ELITRA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ORIGINALLY ADOPTED JULY 1, 1998
APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS AUGUST 17, 1998
AMENDED AS OF JUNE 7, 1999
AMENDED AS OF NOVEMBER 10, 1999
AMENDED AS OF MARCH 16, 2000
AMENDED AND RESTATED AUGUST 18, 2000
APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS _______________, ______
TERMINATION DATE: JULY 1, 2008
1. PURPOSES.
(a) PRIOR PLAN. This Plan is an amendment and restatement of the
Elitra Pharmaceuticals Inc. 1998 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Prior Plan"). Stock
Awards granted under the Prior Plan shall be governed by the terms of this Plan.
(b) ELIGIBLE STOCK AWARD RECIPIENTS. The persons eligible to
receive Stock Awards are the Employees, Directors and Consultants of the Company
and its Affiliates.
(c) AVAILABLE STOCK AWARDS. The purpose of the Plan is to provide
a means by which eligible recipients of Stock Awards may be given an opportunity
to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of
the following Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock
Options, (iii) stock bonuses and (iv) rights to acquire restricted stock.
(d) GENERAL PURPOSE. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to
retain the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Stock Awards, to
secure and retain the services of new members of this group and to provide
incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the
Company and its Affiliates.
2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "ACCOUNTANTS" means the Company's independent certified public
accountants.
(b) "AFFILIATE" means any parent corporation or subsidiary
corporation of the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms
are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.
(c) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) "CAUSE" means, with respect to any Participant, the occurrence
of any of the following: (i) conviction of such Participant of any felony or any
crime involving fraud or dishonesty; (ii) such Participant's participation
(whether by affirmative act or omission) in a
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fraud, act of dishonesty or other act of misconduct against the Company and/or
its Affiliates; (iii) conduct by such Participant which, based upon a good faith
and reasonable factual investigation by the Company (or, if such Participant is
an Officer, by the Board), demonstrates such Participant's unfitness to serve;
(iv) such Participant's violation of any statutory or fiduciary duty, or duty of
loyalty owed to the Company and/or its Affiliates; (v) such Participant's
violation of state or federal law in connection with such Participant's
performance of his/her job which has an adverse effect on the Company and/or its
Affiliates; (vi) such Participant's breach of any material term of any contract
between such Participant and the Company and/or its Affiliates; or (vii) such
Participant's violation of Company policy which has an adverse effect on the
Company and/or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Participant's
Disability shall not constitute Cause as set forth herein. The determination
that a termination is for Cause shall be by the Committee in its sole and
exclusive judgment and discretion.
(e) "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means: (i) a sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the
Company is not the surviving corporation and in which beneficial ownership of
securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the
combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of Directors has changed;
(iii) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are
converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of
securities, cash or otherwise, and in which beneficial ownership of securities
of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting
power entitled to vote in the election of Directors has changed; (iv) an
acquisition by any person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d)
or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor provisions (excluding
any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or maintained by the
Company or subsidiary of the Company or other entity controlled by the Company)
of the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act, or comparable successor rule) of securities of the Company
representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled
to vote in the election of Directors; or (v) in the event that the individuals
who, as of the date of adoption of the Plan, are members of the Company's Board
(the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty
percent (50%) of the Board. (If the election, or nomination for election by the
Company's stockholders, of any new Director is approved by a vote of at least
fifty percent (50%) of the Incumbent Board, such new Director shall be
considered to be a member of the Incumbent Board in the future.)
(f) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(g) "COMMITTEE" means a committee of one or more members of the
Board appointed by the Board in accordance with subsection 3(c).
(h) "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company.
(i) "COMPANY" means Elitra Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
(j) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, (i)
engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services
and who is compensated for such services or (ii) who is a member of the Board of
Directors of an Affiliate. However, the
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term "Consultant" shall not include either Directors who are not compensated by
the Company for their services as Directors or Directors who are merely paid a
director's fee by the Company for their services as Directors.
