SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
1991 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
(as amended through October 26, 1995)
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this 1991 Incentive Stock
Option Plan are:
o to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of
substantial responsibility,
o to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants, and
o to promote the success of the Company's business.
Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory
Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees as shall
be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) "APPLICABLE LAWS" means the legal requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under state corporate and securities laws
and the Code.
(c) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) "COMMITTEE" means a Committee appointed by the Board in
accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(f) "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(g) "COMPANY" means Seagate Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(h) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by
the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services and who is compensated
for such services, provided that the term "Consultant" shall not include
Directors who are paid only a
director's fee by the Company or who are not compensated by the Company for
their services as Directors.
(i) "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT" means that the
employment or consulting relationship is not interrupted or terminated by the
Company, any Parent or Subsidiary. Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of: (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Board, including sick leave, military leave, or any
other personal leave; provided, however, that for purposes of Incentive Stock
Options, any such leave may not exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment
upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract (including certain
Company policies) or statute; or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company
or between the Company, its Parent, its Subsidiaries or its successor.
(j) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.
(k) "DISABILITY" means total and permanent disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(l) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither
service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be
sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.
(m) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(n) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of Common
Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the National
Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, 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 system or exchange (or the exchange with the
greatest volume of trading in 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 Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ System (but not
on the National Market System thereof) or is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of
a Share of Common
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Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for 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 Administrator
deems reliable;
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.
(o) "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.
(p) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(q) "NOTICE OF GRANT" means a written notice evidencing certain terms
and conditions of an individual Option grant. The Notice of Grant is part of
the Option Agreement.
(r) "OFFICER" means a person who is an officer of the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(s) "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(t) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the Company
and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option
grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(u) "OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM" means a program whereby outstanding
options are surrendered in exchange for options with a lower exercise price.
(v) "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.
(w) "OPTIONEE" means an Employee or Consultant who holds an
outstanding Option.
(x) "PARENT" means a "parent corporation", whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(y) "PLAN" means this 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
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(aa) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any
successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with
respect to the Plan.
(bb) "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.
(cc) "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned under the
Plan is 17,000,000 Shares of Common Stock. The Shares may be authorized, but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. However, should the Company reacquire
Shares which were issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option, such Shares
shall not become available for future grant under the Plan.
If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been
exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option Exchange Program, the
unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become available for future
grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated).
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) PROCEDURE.
(i) MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES. If permitted by Rule 16b-3,
the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to Directors,
Officers who are not Directors, and Employees who are neither Directors nor
Officers.
(ii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b). With respect to Option grants made to Employees who
are also Officers or Directors subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the
Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board, if the Board may administer the
Plan in compliance with the rules governing a plan intended to qualify as a
discretionary plan under Rule 16b-3, or (B) a committee designated by the Board
to administer the Plan, which committee shall be constituted to comply with the
rules governing a plan intended to qualify as a discretionary plan under
Rule 16b-3. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve in its
designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time
the Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members,
remove members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill
vacancies (however caused), and remove all members of
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the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent
permitted by the rules governing a plan intended to qualify as a discretionary
plan under Rule 16b-3.
(iii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO OTHER PERSONS. With respect
to Option grants made to Employees or Consultants who are neither Directors nor
Officers of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or
(B) a committee designated by the Board, which committee shall be constituted to
satisfy Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such Committee shall serve in its
designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. The Board may
increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members, remove
members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill vacancies
(however caused), and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter
directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
(b) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated
by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in
its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in
accordance with Section 2(n) of the Plan;
(ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom Options may
be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options are granted
hereunder;
(iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Option granted hereunder;
(v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder. Such terms and
conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or
times when Options may be exercised (which may be based on performance
criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and
any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or the shares of Common Stock
relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in
its sole discretion, shall determine;
(vii) to determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances Common Stock and other amounts payable with
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respect to an award under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at
the election of the participant (including providing for and determining the
amount (if any) of any deemed earnings on any deferred amount during any
deferral period);
(viii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered
by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was granted;
(ix) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan;
(x) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan;
(xi) to modify or amend each Option (subject to Section 14(c) of
the Plan);
(xii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company
any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option previously granted by
the Administrator;
(xiii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;
(xiv) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to
Options; and
(xv) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options.
5. ELIGIBILITY. Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted to Employees
and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. If
otherwise eligible, an Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option may
be granted additional Options.
