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EXHIBIT 3.3
AMENDED BYLAWS
OF
CAERE CORPORATION
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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ARTICLE I OFFICES............................................................................1
Section 1. Registered Office........................................................1
Section 2. Other Offices............................................................1
ARTICLE II CORPORATE SEAL....................................................................1
Section 3. Corporate Seal...........................................................1
ARTICLE III STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS...........................................................1
Section 4. Place of Meetings........................................................1
Section 5. Annual Meetings..........................................................2
Section 6. Special Meetings.........................................................4
Section 7. Notice of Meetings.......................................................5
Section 8. Quorum...................................................................5
Section 9. Adjournment and Notice of Adjourned Meetings.............................5
Section 10. Voting Rights............................................................6
Section 11. Joint Owners of Stock....................................................6
Section 12. List of Stockholders.....................................................6
Section 13. Action Without Meeting...................................................7
Section 14. Organization.............................................................7
ARTICLE IV DIRECTORS.........................................................................7
Section 15. Number and Term of Office................................................7
Section 16. Powers...................................................................8
Section 17. Classes of Directors.....................................................8
Section 18. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies................................8
Section 19. Resignation..............................................................8
Section 20. Removal..................................................................9
Section 21. Meetings.................................................................9
Section 22. Quorum and Voting.......................................................10
Section 23. Action Without Meeting..................................................10
Section 24. Fees and Compensation...................................................10
Section 25. Committees..............................................................10
Section 26. Organization............................................................12
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PAGE
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ARTICLE V OFFICERS..........................................................................12
Section 27. Officers Designated.....................................................12
Section 28. Tenure and Duties of Officers...........................................12
Section 29. Delegation of Authority.................................................14
Section 30. Resignations............................................................14
Section 31. Removal.................................................................14
ARTICLE VI EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED
BY THE CORPORATION......................................................14
Section 32. Execution of Corporate Instruments......................................14
Section 33. Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation...........................15
ARTICLE VII SHARES OF STOCK.................................................................15
Section 34. Form and Execution of Certificates......................................15
Section 35. Lost Certificates.......................................................16
Section 36. Transfers...............................................................16
Section 37. Fixing Record Dates.....................................................16
Section 38. Registered Stockholders.................................................17
ARTICLE VIII OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION............................................17
Section 39. Execution of Other Securities...........................................17
ARTICLE IX DIVIDENDS........................................................................18
Section 40. Declaration of Dividends................................................18
Section 41. Dividend Reserve........................................................18
ARTICLE X FISCAL YEAR.......................................................................18
Section 42. Fiscal Year.............................................................18
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION..................................................................18
Section 43. Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other
Agents..................................................................18
ARTICLE XII NOTICES.........................................................................21
Section 44. Notices.................................................................21
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS.....................................................................23
Section 45. Amendments..............................................................23
ARTICLE XIV LOANS TO OFFICERS...............................................................23
Section 46. Loans to Officers.......................................................23
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AMENDED BYLAWS
OF
CAERE CORPORATION
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
SECTION 1. REGISTERED OFFICE. The registered office of the corporation
in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Dover, County of Kent. (Del.
Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 131)
SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES. The corporation shall also have and maintain
an office or principal place of business in Los Gatos, California, at such place
as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also have offices at such
other places, both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may
require. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 122(8))
ARTICLE II
CORPORATE SEAL
SECTION 3. CORPORATE SEAL. The corporate seal shall consist of a die
bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, "Corporate
Seal-Delaware." Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE III
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 4. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of the stockholders of the
corporation shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of
Delaware, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or,
if not so designated, then at the office of the corporation required to be
maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section
211(a))
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SECTION 5. ANNUAL MEETINGS.
(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation,
for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may
lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons
for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal of
business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting
of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting of
stockholders; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by
any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time
of giving of notice provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to
vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in
Section 5. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 211(b)).
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business
shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For
nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by
a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, (i) the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of
the corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter for
stockholder action under the General Corporation Law of Delaware, (iii) if the
stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or
nomination is made, has provided the corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as
defined in this Section 5(b)), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the
case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to
holders of at least the percentage of the corporation's voting shares required
under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination
or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of
a percentage of the corporation's voting shares reasonably believed by such
stockholder or beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or
nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case,
have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no
Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this
section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or
nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have
required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section 5. To be
timely, a stockholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of
business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on
the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the
date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or
delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding
year's annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so
delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth
(120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting
or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the
date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of
an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of
a stockholder's notice as described above. Such stockholder's notice shall set
forth: (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposed to nominate for
election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person
that is required to be
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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 (the "1934 Act") and Rule 14a-11
thereunder (including such 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
brief 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, (ii) the class and number of
shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such
stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such stockholder
or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to
holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the percentage of the
corporation's voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal
or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders
of the corporation's voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an
affirmative statement of such intent, a "Solicitation Notice").