(k) "CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION" means, with respect to any
Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions: (i)
(A) a change in such Participant's status, title, position or responsibilities
(including reporting responsibilities) which represents an adverse change from
such Participant's status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect at
any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a Change in Control or at
any time thereafter; (B) the assignment to such Participant of any duties or
responsibilities which are inconsistent with such Participant's status, title,
position or responsibilities as in effect at any time within ninety (90) days
preceding the date of a Change in Control or at any time thereafter; or (C) any
removal of such Participant from or failure to reappoint or reelect such
Participant to any of such offices or positions, except in connection with the
termination of such Participant's Continuous Service for Cause, as a result of
such Participant's Disability or death or by such Participant other than as a
result of Constructive Termination; (ii) a reduction in such Participant's
annual base compensation or any failure to pay such Participant any compensation
or benefits to which such Participant is are entitled within five (5) days of
the date due; (iii) the Company's requiring such Participant to relocate to any
place outside a twenty five (25) mile radius of such Participant's current work
site, except for reasonably required travel on the business of the Company or
its Affiliates which is not materially greater than such travel requirements
prior to the Change in Control; (iv) the failure by the Company to (A) continue
in effect (without reduction in benefit level and/or reward opportunities) any
material compensation or employee benefit plan in which such Participant was
participating at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a Change
in Control or at any time thereafter, unless such plan is replaced with a plan
that provides substantially equivalent compensation or benefits to such
Participant, or (B) provide such Participant with compensation and benefits, in
the aggregate, at least equal (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward
opportunities) to those provided for under each other employee benefit plan,
program and practice in which such Participant was participating at any time
within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a Change in Control or at any time
thereafter; (v) any material breach by the Company of any provision of an
agreement between the Company and such Participant, whether pursuant to this
Plan or otherwise, other than a breach which is cured by the Company within
fifteen (15) days following notice by such Participant of such breach; or (vi)
the failure of the Company to obtain an agreement, satisfactory to such
Participant, from any successors and assigns to assume and agree to perform the
obligations created under this Plan.
(l) "CONTINUOUS SERVICE" means that the Participant's service with
the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is
not interrupted or terminated. The Participant's Continuous Service shall not be
deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which
the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee,
Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant
renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of
the Participant's Continuous Service. For example, a change in status from an
Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or a Director will not
constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Board or the chief
executive officer of the Company, in that party's sole discretion, may
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determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case
of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military
leave or any other personal leave.
(m) "COVERED EMPLOYEE" means the chief executive officer and the
four (4) other highest compensated officers of the Company for whom total
compensation is required to be reported to Stockholders under the Exchange Act,
as determined for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(n) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company.
(o) "DISABILITY" means (i) before the Listing Date, the inability
of a person, in the opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company,
to perform the major duties of that person's position with the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company because of the sickness or injury of the person and
(ii) after the Listing Date, the permanent and total disability of a person
within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(p) "EMPLOYEE" means any person employed by the Company or an
Affiliate. Mere service as a Director or payment of a director's fee by the
Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by
the Company or an Affiliate.
(q) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(r) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of the
Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or traded on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing
sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as
quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest
volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to
the day of determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other
source as the Board deems reliable.
(ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock,
the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
(iii) Prior to the Listing Date, the value of the Common
Stock shall be determined in a manner consistent with Section 260.140.50 of
Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations.
(s) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(t) "LISTING DATE" means the first date upon which any security of
the Company is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on any
securities exchange or designated (or approved for designation) upon notice of
issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system if
such securities exchange or interdealer quotation system has been
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certified in accordance with the provisions of Section 25100(o) of the
California Corporate Securities Law of 1968.
(u) "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not
a current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or a subsidiary, does
not receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the Company or its parent
or a subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other
than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be
required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the
Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest in any other
transaction as to which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of
Regulation S-K and is not engaged in a business relationship as to which
disclosure would be required under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is
otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(v) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(w) "OFFICER" means (i) before the Listing Date, any person
designated by the Company as an officer and (ii) on and after the Listing Date,
a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(x) "OPTION" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory
Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(y) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions
of the Plan.
(z) "OPTIONHOLDER" means a person to whom an Option is granted
pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an
outstanding Option.
(aa) "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not a
current employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the
meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code),
is not a former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" receiving
compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax qualified
pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation"
at any time and is not currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from
the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in any capacity other
than as a Director or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(bb) "PARTICIPANT" means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted
pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an
outstanding Stock Award.
(cc) "PLAN" means this Elitra Pharmaceuticals Inc. Amended and
Restated 1998 Equity Incentive Plan.
(dd) "RULE 16B-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
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(ee) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(ff) "STOCK AWARD" means any right granted under the Plan,
including an Option, a stock bonus and a right to acquire restricted stock.
