 through July 2003, Mr. Eibeler was the President of Take 2. Mr. Eibeler was also a director of Take 2 from January 2001 through April 2003. From June 1997 through March 2000, Mr. Eibeler was Executive Vice President and General Manager of Acclaim North America, a company engaged in the development, publication, marketing and distribution of interactive entertainment software. Mr. Eibeler also was a consultant to Microsoft in connection with the development and launch of Microsoft’s Xbox. |
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Executive Officers of the Company
Information about Rick J. Hennessey and Alexander U. Conrad who each serve as a director and an executive officer of the Company, is provided in this Proxy Statement under the heading “Election of Directors.” In addition, certain information about J. Paul Quinn, an executive officer of the Company, is set forth below:
J. Paul Quinn (44) joined the Company in March 2004 as Chief Financial Officer. From November 2000 through October 2003, Mr. Quinn was the Chief Financial Officer of N2H2, Inc., a software development company. From August 1999 through October 2000, Mr. Quinn was the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for The Closeout Company, a discount retailer. From December 1993 through August 1999, he was Vice President and Controller of Fleming Retail Group, a retailer and wholesaler.
The Company’s executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among the Company’s directors and officers.
Committees of the Board of Directors and Meetings
The Board of Directors has determined that, after consideration of all relevant factors, Messrs. Ashcroft and Bhutani qualify as “independent” directors as defined under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) and that such directors do not have any relationship with the Company that would interfere with the exercise of their independent business judgment.
The Board of Directors maintains an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. These committees do not have formal meeting schedules, but are required to meet at least once each year. During the 2003 fiscal year and subsequent to the Woodland Hatchery Reorganization resulting in the formation of Dwango North America Corp., there were four meetings of the Board of Directors, one meeting of the Audit Committee, and one meeting of the Compensation Committee. Each director attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of those meetings.
Audit Committee
Current members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Eibeler. Mr. Ashcroft qualifies as an “independent” director under applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee charter is attached asAppendix A of this proxy statement. The Audit Committee is responsible for hiring the Company’s independent auditors, reviewing the annual audit plan and authorizing the fees for audit and audit-related services, reviewing audit results and annual and interim financial statements, evaluating the independence of the Company’s auditors, and overseeing the adequacy of the Company’s system of internal accounting controls, including obtaining from the independent auditors management letters or summaries on such internal accounting controls. Our Audit Committee does not have an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under applicable SEC rules. As a small company, the Company does not currently have the resources to actively recruit a director to sit on its Audit Committee who qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. The Company believes, however, that certain members of the Board of Directors and each member of the Audit Committee have a financial background and financial sophisticationthat are beneficial to the Company in dealing with financial matters. Each member of the Audit Committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial
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statements, including the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flow. Further, no member of the Audit Committee has participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or its successor at any time during the past three years.
Compensation Committee
Current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Eibeler, Bhutani and Ashcroft. Messrs. Ashcroft and Bhutani qualify as “independent” directors as defined under rules of the SEC and Nasdaq. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The current Compensation Committee charter is attached asAppendix B of this proxy statement. The Compensation Committee is responsible to act as administrator of the Company’s equity incentive plans, to review compensation to be provided to the officers and employees of the Company, to grant options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock to employees and executive officers of the Company and to review and make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding all forms of compensation to be provided to the directors and executive officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee is comprised of three non-employee directors as defined under applicable SEC rules.
Director Nomination Policies and Procedures
Because of the small size of its Board of Directors, the Company does not presently have a nominating committee. Rather, each member of the Board is involved in the nomination and selection of individuals to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has adopted polices and procedures, summarized below, regarding nomination of directors.
The Board of Directors’ goal is to assemble a Board that brings to the Company a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience. The Board shall consider such factors as it deems appropriate to assist in developing a Board and committees that are diverse in nature and comprised of experienced and seasoned advisors. These factors may include judgment, knowledge, skill, diversity (including factors such as race, gender or experience), integrity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, including experience in mobile telecommunications, mobile gaming, business, finance, administration or public service, the interplay of a candidate’s experience with the experience of other Board members, familiarity with national and international business matters, experience with accounting rules and practices, the desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by new members, and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees of the Board. In addition, directors are expected to be able to exercise their best business judgment when acting on behalf of the Company and its stockholders, act ethically at all times and adhere to the applicable provisions of the Company’s Code of Conduct.
Other than consideration of the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria, qualities or skills for director nominees, although the Board may also consider such other factors as it may deem are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. In addition, the Board must consider that in connection with their investments in the Company, Alexandra is entitled to nominate two directors for appointment and election to the Board of Directors and Weiss, Peck
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and Greer is entitled to nominate one director for appointment and election to the Board of Directors (the “Designated Directors”). The Company has the right to approve each of these nominees, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld. Alexandra has currently nominated Vishal Bhutani to the Company’s Board of Directors. Weiss, Peck and Greer has not yet nominated anyone of the Company’s Board of Directors.
With respect to nominees other than the Designated Directors, the Board shall identify nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to the Company’s business and who are willing to continue in service shall be considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of continuity of service by existing members of the Board with that of obtaining a new perspective. The Board shall also take into account an incumbent director’s performance as a Board member. If any member of the Board does not wish to continue in service or if the Board decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, or if the Board decides to increase its size, the Board shall identify the desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria described above. Current members of the Board and management shall be polled for suggestions as to individuals meeting such criteria. Research, including consultation with outside experts or consultants, may also be performed to identify qualified individuals.
It is the policy of the Board to consider suggestions for persons to be nominated for director (other than Designated Directors) that are submitted by stockholders. The Board will evaluate stockholder suggestions for director nominees in the same manner as it evaluates suggestions for director nominees made by management, then-current directors or other sources. Stockholders suggesting persons as director nominees should send information about the proposed nominee to the Board of Directors at the Company’s address at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of the prior year’s proxy statement. This information should be in writing and should include a signed statement by the proposed nominee that he or she is willing to serve as a director of the Company, a description of the nominee’s relationship to the stockholder and any information that the stockholder feels will fully inform the Board about the proposed nominee and his or her qualifications. The Board may request further information from the proposed nominee and the nominating stockholder (including proof of ownership and holding period) and may also seek the consent of both the nominee and the nominating stockholder to be identified in the Company’s proxy statement.
To date, the Company has not engaged third parties to identify, evaluate or assist in identifying potential director nominees, although the Company reserves the right in the future to retain a third-party search firm, if appropriate. The Company did not receive any recommendations from stockholders of director candidates for the Annual Meeting other than Alexandra’s contractual nomination of Mr. Bhutani to the Board of Directors.
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors and Board Attendance at Annual Stockholder Meetings
Stockholders of the Company may, at any time, communicate in writing with any member or group of members of the Company’s Board of Directors by sending such written communication to the attention of the Company’s Corporate Secretary by regular mail at the
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Company’s corporate offices, or facsimile at 206-286-1442, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Copies of written communications received by the Corporate Secretary will be provided to the relevant director(s) unless such communications are considered, in the reasonable judgment of the Corporate Secretary, to be improper for submission to the intended recipient(s). Examples of stockholder communications that would be considered improper for submission include, without limitation, customer complaints, solicitations, communications that do not relate directly or indirectly to the Company or the Company’s business, or communications that relate to improper or irrelevant topics.
The Chairperson of the Board of Directors is expected to make all reasonable effort to attend the Company’s annual stockholder meetings in person. If the Chairperson is unable to attend an annual stockholder meeting for any reason, at least one other member of the Board of Directors is expected to attend in person. Other members of the Board of Directors will make reasonable efforts to attend the Company’s annual stockholder meetings in person if it is reasonably anticipated that a significant number of stockholders will be in attendance. The Company has not had an annual meeting of stockholders since the Woodlands Hatchery Reorganization.
Director Compensation
The Company currently pays $500 per Board meeting attended in person, $500 per Board meeting attended telephonically, $500 per committee meeting attended in person and $500 for committee meeting attended telephonically to each director who is not an officer or employee of the Company. All directors are reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in serving on the Board of Directors.
As compensation for services on the Board of Directors, Mr. Ashcroft was granted a non-qualified stock option to purchase 62,707 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.80 per share. This option is for a term of ten years commencing as of April 4, 2002 and is currently exercisable.
On November 19, 2003, Paul Eibeler was granted a non-qualified stock option to purchase 250,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The option is for a term of ten years and is immediately exercisable. The option was issued in consideration of his services to the Company as a director and, in addition to his services as a director, the provision by Mr. Eibeler of business and consulting services to the Company.
PROPOSAL NO. 2: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE 2003 EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES
RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE
On November 4, 2003, the Board approved an amendment to the Company’s 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to increase the number of shares reserved under the Plan from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000. On February 4, 2004, the Board amended the Plan again to increase the number of shares reserved under the Plan from 5,000,000 to 6,000,000. Stockholders are being asked to approve these amendments to increase the aggregate number of shares reserved for
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issuance under the Plan by 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 shares. The complete text of the Plan, as proposed to be amended, is attached to this proxy statement asAppendix C.
Purpose and Effect of Proposed Amendment
The Company believes equity incentives are an important and necessary form of compensation to attract and retain the best talent possible at all levels of the Company, and the Board of Directors believes that the Plan is critical to recruit and retain such employees and to stimulate their active interest in the Company’s growth, development and financial success by closely aligning their interests with those of the Company.
The Company is seeking to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan. As of September 15, 2004, the Company currently has 47 employees, each of whom is eligible to participate in the Plan. Of the Company’s current employees, approximately 100%, including all executive officers, own shares or hold options to purchase shares in the Company. As a result, prior grants and awards have utilized all of the shares of Common Stock available under the Plan. The absence of an adequate number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan restricts the Company’s ability and flexibility to effectively attract, retain, compensate, provide performance incentives to and reward the highest performing employees. As a result, the Board of Directors believes that it is both necessary and desirable to increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan. On September 16, 2004, the closing bid and ask prices for our Common Stock on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board was $1.47 and $1.52, respectively.
Description of the Plan
The following description of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, a copy of which, as proposed to be amended is attached asAppendix C to this proxy statement.
Administration, Amendments. The Plan states that it is the duty of the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) to conduct the general administration of the Plan. The Board of Directors has delegated this duty to the Compensation Committee.
The Plan may be amended or suspended in whole or in part at any time and from time to time by the Board, but no amendment shall be effective unless and until the same is approved by stockholders of the Company where the failure to obtain such approval would adversely affect the compliance of the Plan with Sections 162 and 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, Rule 16b-3 and with other applicable laws.
The terms of any outstanding award under the Plan may be amended from time to time by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) in any manner it deems appropriate (including, but not limited to, acceleration of the date of exercise of any award and/or payments thereunder, or reduction of the exercise price of an award);provided,however, that no such amendment shall adversely affect in a material manner any right of a recipient under such award without the recipient’s written consent. The Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) may permit or
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require holders of awards to surrender outstanding awards as a condition precedent to the grant of new awards under the Plan.
Eligibility. Incentive stock options (as defined under the Code) may be granted only to employees (including officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company, or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. All other awards may be granted to employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent contractors and advisors of the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. As of September 15, 2004, there were 47 current employees eligible to participate under the Plan, including 3 executive officers who were eligible to participate in the Plan. Also eligible to participate under the Plan as of that date were four non-employee directors.