(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section
5(b) of these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors
to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and
there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or
specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the corporation
at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding
year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice required by this Section 5 shall
also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new
positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at
the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of
business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public
announcement is first made by the corporation.
(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 5 shall be eligible to serve as directors
and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall
have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Section 5. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Chairman of the
meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any
business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the
case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if
any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to
declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall not be presented for
stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5,
in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the
proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholder's meeting, stockholders must
provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act.
Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect
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any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation
proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.
(f) For purposes of this Section 5, "public announcement" shall
mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,
Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly
filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
SECTION 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS.
(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may
be called, for any purpose or purposes, by (i) the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized
directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized
directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of
Directors for adoption), and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at
such time as the Board of Directors, shall fix.
(b) If a special meeting is properly called by any person or
persons other than the Board of Directors, the request shall be in writing,
specifying 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 Chairman of the Board of Directors, the
Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary of the corporation. No business may be
transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The
Board of Directors shall determine the time and place of such special meeting,
which shall be held not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than one hundred
twenty (120) days after the date of the receipt of the request. Upon
determination of the time and place of the meeting, the officer receiving the
request shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. If the notice is
not given within one hundred (100) days after the receipt of the request, the
person or persons properly requesting the meeting may set the time and place of
the meeting and give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph (b) 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.
(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors
are to be elected pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting (i) by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the
corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided
for in these Bylaws who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who
complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(c). In the event
the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of
electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder
may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such
position(s) as specified in the corporation's notice of meeting, if the
stockholder's notice required by Section 5(b) of these Bylaws shall be delivered
to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not
earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day
prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the
later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such meeting or the tenth (10th) day
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following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the
special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be
elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a
stockholder's notice as described above.
SECTION 7. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Except as otherwise provided by law or
the Certificate of Incorporation, written notice of each meeting of stockholders
shall be given 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, such
notice to specify the place, date and hour and purpose or purposes of the
meeting. Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting of stockholders
may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof,
either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by
his attendance thereat in person or by proxy, except when the stockholder
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. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be
bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice
thereof had been given. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 222, 229)
SECTION 8. QUORUM. At all meetings of stockholders, except where
otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by
these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy duly authorized, of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum
any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the
chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting.
The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum
is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding
the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as
otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, all
action taken by the holders of a majority of the votes cast, excluding
abstentions, at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be valid and
binding upon the corporation; provided, however, that Directors shall be elected
by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by
proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of Directors. Where a
separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where
otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these
Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series,
present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to
take action with respect to that vote on that matter and, except where otherwise
provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the
affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of
Directors) of the votes cast, including abstentions, by the holders of such
class or classes or series shall be the act of such class or classes or series.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 216)
SECTION 9. ADJOURNMENT AND NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETINGS. Any meeting of
stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time
either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares
casting votes, excluding abstentions. When a meeting is adjourned to another
time or place, notice need not be given of
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the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting
at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that 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. At the
adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have
been transacted at the original meeting. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section
222(c))
SECTION 10. VOTING RIGHTS. For the purpose of determining those
stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as
otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock
records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12 of
these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Except
as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these
Bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital
stock held by such stockholder. Every person entitled to vote shall have the
right to do so either in person or by an agent or agents authorized by a proxy
executed by such person or his duly authorized agent, granted in accordance with
Delaware law, which proxy shall be filed with the Secretary at or before the
meeting at which it is to be used. An agent so appointed need not be a
stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from its date of
creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period. All elections of
Directors shall be by written ballot, unless otherwise provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 211(e),
212(b))
SECTION 11. JOINT OWNERS OF STOCK.