(gg) "STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and a holder of a Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan.
(hh) "TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDER" means a person who owns (or is
deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than
ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company or of any of its Affiliates.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) ADMINISTRATION BY BOARD. The Board shall administer the Plan
unless and until the Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided
in subsection 3(c).
(b) POWERS OF BOARD. The Board shall have the power, subject to,
and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine from time to time which of the persons
eligible under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; when and how each Stock
Award shall be granted; what type or combination of types of Stock Award shall
be granted; the provisions of each Stock Award granted (which need not be
identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to
receive Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award; and the number of shares of
Common Stock with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such
person.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards
granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for
its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement,
in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the
Plan fully effective.
(iii) To amend the Plan or a Stock Award as provided in
Section 12.
(iv) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform
such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best
interests of the Company which are not in conflict with the provisions of the
Plan.
(c) DELEGATION TO COMMITTEE.
(i) GENERAL. The Board may delegate administration of the
Plan to a Committee or Committees of one (1) or more members of the Board, and
the term "Committee" shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority
has been delegated. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee
shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers
theretofore possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a
subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to
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exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the
Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to
time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in
the Board the administration of the Plan.
(ii) COMMITTEE COMPOSITION WHEN COMMON STOCK IS PUBLICLY
TRADED. At such time as the Common Stock is publicly traded, in the discretion
of the Board, a Committee may consist solely of two or more Outside Directors,
in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, and/or solely of two or more
Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3. Within the scope of such
authority, the Board or the Committee may (1) delegate to a committee of one or
more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors the authority to grant
Stock Awards to eligible persons who are either (a) not then Covered Employees
and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of recognition of
income resulting from such Stock Award or (b) not persons with respect to whom
the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code and/or (2) delegate
to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee
Directors the authority to grant Stock Awards to eligible persons who are not
then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(d) EFFECT OF BOARD'S DECISION. All determinations,
interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith shall not be
subject to review by any person and shall be final, binding and conclusive on
all persons.
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) SHARE RESERVE. Subject to the provisions of Section 11
relating to adjustments upon changes in Common Stock, the Common Stock that may
be issued pursuant to Stock Awards shall not exceed in the aggregate three
million six hundred eighty-eight thousand four hundred twenty-five (3,688,425)
shares of Common Stock.
(b) REVERSION OF SHARES TO THE SHARE RESERVE. If any Stock Award
shall for any reason expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in part, without
having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock not acquired under
such Stock Award shall revert to and again become available for issuance under
the Plan.
(c) SOURCE OF SHARES. The shares of Common Stock subject to the
Plan may be unissued shares or reacquired shares, bought on the market or
otherwise.
(d) SHARE RESERVE LIMITATION. Prior to the Listing Date and to the
extent then required by Section 260.140.45 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations, the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of all outstanding Options and the total number of shares of Common Stock
provided for under any stock bonus or similar plan of the Company shall not
exceed the applicable percentage as calculated in accordance with the conditions
and exclusions of Section 260.140.45 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations, based on the shares of Common Stock of the Company that are
outstanding at the time the calculation is made.
7.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIFIC STOCK AWARDS. Incentive Stock Options
may be granted only to Employees. Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock
Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants.
(b) TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDERS.
(i) A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an
Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one
hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the
date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5)
years from the date of grant.
(ii) Prior to the Listing Date, a Ten Percent Stockholder
shall not be granted a Nonstatutory Stock Option unless the exercise price of
such Option is at least (i) one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock at the date of grant or (ii) such lower percentage of
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the date of grant as is permitted
by Section 260.140.41 of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations at the
time of the grant of the Option.
(iii) Prior to the Listing Date, a Ten Percent Stockholder
shall not be granted a restricted stock award unless the purchase price of the
restricted stock is at least (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock at the date of grant or (ii) such lower percentage of
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the date of grant as is permitted
by Section 260.140.41 of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations at the
time of the grant of the Option.
(c) SECTION 162(m) LIMITATION. Subject to the provisions of
Section 11 relating to adjustments upon changes in the shares of Common
Stock, no Employee shall be eligible to be granted Options covering more than
Two Million (2,000,000) shares of Common Stock during any calendar year. This
subsection 5(c) shall not apply prior to the Listing Date and, following the
Listing Date, this subsection 5(c) shall not apply until (i) the earliest of:
(1) the first material modification of the Plan (including any increase in
the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan in
accordance with Section 4); (2) the issuance of all of the shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan; (3) the expiration of the Plan;
or (4) the first meeting of Stockholders at which Directors are to be elected
that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar
year in which occurred the first registration of an equity security under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act; or (ii) such other date required by Section
162(m) of the Code and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d) CONSULTANTS.
