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BYLAWS
OF
DSP GROUP, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Amended and restated as of November 11, 1999
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I CORPORATE OFFICES..................................................1
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE........................................1
1.2 OTHER OFFICES............................................1
ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS..........................................1
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS........................................1
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING...........................................1
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING..........................................3
2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS.........................3
2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE, AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE.............3
2.6 QUORUM...................................................4
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE................................4
2.8 VOTING...................................................4
2.9 VALIDATION OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE, CONSENT........5
2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING..5
2.11 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING
CONSENTS.................................................6
2.12 PROXIES..................................................6
2.13 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION...................................7
ARTICLE III DIRECTORS........................................................7
3.1 POWERS...................................................7
3.2 NUMBER AND TERM OF OFFICE................................7
3.3 CLASSES OF DIRECTORS.....................................8
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES................................8
3.5 REMOVAL..................................................9
3.6 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE.................9
3.7 FIRST MEETINGS..........................................10
3.8 REGULAR MEETINGS........................................10
3.9 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE................................10
3.10 QUORUM..................................................10
3.11 WAIVER OF NOTICE........................................11
3.12 ADJOURNMENT.............................................11
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3.13 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT...................................11
3.14 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING.......11
3.15 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS......................11
3.16 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS...........................12
ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES.......................................................12
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS.................................12
4.2 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES.......................12
ARTICLE V OFFICERS..........................................................13
5.1 OFFICERS................................................13
5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS....................................13
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS....................................13
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS.....................13
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES....................................14
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD...................................14
5.7 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.................................14
5.8 VICE PRESIDENTS.........................................14
5.9 SECRETARY...............................................14
5.10 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.................................15
ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER
AGENTS .....................................................................15
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS...............15
6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS...............................16
6.3 INSURANCE...............................................16
ARTICLE VII RECORDS AND REPORTS.............................................16
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS...................16
7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS.................................17
7.3 ANNUAL STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS........................17
7.4 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS..........17
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL MATTERS................................................17
8.1 RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING...17
8.2 CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS...............18
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8.3 CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED.......18
8.4 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES..................18
8.5 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES.....................19
8.6 LOST CERTIFICATES.......................................19
8.7 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS...............................19
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS.......................................................19
ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION.......................................................20
ARTICLE XI CUSTODIAN........................................................20
11.1 APPOINTMENT OF A CUSTODIAN IN CERTAIN CASES.............20
11.2 DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN.....................................21
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BYLAWS
OF
DSP GROUP, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of the corporation shall be fixed in the Certificate
of Incorporation of the corporation.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The board of directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate
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
(a) The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a
date and at a time designated by the board of directors. In the absence of such
designation, the annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third
Tuesday of May in each year at 10:00 a.m. However, if such day falls on a legal
holiday, then the meeting shall be held at the same time and place on the next
succeeding full business day. At the meeting, directors shall be elected, and
any other proper business may be transacted.
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business
shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be
properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be: (A) specified in
the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction
of the Board of Directors, (B) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (C) otherwise properly brought
before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before
an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely
notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a
stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the
principal executive offices of the corporation not
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less than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the date
specified in the corporation's proxy statement released to stockholders in
connection with the previous year's annual meeting of stockholders: provided,
however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year
or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days
from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year's proxy statement,
notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received a reasonable time
before the solicitation is made. A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall
set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual
meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before
the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual
meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation's books,
of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares
of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, (iv) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business and (v) any other
information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), in his capacity as a proponent to a stockholder proposal. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, 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. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no
business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this paragraph (b). The chairman of the annual meeting
shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that business
was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the
provisions of this paragraph (b), and, if he should so determine, he shall so
declare at the meeting that any such business not properly brought before the
meeting shall not be transacted.
