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EXHIBIT 10.3
BLACK SUN INTERACTIVE, INC.
1996 STOCK PLAN
1. PURPOSE. This 1996 Stock Plan (the "Plan") is intended to provide
incentives: (a) to the officers and other employees of Black Sun Interactive,
Inc. (the "Company"), its parent (if any) and any present or future subsidiaries
of the Company (collectively, "Related Corporations") by providing them with
opportunities to purchase stock in the Company pursuant to options granted
hereunder which qualify as "incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") ("ISO" or "ISOs"); (b) to
directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and Related
Corporations by providing them with opportunities to purchase stock in the
Company pursuant to options granted hereunder which do not qualify as ISOs
("Non-Qualified Option" or "Non-Qualified Options"); (c) to directors, officers,
employees and consultants of the Company and Related Corporations by providing
them with awards of restricted stock in the Company ("Awards"); and (d) to
directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and Related
Corporations by providing them with opportunities to make direct purchases of
stock in the Company ("Purchases"). Both ISOs and Non-Qualified Options are
referred to hereafter individually as an "Option" and collectively as "Options".
Options, Awards and authorizations to make Purchases are referred to hereafter
collectively as "Stock Rights". As used herein, the terms "parent" and
"subsidiary" mean "parent corporation" and "subsidiary corporation",
respectively, as those terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code.
2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
A. BOARD OR COMMITTEE ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be
administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"). The Board
may appoint a Stock Plan Committee or Compensation Committee (the "Committee")
of two or more of its members to administer this Plan. Hereinafter, all
references in this Plan to the Committee shall mean the Board if no Committee
has been appointed. Subject to ratification of the grant or authorization of
each Stock Right by the Board (if so required by applicable state law), and
subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to (i)
determine the employees of the Company and Related Corporations (from among the
class of employees eligible under paragraph 3 to receive ISOs) to whom ISOs may
be granted, and to determine (from among the class of individuals and entities
eligible under paragraph 3 to receive Non-Qualified Options and Awards and to
make Purchases) to whom Non-Qualified Options, Awards and authorizations to make
Purchases may be granted; (ii) determine the time or times at which Options or
Awards may be granted or Purchases made; (iii) determine the option price of
shares subject to each option, which price shall not be less than the minimum
price specified in paragraph 6, and the purchase price of shares subject to each
Purchase; (iv) determine whether each Option granted shall be an ISO or a
Non-Qualified Option; (v) determine (subject to paragraph 7) the time or times
when each option shall become exercisable and the duration of the exercise
period; (vi) determine whether restrictions such as repurchase options are to be
imposed on shares subject to Options, Awards and Purchases and the nature of
such restrictions, if any, and (vii) interpret the Plan and prescribe and
rescind rules and regulations relating to it. If the Committee determines to
issue a Non-Qualified Option, it shall take whatever actions it deems necessary,
under Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, to
ensure that such Option is not
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treated as an ISO. The interpretation and construction by the Committee of any
provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be final
unless otherwise determined by the Board. The Committee may from time to time
adopt such rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan as it may deem best.
No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Stock Right
granted under it.
B. COMMITTEE ACTIONS. The Committee may select one of its
members as its chairman, and shall hold meetings at such time and places as it
may determine. Acts by a majority of the Committee, or acts reduced to or
approved in writing by a majority of the members of the Committee, shall be the
valid acts of the Committee. 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, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan.
C. GRANT OF STOCK RIGHTS TO BOARD MEMBERS. Stock Rights may be
granted to members of the Board, but any such grant shall be made and approved
in accordance with paragraph 2(D), if applicable. All grants of Stock Rights to
members of the Board shall in all other respects be made in accordance with the
provisions of this Plan applicable to other eligible persons. Members of the
Board who are either (i) eligible for Stock Rights pursuant to the Plan or (ii)
have been granted Stock Rights may vote on any matters affecting the
administration of the Plan or the grant of any Stock Rights pursuant to the
Plan, except that no such member shall act upon the granting to himself of Stock
Rights, but any such member may be counted in determining the existence of a
quorum at any meeting of the Board during which action is taken with respect to
the granting to him of Stock Rights.
D. COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS. In the event the
Company registers any class of any equity security pursuant to Section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), any grant of
Stock Rights to a member of the Board (made at any time from the effective date
of such registration until six months after the termination of such
registration) must be approved by a majority vote of the other members of the
Board; provided, however, that if a majority of the Board is eligible for
selection to participate in the Plan or in any other stock option or other stock
plan of the Company or any of its affiliates, or has been so eligible at any
time within the preceding year, any grant of Stock Rights to a member of the
Board must be made by, or only in accordance with the recommendation of, the
Committee or a committee consisting of three or more persons, who may but need
not be directors or employees of the Company, appointed by the Board but having
full authority to act in the matter, none of whom is eligible to participate in
this Plan or any other stock option or other stock plan of the Company or any of
its affiliates, or has been so eligible at any time within the preceding year.
The requirements imposed by the preceding sentence shall also apply with respect
to grants to officers who are not also directors. Once appointed, such committee
shall continue to serve until otherwise directed by the Board.
3. ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS. ISOs may be granted to any employee
of the Company or any Related Corporation. Those officers and directors of the
Company who are not employees may not be granted ISOs under the Plan.
Non-Qualified Options, Awards and
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authorizations to make Purchases may be granted to any employee, officer or
director (whether or not also an employee) or consultant of the Company or any
Related Corporation. The Committee may take into consideration a recipient's
individual circumstances in determining whether to grant an ISO, a Non-Qualified
Option, an Award or an authorization to make a Purchase. Granting of any Stock
Right to any individual or entity shall neither entitle that individual or
entity to, nor disqualify him from, participation in any other grant of Stock
Rights.
4. STOCK. The stock subject to Options, Awards and Purchases shall be
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company, $0.01 par value
per share (the "Common Stock"), or shares of Common Stock reacquired by the
Company in any manner. The aggregate number of shares which may be issued
pursuant to the Plan is 140,000, subject to adjustment as provided in paragraph
13. Any such shares may be issued as ISOs, Non-Qualified Options or Awards, or
to persons or entities making Purchases, so long as the number of shares so
issued does not exceed such number, as adjusted. If any Option granted under the
Plan shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in
full or shall cease for any reason to be exercisable in whole or in part, or if
the Company shall reacquire any unvested shares issued pursuant to Awards or
Purchases, the unpurchased shares subject to such Options and any unvested
shares so reacquired by the Company shall again be available for grants of Stock
Rights under the Plan.
5. GRANTING OF STOCK RIGHTS. Stock Rights may be granted under the Plan
at any time on or after May 1, 1996 and prior to April 30, 2006. The date of
grant of a Stock Right under the Plan will be the date specified by the
Committee at the time it grants the Stock Right.
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6. MINIMUM OPTION PRICE; ISO LIMITATIONS.
A. PRICE FOR NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS. The exercise price per
share specified in the agreement relating to each Non-Qualified Option granted
under the Plan shall in no event be less than the the minimum legal
consideration required therefor under the laws of the State of Delaware.
B. PRICE FOR ISOS. The exercise price per share specified in
the agreement relating to each ISO granted under the Plan shall not be less than
the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the date of such grant. In
the case of an ISO to be granted to an employee owning stock equal to more than
ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company or any Related Corporation, the price per share specified in the
agreement relating to such ISO shall not be less than one hundred ten percent
(110%) of the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the date of grant.
C. $100,000 ANNUAL LIMITATION ON ISOS. Each eligible employee
may be granted ISOs only to the extent that, in the aggregate under this Plan
and all incentive stock option plans of the Company and any Related Corporation,
such ISOs do not become exercisable for the first time by such employee during
any calendar year in a manner which would entitle the employee to purchase more
than $100,000 in fair market value (determined at the time the ISOs were
granted) of Common Stock in that year. Any options granted to an employee in
excess of such amount will be granted as Non-Qualified Options.
D. DETERMINATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE. If, at the time an
Option is granted under the Plan, the Company's Common Stock is publicly traded,
"fair market value" shall be determined as of the last business day for which
the prices or quotes discussed in this sentence are available prior to the date
such option is granted and shall mean (i) the average (on that date) of the high
and low prices of the Common Stock on the principal national securities exchange
on which the Common Stock is traded, if the Common Stock is then traded on a
national securities exchange; or (ii) the last reported sale price (on that
date) of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market, if the Common Stock is
not then traded on a national securities exchange; or (iii) the closing bid
price (or average of bid prices) last quoted (on that date) by an established
quotation service for over-the-counter securities, if the Common Stock is not
reported on the NASDAQ National Market. However, if the Common Stock is not
publicly traded at the time an Option is granted under the Plan, "fair market
value" shall be deemed to be the fair value of the Common Stock as determined by
the Committee after taking into consideration all factors which it deems
appropriate, including, without limitation, recent sale and offer prices of the
Common Stock in private transactions negotiated at arm's length.
7. OPTION DURATION. Subject to earlier termination as provided in
paragraph 10, each Option shall expire on the date specified by the Committee,
but not more than (i) ten years from the date of grant in the case of
Non-Qualified Options, (ii) ten years from the date of grant in the case of IS0s
generally, and (iii) five years from the date of grant in the case of ISOs
granted to an employee owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
Related Corporation.
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8. EXERCISE OF OPTION. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 10
through 12, each Option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable as follows:
A. VESTING. The Option shall either be fully exercisable on
the date of grant or shall become exercisable thereafter in such installments as
the Committee may specify.
B. FULL VESTING OF INSTALLMENTS. Once an installment becomes
exercisable it shall remain exercisable until expiration or termination of the
Option, unless otherwise specified by the Committee.
C. PARTIAL EXERCISE. Each Option or installment may be
exercised at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, for up to the
total number of shares with respect to which it is then exercisable.
D. ACCELERATION OF VESTING. The Committee shall have the right
to accelerate the date of exercise of any installment of any Option.
9. AWARDS AND STOCK PURCHASES.
A. NATURE OF AWARDS. The Committee may grant an Award or
authorize Purchases to any director, officer, employee or consultant of the
Company or any Related Corporation. An Award or Purchase entitles the recipient
to acquire, at no cost or for a purchase price determined by the Committee, as
the case may be, Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the
Committee may determine at the time of grant ("Restricted Stock"). Conditions
may be based on continuing employment (or other business relationship) and/or
achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives.
B. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. Upon execution of a written
instrument setting forth the Award and paying any applicable price, a
participant shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of
the Restricted Stock, subject to such conditions contained in the written
instrument evidencing the Award or Purchase. Unless the Committee shall
otherwise determine, certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock shall remain
in the possession of the Company or its designee until such Restricted Stock is
vested as provided in paragraph 9(D) below.
C. RESTRICTIONS. Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as
specifically provided herein or in the written instrument evidencing the Award
or Purchase. In the case of Restricted Stock granted to an employee, if the
participant's employment with the Company or the Related Corporations terminates
for any reason, the Company shall have the right, at the discretion of the
Committee, to repurchase the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which
conditions have not lapsed at their purchase price, or to require forfeiture of
such Shares to the Company if acquired at no cost, from the participant or the
participant's legal representative. The Company must exercise such right of
repurchase or forfeiture not later than the 180th day following such termination
of employment (unless otherwise specified in the written instrument evidencing
the Award or Purchase). Restricted Stock granted to a director, officer or
consultant who is not an employee shall be subject to such forfeiture and
repurchase provisions as the Committee shall specify.
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D. VESTING OF RESTRICTED STOCK. The Committee at the time of
grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established
performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the
non-transferability of the Restricted Stock and the Company's right of
repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or
the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other
conditions, the Shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be
Restricted Stock and shall be deemed "vested."
10. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Except as may otherwise be provided in
the instrument evidencing the Options, if an optionee ceases to be employed by
the Company and all Related Corporations, no further installments of his Options
shall become exercisable. In the event an optionee ceases to be employed by the
Company and all Related Corporations, his Options shall terminate in the manner
and to the extent set forth in the instrument evidencing the Options. Nothing in
the Plan shall be deemed to give any grantee of any Stock Right the right to be
retained in employment or other service by the Company or any Related
Corporation for any period of time.
11. ASSIGNABILITY. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the
optionee except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or (solely
with respect to Non-Qualified Options) pursuant to a qualified domestic
relations order (as defined in the Code) or Title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder, and during the lifetime of the
optionee each Option shall be exercisable only by him.
12. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. Options shall be evidenced by
instruments (which need not be identical) in such forms as the Committee may
from time to time approve. Such instruments shall conform to the terms and
conditions set forth in paragraphs 6 through 11 hereof and may contain such
other provisions as the Committee deems advisable which are not inconsistent
with the Plan, including restrictions applicable to shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of Options. In granting any Non-Qualified Option, the
Committee may specify that such Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the
restrictions set forth herein with respect to ISOs, or to such other termination
and cancellation provisions as the Committee may determine. The Committee may
from time to time confer authority and responsibility on one or more of its own
members and/or one or more officers of the Company to execute and deliver such
instruments. The proper officers of the Company are authorized and directed to
take any and all action necessary or advisable from time to time to carry out
the terms of such instruments.
13. ADJUSTMENTS. Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, an
optionee's rights with respect to Options granted to him hereunder shall be
adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in the
written agreement between the optionee and the Company relating to such Option:
A. STOCK DIVIDENDS AND STOCK SPLITS. If the shares of Common
Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares
or if the Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on
its outstanding Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable
upon the exercise of options shall be appropriately increased or decreased
proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made in the purchase price
per share to reflect such subdivision, combination or stock dividend.
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B. CONSOLIDATIONS OR MERGERS. If the Company is to be
consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger, sale of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets or otherwise (an "Acquisition"), the
Committee or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of
the Company hereunder (the "Successor Board") shall, with respect to outstanding
options, take one or more of the following actions: (i) make appropriate
provision for the continuation of such options by substituting on an equitable
basis for the shares then subject to such Options the consideration payable with
respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the
Acquisition; (ii) accelerate the date of exercise of such Options or of any
installment of any such options; (iii) upon written notice to the optionees,
provide that all Options must be exercised, to the extent then exercisable,
within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of
which period the Options shall terminate; or (iv) terminate all Options in
exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the fair market value of the
shares subject to such Options (to the extent then exercisable) over the
exercise price thereof.
C. RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION. In the event of a
recapitalization or reorganization of the Company (other than a transaction
described in subparagraph B above) pursuant to which securities of the Company
or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of
Common Stock, an optionee upon exercising an option shall be entitled to receive
for the purchase price paid upon such exercise the securities he would have
received if he had exercised his option prior to such recapitalization or
reorganization.
D. MODIFICATION OF ISOS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
adjustments made pursuant to subparagraphs A, B or C with respect to ISOs shall
be made only after the Committee, after consulting with counsel for the Company,
determines whether such adjustments would constitute a "modification" of such
ISOs (as that term is defined in Section 424 of the Code) or would cause any
adverse tax consequences for the holders of such ISOs. If the Committee
determines that such adjustments made with respect to ISOs would constitute a
modification of such ISOs, it may refrain from making such adjustments.
E. DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, each option will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action or at such other
time and subject to such other conditions as shall be determined by the
Committee.
F. ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES. 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 subject to Options. No adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in
cash or in property other than securities of the Company.
G. FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares shall be issued
under the Plan and the optionee shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of
such fractional shares.
H. ADJUSTMENTS. Upon the happening of any of the foregoing
events described in subparagraphs A, B or C above, the class and aggregate
number of shares set forth in paragraph 4 hereof that are subject to Stock
Rights which previously have been or subsequently may be granted under the Plan
shall also be appropriately adjusted to reflect the
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events described in such subparagraphs. The Committee or the Successor Board
shall determine the specific adjustments to be made under this paragraph 13 and,
subject to paragraph 2, its determination shall be conclusive.
If any person or entity owning restricted Common Stock
obtained by exercise of a Stock Right made hereunder receives shares or
securities or cash in connection with a corporate transaction described in
subparagraphs A, B or C above as a result of owning such restricted Common
Stock, such shares or securities or cash shall be subject to all of the
conditions and restrictions applicable to the restricted Common Stock with
respect to which such shares or securities or cash were issued, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee or the Successor Board.