(i) Prior to the Listing Date, a Consultant shall not be
eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the
offer or the sale of the Company's securities to such Consultant is not exempt
under Rule 701 of the Securities Act ("Rule 701") because of the nature of the
services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, or because the
Consultant is not a natural person, or as otherwise provided by Rule 701, unless
the Company determines
8.
that such grant need not comply with the requirements of Rule 701 and will
satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as comply with the
securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.
(ii) From and after the Listing Date, a Consultant shall
not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, a Form
S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act ("Form S-8") is not
available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company's securities
to such Consultant because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is
providing to the Company, or because the Consultant is not a natural person, or
as otherwise provided by the rules governing the use of Form S-8, unless the
Company determines both (i) that such grant (A) shall be registered in another
manner under the Securities Act (E.G., on a Form S-3 Registration Statement) or
(B) does not require registration under the Securities Act in order to comply
with the requirements of the Securities Act, if applicable, and (ii) that such
grant complies with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.
(iii) Rule 701 and Form S-8 generally are available to
consultants and advisors only if (i) they are natural persons; (ii) they provide
bona fide services to the issuer, its parents, its majority-owned subsidiaries
or majority-owned subsidiaries of the issuer's parent; and (iii) the services
are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising
transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for
the issuer's securities.
6. OPTION PROVISIONS.
Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately
designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of
grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates
will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of
Option. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each
Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in
the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) TERM. Subject to the provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding
Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option granted prior to the Listing Date shall be
exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted,
and no Incentive Stock Option granted on or after the Listing Date shall be
exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
(b) EXERCISE PRICE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. Subject to the
provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise
price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the
date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock
Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the
preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or
substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section
424(a) of the Code.
9.
(c) EXERCISE PRICE OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. Subject to the
provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise
price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option granted prior to the Listing Date shall
be not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted. The
exercise price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option granted on or after the Listing
Date shall be not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Nonstatutory Stock Option may be granted with
an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such
Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option
in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.
(d) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable
statutes and regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised
or (ii) at the discretion of the Board at the time of the grant of the Option
(or subsequently in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option) (1) by delivery to
the Company of other Common Stock, (2) according to a deferred payment or other
similar arrangement with the Optionholder or (3) in any other form of legal
consideration that may be acceptable to the Board. Unless otherwise specifically
provided in the Option, the purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to
an Option that is paid by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock
acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares
of the Common Stock of the Company that have been held for more than six (6)
months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to
earnings for financial accounting purposes). At any time that the Company is
incorporated in Delaware, payment of the Common Stock's "par value," as defined
in the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall not be made by deferred payment.
In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be
compounded at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of
interest necessary to avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable
provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest
under the deferred payment arrangement.
(e) TRANSFERABILITY OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. An Incentive
Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the
Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form
satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the
death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.
(f) TRANSFERABILITY OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. A
Nonstatutory Stock Option granted prior to the Listing Date shall not be
transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and,
to the extent provided in the Option Agreement, to such further extent as
permitted by Section 260.140.41(d) of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations at the time of the grant of the Option, and shall be exercisable
during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. A
Nonstatutory Stock Option granted on or after the Listing Date shall be
transferable to the extent provided in the Option Agreement. If the
Nonstatutory Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the
Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the
10.
lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company,
in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the
event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to
exercise the Option.
(g) VESTING GENERALLY. The total number of shares of Common Stock
subject to an Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in
periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be
subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be
exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board may
deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. The
provisions of this subsection 6(g) are subject to any Option provisions
governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option may
be exercised.
(h) MINIMUM VESTING PRIOR TO THE LISTING DATE. Notwithstanding the
foregoing subsection 6(g), to the extent that the following restrictions on
vesting are required by Section 260.140.41(f) of Title 10 of the California Code
of Regulations at the time of the grant of the Option, then:
(i) Options granted prior to the Listing Date to an
Employee who is not an Officer, Director or Consultant shall provide for vesting
of the total number of shares of Common Stock at a rate of at least twenty
percent (20%) per year over five (5) years from the date the Option was granted,
subject to reasonable conditions such as continued employment; and
(ii) Options granted prior to the Listing Date to
Officers, Directors or Consultants may be made fully exercisable, subject to
reasonable conditions such as continued employment, at any time or during any
period established by the Company.
