YAHOO! INC.
1995 STOCK PLAN
(AS AMENDED SEPTEMBER 1996)
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this 1995 Stock Plan are to
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and to promote the success of the Company's
business. Options granted under the Plan may be incentive stock options (as
defined under Section 422 of the Code) or nonstatutory stock options, as
determined by the Administrator at the time of grant of an option and subject to
the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder. Stock purchase rights may also be granted
under the Plan.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees
appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) "AFFILIATE" shall mean an entity (including a partnership or
limited liability company) in which the Company, directly or indirectly through
any subsidiary, owns an equity interest, but which entity is not a Subsidiary.
(c) "APPLICABLE LAWS" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)
below.
(d) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(f) "COMMITTEE" means the Committee appointed by the Board of
Directors in accordance with Section 4(a) of the Plan.
(g) "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(h) "COMPANY" means Yahoo! Inc., a California corporation.
(i) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including a Director, who is
engaged by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to render services
and is compensated for such services.
(j) "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT" means the
absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Employee or
Consultant. Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of: (i) sick leave; (ii) military leave;
(iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Administrator, provided that
such leave is for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, unless
reemployment upon the expi-
ration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless provided
otherwise pursuant to Company policy adopted from time to time; or (iv) in the
case of transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its
Subsidiaries or their respective successors. For purposes of this Plan, a
change in status from an Employee to a Consultant or from a Consultant to an
Employee will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Status as an Employee
or Consultant.
(k) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.
(l) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including Named Executives, Officers
and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of
the Company, with the status of employment determined based upon such minimum
number of hours or periods worked as shall be determined by the Administrator in
its discretion, subject to any requirements of the Code. The payment of a
director's fee by the Company to a Director shall not be sufficient to
constitute "employment" of the Director 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 fair market 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 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation ("Nasdaq") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales
price for such stock as quoted on such system on the date of determination (if
for a given day no sales were reported, the closing bid on that day shall be
used), as such price is 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 thereof) or regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value
shall be the mean between the bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on the
date of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other
source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof 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, as
designated in the applicable written option agreement.
(p) "NAMED EXECUTIVE" means any individual who, on the last day of
the Company's fiscal year, is the chief executive officer of the Company (or is
acting in such capacity) or among the four highest compensated officers of the
Company (other than the chief
executive officer). Such officer status shall be determined pursuant to the
executive compensation disclosure rules under the Exchange Act.
(q) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, as designated in the applicable written
option agreement.
(r) "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(s) "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or a
Stock Purchase Right.
(t) "OPTIONEE" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an Option
or a Stock Purchase Right.
(u) "PARENT" means a "parent corporation", whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code, or any successor provision.
(v) "PLAN" means this 1995 Stock Plan.
(w) "REPORTING PERSON" means an Officer, Director, or greater than
ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-2 under
the Exchange Act, who is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under
the Exchange Act.
(x) "RESTRICTED STOCK" means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 11 below.
(y) "RULE 16B-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act,
as the same may be amended from time to time, or any successor provision.
(z) "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.
(aa) "STOCK EXCHANGE" means any stock exchange or consolidated stock
price reporting system on which prices for the Common Stock are quoted at any
given time.
(bb) "STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT" means the right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to Section 11 below.
(cc) "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, or any successor
provision.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 13,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Shares may be
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. If an Option should
expire or become unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in
full, the unpurchased Shares that were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan
shall have been terminated, become available for future grant under the Plan.
In addition,
any Shares of Common Stock which are retained by the Company upon exercise of an
Option or Stock Purchase Right in order to satisfy the exercise or purchase
price for such Option or Stock Purchase Right or any withholding taxes due with
respect to such exercise shall be treated as not issued and shall continue to be
available under the Plan.
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES. If permitted by Rule 16b-3 and
by the legal requirements relating to the administration of incentive stock
option plans, if any, of applicable securities laws and the Code (collectively
the "Applicable Laws"), grants under the Plan may be made by different bodies
with respect to Directors, Officers who are not Directors and Employees or
Consultants who are not Reporting Persons.
(b) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO REPORTING PERSONS. With respect
to grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to Employees or Consultants who
are Reporting Persons, grants under the Plan shall be made by (A) the Board, if
the Board may make grants under the Plan in compliance with Rule 16b-3, or (B) a
Committee designated by the Board to make grants under the Plan, which committee
shall be constituted in such a manner as to permit grants under the Plan to
comply with Rule 16b-3, to qualify grants of Options to Named Executives as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and otherwise so
as to satisfy the Applicable Laws.
(c) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO OTHER PERSONS. With respect to
grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to Employees or Consultants who are
not Reporting Persons, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a
Committee designated by the Board, which committee shall be constituted in such
a manner as to satisfy the Applicable Laws.