(a) If shares or other securities having voting power stand of
record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of
a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or
otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship
respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the
contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them
or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect
to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only one (1) votes, his act
binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the majority so voting
binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is evenly split on any
particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question
proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as
provided in the General Corporation Law of Delaware, Section 217(b). If the
instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in
unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purpose of this subsection
(c) shall be a majority or even-split in interest. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 217(b))
(b) Persons holding stock in a fiduciary capacity shall be
entitled to vote the shares so held. Persons whose stock is pledged shall be
entitled to vote, unless in the transfer by the pledgor on the books of the
corporation he has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote thereon, in which
case only the pledgee, or his proxy, may represent such stock and vote thereon.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 217(a)).
SECTION 12. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS. The Secretary shall prepare and make,
at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of
the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical
order, showing the address of each stockholder and
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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
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall be
produced and kept at the time and place of meeting during the whole time
thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 219(a))
SECTION 13. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. No action shall be taken by the
stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in
accordance with these Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders
by written consent.
SECTION 14. ORGANIZATION.
(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board
of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief
Executive Office, or if the Chief Executive Officer is absent, the President,
or, if the President is absent, the most senior Vice President present, or in
the absence of any such officer, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority
in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy,
shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary
directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled
to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as
it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and
regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall
have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures
and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary,
appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including,
without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting,
rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of
those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of
record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies, and
such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the
meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the
time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the
opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted
on by ballot. Unless, and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or
the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to
be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
SECTION 15. NUMBER AND TERM OF OFFICE. The authorized number of
directors of the corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors either by a resolution or a
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bylaw duly adopted by the Board of Directors. The number of directors presently
authorized is five (5). Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by
the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the Directors shall not have
been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as
convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in
the manner provided in these Bylaws. No reduction of the authorized number of
Directors shall have the effect of removing any Director before the Director's
term of office expires, unless such removal is made pursuant to the provisions
of Section 20 hereof. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 141(b), 211(b),
(c))
SECTION 16. POWERS. The powers of the corporation shall be exercised,
its business conducted and its property controlled by the Board of Directors,
except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of
Incorporation (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(a))
SECTION 17. CLASSES OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall be
divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. Directors shall be
assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by
the Board of Directors. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date
of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting at
which the director was elected; provided, however, that each initial director in
Class I shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1990; each
initial director in Class II shall hold office until the annual meeting of
stockholders in 1991; and each initial director in Class III shall hold office
until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1992. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his successor is
duly elected and qualified or until his death, resignation or removal. No
decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall
shorten the term of any incumbent director. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 141(d))
SECTION 18. NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS AND VACANCIES. Newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any
vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled either (i) by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then
outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock; or (ii) by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less
than a quorum of the authorized Board of Directors. Any director elected in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of
the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was
created or the vacancy occurred and until such director's successor shall have
been elected and qualified.
SECTION 19. RESIGNATION. Any Director may resign at any time by
delivering his written resignation to the Secretary, such resignation to specify
whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary
or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made,
it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one
or more Directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, 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 for the
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unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall be vacated and
until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. (Del. Code Ann.,
tit. 8, Sections 141(b), 223(d))
SECTION 20. REMOVAL. Any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may
be removed from office, (a) with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the
Company's capital stock, voting together as a single class; or (b) without
cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of the Company's capital stock.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(k))
SECTION 21. MEETINGS.
(a) ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be held immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders and
at the place where such meeting is held. No notice of an annual meeting of the
Board of Directors shall be necessary and such meeting shall be held for the
purpose of electing officers and transacting such other business as may lawfully
come before it.
(b) REGULAR MEETINGS. Except as hereinafter otherwise provided,
regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in the office of the
corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof. Unless
otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of
the Board of Directors may also be held at any place within or without the State
of Delaware which has been determined by the Board of Directors. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(g))
(c) SPECIAL MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be
held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever
called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority
of the Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(g))
(d) TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Any member of the Board of Directors, or
of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting
by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(i))
(e) NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Notice of the time and place of all
special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given orally or in writing,
by telephone, facsimile, telegraph or telex, during normal business hours, at
least twenty-four (24) hours before the date and time of the meeting, or sent in
writing to each director by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three
(3) days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in
writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any
Director by attendance thereat, except when the Director attends the 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. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 229)
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(f) WAIVER OF NOTICE. The transaction of all business at any
meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or
noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly
held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present and if, either before
or after the meeting, each of the Directors not present signs a written waiver
of notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any
regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in any
written waiver of notice unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation
or these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 229) All such waivers shall be
filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
SECTION 22. QUORUM AND VOTING.