(i) TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE. In the event an
Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder's
death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the
extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date
of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i)
the date three (3) months following the termination of the Optionholder's
Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option
Agreement, which period shall not be less than thirty (30) days for Options
granted prior to the Listing Date unless such termination is for cause), or (ii)
the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement.
If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option
within the time specified in the Option Agreement, the Option shall terminate.
(j) EXTENSION OF TERMINATION DATE. An Optionholder's Option
Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the
termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service (other than upon the
Optionholder's death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely
because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration
requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option shall terminate on the
earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the Option set forth in subsection
6(a) or (ii) the expiration of a period of three (3) months after the
termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service
11.
during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such
registration requirements.
(k) DISABILITY OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event that an
Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's
Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that
the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of
termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i)
the date twelve (12) months following such termination (or such longer or
shorter period specified in the Option Agreement, which period shall not be less
than six (6) months for Options granted prior to the Listing Date) or (ii) the
expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If,
after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within
the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(l) DEATH OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event (i) an Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's death or (ii)
the Optionholder dies within the period (if any) specified in the Option
Agreement after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service for a
reason other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the
Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by
the Optionholder's estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the
Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the
option upon the Optionholder's death pursuant to subsection 6(e) or 6(f), but
only within the period ending on the earlier of (1) the date eighteen (18)
months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified
in the Option Agreement, which period shall not be less than six (6) months for
Options granted prior to the Listing Date) or (2) the expiration of the term of
such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after death, the Option is
not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(m) EARLY EXERCISE. The Option may, but need not, include a
provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the
Optionholder's Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any
part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the
full vesting of the Option. Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in subsection
10(h), any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a
repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board
determines to be appropriate.
(n) RIGHT OF REPURCHASE. Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in
subsection 10(h), the Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the
Company may elect, prior to the Listing Date, to repurchase all or any part of
the vested shares of Common Stock acquired by the Optionholder pursuant to the
exercise of the Option.
(o) RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Option may, but need not, include
a provision whereby the Company may elect, prior to the Listing Date, to
exercise a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the
Optionholder of the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares of Common
Stock received upon the exercise of the Option. Except as expressly provided in
this subsection 6(o), such right of first refusal shall otherwise comply with
any applicable provisions of the Bylaws of the Company.
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7. PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS.
(a) STOCK BONUS AWARDS. Each stock bonus agreement shall be in
such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem
appropriate. The terms and conditions of stock bonus agreements may change from
time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate stock bonus agreements
need not be identical, but each stock bonus agreement shall include (through
incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise)
the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) CONSIDERATION. A stock bonus may be awarded in
consideration for past services actually rendered to the Company or an Affiliate
for its benefit.
(ii) VESTING. Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in
subsection 10(h), shares of Common Stock awarded under the stock bonus agreement
may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in favor of the
Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.
(iii) TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT'S CONTINUOUS SERVICE.
Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in subsection 10(h), in the event a
Participant's Continuous Service terminates, the Company may reacquire any or
all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant which have not vested
as of the date of termination under the terms of the stock bonus agreement.
(iv) TRANSFERABILITY. For a stock bonus award made before
the Listing Date, rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the stock bonus
agreement shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant
only by the Participant. For a stock bonus award made on or after the Listing
Date, rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the stock bonus agreement
shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as
are set forth in the stock bonus agreement, as the Board shall determine in its
discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the stock bonus agreement
remains subject to the terms of the stock bonus agreement.
(b) RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS. Each restricted stock purchase
agreement shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as
the Board shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of the restricted
stock purchase agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and
conditions of separate restricted stock purchase agreements need not be
identical, but each restricted stock purchase agreement shall include (through
incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise)
the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) PURCHASE PRICE. Subject to the provisions of
subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the purchase price under
each restricted stock purchase agreement shall be such amount as the Board shall
determine and designate in such restricted stock purchase agreement. For
restricted stock awards made prior to the Listing Date, the purchase price shall
not be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Common Stock's Fair Market
Value on the date such award is made or at the time the purchase is consummated.