(d) GENERAL. If a Committee has been appointed pursuant to
subsection (ii) or (iii) of this Section 4(a), 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 thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint
new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove
all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to
the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws, and, in the case of a Committee
appointed under subsection (ii), to the extent permitted by Rule 16b-3, and to
the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code to qualify grants of
Options to Named Executives as performance-based compensation.
(e) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board
to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities,
including the approval, if required, of any Stock Exchange, 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(m) of the Plan;
(ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom Options
and Stock Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options and Stock
Purchase Rights or any combination thereof are granted hereunder;
(iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each such award 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, including, but not
limited to, the share price and any restriction or limitation, the vesting of
any Option or the acceleration of vesting or waiver of a forfeiture restructure,
based in each case on such factors as the Administrator shall determine, in its
sole discretion;
(vii) to determine whether and under what circumstances an
Option may be settled in cash under Section 10(g) instead of Common Stock;
(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 determine the terms and restrictions applicable to
Stock Purchase Rights and the Restricted Stock purchased by exercising such
Stock Purchase Rights; and
(x) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan;
(xi) in order to fulfill the purposes of the Plan and without
amending the Plan, to modify grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to
participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the United States
in order to recognize differences in local law, tax policies or customs.
(f) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may be granted to Employees and Consultants; provided, however,
that no person subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the
Exchange Act may receive an option or stock purchase right unless such person is
employed by or a consultant to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees, provided, however,
that Employees of an Affiliate shall be not be eligible to receive Incentive
Stock Options. An Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option or
Stock Purchase Right may, if he or she is otherwise eligible, be granted
additional Options or Stock Purchase Rights.
(b) TYPE OF OPTION. Each Option shall be designated in the written
option agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option. However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the
aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares with respect to which Options designated
as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee
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 5(b), Incentive Stock
Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and
the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall
be determined as of the date of the grant of such Option.
(c) NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. The Plan shall not confer upon any
Optionee any right with respect to continuation of employment or consulting
relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with such
Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate his or her employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.
6. TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
shareholders of the Company as described in Section 20 of the Plan. It shall
continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under
Section 16 of the Plan.
7. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in
the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than
ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be
provided in the Option Agreement and provided further that, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the 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 Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such
shorter term as may be provided in the written option agreement.
8. LIMITATION ON GRANTS TO EMPLOYEES. Subject to adjustment as provided
in this Plan, the maximum number of Shares which may be subject to Options
granted to any one Employee under this Plan for any fiscal year of the Company
shall be 1,000,000.
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 such price as is determined
by the Board and set forth in the applicable agreement, but shall be subject to
the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is:
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of
such Incentive Stock Option, 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 other 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 that is:
(A) granted to a person who, at the time of grant of such
Option, is a Named Executive of the Company, the per Share exercise price shall
be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant;
and
(B) granted to any person other than a Named Executive, the
per Share exercise price shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per
Share on the date of grant.
(b) PERMISSIBLE CONSIDERATION. The consideration to be paid for the
Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment,
shall be determined by the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option, shall be determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely of
(1) cash, (2) check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares that (x) 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 or such other period as may be
required to avoid a charge to the Company's earnings, and (y) have a Fair Market
Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (5) authorization for the
Company to retain from the total number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise equal to the exercise price for the total number of Shares as to which
the Option is exercised, (6) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice
together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the 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 and
any applicable income or employment taxes, (7) any combination of the foregoing
methods of payment, or (9) such other consideration and method of payment for
the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws. In making
its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator
shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to
benefit the Company.
10. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions
as determined by the Administrator, and reflected in the written option
agreement, which may include vesting requirements and/or performance criteria
with respect to the Company and/or the Optionee.
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and the Company has
received full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is
exercised. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist of any
consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 9(b) of the Plan.
Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,
not withstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause
to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option. 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 13 of the Plan.
Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in
the number of Shares that thereafter may be 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. Subject to
Section 10(c), in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as
an Employee or Consultant with the Company, such Optionee may, but only within
three (3) months (or such other period of time not less than thirty (30) days
and not more than twelve (12) months as is determined by the Administrator, with
such determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option being made at the
time of grant of the Option and not exceeding three (3) months) after the date
of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise his or her Option
to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such
Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option
shall terminate. No termination shall be deemed to occur and this Section 10(b)
shall not apply if (I) the Optionee is a Consultant who becomes an Employee; or
(ii) the Optionee is an Employee who becomes a Consultant.
(c) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. Notwithstanding Section 10(b) above, in
the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant as a result of his or her total and permanent disability (within the
meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within twelve
(12) months from the date of such termination (but in no event later than the
expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it
at the date of such termination. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled
to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not
exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein,
the Option shall terminate.
