15. Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
16. Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code;provided,however, that the Committee makes no representations that the Option shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option.
17. Independent Tax Advice. You acknowledge that determining the actual tax consequences to you of receiving or disposing of the Shares may be complicated. These tax consequences will depend, in part, on your specific situation and may also depend on other variables not within the control of the Company. You are aware that you should consult a competent and independent tax advisor for a full understanding of the specific tax consequences to you of receiving or disposing of the Shares. Prior to executing the Grant Notice, you either have consulted with a competent tax advisor independent of the Company to obtain tax advice concerning the receiving or disposition of the Shares in light of your specific situation or you have had the opportunity to consult with such a tax advisor but chose not to do so.
18. General Provisions.
(a) No Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be valid unless in writing and signed by the person against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced, nor will failure to enforce any right hereunder constitute a continuing waiver of the same or a waiver of any other right hereunder.
(b) Undertaking. You hereby agree to take whatever additional action and execute whatever additional documents the Company may deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on either you or the Shares pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement.
(c) Agreement Is Entire Contract. This Agreement and the Grant Notice constitute the entire contract between the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject. This Agreement and the Grant Notice are made pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and will in all respects be construed in conformity with the express terms and provisions of the Plan.
(d) Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement will inure to the benefit of, and be binding on, the Company, and its successors and assigns, and you and your legal representatives, heirs, legatees, distributees, assigns and transferees by operation of law, whether or not any such person will have become a party to this Agreement and agreed in writing to join herein and be bound by the terms and conditions hereof.
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