For restricted stock
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awards made on or after the Listing Date, the purchase price shall not be less
than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Common Stock's Fair Market Value on the
date such award is made or at the time the purchase is consummated.
(ii) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of Common Stock
acquired pursuant to the restricted stock purchase agreement shall be paid
either: (i) in cash at the time of purchase; (ii) at the discretion of the
Board, according to a deferred payment or other similar arrangement with the
Participant; or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that may be
acceptable to the Board in its discretion; provided, however, that at any time
that the Company is incorporated in Delaware, then payment of the Common Stock's
"par value," as defined in the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall not be
made by deferred payment.
(iii) VESTING. Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in
subsection 10(h), shares of Common Stock acquired under the restricted stock
purchase agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in
favor of the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by
the Board.
(iv) TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT'S CONTINUOUS SERVICE.
Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in subsection 10(h), in the event a
Participant's Continuous Service terminates, the Company may repurchase or
otherwise reacquire any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the
Participant which have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms
of the restricted stock purchase agreement.
(v) TRANSFERABILITY. For a restricted stock award made
before the Listing Date, rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the
restricted stock purchase agreement shall not be transferable except by will or
by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the
lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. For a restricted stock
award made on or after the Listing Date, rights to acquire shares of Common
Stock under the restricted stock purchase agreement shall be transferable by the
Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the
restricted stock purchase agreement, as the Board shall determine in its
discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the restricted stock purchase
agreement remains subject to the terms of the restricted stock purchase
agreement.
8. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) AVAILABILITY OF SHARES. During the terms of the Stock Awards,
the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common
Stock required to satisfy such Stock Awards.
(b) SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. The Company shall seek to obtain
from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such
authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares
of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this
undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act
the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any
such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain
from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for
the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock
under the Plan, the
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Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell
Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority
is obtained.
9. USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK.
Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall
constitute general funds of the Company.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) ACCELERATION OF EXERCISABILITY AND VESTING. The Board shall
have the power to accelerate the time at which a Stock Award may first be
exercised or the time during which a Stock Award or any part thereof will vest
in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award
stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it
will vest.
(b) STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. No Participant shall be deemed to be the
holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares
of Common Stock subject to such Stock Award unless and until such Participant
has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its
terms.
(c) NO EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER SERVICE RIGHTS. Nothing in the Plan or
any instrument executed or Stock Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer
upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate
in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall
affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment
of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the
service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant's agreement
with the Company or an Affiliate or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to
the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the
corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is
incorporated, as the case may be.
(d) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION $100,000 LIMITATION. To the extent that
the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common
Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the
first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the
Company and its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the
Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in
which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(e) INVESTMENT ASSURANCES. The Company may require a Participant,
as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award,
(i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the
Participant's knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or
to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who
is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he
or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser
representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to
give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant
is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant's own
account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing
the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant
15.
to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (1) the issuance of the shares of
Common Stock upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock
Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration
statement under the Securities Act or (2) as to any particular requirement, a
determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not
be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The
Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock
certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or
appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but
not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.
(f) WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. To the extent provided by the terms
of a Stock Award Agreement, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or
local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of
Common Stock under a Stock Award by any of the following means (in addition to
the Company's right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by
the Company) or by a combination of such means: (i) tendering a cash payment;
(ii) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares
of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the
exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award, provided,
however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the
minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; or (iii) delivering to the
Company owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.
(g) INFORMATION OBLIGATION. Prior to the Listing Date, to the
extent required by Section 260.140.46 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations, the Company shall deliver financial statements to Participants at
least annually. This subsection 10(g) shall not apply to key Employees whose
duties in connection with the Company assure them access to equivalent
information.
(h) REPURCHASE LIMITATION. The terms of any repurchase option
shall be specified in the Stock Award and may be either at Fair Market Value at
the time of repurchase or at not less than the original purchase price. To the
extent required by Section 260.140.41 and Section 260.140.42 of Title 10 of the
California Code of Regulations at the time a Stock Award is made, any repurchase
option contained in a Stock Award granted prior to the Listing Date to a person
who is not an Officer, Director or Consultant shall be upon the terms described
below:
(i) FAIR MARKET VALUE. If the repurchase option gives the
Company the right to repurchase the shares of Common Stock upon termination of
employment at not less than the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock
to be purchased on the date of termination of Continuous Service, then (i) the
right to repurchase shall be exercised for cash or cancellation of purchase
money indebtedness for the shares of Common Stock within ninety (90) days of
termination of Continuous Service (or in the case of shares of Common Stock
issued upon exercise of Stock Awards after such date of termination, within
ninety (90) days after the date of the exercise) or such longer period as may be
agreed to by the Company and the Participant (for example, for purposes of
satisfying the requirements of Section 1202(c)(3) of the Code regarding
"qualified small business stock") and (ii) the right terminates when the shares
of Common Stock become publicly traded.