(d) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of an Optionee
during the period of Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, or within
thirty (30) days following the termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status
as an Employee or Consultant, the Option
may be exercised, at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of
death (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option
as set forth in the Option Agreement), by the Optionee's estate or by a person
who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but
only to the extent the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date
of death or, if earlier, the date of termination of the Continuous Status as an
Employee or Consultant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to
exercise the Option at the date of death or termination, as the case may be, or
if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(e) EXTENSION OF EXERCISE PERIOD. Notwithstanding the limitations
set forth in Sections 10(b), (c) and (d) above, the Administrator has full power
and authority to extend the period of time for which any Option granted under
the Plan is to remain exercisable following termination of an Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant from the limited period set forth
in the written option agreement to such greater period of time as the
Administrator shall deem appropriate; provided, however, that in no event shall
such Option be exercisable after the specified expiration date of the Option
term.
(f) RULE 16b-3. Options granted to Reporting Persons shall comply
with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such additional conditions or restrictions as
may be required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption for Plan
transactions.
(g) BUYOUT PROVISIONS. The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on
such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate
to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.
11. STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.
(a) RIGHTS TO PURCHASE. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the
offer, including the number of Shares that such person shall be entitled to
purchase, the price to be paid (which price shall not be less than 85% of the
Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date of the offer), and the time
within which such person must accept such offer, which shall in no event exceed
thirty (30) days from the date upon which the Administrator made the
determination to grant the Stock Purchase Right. The offer shall be accepted by
execution of a Restricted Stock purchase agreement in the form determined by the
Administrator. Shares purchased pursuant to the grant of a Stock Purchase Right
shall be referred to herein as "Restricted Stock."
(b) REPURCHASE OPTION. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's employment with the Company for any reason (including death or
disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the original purchase price paid by
the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the
Purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the
Administrator may determine.
(c) OTHER PROVISIONS. The Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. In
addition, the provisions of Restricted Stock purchase agreements need not be the
same with respect to each purchaser.
(d) RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13
of the Plan.
12. STOCK WITHHOLDING TO SATISFY WITHHOLDING TAX OBLIGATIONS. At the
discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding obligations
as provided in this paragraph. When an Optionee incurs tax liability in
connection with an Option or Stock Purchase Right, which tax liability is
subject to tax withholding under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is
obligated to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable
tax laws, the Optionee may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by one or some
combination of the following methods: (a) by cash payment, or (b) out of
Optionee's current compensation, (c) if permitted by the Administrator, in its
discretion, by surrendering to the Company Shares that (I) in the case of Shares
previously acquired from the Company, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a fair market value on
the date of surrender equal to or less than Optionee's marginal tax rate times
the ordinary income recognized, or (d) by electing to have the Company withhold
from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option, or the Shares to be
issued in connection with the Stock Purchase Right, if any, that number of
Shares having a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld.
For this purpose, the fair market value of the Shares to be withheld shall be
determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined
(the "Tax Date").
Any surrender by a Reporting Person of previously owned Shares to
satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of this Option must
comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3.
All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy
tax withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the
Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:
(a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date;
(b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular
Shares of the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to which the election is made;
and
(c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of
the Administrator.
In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by an
Optionee and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no
election is filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Optionee shall receive
the full number of Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Purchase
Right is exercised but such Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to
tender back to the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.
13. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
(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 or Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock that have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or that have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, the maximum number of Shares of Common Stock for which Options
may be granted to any Employee under Section 8 of the Plan and the price per
share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase
Right, shall be 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, recapitalization 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 or Stock Purchase Right.
(b) CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS. In the event of the proposed dissolution
or liquidation of the Company, the Option will terminate immediately prior to
the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise provided by the
Administrator. The Administrator may, in the exercise of its sole discretion in
such instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of a date fixed by
the Administrator 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. In the event of a proposed sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the
Company with or into another corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an
equivalent option shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent
or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless the Administrator
determines, in the exercise of its sole discretion and in lieu of such
assumption or substitution, that the Optionee shall have the right to exercise
the Option as to some or all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which
the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. If the Administrator makes an
Option 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 exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of
such notice, and the Option will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
14. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. Options and
Stock Purchase Rights 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; provided, however, that the Administrator may in its
discretion grant transferable Nonstatutory Stock Options pursuant to option
agreements specifying (i) the manner in which such Nonstatutory Stock Options
are transferable and (ii) that any such transfer shall be subject to the
Applicable Laws. Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised or
purchased during the lifetime of the Optionee or Stock Purchase Rights Holder
only by the Optionee, Stock Purchase Rights Holder or a transferee permitted by
this Section 14.
15. TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. The date of grant
of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date on
which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock
Purchase Right, or such other date as is determined by the Board. Notice of the
determination shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to whom an Option or
Stock Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of
such grant.
16. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may amend or terminate the
Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable;
provided that, the following revisions or amendments shall require approval of
the shareholders of the Company in the manner described in Section 20 of the
Plan:
(i) any increase in the number of Shares subject to the Plan,
other than an adjustment under Section 14 of the Plan;
(ii) any change in the designation of the class of persons
eligible to be granted Options; or
(iii) any change in the limitation on grants to employees as
described in Section 8 of the Plan or other changes which would
require shareholder approval to qualify options granted hereunder as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(b) SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. If any amendment requiring shareholder
approval under Section 16(a) of the Plan is made subsequent to the first
registration of any class of equity securities by the Company under Section 12
of the Exchange Act, such shareholder approval shall be solicited as described
in Section 20 of the Plan.
(c) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. Any such amendment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and
the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the
Company.
17. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the
exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of
such Shares pursuant thereto 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, and the
requirements of any Stock Exchange. 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 by law.
18. 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. The inability of the
Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having 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.
19. AGREEMENTS. Options and Stock Purchase Rights shall be evidenced by
written agreements in such form as the Administrator shall approve from time to
time.
20. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(a) 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 and the rules
of any stock exchange upon which the Shares are listed.
(b) In the event that the Company registers any class of equity
securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, any required approval of
the shareholders of the Company obtained after such registration shall be
solicited substantially in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(c) If any required approval by the shareholders of the Plan itself
or of any amendment thereto is solicited at any time otherwise than in the
manner described in Section 20(b) hereof, then the Company shall, at or prior to
the first annual meeting of shareholders held subsequent to the later of (1) the
first registration of any class of equity securities of the Com-
pany under Section 12 of the Exchange Act or (2) the granting of an Option
hereunder to an officer or director after such registration, do the following:
(i) furnish in writing to the holders entitled to vote for the
Plan substantially the same information that would be required (if proxies to be
voted with respect to approval or disapproval of the Plan or amendment were then
being solicited) by the rules and regulations in effect under Section 14(a) of
the Exchange Act at the time such information is furnished; and
(ii) file with, or mail for filing to, the Securities and
Exchange Commission four copies of the written information referred to in
subsection (i) hereof not later than the date on which such information is first
sent or given to shareholders.
21. INFORMATION TO OPTIONEES. The Company shall provide to each Optionee,
during the period for which such Optionee has one or more Options outstanding,
copies of all annual reports and other information which are provided to all
shareholders of the Company.
YAHOO! INC.
1995 STOCK PLAN
NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
(NameofOptionee)
(AddressLine1)
(AddressLine2)
You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of Yahoo! Inc., a
California corporation (the "Company"), as follows:
Date of Grant (DateofGrant)
Vesting Commencement Date (VCD)
Exercise Price per Share $(ExercisePrice)
Total Shares Subject to Option (NoShares)
Total Exercise Price $(TotalExercisePrice)
Type of Option: (ISO) Incentive Stock Option
---------------
(NQSO) Nonstatutory Stock Option
---------------
Term/Expiration Date: (ExpirationDate)
Vesting Schedule: This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in
accordance with the following schedule:
(Prevested)(FirstAmtVest) of the Shares subject to the
Option shall vest and become exercisable on the first
anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date and
(SecondAmtVest) of the Shares subject to the Option
shall vest and become exercisable on each monthly
anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date
thereafter (RemainderVest), such that the Option will
be fully vested at the end of (Years) years following
the Vesting Commencement Date.
Termination Period: This Option may be exercised for 30 days after
termination of employment or consulting relationship
except as set out in Sections 7 and 8 of the Stock
Option Agreement (but in no event later than the
Expiration Date).
By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative below,
you and the Company agree that this option is granted under and governed by the
terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement and the 1995 Stock Plan, all
of which are attached and made a part of this document.
OPTIONEE: YAHOO! INC.
By:
- ------------------------- -------------------------
(NameofOptionee) President
YAHOO! INC.
1995 STOCK PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL
OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR
ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL
IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH HIS RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE HIS
EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
1. GRANT OF OPTION. Yahoo! Inc., a California corporation (the
"Company"), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the
"Optionee"), an option (the "Option") to purchase a total number of shares of
Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise
price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject
to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Yahoo Corporation 1995 Stock
Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company, which is incorporated herein by
reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option. If designated an Incentive Stock
Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as
defined in Section 422 of the Code.
2. EXERCISE OF OPTION. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
in accordance with the Exercise Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with
the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan as follows:
(i) RIGHT TO EXERCISE.
(a) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.
(b) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other
termination of employment, the exercisability of the Option is governed by
Sections 6, 7 and 8 below, subject to the limitation contained in subsection
2(i)(c).
(c) In no event may this Option be exercised after the date of
expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant.
(ii) METHOD OF EXERCISE. This Option shall be exercisable only by
written notice (in the form attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the
election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the
Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to
the holder's investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as
may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such
written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person
or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall
be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to
be exercised only upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied
by the Exercise Price.