(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater
number and except with respect to indemnification questions arising under
Section 43 hereof, for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of
Directors fixed from time to time in accordance with Section 15 hereof, but not
less than one (1), a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a
majority of the exact number of Directors fixed from time to time in accordance
with Section 15 of these Bylaws, but not less than one (1); provided, however,
at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the
Directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the
next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by
announcement at the meeting. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(b))
(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum
is present all questions and business shall be determined by a vote of a
majority of the Directors present, unless a different vote be required by law,
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 141(b))
SECTION 23. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, 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 of Directors or
committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and such writing or
writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or
committee. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(f))
SECTION 24. FEES AND COMPENSATION. Directors shall be entitled to such
compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors,
including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum
and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board
of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any
Director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer,
agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(h))
SECTION 25. COMMITTEES.
(a) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Board of Directors may by
resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, appoint an
Executive Committee to consist of one
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(1) or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the
extent permitted by law and specifically granted by the Board of Directors,
shall have and may exercise when the Board of Directors is not in session all
powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs
of the corporation, including, without limitation, the power and authority to
declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock, except such committee
shall not have the power or authority to amend the Certificate of Incorporation,
to adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation, to recommend to the
stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the
corporation's property and assets, to recommend to the stockholders of the
corporation a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution or
to amend these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(c))
(b) OTHER COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, from time to time appoint
such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees
appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members of
the Board of Directors, and shall have such powers and perform such duties as
may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but
in no event shall such committee have the powers denied to the Executive
Committee in these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(c))
(c) TERM. The members of all committees of the Board of
Directors shall serve a one (1) year term. The Board of Directors, subject to
the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 25, may at any time
increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the
existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate
on the date of his death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove
any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any
committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the
number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors 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, and, in addition, in the
absence or disqualification of any 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. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(c))
(d) MEETINGS. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise
provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee
appointed pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as
are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when
notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further
notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of
any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time
to time by such committee, and may be called by any Director who is a member of
such committee, upon written notice to the members of such committee of the time
and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of
written notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of
special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any
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special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing at any time before or
after the meeting and will be waived by any Director by attendance thereat,
except when the Director attends such special 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. A majority of the
authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. (Del.
Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 141(c), 229)
SECTION 26. ORGANIZATION. At every meeting of the Directors, the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or
is absent, the Chief Executive Officer, or if the Chief Executive Officer is
absent, the most senior Vice President, or, in the absence of any such officer,
a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the Directors present, shall
preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, an Assistant
Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the
meeting.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
SECTION 27. OFFICERS DESIGNATED. The officers of the corporation shall
be, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board
of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice
Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the
Controller, all of whom shall be elected at the annual organizational meeting of
the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more
Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers and such
other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem
necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or
more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any
number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically
prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers
of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of
Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 122(5), 142(a), (b))
SECTION 28. TENURE AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
(a) GENERAL. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of
the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected
and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the
Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the
office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled
by the Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(b), (e))
(b) DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Chairman
of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors
shall perform other duties commonly
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incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. If
there is no President, then the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall also
serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall have the
powers and duties prescribed in paragraph (c) of this Section 28. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(a))
(c) DUTIES OF PRESIDENT. The President shall preside at all
meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors,
unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present.
Unless some other officer has been elected Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have
general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the
corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to his
office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as
the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, Section 142(a))
(d) DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENTS. The Vice Presidents, in the order
of their seniority, may assume and perform the duties of the President in the
absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is
vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to
their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers
as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(a))
(e) DUTIES OF SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all meetings
of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall record all acts and
proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall
give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders,
and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof
requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties given him in
these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant
Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or
disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other
duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(a))
(f) DUTIES OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OR TREASURER. The Chief
Financial Officer or Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of
account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner, and shall render
statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often
as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial
Officer or Treasurer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have
the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial
Officer or Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office
and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board
of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. The President
may direct any Assistant Treasurer or the Controller or any Assistant Controller
to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer in
the
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absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer, and each
Assistant Treasurer and each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform
other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other
duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President
shall designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(a))
SECTION 29. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY. The Board of Directors may from
time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer
or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
SECTION 30. RESIGNATIONS. Any officer may resign at any time by giving
written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the
Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person
or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified
therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later
time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall
be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any
contract with the resigning officer.(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(b))
SECTION 31. REMOVAL. Any officer may be removed from office at any time,
either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the
directors in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officers upon
whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING
OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION
SECTION 32. EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS. The Board of Directors
may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer
or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation
any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation
the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of
the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and
such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Sections 103(a), 142(a), 158)
Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of
Directors or otherwise required by law, promissory notes, deeds of trust,
mortgages and other evidences of indebtedness of the corporation, and other
corporate instruments or documents requiring the corporate seal, and
certificates of shares of stock owned by the corporation, shall be executed,
signed or endorsed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President
or any Vice President, and by the Secretary or Chief Financial Officer or
Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer. All other
instruments and documents requiring the corporate signature, but not
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requiring the corporate seal, may be executed as aforesaid or in such other
manner as may be directed by the Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Sections 103(a), 142(a), 158)
All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on
funds to the credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation
shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall
authorize so to do.
