Exhibit 3.2
BY-LAWS
OF
LSI LOGIC CORPORATION
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of the corporation shall be in the City of
Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The name of the registered
agent of the corporation at such location is The Corporation Trust Company.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The board of directors may at any time establish other offices at any
place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the
State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors. In the absence of any
such designation, stockholders' meetings shall be held at the registered office
of the corporation.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and
at a time designated by the board of directors. At the meeting, directors shall
be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time only by
the board of directors, by the chairman of the board, by the president or by the
chief executive officer.
If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the
board of directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such
meeting and the general nature of the
business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by
registered mail or by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the
secretary of the corporation. No business may be transacted at such special
meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The secretary, upon receiving
the request, shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to
vote, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5, and that a
meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons who called
the meeting, not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than sixty (60) days after
the receipt of the request. Nothing contained in this second paragraph of
Section 2.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a
meeting of stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.
2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
All notices of meetings with stockholders shall be in writing and shall be
sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 of these by-laws not less
than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to
each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the
place, date, and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the
purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE
Written notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when
deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the
stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation. An
affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of
the corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud,
be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
2.6 QUORUM
The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled
to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a
quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business
except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation.
If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the
stockholders, then either (i) the Chairman of the meeting or (ii) the
stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice
other announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At
such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business
may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally
noticed.
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these by-laws
otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time
and place thereof are
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announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned
meeting the corporation may transact any business that might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty
(30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the
adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
The Chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of
business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the
manner of voting and the conduct of business.
2.9 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 of these by-laws,
subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners
of stock and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).
Except as provided in the last paragraph of this Section 2.9, or as may be
otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall
be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such
stockholder.
At a stockholders' meeting at which directors are to be elected, each
stockholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any candidate a
number of votes greater than the number of votes greater than the number of
votes which such stockholder normally is entitled to cast) if the candidates'
names have been properly placed in nomination (in accordance with these by-laws)
prior to commencement of the voting and the stockholder requesting cumulative
voting has given notice prior to commencement of the voting of the stockholder's
intention to cumulate votes. If cumulative voting is properly requested, each
holder of stock, or of any class or classes or of a series or series thereof,
who elects to cumulate votes shall be entitled to as many votes as equals the
number of votes which (absent this provision as to cumulative voting) he would
be entitled to cast for the election of directors with respect to his shares of
stock multiplied by the number of directors to be elected by him, and he may
cast all of such votes for a single director or may distribute them among the
number to be voted for, or for any two or more of them, as he may see fit.
2.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these
by-laws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of
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notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting
of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so
required by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws.
2.11 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action
required by this chapter to be taken at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders of a corporation, or any action that may be taken at any annual or
special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice, and without a vote if a consent in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less
than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take
such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were
present and voted.
Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who
have not consented in writing. If the action which is consented to is such as
would have required the filing of a certificate under any section of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware if such action had been voted on by stockholders at
a meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section shall state, in
lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any vote of
stockholders, that written notice and written consent have been given as
provided in Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
2.12 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS
(a) Actions other than Written Consent. For the purpose of determining the
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or
any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution or the allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights
in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock, or other lawful
purpose (other than the expression of consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting) the directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which, in
the case of a meeting of stockholders, shall not be more than 60 days nor less
than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed, the
record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a
meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the
close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held
and the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose pursuant
to this Section 2.12(a) shall be at the close of business on the day on which
the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination
of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the
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meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record
date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) Action by Written Consent. In order that the corporation may determine
the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall
not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
by the board of directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the
stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by
written notice to the secretary, request the board of directors to fix a record
date. The board of directors may, at any time within ten (10) days after the
date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record
date (unless a record date has previously been fixed by the first sentence of
this Section 2.12(b)). If no record date has been fixed by the board of
directors pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 2.12(b) or otherwise
within ten (10) days of the date on which such a request is received, the record
date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in
writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is
required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a signed written
consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to
the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal
place of business, or to any officer or agent of the corporation having custody
of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.
Delivery shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors and prior
action by the board of directors is required by applicable law, the record date
for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the date on which the
Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
In the event of the delivery, in the manner provided by this Section
2.12(b), to the corporation of the requisite written consent or consents to take
corporate action and/or any related revocation or revocations, the corporation
may engage independent inspectors of elections for the purpose of performing
promptly a ministerial review of the validity of the consents and revocations.
For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, in the
event such inspectors are appointed, no action by written consent without a
meeting shall be effective until such date as such appointed independent
inspectors certify to the corporation that the consents delivered to the
corporation in accordance herewith represent at least the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to take the corporate action. Nothing contained in
this Section 2.12(b) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the
board of directors or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the
validity of any consent or revocation thereof, whether before or after any
certification by any independent inspectors, or to take any other action
(including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any
litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such
litigation).
Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder
who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the
corporate action referred to therein
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unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated written consent received in
accordance with this Section 2.12(b), a written consent or consents signed by a
sufficient number of holders to take such action are delivered to the
corporation in the manner prescribed herein.
2.13 PROXIES
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to
express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may
authorize another person or persons to act for him by a written proxy, signed by
the stockholder and filed with the secretary of the corporation, but no such
proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless
the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the
stockholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature,
typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by the stockholder or the
stockholder's attorney-in-fact. The revocability of a proxy that states on its
face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section
212(c) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of a corporation shall
prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a
complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to
the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to
the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be
produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time
thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. Such list shall
presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.
2.15 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION
Before any meeting of stockholders, the board of directors may appoint an
inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. If
no inspector of election is so appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, and
on the request of any stockholder or a stockholder's proxy shall, appoint an
inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting. The number of
inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at
a meeting pursuant to the request of one (1) or more stockholders or proxies,
the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting
shall determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If
any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act,
the chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder or a
stockholder's proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
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Such inspectors shall:
(a) Determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power
of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a
quorum, and the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;
(b) Receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) Hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way
arising in connection with the right to vote;
(d) Count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) Determine when the polls shall close;
(f) Determine the result; and
(g) Do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or
vote with fairness to all stockholders.
2.16 NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS
Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors and the
proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at any
meeting of stockholders only (a) pursuant to the corporation's notice of
meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (c) by any
stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of
giving of notice provided for in these bylaws, who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section
2.16.
For nominations or other business to be properly brought before a
stockholders meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of the preceding
sentence, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to
the secretary of the corporation and such other business must otherwise be a
proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall
be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the
corporation not later than 90 calendar days before the anniversary of the date
that the corporation's proxy statement was released to shareholders in
connection with the previous year's annual meeting. Such stockholder's notice
shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate
for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person
that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of
directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(or any successor thereto) and Rule 14a-11 thereunder (or any successor thereto)
(including such
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person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and
to serving as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the
stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a reasonably detailed
description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the
reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in
such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and
the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made
(i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the
corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner, and (ii) the class and number
of shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such
stockholder and such beneficial owner. Notwithstanding any provision herein to
the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a stockholders meeting except in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.16.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and
any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws relating to
action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares,
the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors shall consist of eight (8) persons until changed by
a proper amendment of this Section 3.2.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect
of removing any director before that director's term of office expires.
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these by-laws, directors shall be
elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next
annual meeting. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the
certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, wherein other qualifications for
directors may be prescribed. Each director, including a director elected to fill
a vacancy, shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified or
until his earlier resignation or removal.
Election of directors need not be by written ballot.
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3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the attention
of the secretary of the corporation. When one or more directors so resigns and
the resignation is effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then
in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such
vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or
resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold
office as provided in this section in the filling of other vacancies.
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these
by-laws:
(i) Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the
stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a
majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining director.
(ii) Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series
thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the
certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such
class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors elected
by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole
remaining director so elected.
If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the
corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any
stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder,
or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate
of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with
the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, or may
apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as
provided in Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship,
the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board
( as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then the Court of
Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at
least ten (10) percent of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding
having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be
held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace
the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid, which
election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware as far as applicable.
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3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular
and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
by-laws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the
board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or
any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in
person at the meeting.
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at
such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the
board.
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may
be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the president, the chief
executive officer, any vice president, the secretary or any two (2) directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered
personally or by telephone to each director or sent by first-class mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director's address
as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it
shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the
time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by
telephone or by telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to
the telegraph company at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the
holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be
communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director
who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate
it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the
meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the
corporation.
3.8 QUORUM
At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the authorized
number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there
is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be
otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of
directors, then the directors present thereat
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may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.
A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact
business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is
approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
3.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these
by-laws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting
of the directors, or members of a committee of directors, need to specified in
any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of
incorporation or these by-laws.
3.10 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
by-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting
if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of
the board or committee.
3.11 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these
by-laws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation
of directors.
3.12 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by statute, by the certificate of
incorporation or by these by-laws, any director or the entire board of directors
may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the
shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors; provided, however,
that, so long as shareholders of the corporation are entitled to cumulative
voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be
removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient
to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of
directors.
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No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect
of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director's term of
office.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the
whole board, designate one or more committees, with each committee to consist of
one or more of the directors of the corporation. The board may designate one or
more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or
disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof
present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or
they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of
directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified
member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the
board of directors or in the by-laws of the corporation, shall have and may
exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the
seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no
such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) amend the certificate of
incorporation (except that a committee may, to the extent authorized in the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares of stock adopted
by the board of directors as provided in Section 151(a) of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, fix the designations and any of the preferences or
rights of such shares relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any
distribution of assets of the corporation or the conversion into, or the
exchange of such shares for, shares of any other class or classes or any other
series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the corporation or
fix the number of shares of any series of stock or authorize the increase or
decrease of the shares of any series), (ii) adopt an agreement of merger or
consolidation under Sections 251 or 252 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, (iii) recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all
or substantially all of the corporation's property and assets, (iv) recommend to
the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a
dissolution, or (v) amend the by-laws of the corporation; and, unless the board
resolution establishing the committee, the by-laws or the certificate of
incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or
authority to declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock, or to adopt
a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware.