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No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless
such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law
and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be
listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be
considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is
exercised with respect to such Shares.
3. OPTIONEE'S REPRESENTATIONS. In the event the Shares purchasable
pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time this Option is exercised,
Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of
all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his Investment
Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, and shall
read the applicable rules of the Commissioner of Corporations attached to such
Investment Representation Statement.
4. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
i. cash; or
ii. check; or
iii. surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company which
(A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company option,
have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of
surrender, and (B) have a fair market value on the date of surrender equal to
the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or
iv. such other consideration, including promissory notes, as may be
determined by the Board in its absolute discretion to the extent permitted under
Sections 408 and 409 of the California General Corporation Law.
5. RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE. This Option may not be exercised until such
time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Regulation G") as
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of
this Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and
warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.
6. TERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP. In the event of termination of
Optionee's consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee, Optionee
may, to the extent otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the
"Termination Date"), exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out
in the Notice of Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to
exercise this Option at the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not
exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.
7. DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.
(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6 above, in the event
of termination of Optionee's consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an
Employee as a result of his total and permanent disability (as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within twelve
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(12) months from the date of termination of employment (but in no event later
than the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in Section
10 below), exercise this Option to the extent he was entitled to exercise it
at the date of such termination. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled
to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not
exercise such Option (which he was entitled to exercise) within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6 above, in the event
of termination of Optionee's consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an
Employee as a result of any disability not constituting a total and permanent
disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only
within six (6) months from the date of termination of employment (but in no
event later than the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth
in Section 10 below), exercise this Option to the extent he was entitled to
exercise it at the date of such termination; provided, however, that if this is
an Incentive Stock Option and Optionee fails to exercise this Incentive Stock
Option within three (3) months from the date of termination of employment, this
Option will cease to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (as defined in Section
422 of the Code) and Optionee will be treated for federal income tax purposes as
having received ordinary income at the time of such exercise in an amount
generally measured by the difference between the exercise price for the Shares
and the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise. To the extent
that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of
termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option (which he was entitled
to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
8. DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of Optionee:
(i) during the term of this Option and while an Employee or
Consultant of the Company and having a consulting relationship with the Company
or having been in Continuous Status as an Employee since the date of grant of
the Option, the Option may be exercised, at any time within six (6) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration
of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the fight to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance, but only to the extent of the fight to exercise that would have
accrued had the Optionee continued living and remained a consultant or remained
in Continuous Status as an Employee six (6) months after the date of death; or
(ii) within thirty (30) days after the termination of Optionee's
Status as an Employee or Consultant, the Option may be exercised, at any time
within six (6) months following the date of death (but in no event later than
the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10
below), by Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the fight to exercise
the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the fight to
exercise that had accrued at the date of termination.
9. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by him. The terms of this
Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors
and assigns of the Optionee.
10. TERM OF OPTION. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. The limitations set out
in Section 7 of the Plan regarding Options designated as Incentive Stock Options
and Options granted to more than ten percent (10%) shareholders shall apply to
this Option.
-4-
11. TAXATION UPON EXERCISE OF OPTION. Optionee understands that, upon
exercising a nonstatutory Option, he or she will recognize income for tax
purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then fair market value of the
Shares over the exercise price. However, the timing of this income recognition
may be deferred for up to six months if Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). If the
Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to withhold from
Optionee's compensation, or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable
taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income.
Additionally, the Optionee may at some point be required to satisfy tax
withholding obligations with respect to the disqualifying disposition of an
Incentive Stock Option. The Optionee shall satisfy his or her tax withholding
obligation arising upon the exercise of this Option by one or some combination
of the following methods: (i) by cash payment, or (ii) out of Optionee's current
compensation, or (iii) if permitted by the Administrator, in its discretion, by
surrendering to the Company Shares which (a) in the case of Shares previously
acquired from the Company, 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 or greater than Optionee's marginal tax rate times the
ordinary income recognized, (iv) by electing to have the Company withhold from
the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option that number of Shares having
a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld. For this
purpose, the fair market value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined
on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax
Date").
If the Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act (an
"Insider"), any surrender of previously owned Shares to satisfy tax withholding
obligations arising upon exercise of this Option must comply with the applicable
provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act ("Rule 16b-3") and
shall be subject to such additional conditions or restrictions as may be
required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the
Exchange Act with respect to Plan transactions.
All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax
withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the
Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:
(1) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date;
(2) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular
Shares of the Option as to which the election is made;
(3) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of
the Administrator;
(4) if the Optionee is an Insider, the election must comply with the
applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall be subject to such additional
conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify for the
maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to Plan
transactions.
12. TAX CONSEQUENCES. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
of this Option of some of the federal and California tax consequences of
exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS
NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING
OF THE SHARES.