(c) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures
set forth in this paragraph (c) shall be eligible for election as Directors.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation
may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote in the
election of Directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set
forth in this paragraph (c). Such nominations, other than those made by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice
in writing to the Secretary of the corporation in accordance with the provisions
of paragraph (b) of this Section 2.2. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth
(i) as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for
election or reelection as a Director: (A) the name, age, business address and
residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of
such person, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are
beneficially owned by such person, (D) a description of all arrangements or
understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or
persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to
be made by the stockholder, and (E) any other information relating to such
person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for
elections of Directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation such person's
written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and
to serving as a Director if elected); and (ii) as to such stockholder giving
notice, the information required to be provided pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this Section 2.2. At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated
by a stockholder for election as a Director shall furnish to the Secretary of
the corporation that
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information required to be set forth in the stockholder's notice of nomination
which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a
Director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures
set forth in this paragraph (c). The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts
warrants, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination was not made in
accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if he should so
determine, he shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination
shall be disregarded.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the
board of directors, or by the chairman of the board, or in the absence of the
chairman of the board by the chief executive officer. No other person or persons
are permitted to call a special meeting.
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 chairman of the board, the president, 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
officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be promptly given to the
stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4
and 2.5, 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. If the notice is not given
within twenty (20) days after the receipt of the request, the person or persons
requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph
of this 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
Except as set forth in Section 2.3, all notices of meetings of
stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 of
these bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the
date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date, and hour of the
meeting and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the
business to be transacted (no business other than that specified in the notice
may be transacted) or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters
which the board of directors, at the time of giving the notice, intends to
present for action by the stockholders (but any proper matter may be presented
at the meeting for such action). The notice of any meeting at which directors
are to be elected shall include the name of any nominee or nominees who, at the
time of the notice, the board intends to present for election.
2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE, AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE
Written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given either
personally or by first-class mail or by telegraphic or other written
communication. Notices not personally delivered shall be sent charges prepaid
and shall be addressed to the stockholder at the address of that stockholder
appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the shareholder to the
corporation for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the
corporation's books or is
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given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that stockholder by
mail or telegraphic or other written communication to the corporation's
principal executive office, or if published at least once in a newspaper of
general circulation in the county where that office is located. Notice shall be
deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in
the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication.
If any notice addressed to a stockholder at the address of that
stockholder appearing on the books of the corporation is returned to the
corporation by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the
United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the stockholder
at that address, then all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been
duly given without further mailing if the same shall be available to the
stockholder on written demand of the stockholder at the principal executive
office of the corporation for a period of one (1) year from the date of the
giving of the notice.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any
stockholders' meeting, executed by the secretary, assistant secretary or any
transfer agent of the corporation giving the notice, shall be prima facie
evidence of the giving of such notice.
2.6 QUORUM
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the
shares entitled to vote thereat constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
business at all meetings of stockholders. The stockholders present at a duly
called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business
until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to
leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is
approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
Any stockholders' meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum is
present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of the majority of the
shares represented at that meeting, either in person or by proxy. In the absence
of a quorum, no other business may be transacted at that meeting except as
provided in Section 2.6 of these bylaws.
When any meeting of stockholders, either annual or special, is adjourned
to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if
the time and place are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken. However, if a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed or if
the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days from the date set for the
original meeting, then notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given. Notice of
any such adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled
to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections
2.4 and 2.5 of these bylaws. At any adjourned meeting the corporation may
transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
2.8 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws,
subject to the provisions of
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Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to
voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners, and to voting trusts
and other voting agreements).
Except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation,
each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on
each matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Any stockholder entitled to
vote on any matter may vote part of the shares in favor of the proposal and
refrain from voting the remaining shares or, except when the matter is the
election of directors, may vote them against the proposal; but, if the
stockholder fails to specify the number of shares which the stockholder is
voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the stockholder's
approving vote is with respect to all shares which the stockholder is entitled
to vote.
If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares
represented and voting at a duly held meeting (which shares voting affirmatively
also constitute at least a majority of the required quorum) shall be the act of
the stockholders, unless the vote of a greater number or a vote by classes is
required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation.