Number of Shares Available Under the Plan. Upon approval of the proposed amendment, the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to the Plan will be 6,000,000. Shares that are subject to (a) issuance upon exercise of an option previously granted but cease to be subject to such option for any reason other than exercise of such option, (b) an award previously granted but forfeited or repurchased by the Company at the original issue price, and (c) an award previously granted that otherwise terminates without shares of Common Stock being issued, shall be available for grant and issuance. Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.
Types of Awards. Awards under the Plan may include, but need not be limited to, one or more of the following types, either alone or in any combination thereof: options, restricted stock, stock bonuses and any other type of award deemed by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan.
Options. The Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) may grant one or more options under the Plan and will determine (1) whether the options are incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options, (2) the number of shares subject to the option, (3) the exercise price of the option, (4) the exercise period of the option and (5) all other terms and conditions of the options. The exercise price may not be less than 85% of the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock;provided,however that the exercise price of an incentive stock option will not be less than 100% of the per share fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, unless the optionee is a Ten Percent Holder (as defined in the Plan), in which case the exercise price will be 110% of the per share fair market value.
The option price is payable in full at the time of exercise either in cash or by check or, if expressly approved by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) by one of the following methods: (1) cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the optionee, (2) the transfer to the Company of shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the optionee with an aggregate fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the option price, (3) the tender of a full recourse promissory note, (4) waiver of compensation from the Company due or accrued by the optionee for services rendered; (5) through a “same day sale” commitment or a margin commitment from the optionee and licensed broker-dealer, or (6) any combination of the foregoing.
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No option right may be exercised by an optionee: (i) more than 10 years from the date of grant; (ii) except where such termination is by reason of death or disability or for cause, after the expiration of three months from the date of the optionee’s termination of employment; (iii) after the expiration of one year from the date of optionee’s termination of employment where the termination is due to disability or death; or (iv) after the date of termination where the optionee’s termination is for cause.
Restricted Stock. An award of restricted stock is an offer by the Company to sell to an eligible participant shares of Common Stock that are subject to restrictions. Subject to the limitation and restrictions set forth in the Plan, the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) will determine to whom an offer will be made, the number of shares the person may purchase, the price to be paid, the restrictions to which the shares will be subject, and all other terms and conditions of the restricted stock award. Acceptance of an offer of restricted stock is made by execution and delivery by the eligible participant of an agreement in such form as the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) and full payment for the shares within 30 days from the date of the delivery of the agreement to the eligible participant. The price for the shares will be determined by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) on the date the award is granted.
Each award of restricted stock shall be subject to such restrictions as the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) may impose. These restrictions may be based upon completion of a specified number of years of service with the Company or upon completion of the performance goals as set out in advance in the recipient’s individual agreement. Awards of restricted stock may vary from recipient to recipient and between groups of recipient. Prior to the grant of an award of restricted stock, the Board (or a committee thereof) shall: (1) determine the nature, length and starting date of any performance period for the restricted stock award; (2) select from among the performance factors to be used to measure performance goals, if any; and (3) determine the number of shares that may be awarded to the recipient.
If a recipient of a restricted stock award is terminated during a performance period with respect to any award of restricted stock for any reason, then such recipient will be entitled to payment (whether in shares of Common Stock, cash or otherwise) with respect to the restricted stock award only to the extent earned as of the date of termination in accordance with the recipient’s agreement with respect to such restricted stock, unless the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) determines otherwise.
Stock Bonuses. A stock bonus is an award of shares of Common Stock (which may consist of restricted stock) for services rendered to the Company. A stock bonus may be awarded for past services already rendered to the Company or upon satisfaction of such performance goals as are set out in advance in the participant’s individual award agreement. Stock bonuses may vary from recipient to recipient and between groups of recipients, and may be based upon the achievement of the Company and/or individual performance factors or upon such other criteria as the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) may determine. If the stock bonus is being earned upon satisfaction of performances goals set forth in an award agreement, then the Board (or a committee thereof) shall: (1) determine the nature, length and starting date of any performance period for the restricted stock award; (2) select from among the performance
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factors to be used to measure performance goals, if any; and (3) determine the number of shares that may be awarded to the recipient.
Adjustment in Number of Shares Available Under the Plan. In the event that the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is changed by a stock dividend, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company without consideration, then (a) the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, (b) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted pursuant to the Plan, (c) the exercise prices of and number of shares subject to outstanding options and other awards, and (d) the exercise prices of and number of shares subject to other outstanding awards, will be proportionately adjusted, subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company and compliance with applicable securities laws.
Transferability. Except as may be approved by the Administrator where such approval shall not adversely affect compliance of the Plan with Sections 162 and 422 of the Code and/or Rule 16b-3, a recipient’s rights and interest under the Plan may not be assigned or transferred, hypothecated or encumbered in whole or in part either directly or by operation of law or otherwise (except in the event of a recipient’s death) including, but not by way of limitation, execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, bankruptcy or in any other manner;provided,however, that any option or similar right offered pursuant to the Plan shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent or pursuant to a domestic relations order and shall be exercisable during the recipient’s lifetime only by such recipient or such person receiving such option pursuant to a domestic relations order.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Plan
The following is a brief summary of certain of the federal income tax consequences of the issuance and exercise of options granted under the Plan based on Federal income tax laws in effect as of September 15, 2004. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not describe state or local tax consequences associated with either (a) the issuance and exercise of options or (b) the issuance of restricted stock grants under the Plan. This summary assumes that any shares of Common Stock held by a participant (whether acquired by exercise of an option or otherwise) will be held as a “capital asset” (within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “IRC”)).
Tax Consequences to Participants.
Incentive Stock Options. A participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of an incentive stock option. If a participant exercises an incentive stock option during employment or within three months after his or her employment ends (12 months in the case of death or disability), the participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of exercise (although the participant generally will have taxable income for alternative minimum tax purposes at that time as if the option were a nonqualified stock option (see below)).
If a participant sells or exchanges the shares after the later of (a) one year from the date the participant exercised the option and (b) two years from the grant date of the option, the
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participant will recognize long-term capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount the participant received in the sale or exchange and the option exercise price. If a participant disposes of the shares before these holding period requirements are satisfied, the disposition will constitute a “disqualifying disposition,” and the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition equal to the excess, as of the date of exercise of the option, of the fair market value of the shares received over the option exercise price (or, if less, the excess of the amount realized on the sale of the shares over the option exercise price). Additionally, the participant will have long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, as the case may be, equal to the difference between the amount the participant received upon disposition of the shares and the option exercise price increased by the amount of ordinary income, if any, the participant recognized.
With respect to both nonqualified stock options and incentive stock options, special rules apply if a participant uses Company shares already held by the participant to pay the exercise price or if the shares received upon exercise of the option are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture by the participant.
Nonqualified Stock Options. A participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option. Upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise and the option exercise price. Following the exercise of an option, the participant generally will have a tax basis in the shares obtained through exercise of the option equal to the sum of (a) the exercise price paid by the participant and (b) the amount taxed as ordinary income (if any) upon exercise of the option.
Restricted Stock Awards.A participant generally will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a restricted stock award. A participant generally will recognize ordinary income when the shares vest or cease to be subject to restrictions on transfer. The amount of income recognized will equal the excess of the fair market value of the shares at such time over the amount, if any, the participant paid to the Company for the shares. However, no later than 30 days after a participant receives the restricted stock award, the participant may elect under IRC Section 83(b) to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of receipt of the award. If the election is made in a timely manner, then, when the restrictions on the shares lapse, the participant will not recognize any additional income.
The participant’s tax basis of the shares generally will be equal to the amount, if any, that the participant paid to the Company for the shares plus the amount of taxable ordinary income the participant recognized, either at the time the restrictions lapse or at the time of a Section 83(b) election, if an election was made by the participant. If the participant forfeits the shares to the Company (e.g., if the participant’s employment terminates prior to the expiration of the restriction period), the participant may not claim a deduction with respect to the income recognized as a result of the election. Any dividends paid with respect to shares of restricted stock generally will be taxable as ordinary income to the participant at the time the dividends are received.
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Sale of Shares
Upon the sale of shares received under the Plan (except for the sale of shares received from the exercise of an incentive stock option, which is described above), the participant will recognize gain to the extent that the amount received for the shares exceeds the tax basis of the shares. Correspondingly, if the amount received upon sale of those shares is less than the participant’s tax basis in the shares, the participant will recognize a loss for tax purposes. The taxable gain (or loss) upon sale of the shares will be taxed as long-term capital gain (or loss) if the participant has held the shares for more than one year. It the participant has held the shares for one year or less at the time of the sale, the gain (or loss) will be taxed as short-term capital gain (or loss).
Change-of-Control Event
The Plan provides that upon a Change-of-Control Event (as defined in the Plan) the vesting status of outstanding options may be accelerated. To the extent options become vested in connection with a Change-of-Control Event, the associated gain may be subject to an additional penalty tax of 20 percent, if the gain constitutes an “excess parachute payment.” IRC Section 280G generally defines a “parachute payment” as compensation paid to officers, shareholders, or highly compensated individuals if (a) the amount is more than reasonable compensation, (b) the amount is paid in connection with a Change-of-Control Event, and (c) the amount is in excess of three times the individual’s annualized compensation over the preceding five year period (the “base amount”). The term “excess parachute payment” is generally defined as the excess of any parachute payment over the portion of the base amount allocated to that payment.
Tax Consequences to the Company.
The Company may claim a tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by a participant. Unless the participant is an independent contractor or foreign resident, the Company is generally required to withhold the income and employment taxes applicable to the income the participant recognizes on the exercise of an option or on the vesting of restricted stock. The Company may withhold from regular wages or supplemental wages, or otherwise ensure that the taxes required to be withheld are available for payment, including the withholding of an appropriate number of shares to be issued upon the exercise of the option.
A number of factors may limit the Company’s ability to claim a deduction. First, deductibility may not be available to the extent the amount does not constitute reasonable compensation for services rendered. Second, the Company may not deduct amounts that constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as described above). Finally, Section 162(m) of the Code limits a publicly held company’s ability to deduct compensation in excess of $1 million paid to its chief executive officer or to ay other employee whose compensation is required to be reported to shareholders (in accordance with the Exchange Act) by virtue of being one of the four highest compensated officers for the taxable year (other than the chief executive officer).
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Vote Required for Approval of Amendments
If a quorum is present, so long as the number of votes cast in favor of the amendment to the Plan exceed the number of votes cast against amendment of the Plan, then the Plan will be amended.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE PLAN.
PROPOSAL NO. 3: RATIFICATION OF
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
A proposal will be presented at the Annual Meeting to ratify the appointment of Eisner, LLP (“Eisner”) as independent auditors to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. Although ratification is not required by law, the Audit Committee believes the stockholders should be given this opportunity to express their views on the subject. While not binding on the Audit Committee, the failure of the stockholders to ratify the appointment of Eisner would be considered by the Audit Committee in determining whether to continue the engagement of Eisner.