-5-
(i) EXERCISE OF ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there will
be no regular federal income tax liability or California income tax liability
upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be
treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes
and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of
exercise.
(ii) EXERCISE OF NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. If this Option does not
qualify as an ISO, there may be a regular federal income tax liability and a
California income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option. The Optionee
will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary
income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the
Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an
employee, the Company will be required to withhold from Optionee's compensation
or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount
equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise.
(iii) DISPOSITION OF SHARES. In the case of an NSO, if Shares are
held for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will
be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and California income tax
purposes. In the case of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option
are held for at least one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two
years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares
will also be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and California income
tax purposes. If Shares purchased under an ISO are disposed of within such one-
year period or within two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on
such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary
income rates) to the extent of the difference between the Exercise Price and the
lesser of (1) the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or
(2) the sale price of the Shares.
(iv) NOTICE OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION OF ISO SHARES. If the Option
granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise
disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the
later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one
year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify the
Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized by the Optionee from the early disposition by payment in cash or out
of the current earnings paid to the Optionee.
-6-
EXHIBIT A
1995 STOCK PLAN
EXERCISE NOTICE
Yahoo! Inc.
635 Vaqueros Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. Effective as of today, ______________, ____,
the undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to exercise Optionee's option to
purchase Zshares of the Common Stock (the "Shares") of Yahoo! Inc. (the
"Company") under and pursuant to the Company's 1995 Stock Plan, as amended
(the "Plan") and the Incentive or Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated
(DateofGrant) (the "Option Agreement").
2. REPRESENTATIONS OF OPTIONEE. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has
received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions. Optionee represents that
Optionee is purchasing the Shares for Optionee's own account for investment and
not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, a distribution of any of
such Shares.
3. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS. Optionee understands and
acknowledges that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and, notwithstanding any other provision
of the Option Agreement to the contrary, the exercise of any rights to purchase
any Shares is expressly conditioned upon compliance with the 1933 Act, all
applicable state securities laws and all applicable requirements of any stock
exchange or over the counter market on which the Company's Common Stock may be
listed or traded at the time of exercise and transfer. Optionee agrees to
cooperate with the Company to ensure compliance with such laws.
4. FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. Optionee understands that the
Shares have not been registered under the 1933 Act and therefore cannot be
resold and must be held indefinitely unless they are registered under the 1933
Act or unless an exemption from such registration is available and that the
certificate(s) representing the Shares may bear a legend to that effect.
Optionee understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the
Shares and that an exemption may not be available or may not permit Optionee to
transfer Shares in the amounts or at the times proposed by Optionee.
Specifically, Optionee has been advised that Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933
Act, which permits certain resales of unregistered securities, is not presently
available with respect to the Shares and, in any event requires that the Shares
be paid for and then be held for at least two years (and in some cases three
years) before they may be resold under Rule 144.
5. RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. 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 fight 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 the Option is exercised. No adjustment will
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be made for a dividend or other fight for which the record date is prior to the
date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 12 of the
Plan.
Optionee shall enjoy rights as a shareholder until such time as Optionee
disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right
of First Refusal hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further
rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the fight to receive
payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the
Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or
cancellation.
6. COMPANY'S RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Before any Shares held by Optionee
or any transferee (either being sometimes referred to herein as the "Holder")
may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of
law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a fight of first refusal to
purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section (the
"Right of First Refusal").
(a) NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSFER. The Holder of the Shares shall
deliver to the Company a written notice (the "Notice") stating: (i) the
Holder's bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (ii) the
name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee ("Proposed Transferee");
(iii) the number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and
(iv) the bona fide cash price or other consideration for which the Holder
proposes to transfer the Shares (the "Offered Price"), and the Holder shall
offer the Shares at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).
(b) EXERCISE OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. At any time within thirty
(30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may,
by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less than
all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the Proposed
Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (c)
below.
(c) PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the
Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this Section shall be
the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash,
the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.
(d) PAYMENT. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the
option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of
all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company
(or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any
combination thereof within 30 days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner
and at the times set forth in the Notice.
(e) HOLDER'S RIGHT TO TRANSFER. If all of the Shares proposed in the
Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not purchased by the
Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section, then the Holder may
sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the
Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other transfer is
consummated within 120 days after the date of the Notice and provided further
that any such sale or other transfer is effected in accordance with any
applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that
the provisions of this Section shall continue to apply to the Shares in the
hands of such Proposed Transferee If the Shares described in the Notice are not
transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, a new Notice shall be
given to the Company, and the Company and/or its
-8-
assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares
held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise transferred.