2.9 VALIDATION OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE, CONSENT
The transactions of any meeting of stockholders, either annual or special,
however called and noticed, and wherever held, shall be as valid as though they
had been taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum
be present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the
meeting, each person entitled to vote, who was not present in person or by
proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of the
meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. The waiver of notice or consent
or approval need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose
of any annual or special meeting of stockholders. All such waivers, consents,
and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the
minutes of the meeting.
Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of
notice of and presence at that meeting, except when the person objects at the
beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of
any right to object to the consideration of matters required by law to be
included in the notice of the meeting but not so included, if that objection is
expressly made at the meeting.
2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action
which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken
without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting
forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having
not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize
or take that action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on that
action 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
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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.
2.11 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS
For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of any
meeting or to vote thereat or entitled to give consent to corporate action
without a meeting, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before
the date of any such meeting nor more than sixty (60) days before any such
action without a meeting, and in such event only stockholders of record on the
date so fixed are entitled to notice and to vote or to give consents, as the
case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the
corporation after the record date.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date:
(a) 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 business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice
is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day
on which the meeting is held; and
(b) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to give
consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior
action by the board has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written
consent is given, or (ii) when prior action by the board has been taken, shall
be at the close of business on the day on which the board adopts the resolution
relating to that action.
The record date for any other purpose shall be as provided in Article VIII
of these bylaws.
2.12 PROXIES
Every person entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter, shall
have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by
a written proxy signed by the person 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.
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2.13 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, then 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,
then 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 fads to appear or fads or refuses to act, then
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.
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.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and
to any limitations in the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws 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 AND TERM OF OFFICE
The authorized number of directors shall be not less than five (5) nor
more than nine (9). The exact number of directors shall be seven (7) until
changed, within the limits specified above,
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by a bylaw amending this Section 3.2, duly adopted by the board of directors or
by the stockholders. The indefinite number of directors may be changed, or a
definite number may be fixed without provision for an indefinite number, by a
duly adopted amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by an amendment to
this bylaw adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote or by resolution of a majority of the
board of directors.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect
of removing any director before that director's term of office expires. 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.
3.3 CLASSES OF DIRECTORS
Following the closing of the corporation's initial public offering
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), covering the offer and sale of Common Stock
of the corporation (the "Initial Public Offering"), the Directors shall be
divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III,
respectively. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a
resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. At the first annual
meeting of stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering,
the term of office of the Class I Directors shall expire and Class I Directors
shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of
stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of
office of the Class II Directors shall expire and Class II Directors shall be
elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of
stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of
office of the Class III Directors shall expire and Class III Directors shall be
elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of
stockholders, Directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to
succeed the Directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, each Director
shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his
earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of Directors
constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent
Director.
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the chairman
of the board, the president, the secretary or the board of directors, unless the
notice specifies a later time for that resignation to become effective. If the
resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the board of directors
may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective.
Vacancies in the board of directors may be filled by a majority of the
remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
director; however, a vacancy created by the removal of a director by the vote or
written consent of the stockholders or by court order may be
8
filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and
voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which shares voting
affirmatively also constitute a majority of the required quorum), or by the
unanimous written consent of all shares entitled to vote thereon. Each director
so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders
and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these
bylaws:
(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 bylaws, 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.
3.5 REMOVAL
Subject to any limitations imposed by law, and unless otherwise provided
in the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors, or any individual
Director, may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of the capital
stock of the corporation entitled to vote at an election of Directors.
3.6 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held at any place within
or outside the State of Delaware that has been designated from time to time by
resolution of the board. In the
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absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal
executive office of the corporation. Special meetings of the board may be held
at any place within or outside the State of Delaware that has been designated in
the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the notice or if there is no
notice, at the principal executive office of the corporation.
Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or
similar communication equipment, so long as all directors participating in the
meeting can hear one another; and all such directors shall be deemed to be
present in person at the meeting.
3.7 FIRST MEETINGS
The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held
at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at the
annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly
elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum
shall be present. In the event of the failure of the stockholders to fix the
time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected board of directors, or
in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the
stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be
specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the
board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all
of the directors.
3.8 REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice if
the times of such meetings are fixed by the board of directors.