Unless 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.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 103(a), 142(a), 158).
SECTION 33. VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION. All stock and
other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for
itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies
with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by
resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization,
by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, or any Vice President.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 123)
ARTICLE VII
SHARES OF STOCK
SECTION 34. FORM AND EXECUTION OF CERTIFICATES. Certificates for the
shares of stock of the corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with
the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in
the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name
of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President
or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him
in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be
facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or
whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Each certificate shall state
upon the face or back thereof, in full or in summary, all of the powers,
designations, preferences, and rights, and the limitations or restrictions of
the shares authorized to be issued or shall, except as otherwise required by
law, set forth on the face or back a statement that the corporation will furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations,
preferences and 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. Within a reasonable time after
the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the corporation shall send to
the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information
required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this section or
otherwise required by law or with respect to this section a statement that the
corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the
powers,
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designations, preferences and 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. Except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders
of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be
identical. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 158)
SECTION 35. LOST CERTIFICATES. A new certificate or certificates may be
issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the
corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of
an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be
lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition
precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of
such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal
representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require or to
give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with
respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 167)
SECTION 36. TRANSFERS.
(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation
shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by
attorney duly authorized, and upon the surrender of a properly endorsed
certificate or certificates for a like number of shares. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, Section 201, tit. 6, Section 8-401(1))
(b) 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. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, Section 160 (a))
SECTION 37. FIXING RECORD DATES.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, 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, and which record date
shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of
such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, 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. A determination
of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however,
that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment
of any rights or the
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stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change,
conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,
the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date
shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is
adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to
such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining
stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day
on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. (Del.
Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 213)
SECTION 38. 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, and shall not
be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share
or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express
or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 213(a), 219)
ARTICLE VIII
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
SECTION 39. EXECUTION OF OTHER SECURITIES. All bonds, debentures and
other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates
(covered in Section 33), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be
authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon
or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such
bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual
signature of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture
or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons
signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other
corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such
persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other
corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by
the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person
as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the
facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or
attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile
signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased
to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so
signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other
corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and
delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature
shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the
corporation.
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DIVIDENDS
SECTION 40. DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the capital stock
of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law
at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property,
or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 170, 173)
SECTION 41. DIVIDEND RESERVE. Before payment of any dividend, there may
be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such
sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute
discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for
equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think
conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. (Del.
Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 171)
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
SECTION 42. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be
fixed by resolution of the Board of directors.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 43. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER
AGENTS.
(a) DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The corporation shall
indemnify its Directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not
prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law; provided, however, that the
corporation may limit the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts
with its Directors and executive officers; and, provided, further, that the
corporation shall not be required to indemnify any Director or executive officer
in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person or
any proceeding by such person against the corporation or its Directors,
officers, employees or other agents unless (i) such indemnification is expressly
required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of
Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the
corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the
corporation under the
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Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) such indemnification is required to be
made under subsection (d).
(b) OTHER OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS. The corporation
shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as
set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law.
(c) EXPENSES. The corporation shall advance, prior to the final
disposition of any proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses
incurred by any Director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay said
amounts if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled
to be indemnified under this Bylaw or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to
paragraph (d) of this Bylaw, no advance shall be made by the corporation if a
determination is reasonably and promptly made (1) by the Board of Directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors who were not parties to the
proceeding, or (2) 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, that the facts known to the decision making party at the time
such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person
acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
(d) ENFORCEMENT. Without the necessity of entering into an
express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to Directors and
executive officers under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and
be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the
corporation and the Director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification
or advances granted by this Bylaw to a Director or executive officer shall be
enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of
competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is
denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within
ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action,
if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense
of prosecuting his claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the
corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the
claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the
Delaware General Corporation Law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant
for the amount claimed. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its
Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made
a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of
the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an
actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors,
independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met
such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create
a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(e) NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any
person by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person
may have or hereafter acquire
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under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws,
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as
to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into
individual contracts with any or all of its Directors, officers, employees or
agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not
prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
(f) SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person by
this Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director,
officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person.