Independent Auditors
On November 3, 2003, the Company approved the selection of Eisner to replace Jones Simpkins LLP (“Jones”) as the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. Eisner has also been selected as the auditor for the current year. Representatives of Eisner, LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
The Company dismissed Jones effective November 3, 2003. The decision to dismiss Jones and to seek new auditors was recommended by the Company’s Board of Directors and approved by the Audit Committee. The audit reports of Jones on the Company’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, except that the opinion issued with the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 included a reference to substantial doubt that exists regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. With respect to the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the subsequent interim period to the date of dismissal, there were no disagreements with Jones, whether or not resolved, on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Jones, would have caused them to make reference thereto in their reports on the financial statements of the Company. Additionally, there were no reportable events or disagreements with Jones as described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-B promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
The Company provided Jones with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and received from Jones a revised letter addressed to the SEC stating that it agrees with the foregoing statements. A copy of this revised letter was filed on December 8, 2003 as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8- K/A.
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During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and through the date of Eisner’s appointment as the Company’s independent auditor on November 3, 2003, the Company did not consult Eisner with respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, or any other matters or reportable events as set forth in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-B. The Company has provided a copy of the foregoing disclosure to Eisner and provided it with an opportunity to provide the Company with any new information or clarification it deemed appropriate.
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Eisner for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of the financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-QSB were approximately $184,541 for the year ended December 31, 2003. The aggregate fees billed by Jones for professional services rendered for the review of the financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-QSB were approximately $2,070 for the year ended December 31, 2003.
The aggregate fees billed by Jones for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of the financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-QSB were approximately $4,081 for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Audit-Related Fees
Eisner did not provide any assurance and related services in fiscal 2003 that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements that were not reported under the preceding paragraph. Jones did not provide any assurance and related services in fiscal 2002 that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements that were not reported under the preceding paragraph.
Tax Fees
The Company has not incurred expenses or been billed by Eisner for the year ended December 31, 2003 for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning services. The Company has not incurred expenses or been billed by Jones for the year ended December 31, 2002 for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning services.
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All Other Fees
Eisner rendered other services consisting primarily of services rendered in connection with review of the Company’s registration statement and issuance of a related consent. Aggregate fees billed for all other services rendered by Eisner, LLP were approximately $31,030 for the year ended December 31, 2003. There were no fees billed for services rendered to the Company by Jones, other than fees for audit services, for fiscal year 2002.
The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of services by Eisner other than for audit related services is compatible with maintaining the independence of Eisner as the Company’s independent accountants.
Pre-Approval Policies
The Audit Committee has not adopted any blanket pre-approval policies. Instead, the Audit Committee will specifically pre-approve the provision by Eisner, LLP or any other independent auditor hired by the Company of all audit or non-audit services.
The Audit Committee approved all of the services provided by Eisner, LLP during fiscal year 2003 and described in the preceding paragraphs.
Vote Required for Ratification of Independent Auditors
If a quorum is present and voting at the Annual Meeting, the appointment by the audit committee of Eisner, LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004 will be ratified if the number of shares voting in favor of the ratification exceeds the number of shares voting against the ratification.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF EISNER, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2004.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of the Company’s Common Stock as of September 15, 2004 by:
| • | each stockholder known to the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock; |
| • | each of the Company’s directors; |
| • | each of the Company’s “named executive officer” (as defined below); and |
| • | all of the Company’s executive officers and directors as a group. |
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This table is based on information supplied to the Company by officers, directors, principal stockholders and filings made with the SEC. As of September 15, 2004, there were 7,186,638 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
| | | | | | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
| | Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock (2)
| | | Percent of Common Stock
| |
Robert E. Huntley(3) | | 2,791,441 | (4) | | 36.7 | % |
Huntley Family Trust(5) | | 696,741 | (6) | | 9.7 | % |
Rick J. Hennessey | | 660,656 | (7) | | 8.7 | % |
Alexander U. Conrad | | 160,238 | (8) | | 2.2 | % |
J. Paul Quinn | | 1,000 | | | * | |
L. Derrick Ashcroft | | 69,942 | (9) | | * | |
Vishal Bhutani(10) | | 0 | (11) | | 0 | |
Paul Eibeler(12) | | 438,652 | (13) | | 5.8 | % |
James Scibelli(14) | | 798,443 | (15) | | 10.1 | % |
David Adams | | 625,569 | (16) | | 8.3 | % |
James Scoroposki(17) | | 502,593 | (18) | | 6.6 | % |
Silverman Partners(19) | | 566,114 | (20) | | 7.3 | % |
Alexandra Global Master Fund Ltd.(21) | | 741,864 | (22) | | 9.9 | % |
Dwango Co., Ltd.(23) | | 542,624 | | | 7.6 | % |
HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC(24) | | 526,296 | (25) | | 6.8 | % |
RG Securities, LLC(26) | | 526,296 | (27) | | 6.8 | % |
Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments, a division of Robeco USA, L.L.C. (28) | | 789,654 | (29) | | 9.9 | % |
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons) | | 2,128,930 | (30) | | 24.0 | % |
(1) | The address of each person, except as otherwise noted, is c/o Dwango North America Corp., 200 West Mercer Street, Suite 501, Seattle, Washington 98119. |
(2) | Except as otherwise noted, the Company believes that each individual or entity has sole voting and investment power over the securities listed, except to the extent shared by a spouse under applicable law. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, shares of Common Stock that an individual or group has a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants are deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table. |
(3) | The address of Mr. Huntley is 222 Vanderpool Lane, Houston, Texas, 77024. |
(4) | Includes 412,960 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Mr. Huntley. Does not include 696,741 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by |
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| Huntley Family Trust, or 139,348 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Huntley Trust No. 2. |
(5) | The address of Huntley Family Trust is c/o Gary S. Gunn, Trustee, Gunn, Mullins & Farrell, LLP, 1415 North Loop West, Suite 270, Houston, TX 77008. |
(6) | Gary S. Gunn, as trustee, has sole voting and dispositive power over these securities. |
(7) | Includes 367,740 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Hennessey. |
(8) | Includes 146,614 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Conrad. |
(9) | Includes 62,707 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Ashcroft. |
(10) | The address of Mr. Bhutani is c/o Alexandra Investment Management, LLC, 767 Third Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, New York 10017. |
(11) | Mr. Bhutani is the Head of Research for Alexandra Investment Management, LLC (“AIM”), the investment advisor for Alexandra Global Master Fund Ltd. (“Alexandra”), one of the investors in the Company. No shares owned by Alexandra are attributed to Mr. Bhutani. |
(12) | The address of Mr. Eibeler is c/o Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., 622 Broadway, New York, New York 10012. |
(13) | Includes 52,632 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of senior convertible promissory notes, 94,353 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants, and 250,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Eibeler. |
(14) | The address of Mr. Scibelli is c/o RG Securities, LLC, 165 EAB Plaza, 6th Floor, Uniondale, NY 11556-0165. |
(15) | Includes 105,263 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of senior convertible notes and 83,442 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Mr. Scibelli, and 526,296 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by RG Securities, LLC, of which Mr. Scibelli may be deemed to be the beneficial owner. |
(16) | Includes 332,653 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Adams. |
(17) | The address of Mr. Scoroposki is c/o Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., One Acclaim Plaza, Glen Cove, NY 11542-2788. |
(18) | Includes 210,526 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of senior convertible promissory notes and 166,883 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Mr. Scoroposki. |
(19) | The address of Silverman Partners is c/o Harvey Silverman, Spear, Leeds & Kellogg, 120 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10271. Harvey Silverman has sole voting and investment power over these securities. |
(20) | Consists of 315,789 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of senior convertible promissory notes and 250,325 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Silverman Partners. |
(21) | The address of Alexandra Global Master Fund Ltd. is c/o Alexandra Investment Management, LLC, 767 Third Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10017. AIM serves as investment adviser to Alexandra. By reason of such relationship, AIM may be deemed to share dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock stated as beneficially owned by Alexandra. AIM disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock. Messrs. |
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| Mikhail A. Filimonov (“Filimonov”) and Dimitri Sogoloff (“Sogoloff”) are managing members of AIM. By reason of such relationships, Filimonov and Sogoloff may be deemed to share dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock stated as beneficially owned by Alexandra. Mr. Vishal Bhutani is a director of the Company and employed by AIM. |
(22) | The shares of Common Stock reported as beneficially owned by Alexandra includes 404,535 shares of outstanding Common Stock. Certain of the shares of Common Stock reported as beneficially owned are shares that Alexandra has the right to acquire upon conversion of notes and preferred stock and exercise of Common Stock purchase warrants. The notes, preferred stock and Common Stock purchase warrants held by Alexandra contain limitations on the conversion or exercise thereof which make such notes and shares of preferred stock inconvertible and such Common Stock purchase warrants unexercisable to the extent the holder would, upon conversion or exercise, beneficially own more than 9.9% of the Common Stock. The amount reported as beneficially owned is based on such limitations. In the absence of such limitations, Alexandra’s notes, preferred stock and common stock purchase warrants would be convertible into or exercisable for an aggregate of 9,263,157 shares of the Common Stock. |
(23) | The address of Dwango Co., Ltd. is Hamacho Center Bldg., 2-31-1, Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 103-0007. Dwango Co., Ltd. is a public company in Japan, whose securities are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. |
(24) | The address of HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC is 888 7th Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10106. Steven Shaffer has sole voting and investment power over these securities. |
(25) | Consists of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC. |
(26) | The address of RG Securities, LLC is 165 EAB Plaza, 6th Floor, Uniondale, NY 11556-0165. James Scibelli and Robert Scibelli have shared voting and investment power over these securities. |
(27) | Consists of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by RG Securities, LLC. |
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(28) | The address of Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments, a division of Robeco USA, L.L.C. is Robeco USA, L.L.C., One New York Plaza, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004. |
Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments, a division of Robeco USA, L.L.C. (“WPG Investments”), is the investment manager for the following funds: WPG Select Technology Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“WPG Select”); WPG Select Technology Overseas, Ltd., a Cayman Islands corporation (“WPG Overseas”); WPG Select Technology QP Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“WPG QP”); WPG Software Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“WPG Software”); and WPG Institutional Software Fund L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“WPG Institutional Software” and together with WPG Select, WPG Overseas, WPG QP and WPG Software are collectively referred to herein as the “Funds”). By reason of such relationship, WPG Investments and the Funds may be deemed to share dispositive power over the shares of common stock stated as beneficially owned by WPG Investments. Messrs. George Boyd (“Boyd”) and Ben Taylor (“Taylor”) are the Head of Equity and Managing Director, respectively, of WPG Investments. By reason of such relationships, Boyd and Taylor may be deemed to share dispositive power over the shares of common stock stated as beneficially owned by WPG Investments.
(29) | The shares of Common Stock reported as beneficially owned by WPG Investments are shares that such holder has the right to acquire upon conversion of preferred stock and exercise of Common Stock purchase warrants held by the Funds. Such preferred stock and Common Stock purchase warrants contain limitations on the conversion or exercise thereof which make such shares of preferred stock inconvertible and such common stock purchase warrants unexercisable to the extent that either WPG Investments or the holder would, upon conversion or exercise, beneficially own more than 9.9% of the Company’s Common Stock. The amount reported as beneficially owned is based on such limitations. In the absence of such limitations, such preferred stock and Common Stock purchase warrants would be convertible into or exercisable for an aggregate of 6,315,789 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Furthermore, in the absence of such limitations, the preferred stock and Common Stock purchase warrants held by each of the Funds would be convertible into or exercisable for an aggregate of the following number of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock: WPG Select – 478,768 shares; WPG Overseas – 1,899,286 shares; WPG QP – 1,967,588 shares; WPG Software – 1,504,492; and WPG Institutional Software – 465,655 shares. |
(30) | Includes 1,690,046 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of senior convertible notes and exercise of options and warrants held by the directors and executive officers. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In October 2002, Mr. James Scibelli, a principal of RG Securities, LLC, purchased 59,880 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for $100,000 pursuant to an offering in which RG Securities, LLC and HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC acted as co-placement agents. RG Securities and HCFP/Brenner Securities and their designees received an aggregate cash fee of approximately $130,000 and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 83,444 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for acting as co-placement agents for such offering. Mr. Scibelli is currently the beneficial owner of approximately 10.0% of the Company’s Common Stock and in March 2004 became a director of the Company. RG Securities, LLC and HCFP/Brenner
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Securities, LLC are each currently the beneficial owner of approximately 6.9% of the Company’s Common Stock. All of the cash fees paid and warrants issued to RG Securities, LLC and HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC were divided by these two firms.