16.
(ii) ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. If the repurchase option
gives the Company the right to repurchase the shares of Common Stock upon
termination of Continuous Service at the original purchase price, then (i) the
right to repurchase at the original purchase price shall lapse at the rate of at
least twenty percent (20%) of the shares of Common Stock per year over five (5)
years from the date the Stock Award is granted (without respect to the date the
Stock Award was exercised or became exercisable) and (ii) the right to
repurchase shall be exercised for cash or cancellation of purchase money
indebtedness for the shares of Common Stock within ninety (90) days of
termination of Continuous Service (or in the case of shares of Common Stock
issued upon exercise of Options after such date of termination, within ninety
(90) days after the date of the exercise) or such longer period as may be agreed
to by the Company and the Participant (for example, for purposes of satisfying
the requirements of Section 1202(c)(3) of the Code regarding "qualified small
business stock").
11. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.
(a) CAPITALIZATION ADJUSTMENTS. If any change is made in the
Common Stock subject to the Plan, or subject to any Stock Award, without the
receipt of consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in
property other than cash, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of
shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction
not involving the receipt of consideration by the Company), the Plan will be
appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject
to the Plan pursuant to subsection 4(a) and the maximum number of securities
subject to award to any person pursuant to subsection 5(c), and the outstanding
Stock Awards will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of
securities and price per share of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Stock
Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be
final, binding and conclusive. (The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be treated as a transaction "without receipt of
consideration" by the Company.)
(b) DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of a dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, then all outstanding Stock Awards shall terminate
immediately prior to such event.
(c) ASSET SALE, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR REVERSE MERGER. In the
event of (i) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company, (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company
is not the surviving corporation or (iii) a reverse merger in which the Company
is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the merger into
other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise
(individually, a "Corporate Transaction"), then any surviving corporation or
acquiring corporation shall assume any Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan
or shall substitute similar stock awards (including an award to acquire the same
consideration paid to the Stockholders in the Corporate Transaction for those
outstanding under the Plan). In the event any surviving corporation or acquiring
corporation refuses to assume such Stock Awards or to substitute similar stock
awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to Stock Awards
held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated, the vesting of
such Stock Awards (and, if applicable, the time during which such Stock Awards
may be exercised) shall be accelerated in full, and the Stock Awards shall
terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the Corporate
Transaction. With
17.
respect to any other Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Stock Awards
shall terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the Corporate
Transaction.
(d) SPECIAL ACCELERATION PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Plan to the contrary, if (i) a Change in Control occurs and
(ii) within one (1) month prior to the date of such Change in Control or
thirteen (13) months after the date of such Change in Control the Continuous
Service of a Participant terminates due to an involuntary termination (not
including death or Disability) without Cause or due to a Constructive
Termination, then the vesting and exercisability of all Stock Awards held by
such Participant shall be accelerated in full and/or any reacquisition or
repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to a Stock Award shall lapse
in full, as appropriate; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such potential acceleration
of the vesting and exercisability of Stock Awards (or lapse of reacquisition or
repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to Stock Awards) would cause
a contemplated Change in Control transaction that would otherwise be eligible to
be accounted for as a "pooling-of-interests" transaction to become ineligible
for such accounting treatment under generally accepted accounting principles as
determined by the Accountants prior to the Change in Control, such acceleration
shall not occur.