3.9 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, or in the absence of the
chairman of the board by the chief executive officer or any three 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 seven (7) days before the
time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by
telephone or telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to
the telegraph company at least seventy-two (72) 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.
3.10 QUORUM
A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 3.10
of these bylaws. Every act
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or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a duly held
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the board
of directors, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and
applicable law.
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.
3.11 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director (i) who signs a
waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the
minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or (ii) who attends the
meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of
notice to such directors. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be
filed with the corporate records or made part of the minutes of the meeting. A
waiver of notice need not specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting
of the board of directors.
3.12 ADJOURNMENT
A majority of the directors present, whether or not constituting a quorum,
may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
3.13 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT
Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be
given unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours. If
the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, then notice of
the time and place of the adjourned meeting shall be given before the adjourned
meeting takes place, in the manner specified in Section 3.8 of these bylaws, to
the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.
3.14 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors may
be taken without a meeting, provided that all members of the board individually
or collectively consent in writing to that action. Such action by written
consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the board of
directors. Such written consent and any counterparts thereof shall be filed with
the minutes of the proceedings of the board.
3.15 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any,
for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or
determined by resolution of the board of directors. This Section 3.14 shall not
be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other
capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensation
for those services.
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3.16 APPROVAL OF 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
subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the
corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such
loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the
corporation. The loan, guaranty 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 contained in this section shall be deemed to
deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at
common law or under any statute.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the
authorized number of directors, designate one (1) or more committees, each
consisting of two or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the board. The
board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any
committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee.
The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the vote
of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any committee, to the
extent provided in the resolution of the board, shall have all the authority of
the board, 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 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), (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 bylaws of the corporation; and, unless the
board resolution establishing the committee, the bylaws 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 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 bylaws, Section
3.5 (place of meetings), Section 3.7 (regular meetings), Section 3.8 (special
meetings and notice), Section 3.9 (quorum), Section 3.10 (waiver of notice),
Section 3.11 (adjournment), Section 3.12 (notice of adjournment), and Section
3.13 (action without meeting), with such changes in the context of
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those bylaws as are necessary to 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 bylaws.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation shall be a chairman of the board, a chief
executive officer, a secretary and a chief financial officer. The corporation
may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a president, one or
more vice presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant
treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by
the same person.
5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of these bylaws,
shall be chosen by the board, 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 may empower the president to
appoint, such other officers 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 bylaws or as the board of directors may
from time to time determine.
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 the
board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board or, except in
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.
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5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal,
disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in
these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall serve as
the corporation's general manager, and shall have general supervision, direction
and control of the corporation's business and its officers, and, if present,
preside at meetings of the stockholders and 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 bylaws. If there
is no 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 bylaws. The chairman of the board shall
report to the board of directors.
5.7 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Subject to such 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 shall, subject to the control of the chairman of the board, or the board
of directors if there is no chairman of the board, have general supervision,
direction, and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. He
or she shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the board of
directors, in the absence or nonexistence of a chairman of the board. He or she
shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the
office of president of a corporation, and shall have such other powers and
duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.
5.8 VICE PRESIDENTS
In the absence or disability of the president, 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. 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 bylaws,
the president or the chairman of the board.
5.9 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.
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The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office of the corporation or 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 bylaws. He or she 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 bylaws.
5.10 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 money and other valuables in
the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may be
designated by the board of directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the
corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the
president and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or
her transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial condition of
the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted
by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its directors and
officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines,
settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection
with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an
agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.1, a "director" or
"officer" of the corporation includes any person (i) who is or was a director or
officer of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a director or officer of a
corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another
enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
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6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS
The corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent and in the
manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, to indemnify each
of its employees and agents (other than directors and officers) against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by
reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For
purposes of this Section 6.2, an "employee" or "agent" of the corporation (other
than a director or officer) includes any person (i) who is or was an employee or
agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee or agent of a
corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another
enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
6.3 INSURANCE
The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee or 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 or her and incurred
by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such,
whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her
against such liability under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware.