6. LIMITATIONS.
(a) Each Option shall be designated in the Notice of Grant as either
an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value:
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(i) of Shares subject to an Optionee's incentive stock options granted by
the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, which (ii) become exercisable for
the first time during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary)
exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), incentive stock options shall be
taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market
Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time of grant.
(b) Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon an Optionee any
right with respect to continuing the Optionee's employment or consulting
relationship with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the
Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.
(c) Beginning October 28, 1993, the following limitations shall apply
to grants of Options to Officers:
(i) no Officer shall be granted in any fiscal year of the
Company, Options to purchase more than 160,000 Shares, provided that, a newly-
hired Officer may in addition receive a one-time grant of up to 300,000 Shares
upon acceptance of employment with the Company; and
(ii) over the remaining term of the Plan, no Officer shall be
granted Options to purchase more than 500,000 Shares.
The foregoing limitations set forth in this Section 6(c) are intended to
satisfy the requirements applicable to Options intended to qualify as
"performance-based compensation" (within the meaning of Section 162(k) of the
Code). In the event the Administrator determines that such limitations are not
required to qualify Options as performance-based compensation, the Administrator
may modify or eliminate such limitations.
7. TERM OF PLAN. Subject to Section 18 of the Plan, the Plan shall
become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board or its
approval by the shareholders of the Company as described in Section 18 of the
Plan. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless
terminated earlier under Section 14 of the Plan.
8. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Notice
of Grant; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the
term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may
be provided in the Notice
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of Grant. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an
Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive
Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term
as may be provided in the Notice of Grant.
9. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.
(a) EXERCISE PRICE. The per share exercise price for the Shares to
be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator, subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive
Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any Employee, the per Share exercise price
shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.
(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.
(b) WAITING PERIOD AND EXERCISE DATES. At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised. In so doing, the Administrator may specify that an
Option may not be exercised until the completion of a service period.
(c) FORM OF CONSIDERATION. The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall
determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such
consideration may consist entirely of:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
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(iii) promissory note;
(iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon
exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months
on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised;
(v) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with
such other documentation as the Administrator and the Optionee's broker, if
applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to
the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price;
(vi) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(vii) such other consideration and method of payment for the
issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
10. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement.
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement) from
the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares
with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any
consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and
permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of
an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the
Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. Until the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate
entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the
Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a
shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the
exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such
stock certificate promptly after
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the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other
right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is
issued, except as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.
Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of
Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under
the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(b) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP. In the
event that an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant
terminates (other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability), the Optionee
may exercise his or her Option, but only within such period of time as is
determined by the Administrator, and only to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise it at the date of termination (but in no event later than
the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant).
In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine such
period of time (in no event to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of
termination) when the Option is granted. If, at the date of termination, the
Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares
covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.
If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within
the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(c) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. In the event that an Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result of the
Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option at any time
within six (6) months from the date of such termination, but only to the extent
that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination
(but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set
forth in the Notice of Grant). If, at the date of termination, the Optionee is
not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after
termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.
(d) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of an Optionee, the
Option may be exercised at any time within six (6) months following the date of
death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as
set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who
acquired the
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right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent
that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death. If,
at the time of death, the Optionee was not entitled to exercise his or her
entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option
shall immediately revert to the Plan. If, after death, the Optionee's estate or
a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance
does not exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
11. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS.
(a) An Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only by the Optionee.
(b) An Optionee may file a written designation of a beneficiary who
is to receive any options that remain unexercised in the event of the Optionee's
death. If a participant is married and the designated beneficiary is not the
spouse, spousal consent shall be required for such designation to be effective.
(c) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Optionee at
any time by written notice, subject to the above spousal consent conditions. In
the event of the death of the Optionee and in the absence of a beneficiary
validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such Optionee's,
the Company shall deliver such options to the executor or administrator of the
estate of the Optionee, or if no such executor or administrator has been
appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may
deliver such options to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives
of the participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the
Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.
12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION, MERGER, ASSET
SALE OR CHANGE OF CONTROL.
(a) CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, shall be
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proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected
without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that
conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to
have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be
made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding
and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company
of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock
of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made
with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an
Option.
(b) DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to the extent that an Option has not
been previously exercised, it will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action. The Board may, in the exercise of its
sole discretion in such instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of
a date fixed by the Board and give each Optionee the right to exercise his or
her Option as to all or any part of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to
which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.