(e) PARACHUTE PAYMENTS. In the event that the acceleration of the
vesting and exercisability of the Stock Awards and/or the lapse of reacquisition
or repurchase rights with respect to Stock Awards provided for in subsection
11(d) and benefits otherwise payable to a Participant (i) constitute "parachute
payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, or any comparable
successor provisions, and (ii) but for this subsection would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any comparable successor
provisions (the "Excise Tax"), then such Participant's benefits hereunder shall
be either
(i) provided to such Participant in full, or
(ii) provided to such Participant as to such
lesser extent which would result in no
portion of such benefits being subject to
the Excise Tax,
whichever of the foregoing amounts, when taking into account applicable federal,
state, local and foreign income and employment taxes, the Excise Tax, and any
other applicable taxes, results in the receipt by such Participant, on an
after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits, notwithstanding that all or
some portion of such benefits may be taxable under the Excise Tax. Unless the
Company and such Participant otherwise agree in writing, any determination
required under this subsection shall be made in writing in good faith by the
Accountants. In the event of a reduction of benefits hereunder, the Participant
shall be given the choice of which benefits to reduce. For purposes of making
the calculations required by this subsection, the Accountants may make
reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may
rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of the
Code, and other applicable legal authority. The Company and the Participant
shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the
Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this
subsection. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably
incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this subsection.
18.
If, notwithstanding any reduction described in this
subsection, the IRS determines that the Participant is liable for the Excise Tax
as a result of the receipt of the payment of benefits as described above, then
the Participant shall be obligated to pay back to the Company, within thirty
(30) days after a final IRS determination or in the event that the Participant
challenges the final IRS determination, a final judicial determination, a
portion of the payment equal to the "Repayment Amount." The Repayment Amount
with respect to the payment of benefits shall be the smallest such amount, if
any, as shall be required to be paid to the Company so that the Participant's
net after-tax proceeds with respect to any payment of benefits (after taking
into account the payment of the Excise Tax and all other applicable taxes
imposed on such payment) shall be maximized. The Repayment Amount with respect
to the payment of benefits shall be zero if a Repayment Amount of more than zero
would not result in the Participant's net after-tax proceeds with respect to the
payment of such benefits being maximized. If the Excise Tax is not eliminated
pursuant to this paragraph, the Participant shall pay the Excise Tax.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection 11(e),
if (i) there is a reduction in the payment of benefits as described in this
subsection, (ii) the IRS later determines that the Participant is liable for the
Excise Tax, the payment of which would result in the maximization of the
Participant's net after-tax proceeds (calculated as if the Participant's
benefits had not previously been reduced), and (iii) the Participant pays the
Excise Tax, then the Company shall pay to the Participant those benefits which
were reduced pursuant to this subsection contemporaneously or as soon as
administratively possible after the Participant pays the Excise Tax so that the
Participant's net after-tax proceeds with respect to the payment of benefits is
maximized.
If the Participant either (i) brings any action to enforce
rights pursuant to this subsection 11(e), or (ii) defend any legal challenge to
his or her rights hereunder, the Participant shall be entitled to recover
attorneys' fees and costs incurred in connection with such action, regardless of
the outcome of such action; provided, however, that in the event such action is
commenced by the Participant, the court finds the claim was brought in good
faith.
12. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND STOCK AWARDS.
(a) AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board at any time, and from time to
time, may amend the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 11 relating to
adjustments upon changes in Common Stock, no amendment shall be effective unless
approved by the Stockholders of the Company to the extent Stockholder approval
is necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3
or any Nasdaq or securities exchange listing requirements.
(b) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Board may, in its sole discretion,
submit any other amendment to the Plan for Stockholder approval, including, but
not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of
Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder regarding the
exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate
deductibility of compensation paid to certain executive officers.
(c) CONTEMPLATED AMENDMENTS. It is expressly contemplated that the
Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable
to provide eligible Employees with the maximum benefits provided or to be
provided under the provisions of the
19.
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock
Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or Incentive Stock Options granted under it
into compliance therewith.
(d) NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS. Rights under any Stock Award granted
before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan
unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (ii) the
Participant consents in writing.
(e) AMENDMENT OF STOCK AWARDS. The Board at any time, and from
time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards; provided,
however, that the rights under any Stock Award shall not be impaired by any such
amendment unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and
(ii) the Participant consents in writing.
13. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) PLAN TERM. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any
time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the
tenth (10th) anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or
approved by the Stockholders of the Company, whichever is earlier. No Stock
Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is
terminated.
(b) NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS. Suspension or termination of the Plan
shall not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the
Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the Participant.
14. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan shall become effective as determined by the Board, but no
Stock Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock bonus, shall be
granted) unless and until the Plan has been approved by the Stockholders of the
Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the
date the Plan is adopted by the Board.
15. CHOICE OF LAW.
The law of the State of California shall govern all questions
concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without
regard to such state's conflict of laws rules.
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