(f) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN FAMILY TRANSFERS. Anything to the
contrary contained in this Section notwithstanding, the transfer of any or
all of the Shares during the Optionee's lifetime or on the Optionee's death
by will or intestacy to the Optionee's immediate family or a trust for the
benefit of the Optionee's immediate family shall be exempt from the
provisions of this Section. "Immediate Family" as used herein shall mean
spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister.
In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the
Shares so transferred subject to the provisions of this Section, and there
shall be no further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the
terms of this Section.
(g) TERMINATION OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Right of First
Refusal shall terminate as to any Shares 90 days after the first sale of Common
Stock of the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement
filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the 1933 Act.
7. TAX CONSULTATION. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax
consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.
8. RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS AND STOP-TRANSFER ORDERS.
(a) LEGENDS. Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall
cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto,
to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together
with any other legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED,
SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND
UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL IN
FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE
SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION
IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTIONS HELD
BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE
NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE
SHARES, A. COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE
OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST
REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
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IT IS UNLAWFUL TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OR TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY,
OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, OR TO RECEIVE ANY CONSIDERATION
THEREFOR, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER
OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED
IN THE COMMISSIONER'S RULES.
Optionee understands that transfer of the Shares may be restricted by
Section 260.141.11 of the Rules of the California Corporations Commissioner, a
copy of which is attached to EXHIBIT B, the Investment Representation Statement.
(b) STOP-TRANSFER NOTICES. Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure
compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue
appropriate "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and
that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate
notations to the same effect in its own records.
(c) REFUSAL TO TRANSFER. The Company shall not be required (i) to
transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in
violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner
of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser
or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
9. MARKET STANDOFF AGREEMENT. In connection with the initial public
offering of the Company's securities and upon request of the Company or the
underwriters managing any underwritten offering of the Company's securities,
Optionee hereby agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any
option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any Shares (other than those
included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company
or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed
180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by
the Company or such managing underwriters.
10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The Company may assign any of its rights
under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to
the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding
upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns.
11. INTERPRETATION. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this
Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the
Company's Board of Directors or the committee thereof that administers the Plan,
which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of
such a dispute by the Board or committee shall be final and binding on the
Company and on Optionee.
12. GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California excluding that
body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this
Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the
other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain
enforceable.
13. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon
deposit in the United States mail by
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certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at
its address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as
such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
14. FURTHER INSTRUMENTS. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
15. DELIVERY OF PAYMENT. Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the
full Exercise Price for the Shares.
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16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Plan and Notice of Grant/Option Agreement
are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the
Notice of Grant/Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the
parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements
of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and is
governed by California law, without reference to conflicts of laws principles.
Submitted by: Accepted by:
OPTIONEE: YAHOO! INC.
By:
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------
(NameofOptionee) Title:
(AddressLine1) ------------------------
(AddressLine2) 635 Vaqueros Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
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EXHIBIT B
INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT
OPTIONEE: (NameofOptionee)
COMPANY: Yahoo! Inc.
SECURITY: Common Stock
AMOUNT: ____________ shares
DATE: ___________________, _____
In connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, I, the Optionee,
represent to the Company the following:
(a) I am aware of the Company's business affairs and financial
condition, and have acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach
an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. I am
purchasing these Securities for my own account for investment purposes only and
not with a view to, or for the resale in connection with, any "distribution"
thereof for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act").
(b) I understand that the Securities have not been registered under
the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which
exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of my
investment intent as expressed herein. In this connection, I understand that,
in the view of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the statutory
basis for such exemption may be unavailable if my representation was predicated
solely upon a present intention to hold these Securities for the minimum capital
gains period specified under tax statutes, for a deferred sale, for or until an
increase or decrease in the market price of the Securities, or for a period of
one year or any other fixed period in the future.
(c) I further understand that the Securities must be held
indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or unless
an exemption from registration is otherwise available. Moreover, I understand
that the Company is under no obligation to register the Securities. In
addition, I understand that the certificate evidencing the Securities will be
imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Securities unless
they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of
counsel for the Company.
(d) I am familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule 144, each
promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public
resale of "restricted securities" acquired, directly or indirectly, from the
issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at
the time of issuance of the Securities, such issuance will be exempt from
registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company later becomes
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d)of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, ninety (90) days thereafter the securities exempt under
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Rule 701 may be resold, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions
specified by Rule 144, including among other things: (1) the sale being made
through a broker in an unsolicited "broker's transaction" or in transactions
directly with a market maker (as said term is defined under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934); and, in the case of an affiliate, (2) the availability of
certain public information about the Company, and the amount of securities being
sold during any three month period not exceeding the limitations specified in
Rule 144(e), if applicable. Notwithstanding this paragraph (d), I acknowledge
and agree to the restrictions set forth in paragraph (e) hereof.