In May 2003, Mr. James Scibelli purchased $100,000 of the Company’s senior convertible promissory notes, convertible into 83,442 shares of Common Stock, and warrants to purchase 83,442 shares of Common Stock pursuant to an offering, completed in September 2003, in which RG Securities and HCFP/Brenner Securities acted as co-placement agents. RG Securities and HCFP/Brenner Securities received an aggregate cash fee of $272,500 and warrants to purchase an aggregate 417,208 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for acting as co-placement agents for such offering.
On November 19, 2003, Paul Eibeler was granted a non-qualified stock option to purchase 250,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The option is for a term of ten years and is immediately exercisable. The option was issued in consideration of his services to the Company as a director and, in addition to his services as a director, the provision by Mr. Eibeler of business and consulting services to the Company, consisting primarily of advice regarding the strategic direction of the Company, management and general financial matters.
RG Securities, LLC and HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC received placement compensation in connection with the Company’s sale of 250,000 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of Common Stock to Alexandra for an aggregate purchase price of $300,000 in December 2003. In connection with such offering, RG Securities and HCFP/Brenner Securities received an aggregate cash fee of $24,000 and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
RG Securities, LLC, and HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC received placement compensation in connection with the Company’s sale of $1,700,000 aggregate principal amount of 9% senior convertible notes due 2007, convertible into 1,416,667 shares of Common Stock, and 708,333 Common Stock warrants to Alexandra in January 2004. In connection with such offering, RG Securities and HCFP/Brenner Securities received an aggregate cash fee of $136,000 and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 212,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
In January 2004, the Company issued to HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC and RG Securities, LLC warrants to purchase an aggregate of 10,284 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, valued at $13,000, in consideration of their deferment of cash fees owing to them.
From October through December 2003, Robert E. Huntley, a former officer and director of the Company, and Paul Eibeler, one of the Company’s outside directors, advanced an aggregate of $392,000 and $50,000, respectively to the Company. In January 2004, such individuals elected to apply such amounts toward the purchase of an aggregate of 326,667 and 41,667 shares of the Company’s Common Stock ($1.20 per share), respectively, and warrants to purchase 326,667 and 41,667 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share, respectively, in full satisfaction of the amounts previously advanced.
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On February 4, 2004, the Company acquired OTA. Rick J. Hennessey, Alexander U. Conrad, David Adams and Mark Sanders were the sole stockholders of OTA at the time of the acquisition. Mr. Hennessey was the chief executive officer, Mr. Conrad was the director of marketing and finance and David Adams was the President and Chief Technology Officer for Over-the-Air Wireless, Inc. At the time of the Company’s acquisition of OTA, Rick J. Hennessey became the Company’s executive vice president and Alexander U. Conrad and David Adams were employees of the Company. Rick J. Hennessey has since become the Company’s chief executive officer and Alexander U. Conrad has become the Company’s president, chief operating officer and secretary. In connection with the acquisition, the Company issued (i) to each of Rick J. Hennessey and David Adams, 292,916 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, (ii) to Alexander U. Conrad, 13,624 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, and (iii) to Mark Sanders, 81,744 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company granted the former OTA Wireless, Inc. stockholders customary piggyback registration rights and agreed that the Company would include their shares of common stock in a registration statement filed within six months of the Company’s acquisition of OTA, which rights were waived by Messrs. Hennessey and Conrad and in part by Mr. Adams. 10,000 of the shares of common stock held by David Adams and 81,744 of the shares held by Mark Sanders have been registered for resale. In addition, the Company entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Hennessey, Conrad and Adams, and issued options to purchase 410,088 shares of Common Stock to each of Mr. Hennessey and Mr. Adams and options to purchase 144,737 shares of Common Stock to Mr. Conrad. The value of the shares of Common Stock issued to the former stockholders of OTA was $1,000,000 and the value of the options issued was $1,217,000 (of which $517,000 is attributable to Mr. Hennessey’s options and $183,000 is attributable to Mr. Conrad’s options) based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following assumptions: 94% volatility, 6 year expected life, risk free interest rate of 3.41% and a dividend yield of 0%.
RG Securities, LLC and HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC received placement compensation in connection with the Company’s sale of $2,300,000 aggregate principal amount of 9% senior convertible notes due 2007, convertible into 1,916,667 shares of Common Stock, and 958,333 Common Stock warrants to Alexandra in March 2004. In connection with such offering, RG Securities and HCFP/Brenner Securities received an aggregate cash fee of $184,000 and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 287,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
RG Securities, LLC and HCFP/Brenner Securities, LLC may receive placement compensation in connection with the Company’s sale of an aggregate of 1,250 shares of series A convertible preferred stock and 1,041,667 Common Stock warrants to Alexandra in June, July and August 2004. The amount of such compensation has not yet been determined, although the Company anticipates that the amount will not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 208,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
In connection with their investments in the Company, Alexandra is entitled to nominate two directors for election to the Board of Directors. The Company has the right to approve their nominees, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld. Alexandra has currently nominated Vishal Bhutani to the Company’s Board of Directors.
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The conversion and exercise prices, and number of shares of Common Stock underlying the notes, warrants and preferred stock referred to above in this Section “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”, have been subsequently adjusted based upon anti-dilution provisions triggered by the sale of the Company’s Series B convertible preferred stock on August 26, 2004.
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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides information concerning the annual and long-term compensation earned or paid to the Company’s chief executive officer (the “named executive officer”) for the periods presented. No executive officer of the Company had compensation that exceeded $100,000 during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. For the period prior to September 29, 2003, the date of the acquisition by the Company of Dwango North America, Inc., the following table includes compensation earned at Dwango North America, Inc.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Long-Term Compensation
| | |
Name and Principal Position
| | Year
| | Annual Compensation
| | Restricted Stock Award
| | Number of Securities Underlying Options
| | All Other Compensation
|
| | Salary
| | Bonus
| | | |
Robert E. Huntley Chief Executive Officer | | 2003 2002 2001 | | $ $ | 86,000 78,000 — | | — — — | | — — — | | 1,030,074 — — | | — — — |
Option Grants in Fiscal Year 2003
The following table provides information concerning individual grants of stock options made during fiscal year 2003 to the Company’s named executive officer.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Name
| | Number of Securities Underlying Options
| | Percent of Total Options Granted to Employees In 2003
| | | Exercise Price (in $ per share)
| | Expiration Date
|
Robert E. Huntley | | 318,083 378,658 333,333 | | 20 24 22 | % % % | | $ $ $ | 1.20 1.32 1.50 | | 5/27/13 5/27/08 11/18/13 |
Aggregated Options Exercises in Fiscal 2003 and Year-End Option Values
The following table provides information concerning the value of unexercised options owned, by the Company’s named executive officer. The named executive officer did not exercise any stock options during fiscal year 2003.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name
| | Shares Acquired On Exercise
| | Value Realized
| | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options(1)
| | Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options(2)
|
| | | Exercisable
| | Unexercisable
| | Exercisable
| | Unexercisable
|
Robert E. Huntley | | — | | — | | 472,682 | | 557,392 | | $ | 79,985 | | $ | 186,605 |
(1) | Includes ownership of options as of December 31, 2003. |
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(2) | Based on closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as reported on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board on December 31, 2003. |
Employment Agreements
Effective in January 2004, Rick J. Hennessey became the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of OTA in February 2004, of which Mr. Hennessey was a co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hennessey. The employment agreement provides for an annual salary of $85,000 subject to increase upon agreement between the Company and Mr. Hennessey. This salary has been increased to $125,000 in connection with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer. The period of employment of Mr. Hennessey is terminable by Mr. Hennessey or the Company, with or without cause, after thirty days written notice to the other party. The employment agreement contains restrictions on solicitation of the Company’s employees and provisions protecting the Company’s proprietary rights and confidential information.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides information as of September 15, 2004 regarding the Company’s existing compensation plans and individual compensation arrangements pursuant to which the Company’s equity securities may be issued to employees, directors, consultants, advisors or other persons, in exchange for consideration in the form of services:
| | | | | | | |
Plan Category
| | Number of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)
| | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)
| | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | 2,282,615 | | $ | 1.21 | | 717,385 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | 0 | | $ | 0 | | 2,000,000 |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
Total | | 2,282,615 | | $ | 2.02 | | 2,717,385 |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, which provides for direct contact between the Company’s independent accountants and the Board. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter. The Audit Committee has responsibility for recommending the appointment of the Company’s independent accountants, supervising the finance function of the Company (which will include, among other matters, the Company’s investment activities), reviewing the Company’s internal accounting control policies and procedures, and providing the Board such additional information and materials as it may deem necessary to make the Board aware of significant financial matters which require Board attention. The Audit Committee held
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one meeting during fiscal 2003. The current members of the Audit Committee are Derrick Ashcroft and Paul Eibeler. Mr. Ashcroft qualifies as an “independent director” under the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for fiscal 2003 with the Company’s management. The Audit Committee has discussed with Eisner, LLP, the Company’s independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,Communications with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Eisner, LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and has discussed with Eisner, LLP its independence. Based on the review and discussions described above, among other things, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the 2003 fiscal year.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Derrick Ashcroft
Paul Eibeler
September 15, 2004
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COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, as amended, requires the Company’s executive officers, directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 and Form 5 with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that, during 2003, all filing requirements applicable to the Company’s executive officers, directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities have been complied with.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS
Stockholders who intend to present proposals or nominations at the Company’s 2005 annual meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), must ensure that such proposals are received by the Company no later than May 27, 2005. Such proposals or nominations must meet the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials. The Company strongly encourages any stockholder interested in submitting a proposal or nomination to contact the Company’s Corporate Secretary in advance of this deadline to discuss any proposal or nomination he or she is considering, and stockholders may want to consult knowledgeable counsel with regard to the detailed requirements of applicable securities laws. Submitting a stockholder proposal or nomination does not guarantee that the Company will include it in its proxy statement. In order for a stockholder proposal or nomination submitted outside of Rule 14a-8 to be considered “timely” within the meaning of Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act, pursuant to the Company’s By-Laws the proposal or nomination must be receive by the Company no later than August 5, 2005. Any stockholder proposals or nominations must be submitted to the Company’s Corporate Secretary in writing at 200 West Mercer Street, Suite 501, Seattle, WA 98119.
The Board of Directors has adopted additional requirements specifically with respect to stockholder nominations for the election of directors. See “Proposal One—Election of Directors—Committees of the Board of Directors and Meetings—Director Nomination Policies and Procedures.”