4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the
same to the board of directors when required.
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4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and
taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these by-laws,
Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone), Section 3.6 (regular
meetings), Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.8 (quorum),
Section 3.9 (waiver of notice), and Section 3.10 (action without a meeting),
with such changes in the context of those by-laws as are necessary to substitute
the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members;
provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may be
determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of
the committee, that special meetings of committees may also be called by
resolution of the board of directors and that notice of special meetings of
committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the
right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt
rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions
of these by-laws.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation shall be a president, a secretary, and a
chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the
board of directors, a chairman of the board, chief executive officer, one or
more vice presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant
treasurers, and any such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.3 of these by-laws. Any number of offices may be held by
the same person.
5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or 5.5 of these by-laws, shall
be appointed by the board of directors, subject to the rights, if any, of an
officer under any contract of employment.
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
The board of directors may appoint, or empower the president or chief
executive officer to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of
the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period,
have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these by-laws or
as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Executive officers of
the corporation shall only be those officers expressly designated as such by the
board of directors.
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5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of
employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an
affirmative vote of the majority of the board of directors at any regular or
special meeting of the board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the
board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be
conferred by the board of directors.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of
that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise
specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the
rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a
party.
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICE
Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by
the board of directors if such officer was appointed by the board of directors,
or by such other person as appointed by the board of directors to fill such
vacancy.
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if
present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform
such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the
board of directors or as may be prescribed by these by-laws. If there is no
president, or chief executive officer then the chairman of the board shall also
be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and
duties prescribed in Section 5.7 of these by-laws.
5.7 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the board
of directors to the chairman of the board, if there be such an officer, the
chief executive officer of the corporation shall, subject to the control of the
board of directors, have general supervision, direction, and control of the
business and the officers of the corporation. He shall preside at all meetings
of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of a chairman of the
board, at all meetings of the board of directors. He shall have the general
powers and duties of management usually vested in the chief executive officer of
a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed
by the board of directors or these by-laws.
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5.8 PRESIDENT
Subject to such powers as may be given by these by-laws or the board of
directors to the chairman of the board or the chief executive officer, if there
be such officers, the president shall have general supervision, direction and
control of the business and other officers of the corporation. He shall have the
general powers and duties of management usually vested in the president of the
corporation, and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board
of directors or these by-laws.
5.9 VICE PRESIDENTS
In the absence or disability of the president and chief executive officer,
the vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of
directors or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the board of
directors, shall perform all the duties of the president and when so acting
shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the
president and chief executive officer. The vice presidents shall have such other
powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for
them respectively by the board of directors, these by-laws, the president, chief
executive officer or the chairman of the board.
5.10 SECRETARY
The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office of the corporation or such other place as the board of directors may
direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors, committees
of directors, and stockholders. The minutes shall show the time and place of
each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how authorized and
the notice given), the names of those present at directors' meetings or
committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders'
meetings, and the proceedings thereof.
The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office of the corporation at the office of the corporation's transfer agent or
registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a share
register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all stockholders
and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number
and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of
cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of
the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or by
these by-laws. He shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in
safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these by-laws.
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5.11 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept
and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the
properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of
its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital
retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable
times be open to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all moneys and other valuables
in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositories as may
be designated by the board of directors. He shall disburse the funds of the
corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the
president, chief executive and directors, whenever they request it, an account
of all his transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial
condition of the corporation, and shall have other powers and perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or the by-laws.
5.12 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
The chairman of the board, the president, chief executive officer, any
vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this
corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the
president, or the chief executive officer or a vice president, is authorized to
vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident
to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the
name of this corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either
by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or
power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
5.13 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
In addition to the foregoing authority and duties, all officers of the
corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in
the management of the business of the corporation as may be designated from time
to time by the board of directors or the stockholders.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNITY
6.1 THIRD PARTY ACTIONS
The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation)
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by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the
corporation, or that such director or officer is or was serving at the request
of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture trust or other enterprise (collectively
"Agent"), against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the
Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if
he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with the respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment,
order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not
act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with the respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct
was lawful.