(g) INSURANCE. To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of
Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted
to be indemnified pursuant to this Bylaw.
(h) AMENDMENTS. Any repeal or modification of this Bylaw shall
only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect
at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is
the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.
(i) SAVING CLAUSE. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Director and executive officer to
the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Bylaw that
shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law.
(j) CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the
following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "proceeding" shall be broadly construed and
shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution,
defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in,
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative.
(2) The term "expenses" shall be broadly construed and
shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys' fees, witness fees,
fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses
of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(3) The term 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, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee 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
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the same position under the provisions of this Bylaw with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such
constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(4) References to a "director," "executive officer,"
"officer," "employee," or "agent" of the corporation shall include, without
limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise.
(5) 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 Bylaw.
ARTICLE XII
NOTICES
SECTION 44. NOTICES.
(a) NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS. Whenever, under any provisions of
these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any stockholder, it shall be
given in writing, timely and duly deposited in the United States mail, postage
prepaid, and addressed to his last known post office address as shown by the
stock record of the corporation or its transfer agent. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 222)
(b) NOTICE TO DIRECTORS. Any notice required to be given to any
Director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), or by facsimile,
telex or telegram, except that such notice other than one which is delivered
personally shall be sent to such address as such Director shall have filed in
writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known
post office address of such Director.
(c) AFFIDAVIT OF MAILING. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a
duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent
appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, specifying the name and
address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or
Director or Directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and
the time and method of giving the same, shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima
facie evidence of the facts therein contained. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section
222)
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(d) TIME NOTICES DEEMED GIVEN. All notices given by mail, as
above provided, shall be deemed to have been given as at the time of mailing and
all notices given by facsimile, telex or telegram shall be deemed to have been
given as of the sending time recorded at time of transmission.
(e) METHODS OF NOTICE. It shall not be necessary that the same
method of giving notice be employed in respect of all Directors, but one
permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other
permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.
(f) FAILURE TO RECEIVE NOTICE. The period or limitation of time
within which any stockholder may exercise any option or right, or enjoy any
privilege or benefit, or be required to act, or within which any Director may
exercise any power or right, or enjoy any privilege, pursuant to any notice sent
him in the manner above provided, shall not be affected or extended in any
manner by the failure of such stockholder or such Director to receive such
notice.
(g) NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL.
Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with
whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall
not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental
authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person.
Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such
person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect
as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the
corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any
provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the certificate shall state,
if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all
persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication
is unlawful.
(h) NOTICE TO PERSON WITH UNDELIVERABLE ADDRESS. Whenever notice
is required to be given, under any provision of law or the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any stockholder to whom (i)
notice of two consecutive annual meetings, and all notices of meetings or of the
taking of action by written consent without a meeting to such person during the
period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (ii) all, and at least
two, payments (if sent by first class mail) of dividends or interest on
securities during a twelve month period, have been mailed addressed to such
person at his address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been
returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be
required. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to
such person shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly
given. If any such person shall deliver to the corporation a written notice
setting forth his then current address, the requirement that notice be given to
such person shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the
corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any
provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the certificate need not
state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be
given pursuant to this paragraph. (Del. Code Ann, tit. 8, Section 230 )
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ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 45. AMENDMENTS. Except as otherwise set forth in paragraph (i)
of Section 43 of these Bylaws, these Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new
Bylaws adopted by the stockholders entitled to vote. The Board of Directors
shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws (including,
without limitation, the amendment of any Bylaw setting forth the number of
Directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors). (Del. Code Ann.,
tit. 8, Sections 109(a), 122(6))
ARTICLE XIV
LOANS TO OFFICERS
SECTION 46. LOANS TO OFFICERS. The corporation may lend money to, or
guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee
of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who
is a Director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be
expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may
be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as
the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of
shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in this Section 46 shall be deemed
to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation
at common law or under any statute. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 143)
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