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board does not intend to present, and has not been informed that any other person intends to present, any other business for action at the Annual Meeting. If any other business requiring a vote of the stockholders should come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the shares they represent as the board of directors may recommend.
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ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS AND FORM 10-KSB, AS AMENDED
The Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2003 (which is not a part of the Company’s proxy soliciting materials) in the form of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as amended, without exhibits, is being mailed to the Company’s stockholders with this proxy statement. A copy of the Company’s Form 10-KSB, as amended, without exhibits, is also available to any stockholder free of charge upon request by writing to Investor Relations at the Company’s corporate address.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
 |
Rick J. Hennessey Chief Executive Officer |
Seattle, Washington
September 24, 2004
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Appendix A
Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
Last revised: 1/27/04
Purpose
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board in monitoring (1) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, (2) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, (3) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors, and (4) the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Audit Committee shall prepare any reports required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.
Committee Membership
The Audit Committee shall consist of no fewer than two members. The members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board and may be replaced by the Board.
Meetings
The Audit Committee shall meet as often as it determines, but not less frequently than quarterly. The Audit Committee shall meet periodically with management and the independent auditor in separate executive sessions. It may also meet with persons, internal and external, who perform key accounting and internal audit functions for the Company. The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s outside counsel or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
Committee Authority and Responsibilities
The Audit Committee shall have the sole authority to appoint or replace the independent auditor (subject, if applicable, to shareholder ratification). The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee shall preapprove all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant preapprovals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant preapprovals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
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The Audit Committee shall have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, for payment of compensation to the independent auditor for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report and to any advisors employed by the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee shall make regular reports to the Board. The Audit Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval. The Audit Committee shall annually review the Audit Committee’s own performance.
The Audit Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, shall:
Financial Statement and Disclosure Matters
| 1. | Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, including disclosures made in management’s discussion and analysis, and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Form 10-KSB. |
| 2. | Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company’s quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of its Form 10-QSB, including the results of the independent auditor’s review of the quarterly financial statements. |
| 3. | Discuss with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles, any major issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any special steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies. |
| 4. | Review and discuss quarterly reports from the independent auditors on: |
| (a) | All critical accounting policies and practices to be used. |
| (b) | All alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures, and treatment preferred by the independent auditor. |
| (c) | Other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences. |
| 5. | Discuss with management the Company’s earnings press releases, including the use of “pro forma” or “adjusted” non-GAAP information, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. Such discussion may be done generally (consisting of discussing the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made). |
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| 6. | Discuss with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance sheet structures on the Company’s financial statements. |
| 7. | Discuss with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies. |
| 8. | Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the conduct of the audit, including any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management. |
| 9. | Review disclosures made to the Audit Committee by the Company’s CEO and CFO during their certification process for the Form 10-KSB and Form 10-QSB about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls. |
Oversight of the Company’s Relationship with the Independent Auditor
| 10. | Review and evaluate the lead partner of the independent auditor team. |
| 11. | Obtain and review a report from the independent auditor at least annually regarding (a) the independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures, (b) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, (c) any steps taken to deal with any such issues, and (d) all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company. Evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor, including considering whether the auditor’s quality controls are adequate and the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence, taking into account the opinions of management. The Audit Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the Board. |
| 12. | Ensure the rotation of the audit partners as required by law. Consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, it is appropriate to adopt a policy of rotating the independent auditing firm on a regular basis. |
| 13. | Recommend to the Board policies for the Company’s hiring of employees or former employees of the independent auditor who participated in any capacity in the audit of the Company. |
| 14. | Discuss with the independent auditor issues on which they were consulted by persons performing accounting functions for the Company and matters of audit quality and consistency. |
A-3
| 15. | Meet with the independent auditor prior to the audit to discuss the planning and staffing of the audit. |
Compliance Oversight Responsibilities
| 16. | Obtain from the independent auditor assurance that Section 10A(b) of the Exchange Act has not been implicated. |
| 17. | Obtain reports from management and the independent auditor that the Company is in conformity with applicable legal requirements, the Company’s Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers, and the Company’s Corporate Policy Statement on Code of Ethics, Business Conduct and Conflicts of Interest. Review reports and disclosures of insider and affiliated party transactions. Advise the Board with respect to the Company’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company’s Code of Ethics for the Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers, and the Company’s Policy Statement on Code of Ethics, Business Conduct and Conflicts of Interest. |
| 18. | Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
| 19. | Discuss with management and the independent auditor any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company’s financial statements or accounting policies. |
| 20. | Discuss with the Company’s legal counsel matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements or the Company’s compliance policies. |
Limitation of Audit Committee’s Role
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities of management and the independent auditor.
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Appendix B
Charter of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
Adopted: June 1, 2004
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Compensation Committee established pursuant to this charter is (i) to act as Administrator of the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of Dwango North America, Corp. (the “Company”) as described in Section 2.2 of the Plan, (ii) to review forms of compensation to be provided to the officers and employees of the Company, including stock compensation and loans, (iii) to grant options to purchase common stock of the Company to employees and executive officers of the Company and (iv) to review and make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding all forms of compensation to be provided to the directors of the Company, including stock compensation and loans.
The Compensation Committee has the authority to undertake the specific duties and responsibilities listed below and will have the authority to undertake such other specific duties as the Board of Directors from time to time prescribes.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Compensation Committee shall consist of a minimum of two (2) Non-employee Directors of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The members of the Compensation Committee will be outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The members of the Compensation Committee are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include:
| 1. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the compensation policy for executive officers and directors of the Company, and such other officers of the Company as directed by the Board of Directors; |
| 2. | Reviewing and approving the Company’s compensation policy regarding all forms of compensation (including, to the extent relevant, all “plan” compensation, as such term is defined in Item 402(a)(7) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and all non-plan compensation) to be provided to the officers and employees of the Company; |
| 3. | Reviewing recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company regarding all forms of compensation (including, to the extent relevant, all “plan” compensation, as such term is defined in Item 402(a)(7) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and all non-plan compensation) to be provided to the non-employee directors of the Company; |
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| 4. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding general compensation goals and guidelines for the Company’s employees and officers and the criteria by which bonuses to the Company’s employees and officers are determined; |
| 5. | Reviewing recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company regarding all bonus and stock compensation to all employees of the Company; |
| 6. | Acting as Administrator (as described in Section 2.2 of the Plan) of the Plan within the authority delegated by the Board of Directors. In its administration of the Plan, the Compensation Committee may, (i) grant stock options or stock purchase rights to individuals eligible for such grants (including grants to individuals subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in compliance with Rule 16b-3 thereunder) and (ii) amend such stock options or stock purchase rights; |
| 7. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to amendments to the Plan and changes in the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder; |
| 8. | Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding other plans that are proposed for adoption or adopted by the Company for the provision of compensation to employees of, directors of and consultants to the Company; |
| 9. | Preparing a report (to be included in the Company’s proxy statement) that describes: (a) the criteria on which compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer for the last completed fiscal year is based; (b) the relationship of such compensation to the Company’s performance; and (c) the Compensation Committee’s executive compensation policies applicable to executive officers; and |
| 10. | Authorizing, to the extent applicable, the repurchase of shares from terminated employees pursuant to applicable law. |
MEETINGS:
It is anticipated that the Compensation Committee will meet at leasttwice year. However, the Compensation Committee may establish its own schedule, which it will provide to the Board of Directors in advance. At a minimum of one of such meetings annually, the Compensation Committee will consider stock plans, performance goals and incentive awards, and the overall coverage and composition of the compensation package.
MINUTES:
The Compensation Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors.
REPORTS:
The Compensation Committee will provide written reports to the Board of Directors of the Company regarding recommendations of the Compensation Committee submitted to the Board of Directors for action, and copies of the written minutes of its meetings.
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Appendix C
2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purposes of this 2003 Equity Incentive Plan are (a) to enable the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to attract and retain highly qualified personnel who will contribute to the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, and (b) to provide incentives to participants in this Plan that are linked directly to increases in shareholder value which will therefore inure to the benefit of all shareholders of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
Capitalized terms not defined in the text are defined in Section 24.
2. Administration.
2.1.Administration in Accordance with the Code and Exchange Act. The Plan shall be administered in accordance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code (but only to the extent necessary and desirable to maintain qualification of Awards under the Plan under Section 162(m) of the Code) and, to the extent applicable, Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), by the Board or, at the Board’s sole discretion, by the Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board, and which shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
2.2.Administrator’s Powers. Subject to the general purposes, terms and conditions of this Plan, the Administrator will have full power to implement and carry out this Plan. The Administrator will have the authority to:
(a) construe and interpret this Plan, any Award Agreement and any other agreement or document executed pursuant to this Plan;
(b) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan or any Award;
(c) select persons to receive Awards;
(d) determine the form and terms of Awards;
(e) determine the number of shares or other consideration subject to Awards;
(f) determine whether Awards will be granted singly, in combination with, in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to, other Awards under this Plan or any other incentive or compensation plan of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company;
(g) grant waivers of Plan or Award conditions;
(h) determine the vesting, exercisability and payment of Awards;
(i) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement;
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(j) to make any adjustments necessary or desirable as a result of the granting of an Award to an Eligible Participant located outside the United States;
(k) determine whether an Award has been earned; and
(l) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
2.3.Administrator’s Discretion Final. Any determination made by the Administrator with respect to any Award will be made in its sole discretion at the time of grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan or Award, at any later time, and such determination will be final and binding on the Company and on all persons having an interest in any Award under the Plan.
2.4.Administrator’s Method of Acting; Liability. The Administrator may act only by a majority of its members then in office, except that the members thereof may authorize any one or more of their members or any officer of the Company to execute and deliver documents or to take any other ministerial action on behalf of the Administrator with respect to Awards made or to be made to Eligible Participants. No member of the Administrator and no officer of the Company shall be liable for anything done or omitted to be done by such member or officer, by any other member of the Administrator or by any officer of the Company in connection with the performance of duties under the Plan, except for such member’s or officer’s own willful misconduct or as expressly provided by law.
3. Participation. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees (including officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company, or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. All other Awards may be granted to employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent contractors and advisors of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company;provided, that such consultants, contractors and advisors render bona fide services to the Company or such Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction. An Eligible Participant may be granted more than one Award under the Plan.
4. Awards Under the Plan.
4.1.Types of Awards. Awards under the Plan may include, but need not be limited to, one or more of the following types, either alone or in any combination thereof:
(a) Options;
(b) Restricted Stock;
(c) Stock Bonuses; and
(d) any other type of Award deemed by the Administrator to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan (including but not limited to, Awards of or options or similar rights granted with respect to unbundled stock units or components thereof, and Awards to be made to participants who are foreign nationals or are employed or performing services outside the United States).
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4.2.Number of Shares Available Under the Plan. Subject to Section 4.4, the total number of shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to the Plan will be 6,000,000. Shares that are subject to (a) issuance upon exercise of an Option previously granted but cease to be subject to such Option for any reason other than exercise of such Option, (b) an Award previously granted but forfeited or repurchased by the Company at the original issue price, and (c) an Award previously granted that otherwise terminates without Shares being issued, shall be available for grant and issuance.
Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.