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 bylaws 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.
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
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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 he 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.
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 or her 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 deem just and proper.
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.
7.4 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
The chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the chief
financial officer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this corporation, or
any other person authorized by the board of directors or the president 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 herein
granted 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.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
8.1 RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING
For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment
of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the
stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful
action (other than action by stockholders by written consent without a meeting),
the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be
more than sixty (60) days before any such action. In that case, only
stockholders of record at the close of business on the date so fixed are
entitled to receive the dividend, distribution or allotment of rights, or to
exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of
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any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date so fixed,
except as otherwise provided by law.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, then the record
date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of
business on the day on which the board adopts the applicable resolution or the
sixtieth (60th) day before the date of that action, whichever is later.
8.2 CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS
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.
8.3 CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED
The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, 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.
8.4 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, 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 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 or she 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
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partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage
of the consideration actually paid thereon.
8.5 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.
8.6 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 8.6, no new certificates for shares
shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is
surrendered to the corporation and canceled at the same time. The board of
directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any other
security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of replacement
certificates on such terms and conditions as the board may require; the board
may require indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or other
adequate security sufficient to protect the corporation against any claim that
may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the
alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the
replacement certificate.
8.7 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 bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this
provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes
the singular, and the term "person" includes both a corporation and a natural
person.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
The original or other bylaws 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 bylaws 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 bylaws.
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ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION
If it should be deemed advisable in the judgment of the board of directors
of the corporation that the corporation should be dissolved, the board, after
the adoption of a resolution to that effect by a majority of the whole board at
any meeting called for that purpose, shall cause notice to be mailed to each
stockholder entitled to vote thereon of the adoption of the resolution and of a
meeting of stockholders to take action upon the resolution.
At the meeting a vote shall be taken for and against the proposed
dissolution. If a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled
to vote thereon votes for the proposed dissolution, then a certificate stating
that the dissolution has been authorized in accordance with the provisions of
Section 275 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and setting forth the
names and residences of the directors and officers shall be executed,
acknowledged, and filed and shall become effective in accordance with Section
103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Upon such certificate's becoming
effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, the corporation shall be dissolved.
Whenever all the stockholders entitled to vote on a dissolution consent in
writing, either in person or by duly authorized attorney, to a dissolution, no
meeting of directors or stockholders shall be necessary. The consent shall be
filed and shall become effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware. Upon such consent's becoming effective in
accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the
corporation shall be dissolved. If the consent is signed by an attorney, then
the original power of attorney or a photocopy thereof shall be attached to and
filed with the consent. The consent filed with the Secretary of State shall have
attached to it the affidavit of the secretary or some other officer of the
corporation stating that the consent has been signed by or on behalf of all the
stockholders entitled to vote on a dissolution; in addition, there shall be
attached to the consent a certification by the secretary or some other officer
of the corporation setting forth the names and residences of the directors and
officers of the corporation.
ARTICLE XI
CUSTODIAN
11.1 APPOINTMENT OF A CUSTODIAN IN CERTAIN CASES
The Court of Chancery, upon application of any stockholder, may appoint
one or more persons to be custodians and, if the corporation is insolvent, to be
receivers, of and for the corporation when:
(i) at any meeting held for the election of directors the
stockholders are so divided that they have failed to elect successors to
directors whose terms have expired or would have expired upon qualification of
their successors; or
(ii) the business of the corporation is suffering or is threatened
with irreparable injury because the directors are so divided respecting the
management of the affairs
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of the corporation that the required vote for action by the board of directors
cannot be obtained and the stockholders are unable to terminate this division,
or
(iii) the corporation has abandoned its business and has failed
within a reasonable time to take steps to dissolve, liquidate or distribute its
assets.
11.2 DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
The custodian shall have all the powers and title of a receiver appointed
under Section 291 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but the authority
of the custodian shall be to continue the business of the corporation and not to
liquidate its affairs and distribute its assets, except when the Court of
Chancery otherwise orders and except in cases arising under Sections 226(a)(3)
or 352(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
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