6.2 ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION
The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Agent (as defined in Section 6.1) against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that
the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware
Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
6.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE
To the extent that an agent of the corporation has been successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in
Sections 6.1 and 6.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he
shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
6.4 DETERMINATION OF CONDUCT
Any indemnification under Sections 6.1 and 6.2 (unless ordered by a court)
shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that the indemnification of the Agent is proper in the
circumstances because he has met the applicable
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standard of conduct set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2. Such determination shall
be made (1) by the Board of Directors or an executive committee by a majority
vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action,
suit or proceeding, or (2) or if such quorum is not obtainable or, even if
obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
6.5 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE
Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or
proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition
of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it
shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation as authorized in this Article VI.
6.6 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided or granted
pursuant to the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of
expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity
and as to action in another capacity in another capacity while holding such
office.
6.7 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was an Agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any
such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under
the provisions of this Article VI.
6.8 THE CORPORATION
For purposes of this Article VI, references to "the corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation
(including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors and officers, so that any person who is or
was a director or Agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, shall stand in the same position under and subject to the provisions
of this Article VI (including, without limitation the provisions of Section 6.4)
with
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respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect
to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
6.9 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
For purposes of this Article VI, references to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or
agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or
beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation" as referred to in this Article
VI.
6.10 INDEMNITY FUND
Upon resolution passed by the Board, the corporation may establish a trust
or other designated account, grant a security interest or use other means
(including, without limitation, a letter of credit), to ensure the payment of
certain of its obligations arising under this Article VI and/or agreements which
may be entered into between the corporation and its officers and directors from
time to time.
6.11 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHER PERSONS
The provisions of this Article VI shall not be deemed to preclude the
indemnification of any person who is not an Agent (as defined in Section 6.1),
but whom the corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the
provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or otherwise.
The corporation may, in its sole discretion, indemnify an employee, trustee or
other agent as permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware. The corporation shall indemnify an employee, trustee or other agent
where required by law.
6.12 SAVING CLAUSE
If this Article or any portion thereof shall be invalidated on any ground
by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless
indemnify each Agent against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and
whether internal or external, including a grand jury proceeding and an action or
suit brought by or in the right of the corporation, to the full extent permitted
by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been invalidated,
or by any other applicable law.
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6.13 CONTINUATION OF INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, this Article VI shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS
The corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such
place or places as designated by the board of directors, keep a record of its
stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of
shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these by-laws as amended to date,
accounting books, and other records.
Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall,
upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right
during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the
corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and
records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder. In every
instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to
inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or
such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on
behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the
corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal place of
business.
7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS
Any director shall have the right to examine the corporation's stock
ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records for a
purpose reasonably related to his position as a director. The Court of Chancery
is hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a director
is entitled to the inspection sought. The Court may summarily order the
corporation to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the
stock ledger, and the stock list and to make copies or extracts therefrom. The
Court may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with
reference to the inspection, or award such other and further relief as the Court
may be deem just and proper.
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7.3 ANNUAL STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS
The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any
special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders,
a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
8.1 CHECKS
From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution
which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for
payment of money,, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in
the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized
shall sign or endorse those instruments.
8.2 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS
The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these by-laws, may
authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any
contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency
power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or
authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its
credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
8.3 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES
The shares of a corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided
that the board of directors of the corporation may provide by resolution or
resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall
be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares
represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the
corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of
directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request
every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate
signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the chairman or vice-chairman of
the board of directors, or the president or vice-president, and by the chief
financial officer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant
secretary of such corporation representing the number of shares registered in
certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a
facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar
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who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate
has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such
certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect
as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly
paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid
therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent
any such partly paid shares, upon the books and records of the corporation in
the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the
consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated.
Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the corporation shall
declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the
basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
8.4 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or
more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the
preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights
of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall
issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that,
except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the
face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent
such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations,
the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special
rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
8.5 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares
shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is
surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The corporation
may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of
any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the corporation a
bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on
account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the
issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
8.6 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of
construction, and definitions in the General Corporation Law of Delaware, shall
govern the construction of these by-laws. Without limiting the generality of
this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the
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plural number includes the singular, and the term "person" includes both a
corporation and a natural person.
8.7 DIVIDENDS
The directors of the corporation, subject to any restrictions contained in
(i) the General Corporation Law of Delaware or (ii) the certificate of
incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital
stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the
corporation's capital stock.
The directors of the corporation may set apart out of any of the funds of
the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper
purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be
limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, and meeting contingencies.
8.8 FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.
8.9 SEAL
The corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which may be altered at
pleasure, and may use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof, to be
impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
8.10 TRANSFER OF STOCK
Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation
of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of
succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the
corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel
the old certificate, and record the transaction in its books.
8.11 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement
with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the
corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of
any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited
by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
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8.12 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a
person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and
to vote as such owner, shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and
assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall
not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such
share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have
express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of
Delaware.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
The by-laws of the corporation may be adopted, amended or repealed by the
stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that the corporation may, in
its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal
by-laws upon the directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon
the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their
power to adopt, amend or repeal by-laws
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