The number of Shares which are transferred to the Company by a Participant to pay the exercise or purchase price of an Award will be subtracted from the number of Shares issued with respect to such Award for the purpose of counting Shares used under the Plan. Shares withheld to pay withholding taxes in connection with the exercise or repayment of an Award will not be counted as used under the Plan. In addition, Shares covered by an Award granted under the Plan which is settled in cash will not be counted as used under the Plan.
4.3.Reservation of Shares. At all times, the Company shall reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares as shall be required to satisfy the requirements of all outstanding Options granted under the Plan and all other outstanding but unexercised Awards granted under the Plan.
4.4.Adjustment in Number of Shares Available Under the Plan. In the event that the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is changed by a stock dividend, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company without consideration, then (a) the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, (b) the number of Shares that may be granted pursuant to the Plan, (c) the Exercise Prices of and number of Shares subject to outstanding Options and other Awards, and (d) the exercise prices of and number of Shares subject to other outstanding Awards, will be proportionately adjusted, subject to any required action by the Board or the shareholders of the Company and compliance with applicable securities laws;provided,however, that, upon occurrence of such an event, fractions of a Share will not be issued upon exercise of an Award but will, upon such exercise, either be replaced by a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such fraction of a Share on the effective date of such an event or will be rounded up to the nearest whole Share, as determined by the Administrator.
4.5.Rights with Respect to Common Shares and Other Securities.
(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a Participant to whom an Award of Restricted Stock has been made (and any person succeeding to such Participant’s rights with respect to such Award pursuant to the Plan) shall have, after issuance of a certificate or copy thereof for the number of Shares so awarded and prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period or the earlier repurchase of such Shares as provided in the Plan or Award Agreement with respect to such Award of Restricted Stock, ownership of such Shares, including the right to vote the same and to receive dividends or other distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares (provided that such Shares, and any new, additional or different shares, or other securities or property of the Company, or other forms of consideration which the participant may be entitled to receive with respect to such Shares as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or any other
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change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company, shall be subject to the restrictions of the Plan as determined by the Administrator), subject, however, to the options, restrictions and limitations imposed thereon pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a Participant with whom an Award Agreement is made to issue Shares in the future shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to Shares related to such Award Agreement until a stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued to such Participant.
(b) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a Participant to whom a grant of Stock Options or any other Award is made (and any person succeeding to such Participant’s rights pursuant to the Plan) shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares or as a holder with respect to other securities, if any, issuable pursuant to any such Award until the date a stock certificate evidencing such Shares or other instrument of ownership, if any, is issued to such Participant. Except as provided in Section 4.4, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, securities, other property or other forms of consideration, or any combination thereof) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate or other instrument of ownership, if any, is issued.
5. Stock Options.
5.1.Grant; Determination of Type of Option. The Administrator may grant one or more Options to an Eligible Participant and will determine (a) whether each such Option will be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option, (b) the number of Shares subject to each such Option, (c) the Exercise Price of each such Option, (d) the period during which each such Option may be exercised, and (e) all other terms and conditions of each such Option, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5. The Administrator may grant an Option either alone or in conjunction with other Awards, either at the time of grant or by amendment thereafter.
5.2.Form of Option Award Agreement. Each Option granted under the Plan will be evidenced by an Award Agreement which will expressly identify the Option as an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option, and will be in such form and contain such provisions (which need not be the same for each Participant or Option) as the Administrator may from time to time approve, and which will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
5.3.Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option will be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination to grant such Option, unless otherwise specified by the Administrator.
5.4.Exercise Period. Each Option shall be exercisable within the times or upon the occurrence of one or more events determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement governing such Option;provided,however, that no Option will be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date the Option is granted; andprovided,further,however, that no Incentive Stock Option granted to a person who directly or by attribution owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company (each, a “Ten Percent Shareholder”) will be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted. The Administrator also may provide for an Option to become exercisable at one time or from time to
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time, periodically or otherwise, in such number of Shares or percentage of Shares as the Administrator determines.
5.5.Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of an Option will be determined by the Administrator when the Option is granted and may be not less than 85% of the per share Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Option on the date of grant of such Option;provided,however, that: (a) the Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option will be not less than 100% of the per share Fair Market Value of such Shares on the date of such grant and (b) the Exercise Price of any Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder will not be less than 110% of the per share Fair Market Value of such Shares on the date of such grant. Payment for the Shares purchased shall be made in accordance with Section 8 of the Plan.
5.6.Method of Exercise. An Option may be exercised only by delivery to the Company of an irrevocable written exercise notice (a) identifying the Option being exercised, (b) stating the number of Shares being purchased, (c) providing any other matters required by the Award Agreement with respect to such Option, and (d) containing such representations and agreements regarding Participant’s investment intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required or desirable by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws. Such exercise notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Exercise Price for the number of Shares being purchased in accordance with Section 8 and the executed Award Agreement with respect to such Option.
5.7.Termination. Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 5.4 or in an Award Agreement, exercise of Options shall always be subject to the following:
(a) If the Participant is Terminated for any reason except death or Disability, then the Participant may exercise each of such Participant’s Options (i) only to the extent that such Options would have been exercisable on the Termination Date and (ii) no later than three months after the Termination Date (or such longer time period not exceeding five years as may be determined by the Administrator, with any exercise beyond three months after the Termination Date deemed to be an exercise of an Non-Qualified Stock Option), but in any event, no later than the original expiration date of such Option;
(b) If the Participant is Terminated because of Participant’s death or Disability (or the Participant dies within three months after a Termination other than for Cause or because of Participant’s Disability), then each of such Participant’s Options (i) may be exercised only to the extent that such Option would have been exercisable by Participant on the Termination Date and (ii) must be exercised by Participant (or Participant’s legal representative or authorized assignee) no later than twelve months after the Termination Date (or such longer time period not exceeding five years as may be determined by the Administrator, with any such exercise beyond (A) three months after the Termination Date when the Termination is for any reason other than the Participant’s death or Disability or (B) twelve months after the Termination Date when the Termination is because of Participant’s death or Disability, deemed to be an exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option), but in any event no later than the original expiration date of such Option;
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraphs 5.7(a) and 5.7(b), if a Participant is terminated for Cause, neither the Participant, the Participant’s estate nor such other person who may then hold an Option shall be entitled to exercise such Option whatsoever, whether or not, after the Termination Date, the Participant may receive payment from the
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Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company for vacation pay, for services rendered prior to the Termination Date, for services rendered for the day on which Termination occurs, for salary in lieu of notice, for severance or for any other benefits;provided,however, in making such a determination, the Administrator shall give the Participant an opportunity to present to the Administrator evidence on Participant’s behalf that the provisions of this paragraph 5.7(c) should not apply and, in the alternative, paragraph 5.7(a) or 5.7(b) shall apply;provided,further,however, that, for the purpose of this paragraph 5.7(c), Termination shall be deemed to occur on the date when the Company dispatches notice or advice to the Participant that such Participant is Terminated.
5.8.Limitations on Exercise. The Administrator may specify a reasonable minimum number of Shares that may be purchased on any exercise of an Option,provided, that such minimum number will not prevent Participant from exercising the Option for the full number of Shares for which the Option is then exercisable.
5.9.Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. The aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined as of the date of grant) of Shares with respect to which an Incentive Stock Option are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under the Plan or under any other incentive stock option plan of the Company, and any Parent, Subsidiary and Affiliate of the Company) will not exceed $100,000. If the Fair Market Value of Shares on the date of grant with respect to which Incentive Stock Option(s) are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, then the Option(s) for the first $100,000 worth of Shares to become exercisable in such calendar year will be deemed Incentive Stock Option(s) and the Option(s) that become exercisable in such calendar year for the number of Shares which have a Fair Market Value in excess of $100,000 will be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Option(s). In the event that the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder are amended after the effective date of the Plan to provide for a different limit on the Fair Market Value of Shares permitted to be subject to Incentive Stock Options, such different limit will be automatically incorporated herein and will apply to any Options granted after the effective date of such amendment.
5.10.Modification, Extension or Renewal. The Administrator may modify, extend or renew any outstanding Option and authorize the grant of one or more new Options in substitution therefor;provided that any such action may not, without the written consent of a Participant, impair any of such Participant’s rights under any Option previously granted. Any outstanding Incentive Stock Option that is modified, extended, renewed or otherwise altered will be treated in accordance with Section 424(h) and other applicable provisions of the Code. The Administrator may reduce the Exercise Price of any outstanding Option of a Participant without the consent of the Participant affected by delivering a written notice to the Participant;provided,however, that the Exercise Price may not be reduced below the minimum Exercise Price that would be permitted under Section 5.5 for Options granted on the date the action is taken to reduce such Exercise Price.
5.11.No Disqualification. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, no term of the Plan relating to an Incentive Stock Option will be interpreted, amended or altered, nor will any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code or, without the consent of the Participant affected, to disqualify any Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code.
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5.12.Prohibition Against Transfer. No Option may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order, and a Participant’s Option shall be exercisable during such Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant or such person receiving such Option pursuant to a domestic relations order.
6. Restricted Stock.
6.1.Grant. An Award of Restricted Stock is an offer by the Company to sell to an Eligible Participant Shares that are subject to restrictions. The Administrator will determine to whom an offer will be made, the number of Shares the person may purchase, the Exercise Price to be paid, the restrictions to which the Shares will be subject, and all other terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Award, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.
6.2Form of Restricted Stock Award. All purchases under an Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will be in such form (which need not be the same for each Award of Restricted Stock or Participant) as the Administrator will from time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. The offer of Restricted Stock will be accepted by the Participant’s execution and delivery of the Award Agreement evidencing the offer to purchase the Restricted Stock and full payment for the Shares to the Company within 30 days from the date such Award Agreement is tendered to such Eligible Participant. If such Eligible Participant does not execute and deliver such Award Agreement along with full payment for the Shares to the Company within such 30 day period, then such offer will terminate, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
6.3.Purchase Price. The Exercise Price of Shares sold pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock will be determined by the Administrator on the date such Award is granted, except in the case of a sale to a Ten Percent Shareholder, in which case the Exercise Price will be 100% of the per share Fair Market Value on the date such Award is granted of the Shares subject to the Award. Payment of the Exercise Price may be made in accordance with Section 8.
6.4.Terms of Restricted Stock Awards. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions as the Administrator may impose. These restrictions may be based upon completion of a specified number of years of service with the Company or upon completion of the performance goals as set out in advance in the Participant’s individual Award Agreement. Awards of Restricted Stock may vary from Participant to Participant and between groups of Participants. Prior to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Administrator shall:
(a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any performance period for the Restricted Stock Award;
(b) select from among the performance factors to be used to measure performance goals, if any; and
(c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant.
Prior to the payment of any Restricted Stock pursuant to an Award, the Administrator shall determine the extent to which such Restricted Stock Award has been earned. Performance periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Restricted
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Stock Awards that are subject to different performance periods and having different performance goals and other criteria.