14. MEANS OF EXERCISING STOCK RIGHTS. A Stock Right (or any part or
installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company
at its principal office address. Such notice shall identify the Stock Right
being exercised and specify the number of shares as to which such Stock Right is
being exercised, accompanied by full payment of the purchase price therefor
either (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the
discretion of the Committee, through delivery of shares of Common Stock having a
fair market value equal as of the date of the exercise to the cash exercise
price of the Stock Right, or (c) at the discretion of the Committee, by delivery
of the grantee's personal recourse note bearing interest payable not less than
annually at no less than 100% of the lowest applicable Federal rate, as defined
in Section 1274(d) of the Code, or (d) at the discretion of the Committee, by
any combination of (a), (b) and (c) above. If the Committee exercises its
discretion to permit payment of the exercise price of an ISO by means of the
methods set forth in clauses (b), (c), or (d) of the preceding sentence, such
discretion shall be exercised in writing at the time of the grant of the ISO in
question. The holder of a Stock Right shall not have the rights of a shareholder
with respect to the shares covered by his Stock Right until the date of issuance
of a stock certificate to him for such shares. Except as expressly provided
above in paragraph 13 with respect to changes in capitalization and stock
dividends, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or similar rights for which
the record date is before the date such stock certificate is issued.
15. TERM AND AMENDMENT OF PLAN. This Plan was adopted by the Board on
May 1, 1996, subject (with respect to the validation of ISOs granted under the
Plan) to approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company at the next
Meeting of Stockholders or, in lieu thereof, by written consent. If the approval
of stockholders is not obtained by April 30, 1997, any grants of ISO's under the
Plan made prior to that date will be rescinded. The Plan shall expire on April
30, 2006 (except as to Options outstanding on that date). Subject to the
provisions of Paragraph 5 above, Stock Rights may be granted under the Plan
prior to the date of stockholder approval of the Plan. The Board may terminate
or amend the Plan in any respect at any time, except that, without the approval
of the stockholders obtained within 12 months before or after the Board adopts a
resolution authorizing any of the following actions: (a) the total number of
shares that may be issued under the Plan may not be increased (except by
adjustment pursuant to paragraph 13); (b) the provisions of paragraph 3
regarding eligibility for grants of ISOs may not be modified; (c) the provisions
of paragraph 6(B) regarding the exercise price at which shares may be offered
pursuant to ISOs may not be modified (except by adjustment pursuant to paragraph
14); and (d) the expiration date of the Plan may not be extended. Except as
otherwise provided
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in this paragraph 13, in no event may action of the Board or stockholders alter
or impair the rights of a grantee, without his consent, under any Stock Right
previously granted to him.
16. APPLICATION OF FUNDS. The proceeds received by the Company from the
sale of shares pursuant to Options granted, Awards made and Purchases authorized
under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
17. GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION. The Company's obligation to sell and
deliver shares of the Common Stock under this Plan is subject to the approval of
any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization,
issuance or sale of such shares.
18. WITHHOLDING OF ADDITIONAL INCOME TAXES. Upon the exercise of a
Non-Qualified Option, the grant of an Award, the making of a Purchase of Common
Stock for less than its fair market value, the making of a Disqualifying
Disposition (as defined in paragraph 19) or the vesting of restricted Common
Stock acquired on the exercise of a Stock Right hereunder, the Company, in
accordance with Section 3402(a) of the Code, may require the optionee, Award
recipient or purchaser to pay additional withholding taxes in respect of the
amount that is considered compensation includible in such person's gross income.
The Committee in its discretion may condition (i) the exercise of an Option,
(ii) the grant of an Award, (iii) the making of a Purchase of Common Stock for
less than its fair market value, or (iv) the vesting of restricted Common Stock
acquired by exercising a Stock Right, on the grantee's payment of such
additional withholding taxes.
19. NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION. Each employee who
receives an ISO must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after
the employee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Common Stock acquired
pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. A Disqualifying Disposition is any
disposition (including any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (a)
two years after the date the employee was granted the ISO, or
(b) one year after the date the employee acquired Common Stock by exercising the
ISO. If the employee has died before such stock is sold, these holding period
requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur thereafter.
20. GOVERNING LAW; CONSTRUCTION. The validity and construction of the
Plan and the Instruments evidencing Stock Rights shall be governed by the laws
of the State of Delaware, or the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Company
or its successors in interest may be organized. In construing this Plan, the
singular shall include the plural and the masculine gender shall include the
feminine and neuter, unless the context otherwise requires.
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