In the event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the
time of issuance of the Securities, then the Securities may be resold in certain
limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires
among other things: (1) the availability of certain public information about
the Company, (2) the resale occurring not less than two years after the party
has purchased, and made full payment for, within the meaning of Rule 144, the
securities to be sold; and, in the case of an affiliate, or of a non-affiliate
who has held the securities less than three years, (3) the sale being made
through a broker in an unsolicited "broker's transaction" or in transactions
directly with a market maker (as said term is defined under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) and the amount of securities being sold during any three
month period not exceeding the specified limitations stated therein, if
applicable.
(e) I further understand that in the event all of the applicable
requirements of Rule 144 or Rule 701 are not satisfied, registration under
the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration
exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rule 144
and Rule 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the SEC has expressed its
opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other
than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule
701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption
from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such
persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do
so at their own risk.
(f) I understand that the certificate evidencing the Securities
may be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Securities
without the consent of the Commissioner of Corporations of California. I
have read the applicable Commissioner's Rules with respect to such
restriction, a copy of which is attached.
Signature of Optionee:
(NameofOptionee)
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
Title 10. Investment - Chapter 3. Commissioner of Corporations
260.141.11: RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER. (a) The issuer of any security upon
which a restriction on transfer has been imposed pursuant to Sections
260.102.6, 260.141.10 or 260.534 shall cause a copy of this section to be
delivered to each issuee or transferee of such security at the time the
certificate evidencing the security is delivered to the issuee or transferee.
(b) It is unlawful for the holder of any such security to consummate a sale
or transfer of such security, or any interest therein, without the prior written
consent of the Commissioner (until this condition is removed pursuant to Section
260.141.12 of these rules), except:
(1) to the issuer;
(2) pursuant to the order or process of any court;
(3) to any person described in Subdivision (i) of Section 25102 of the Code
or Section 260.105.14 of these rules;
(4) to the transferor's ancestors, descendants or spouse, or any custodian
or trustee for the account of the transferor or the transferor's
ancestors, descendants, or spouse; or to a transferee by a trustee or
custodian for the account of the transferee or the transferee's
ancestors, descendants or spouse;
(5) to holders of securities of the same class of the same issuer;
(6) by way of gift or donation inter vivos or on death;
(7) by or through a broker-dealer licensed under the Code (either acting as
such or as a finder) to a resident of a foreign state, territory or
country who is neither domiciled in this state to the knowledge of the
broker-dealer, nor actually present in this state if the sale of such
securities is not in violation of any securities law of the foreign
state, territory or country concerned;
(8) to a broker-dealer licensed under the Code in a principal transaction,
or as an underwriter or member of an underwriting syndicate or selling
group;
(9) if the interest sold or transferred is a pledge or other lien given by
the purchaser to the seller upon a sale of the security for which the
Commissioner's written consent is obtained or under this rule not
required;
(10) by way of a sale qualified under Sections 25111, 25112, 25113 or 25121
of the Code, of the securities to be transferred, provided that no order
under Section 25140 or Subdivision (a) of Section 25143 is in effect
with respect to such qualification;
(11) by a corporation to a wholly owned subsidiary of such corporation, or by
a wholly owned subsidiary of a corporation to such corporation;
(12) by way of an exchange qualified under Section 25111, 25112 or 25113 of
the Code, provided that no order under Section 25140 or Subdivision (a)
of Section 25143 is in effect with respect to such qualification;
(13) between residents of foreign states, territories or countries who are
neither domiciled nor actually present in this state;
(14) to the State Controller pursuant to the Unclaimed Property Law or to the
administrator of the unclaimed property law of another state; or
(15) by the State Controller pursuant to the Unclaimed Property Law or by the
administrator of the unclaimed property law of another state if, in
either such case, such person (i) discloses to potential purchasers at
the sale that transfer of the securities is restricted under this rule,
(ii) delivers to each purchaser a copy of this rule, and (iii) advises
the Commissioner of the name of each purchaser;
(16) by a trustee to a successor trustee when such transfer does not involve
a change in the beneficial ownership of the securities;
(17) by way of an offer and sale of outstanding securities in an issuer
transaction that is subject to the qualification requirement of Section
25110 of the Code but exempt from that qualification requirement by
subdivision (f) of Section 25102;
provided that any such transfer is on the condition that any certificate
evidencing the security issued to such transferee shall contain the legend
required by this section.
(c) The certificates representing all such securities subject to such a
restriction on transfer, whether upon initial issuance or upon any transfer
thereof, shall bear on their face a legend, prominently stamped or printed
thereon in capital letters of not less than 10-point size, reading as follows:
"IT IS UNLAWFUL TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OR TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY, OR ANY
INTEREST THEREIN, OR TO RECEIVE ANY CONSIDERATION THEREFOR, WITHOUT THE PRIOR
WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER OR CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED IN THE COMMISSIONER'S RULES."