6.5.Termination During Performance Period. If a Participant is Terminated during a performance period with respect to any Award of Restricted Stock for any reason, then such Participant will be entitled to payment (whether in Shares, cash or otherwise) with respect to the Restricted Stock Award only to the extent earned as of the date of Termination in accordance with the Award Agreement with respect to such Restricted Stock, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
7. Stock Bonuses.
7.1.Awards of Stock Bonuses. A Stock Bonus is an Award of Shares (which may consist of Restricted Stock) for services rendered to the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. A Stock Bonus may be awarded for past services already rendered to the Company, or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company pursuant to an Award Agreement (the “Stock Bonus Agreement”) that will be in such form (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the Administrator will from time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. A Stock Bonus may be awarded upon satisfaction of such performance goals as are set out in advance in the Participant’s individual Award Agreement that will be in such form (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the Administrator will from time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Stock Bonuses may vary from Participant to Participant and between groups of Participants, and may be based upon the achievement of the Company, any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company and/or individual performance factors or upon such other criteria as the Administrator may determine.
7.2Terms of Stock Bonuses. The Administrator will determine the number of Shares to be awarded to the Participant. If the Stock Bonus is being earned upon the satisfaction of performance goals set forth in an Award Agreement, then the Administrator will:
(a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any performance period for each Stock Bonus;
(b) select from among the performance factors to be used to measure the performance, if any; and
(c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant.
Prior to the payment of any Stock Bonus, the Administrator shall determine the extent to which such Stock Bonuses have been earned. Performance periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Stock Bonuses that are subject to different performance periods and different performance goals and other criteria. The number of Shares may be fixed or may vary in accordance with such performance goals and criteria as may be determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may adjust the performance goals applicable to the Stock Bonuses to take into account changes in law and accounting or tax rules and to make such adjustments as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances to avoid windfalls or hardships.
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7.3.Form of Payment. The earned portion of a Stock Bonus may be paid currently or on a deferred basis with such interest or dividend equivalent, if any, as the Administrator may determine. Payment may be made in the form of cash or whole Shares or a combination thereof, either in a lump sum payment or in installments, all as the Administrator will determine.
8. Payment for Share Purchases.
8.1.Payment. Payment for Shares purchased pursuant to this Plan may be made in cash (by check) or, where expressly approved for the Participant by the Administrator and where permitted by law:
(a) by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Participant;
(b) by surrender of Shares that either (i) have been owned by the Participant for more than six months and have been paid for within the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (and, if such shares were purchased from the Company by use of a promissory note, such note has been fully paid with respect to such shares) or (ii) were obtained by Participant in the public market;
(c) by tender of a full recourse promissory note having such terms as may be approved by the Administrator and bearing interest at a rate sufficient to avoid imputation of income under Sections 483 and 1274 of the Code;provided,however, that Participants who are not employees or directors of the Company will not be entitled to purchase Shares with a promissory note unless the note is adequately secured by collateral other than the Shares;
(d) by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant for services rendered;
(e) with respect only to purchases upon exercise of an Option, and provided that a public market for the Company’s stock exists, (i) through a “same day sale” commitment from the Participant and a broker-dealer that is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers (an “NASD Dealer”) whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to sell a portion of the Shares so purchased to pay for the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such Shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company, or (ii) through a “margin” commitment from the Participant and an NASD Dealer whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to pledge the Shares so purchased to the NASD Dealer in a margin account as security for a loan from the NASD Dealer in the amount of the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such Shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company; or
(f) by any combination of the foregoing.
8.2.Loan Guarantees. The Company, in its sole discretion, may assist a Participant in paying for Shares purchased under the Plan by authorizing a guarantee by the Company of a third-party loan to the Participant.
9. Amendment or Substitution of Awards Under the Plan. The terms of any outstanding Award under the Plan may be amended from time to time by the Administrator in any manner that the Administrator deems appropriate (including, but not limited to, acceleration of the date
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of exercise of any Award and/or payments thereunder, or reduction of the Exercise Price of an Award);provided,however, that no such amendment shall adversely affect in a material manner any right of a Participant under such Award without the Participant’s written consent. The Administrator may permit or require holders of Awards to surrender outstanding Awards as a condition precedent to the grant of new Awards under the Plan.
10. Designation of Beneficiary by Participant. A Participant may designate one or more beneficiaries to receive any rights and payments to which such Participant may be entitled in respect of any Award in the event of such Participant’s death. Such designation shall be on a written form acceptable to and filed with the Administrator. The Administrator shall have the right to review and approve beneficiary designations. A Participant may change the Participant’s beneficiary(ies) from time to time in the same manner as the original designation, unless such Participant has made an irrevocable designation. Any designation of beneficiary under the Plan (to the extent it is valid and enforceable under applicable law) shall be controlling over any other disposition, testamentary or otherwise, as determined by the Administrator. If no designated beneficiary survives the Participant and is living on the date on which any right or amount becomes payable to such Participant’s beneficiary(ies), such payment will be made to the legal representatives of the Participant’s estate, and the term “beneficiary” as used in the Plan shall be deemed to include such person or persons. If there is any question as to the legal right of any beneficiary to receive a distribution under the Plan, the Administrator may determine that the amount in question be paid to the legal representatives of the estate of the Participant, in which event the Company, the Administrator, the Board and the Committee and the members thereof will have no further liability to any person or entity with respect to such amount.
11. Corporate Transactions.
11.1.Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor. If a Change-of-Control Event occurs:
(a) the successor company in any Change-of-Control Event may, if approved in writing by the Administrator prior to any Change-of-Control Event, (i) substitute equivalent Options or Awards or provide substantially similar consideration to Participants as was provided to shareholders (after taking into account the existing provisions of the Awards), or (ii) issue, in place of outstanding Shares of the Company held by the Participant, substantially similar shares or substantially similar other securities or substantially similar other property subject to repurchase restrictions no less favorable to the Participant.
(b) notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide that the vesting of any or all Options and Awards granted pursuant to this Plan will accelerate immediately prior to the consummation of a Change-of-Control Event. If the Administrator exercises such discretion with respect to Options, such Options will become exercisable in full prior to the consummation of such event at such time and on such conditions as the Administrator determines, and if such Options are not exercised prior to the consummation of such event, they shall terminate at such time as determined by the Administrator.
11.2.Other Treatment of Awards. Subject to any rights and limitations set forth in Section 11.1, if a Change-of-Control Event occurs or has occurred, any outstanding Awards will be treated as provided in the applicable agreement or plan of merger, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, or sale of assets constituting the Change-of-Control Event.
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11.3Assumption of Awards by the Company. The Company, from time to time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or otherwise, by either (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of such other company’s award, or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award granted under this Plan. Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of this Plan to such grant. If the Company assumes an award granted by another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged (except that the exercise price and the number and nature of Shares issuable upon exercise of any such option will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code). If the Company elects to grant a new Option rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price.
12. Plan Amendment or Suspension. The Plan may be amended or suspended in whole or in part at any time and from time to time by the Board, but no amendment shall be effective unless and until the same is approved by shareholders of the Company where the failure to obtain such approval would adversely affect the compliance of the Plan with Sections 162 and 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3 and with other applicable law. No amendment of the Plan shall adversely affect in a material manner any right of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted without such Participant’s written consent.
13. Plan Termination.
13.1.Method of Plan Termination. The Plan shall terminate upon the earlier of the following dates or events to occur:
(a) upon the adoption of a resolution of the Board terminating the Plan; or
(b) September 17, 2013.
13.2.Effect of Termination on Outstanding Awards. No termination of the Plan shall materially alter or impair any of the rights or obligations of any person, without such person’s consent, under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan, except that subsequent to termination of the Plan, the Administrator may make amendments permitted under Section 9.
14. Shareholder Adoption.
14.1.Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for their approval and adoption.
14.2.Effectiveness of Plan Prior to Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall not be effective and no Award shall be made hereunder unless and until the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company as provided in Section 14.1, consistent with applicable law.
15. Transferability. Except as may be approved by the Administrator where such approval shall not adversely affect compliance of the Plan with Sections 162 and 422 of the Code and/or Rule 16b-3, a Participant’s rights and interest under the Plan may not be assigned or transferred, hypothecated or encumbered in whole or in part either directly or by operation of law or
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otherwise (except in the event of a Participant’s death) including, but not by way of limitation, execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, bankruptcy or in any other manner;provided,however, that any Option or similar right offered pursuant to the Plan shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent or pursuant to a domestic relations order and shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant or such person receiving such option pursuant to a domestic relations order.
16. Privileges of Stock Ownership; Restrictions on Shares.
16.1.Voting and Dividends. No Participant will have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to any Shares subject to or issued pursuant to the Plan until such Shares are issued to the Participant. After Shares are issued to the Participant, the Participant will be a shareholder and have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares;provided,however, that if such Shares are Restricted Stock, then any new, additional or different securities the Participant may become entitled to receive with respect to such Shares by virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock;provided,further, that the Participant will have no right to retain such stock dividends or stock distributions with respect to Restricted Stock that is repurchased at the Participant’s Exercise Price in accordance with an Award Agreement with respect to such Restricted Stock.
16.2.Restrictions on Shares. At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company may reserve to itself and/or its assignee(s) in the Award Agreement a right to repurchase a portion of or all Shares issued pursuant to such Award Agreement and held by a Participant following such Participant’s Termination at any time within 90 days after the later of Participant’s Termination Date or the date Participant purchases Shares under the Plan, for cash and/or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness, at the Participant’s Exercise Price or such other price as the Administrator may determine at the time of the grant of the Award.
17. Certificates. All Shares or other securities delivered under this Plan will be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends and other restrictions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable, including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements promulgated under such laws or any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or quoted and each stock certificate evidencing such Shares and other certificates shall be appropriately legended.
18. Escrow; Pledge of Shares. To enforce any restrictions on a Participant’s Shares, the Administrator may require the Participant to deposit all stock certificates evidencing Shares, together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer approved by the Administrator, appropriately endorsed in blank, with the Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold in escrow until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated, and the Administrator may cause a legend or legends referencing such restrictions to be placed on the certificates. Any Participant who is permitted to execute a promissory note as partial or full consideration for the purchase of Shares under the Plan will be required to pledge and deposit with the Company all or part of the Shares so purchased as collateral to secure the payment of Participant’s obligation to the Company under the promissory note;provided,however, that the Administrator may require or accept other or additional forms of collateral to secure the payment of such obligation and, in any event, the Company will have full recourse against the Participant under the promissory note
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notwithstanding any pledge of the Participant’s Shares or other collateral. In connection with any pledge of the Shares, Participant will be required to execute and deliver a written pledge agreement in such form as the Administrator will from time to time approve. The Shares purchased with the promissory note may be released from the pledge on a pro rata basis as the promissory note is paid.
19. Exchange and Buyout of Awards.
19.1.Exchange. The Administrator may, at any time or from time to time, authorize the Company, with the consent of the respective Participants, to issue new Awards in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of any or all outstanding Awards.
19.2.Buyout of Awards. The Administrator may, at any time or from time to time, authorize the Company to buy from a Participant an Award previously granted with payment in cash, Shares (including Restricted Stock) or other consideration, based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator and the Participant may agree.
20. Securities Law and Other Regulatory Compliance.
20.1.Compliance with Applicable Laws. An Award will not be effective unless such Award is made in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the date of grant of the Award and also on the date of exercise or other issuance. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, the Company will have no obligation to issue or deliver stock certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to:
(a) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Administrator determines are necessary or advisable; and/or
(b) completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal law or ruling of any governmental body that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable.
20.2.No Obligation to Register Shares or Awards. The Company will be under no obligation to register the Shares under the Securities Act or to effect compliance with the registration, qualification or listing requirements of any state securities laws, stock exchange or automated quotation system, and the Company will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so.