(c) MERGER OR ASSET SALE. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (d)
hereof, in the event of a merger of the Company with or into another
corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each
outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be substituted
by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor
corporation. In the event that the successor corporation does not agree to
assume the Option or to substitute an equivalent option, the Administrator
shall, in lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide for the Optionee to
have the right to exercise the Option as to all or a portion of the Optioned
Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be exercisable. If
the Administrator makes an Option fully exercisable in lieu of assumption or
substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall
notify the Optionee that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of
fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option will terminate
upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the
Option shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets,
the option confers the right to purchase, for each Share subject to the Option
immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether
stock, cash, or other securities
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or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock
for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders
were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if
such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets was not solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may,
with the consent of the successor corporation and the participant, provide for
the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share
of Optioned Stock subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the
successor corporation or its Parent equal in Fair Market Value to the per share
consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of
assets.
(d) CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event of a "Change in Control" of the
Company, as defined in paragraph (e) below, then the following acceleration and
valuation provisions shall apply:
(i) Except as otherwise determined by the Board, in its
discretion, prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control, any Options
outstanding on the date such Change in Control is determined to have
occurred that are not yet exercisable and vested on such date shall become
fully exercisable and vested;
(ii) Except as otherwise determined by the Board, in its
discretion, prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control, all outstanding
Options, to the extent they are exercisable and vested (including Options
that shall become exercisable and vested pursuant to subparagraph (i)
above), shall be terminated in exchange for a cash payment equal to the
Change in Control Price (reduced by the exercise price applicable to such
Options). These cash proceeds shall be paid to the Optionee or, in the
event of death of an Optionee prior to payment, to the estate of the
Optionee or to a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by
bequest or inheritance.
(e) DEFINITION OF "CHANGE IN CONTROL". For purposes of this
Section 12, a "Change in Control" means the happening of any of the following:
(i) When any "person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d)
and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or a
Company employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such plan acting as
trustee) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of
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the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors; or
(ii) The shareholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a
merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent
(either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the
total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or
such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation, or the shareholders of the Company approve an agreement for
the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the
Company's assets; or
(iii) A change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the
Company, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are
Incumbent Directors. "Incumbent Directors" shall mean directors who either
(A) are directors of the Company as of the date the Plan is approved by the
shareholders, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board
of Directors of the Company with the affirmative votes of at least a
majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or
nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or
nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest
relating to the election of directors to the Company).
(f) CHANGE IN CONTROL PRICE. For purposes of this Section 12,
"Change in Control Price" shall be, as determined by the Board, (i) the highest
Fair Market Value of a Share within the 60 day period immediately preceding the
date of determination of the Change in Control Price by the Board (the "60-Day
Period"), or (ii) the highest price paid or offered per Share, as determined by
the Board, in any bona fide transaction or bona fide offer related to the Change
in Control of the Company, at any time within the 60-Day Period, or (iii) some
lower price as the Board, in its discretion, determines to be a reasonable
estimate of the fair market value of a Share.
13. DATE OF GRANT. The date of grant of an Option shall be, for all
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting
such Option, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the determination shall
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be provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.
14. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The Company shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply
with Rule 16b-3 or with Section 422 of the Code (or any successor rule or
statute or other applicable law, rule or regulation, including the requirements
of any exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or
quoted). Such shareholder approval, if required, shall be obtained in such a
manner and to such a degree as is required by the applicable law, rule or
regulation.
(c) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
15. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
(a) LEGAL COMPLIANCE. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with all relevant provisions of law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, Applicable Laws,
and the requirements of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the
Shares may then be listed or quoted, and shall be further subject to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent
and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased
only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such
Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is
required.
16. LIABILITY OF COMPANY.
(a) INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY. The inability of the Company to
obtain authority from any regulatory body having
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jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary
to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the
Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares
as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
(b) GRANTS EXCEEDING ALLOTTED SHARES. If the Optioned Stock covered
by an Option exceeds, as of the date of grant, the number of Shares which may be
issued under the Plan without additional shareholder approval, such Option shall
be void with respect to such excess Optioned Stock, unless shareholder approval
of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan
is timely obtained in accordance with Section 14(b) of the Plan.
17. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
18. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained
in the manner and to the degree required under applicable federal and state law.
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