21. No Obligation to Employ. Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted under the Plan will confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company to terminate Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time, with or without cause.
22. Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board, the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval, nor any provision of this Plan will be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or the
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Committee to adopt such additional compensation arrangements as the Board may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options and bonuses otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
23. Miscellaneous Provisions.
23.1.No Rights Unless Specifically Granted. Unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing by the Company, no employee or other person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan under any contract, agreement or otherwise. Determinations made by the Administrator under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made selectively among Eligible Participants under the Plan, whether or not such Eligible Participants are similarly situated.
23.2.No Rights Until Written Evidence Delivered. No Participant or other person shall have any right with respect to the Plan, the Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan or in any Award, contingent or otherwise, until written evidence of the Award, in the form of an Award Agreement, shall have been delivered to the recipient and all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan and the Award applicable to such recipient (and each person claiming under or through such recipient) have been met.
23.3.Compliance with Applicable Law. No Shares, other Company securities or property, other securities or property, or other forms of payment shall be issued hereunder with respect to any Award unless counsel for the Company shall be satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with applicable federal, state, local and foreign legal, securities exchange and other applicable requirements.
23.4.Compliance with Rule 16b-3. If and when the provisions of Section 16 become applicable with respect to the securities of the Company, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan comply in all respects with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, that any ambiguities or inconsistencies in construction of the Plan be interpreted to give effect to such intention and that if any provision of the Plan is found not to be in compliance with Rule 16b-3, such provision shall be deemed null and void to the extent required to permit the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3.
23.5.Right to Withhold Payments. The Company and any Parent, Subsidiary and Affiliate of the Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment made under the Plan, any federal, state, local or foreign income or other taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payment. It shall be a condition to the obligation of the Company to issue Shares, other securities or property of the Company, other securities or property, or other forms of payment, or any combination thereof, upon exercise, settlement or payment of any Award under the Plan, that the Participant (or any beneficiary or person entitled to act) pay to the Company, upon its demand, such amount as may be requested by the Company for the purpose of satisfying any liability to withhold federal, state, local or foreign income or other taxes. If the amount requested is not paid, the Company may refuse to issue Shares, other securities or property of the Company, other securities or property, or other forms of payment, or any combination thereof. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may permit an Eligible Participant (or any beneficiary or person entitled to act) to elect to pay a portion or all of the amount requested by the Company for such taxes with respect to such Award, at such time and in such manner as the Administrator shall deem to be appropriate, including, but not limited to, by
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authorizing the Company to withhold, or agreeing to surrender to the Company on or about the date such tax liability is determinable, Shares, other securities or property of the Company, other securities or property, or other forms of payment, or any combination thereof, owned by such person or a portion of such forms of payment that would otherwise be distributed, or have been distributed, as the case may be, pursuant to such Award to such person, having a fair market value equal to the amount of such taxes.
23.6.Expenses of Administration. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
23.7.Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the payment of any Award under the Plan, and rights to the payment of Awards shall be no greater than the rights of the Company’s general creditors.
23.8.Acceptance of Award Deemed Consent. By accepting any Award or other benefit under the Plan, each Participant and each person claiming under or through such Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated such Participant’s (or other person’s) acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken by the Company, Administrator, Board or Committee or their respective delegates under the Plan.
23.9.Fair Market Value Determined By the Administrator. Fair market value in relation to other securities or property of the Company, other securities or property or other forms of payment of Awards under the Plan, or any combination thereof, as of any specific time, shall mean such value as determined by the Administrator in accordance with the Plan and applicable law.
23.10.Use of Terms. For the purposes of the Plan, in the use of any term, the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular wherever appropriate.
23.11.Validity; Construction; Interpretation. The validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan, and of its rules and regulations, and rights relating to the Plan and Award Agreements and to Awards granted under the Plan, shall be governed by the substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Texas.
24. Definitions. As used in this Plan, except as otherwise defined, the following terms will have the following meanings:
“Administrator” means the Board or, if and to the extent the Board elects to delegate the administration of the Plan or does not administer the Plan, the Committee.
“Affiliate” means any entity or person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, another entity, where “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to cause the direction of the management and policies of the entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Award” means any award under the Plan.
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“Award Agreement” means, with respect to each Award, the signed written agreement between the Company and the Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cause” means the commission of any act of a material theft, embezzlement or fraud involving the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, the Participant having been convicted of a crime (other than minor traffic violations and other minor misdemeanors), or a breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.
“Change-of-Control Event” means any one or more of the following: (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, a reincorporation of the Company in a different jurisdiction, or other transaction in which there is no substantial change in the shareholders of the Company or their relative stock holdings and the Awards granted under this Plan are assumed, converted or replaced by the successor corporation, which assumption will be binding on all Participants), (iii) a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but after which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger (other than any shareholder that merges, or which owns or controls another corporation that merges, with the Company in such merger) cease to own their Shares or other equity interest in the Company, (iv) the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (v) the acquisition, sale, or other transfer of more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company by tender offer or similar transaction.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.
“Committee” means compensation or other any committee the Board may appoint to administer the Plan. To the extent necessary and desirable, the Committee shall be composed entirely of individuals who meet the qualifications referred to in Section 162(m) of the Code and Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. If at any time or to any extent the Board shall not administer the Plan, then the functions of the Board specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Committee.
“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company.
“Company” means Woodland Hatchery, Inc., a Nevada corporation, or any successor corporation.
“Disability” means the inability of a Participant to perform substantially his or her duties and responsibilities to the Company or to any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for a continuous period of six months, as determined by the Administrator. The date of such Disability shall be the last day of such six-month period or the date on which the Participant submits such medical evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator, that the Participant has a physical or mental disability or infirmity that will likely prevent the Participant from performing the Participant’s work duties for a continuous period of six months or longer, as the case may be.
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“Eligible Participant” means an officer, director, employee, consultant or advisor of the Company or of any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate. For purposes of the Plan, the term “employee” shall include all those individuals whose service with or for the Company and/or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, is within the definition of “employee” in the Rule as to the Use of Form S-8 contained in the General Instructions for the registration statement on Form S-8 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
“Exercise Price” means the per share price at which a holder of an Award may purchase the Shares issuable upon exercise of such Award.
“Fair Market Value” as of a particular date shall mean the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by the Administrator;provided,however, that Fair Market Value shall mean (i) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, the closing price of the Common Stock on the Composite Tape, as published in The Wall Street Journal, of the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is so listed or admitted to trade, on such date, or, if there is no trading of the Common Stock on such date, then the closing price of the Common Stock as quoted on such Composite Tape on the next preceding date on which there was trading in such shares; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange but is listed and quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), the last sale price for the Common Stock on such date as reported by Nasdaq, or, if there is no reported trading of the Common Stock on such date, then the last sale price for the Common Stock on the next preceding date on which there was trading in the Common Stock; (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange and is not listed and quoted on Nasdaq, the mean between the closing bid and asked price for the Common Stock on such date, as furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”); (iv) if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, not listed and quoted on Nasdaq and closing bid and asked prices are not furnished by the NASD, the mean between the closing bid and asked price for the Common Stock on such date, as furnished by the National Quotation Bureau (“NQB”) or similar organization; and (v) if the stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, not listed and quoted on Nasdaq and if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock are not furnished by the NASD, NQB or a similar organization, the value established in good faith by the Administrator.
“Incentive Stock Option” means any Option intended to be designated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option, including, but not limited to, any Option that provides (as of the time such Option is granted) that it will not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option” means an option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section 5.
“Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations in the chain (other than the Company) owns stock possessing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.
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“Participant” means any Eligible Recipient selected by the Administrator, pursuant to the Administrator’s authority, to receive grants of Options, awards of Restricted Stock, Stock Bonuses or other types of awards, or any combination of the foregoing.
“Plan” means this 2003 Equity Incentive Plan.
“Restricted Stock” means Shares subject to certain restrictions granted pursuant to Section 6.
“Restricted Period” means the period of time Restricted Stock remains subject to restrictions imposed on the Award of such Restricted Stock.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
“Shares” means shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under or issued pursuant to the Plan, as adjusted pursuant to Section 4, and any successor security.
“Stock Bonus” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 7.
“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.
“Ten Percent Shareholder” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.4.
“Termination” or “Terminated” means, for purposes of the Plan with respect to a Participant, that such Participant has for any reason ceased to provide services as an employee, officer, director, consultant, independent contractor, or advisor to the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. A Participant will not be deemed to have ceased to provide services in the case of (i) sick leave, (ii) military leave, or (iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Administrator,provided, that such leave is for a period of not more than 90 days, unless re-employment or reinstatement upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute or unless provided otherwise pursuant to formal policy adopted from time to time by the Company and issued and promulgated to employees and other participants in writing. In the case of any Participant on an approved leave of absence, the Administrator may make such provisions respecting suspension of vesting of any Award previously granted to such Participant while such Participant is on leave from the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company as the Administrator may deem appropriate, except that in no event may an Option be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth in the Award Agreement with respect to such Option. The Administrator will have sole discretion to determine whether a Participant has ceased to provide services and the applicable Termination Date.
“Termination Date” means the effective date of Termination, as determined by the Administrator.
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DWANGO NORTH AMERICA CORP. | PROXY |
Proxy for 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
November 3, 2004
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned stockholder of Dwango North America Corp. (the “Company”) hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. local time at 220 West Mercer Street, West Tower Conference Room, Suite 100, Seattle, Washington and hereby revokes all previous proxies and appoints Rick J. Hennessey and Alexander U. Conrad, or either of them, with full power of substitution, as Proxies and Attorneys-in-Fact, on behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to vote and otherwise represent all the shares of Common Stock registered in the name of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting, and any postponements or adjournments thereof, with the same effect as if the undersigned were present and voting such shares, on the following matters and in the following manner.
TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.
| 1. | ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.Six directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. The Board of Directors has nominated Paul Eibler, Jim Scibelli, Vishal Bhutani, Derrick Ashcroft, Alexander Conrad and Rick Hennessey for election as directors. | |
¨ FOR all nominees listed below (except those names that are crossed out)
¨ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, cross out that nominee’s name in the list below).
01 Paul Eibeler, 02 Jim Scibelli, 03 Vishal Bhutani, 04 Derrick Ashcroft, 05 Alexander Conrad, 06 Rick Hennessey
| 2. | APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO 2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.You are being asked to vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s 2003 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved under the plan by 3,000,000 from 3,000,000 to 6,000,000. | |
¨ FOR ¨ AGAINST ¨ ABSTAIN
| 3. | RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.You are being asked to vote to ratify the appointment by the audit committee of Eisner, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. | |
¨ FOR ¨ AGAINST ¨ ABSTAIN
Do You Plan to Attend the Meeting? ¨ YES ¨ NO
In their discretion, the Proxies are entitled to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS MADE. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE ABOVE PERSONS, FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND FOR SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AS THE PROXYHOLDERS DEEM ADVISABLE.
Please mark, sign, date and return the proxy card promptly using the enclosed envelope
Signature(s)
Dated: , 2004
(This proxy should be marked, dated and signed by each stockholder exactly as such stockholder’s name appears above, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope. If shares are held by joint tenants or as community property, both holders should sign. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate. A corporation is requested to sign its name by its President or other authorized officer, with the office held designated. If the shares are held in a partnership, an authorized person should sign in the name of the partnership.)