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EXHIBIT 10.06
CONCORD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
1997 STOCK PLAN
(AS AMENDED ON MARCH 12, 1998, MARCH 1, 1999, MAY 15, 1999
AND MARCH 8, 2000)
1. PURPOSE; TERMINATION OF PRIOR PLAN. The purpose of the 1997 Stock
Plan (the "Plan") is to encourage key employees of Concord Communications, Inc.
(the "Company") and of any present or future parent or subsidiary of the Company
(collectively, "Related Corporations") and other individuals who render services
to the Company or a Related Corporation, by providing opportunities to
participate in the ownership of the Company and its future growth through (a)
the grant of options which qualify as "incentive stock options" ("ISOs") under
Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
(b) the grant of options which do not qualify as ISOs ("Non-Qualified Options");
(c) awards of stock in the Company ("Awards"); and (d) 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. The Company's 1995 Stock Plan (the "1995 Stock Plan") is terminated
effective as of October 16, 1997 and henceforth, the Company shall make no
grants under the 1995 Stock Plan. The 1995 Stock Plan shall, however, continue
to govern all options, awards and other grants granted and outstanding under the
1995 Stock Plan.
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") or, subject to paragraph 2(D) (relating to compliance
with Section 162(m) of the Code), by a committee appointed by
the Board of two or more of its members (the "Committee").
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 to whom (from among
the class of employees eligible under paragraph 3 to receive
ISOs) ISOs shall be granted, and to whom (from among the class
of individuals and entities eligible under paragraph 3 to
receive Non-Qualified Options and Awards and to make
Purchases) Non-Qualified Options, Awards and authorizations to
make Purchases may be granted; (ii) determine the time or
times at which Options or Awards shall be granted or Purchases
made; (iii) determine the purchase price of shares subject to
each Option or Purchase, which prices shall not be less than
the minimum price specified in paragraph 6; (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
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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
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 of 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. A majority of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum and acts of a majority of
the members of the Committee at a meeting at which a quorum is
present, or acts reduced to or approved in writing by all the
members of the Committee (if consistent with applicable state
law), 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.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2.A., no Stock
Rights shall be granted to any person who is, at the time of
the proposed grant, a member of the Board unless such grant is
approved by a majority vote of the disinterested members of
the Board. All grants of Stock Rights to members of the Board
shall in all respects be made in accordance with the
provisions of this Plan applicable to other eligible persons.
Members of the Board who either (i) are eligible to receive
grants of 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 or herself 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 such member of Stock
Rights. Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph
2, 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 grants to
members of the Board of Options made at any time from the
effective date of such registration until six months after the
termination of such registration shall be made only by the
Board; provided, however, that if a majority of the Board is
eligible to participate in the Plan or in any other stock
option or other stock plan
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of the Company or any of its affiliates, or has been so
eligible at any time within the preceding year, any grant to
directors of Options must be made by, or only in accordance
with the recommendation of, a Committee consisting of three or
more persons, who may but need not be members of the Board 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 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
members of the Board. Once appointed, the Committee shall
continue to serve until otherwise directed by the Board.
D. PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION. The Board, in its
discretion, may take such action as may be necessary to ensure
that Stock Rights granted under the Plan qualify as "qualified
performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code and applicable regulations promulgated
thereunder ("Performance-Based Compensation"). Such action may
include, in the Board's discretion, some or all of the
following (i) if the Board determines that Stock Rights
granted under the Plan generally shall constitute
Performance-Based Compensation, the Plan shall be
administered, to the extent required for such Stock Rights to
constitute Performance-Based Compensation, by a Committee
consisting solely of two or more "outside directors" (as
defined in applicable regulations promulgated under Section
162(m) of the Code), (ii) if any Non-Qualified Options with an
exercise price less than the fair market value per share of
Common Stock are granted under the Plan and the Board
determines that such Options should constitute
Performance-Based Compensation, such options shall be made
exercisable only upon the attainment of a pre-established,
objective performance goal established by the Committee, and
such grant shall be submitted for, and shall be contingent
upon shareholder approval and (iii) Stock Rights granted under
the Plan may be subject to such other terms and conditions as
are necessary for compensation recognized in connection with
the exercise or disposition of such Stock Right or the
disposition of Common Stock acquired pursuant to such Stock
Right, to constitute Performance-Based Compensation.
3. ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS. ISOs may be granted only to employees
of the Company or any Related Corporation. Non-Qualified Options, Awards and
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 a Stock Right. The
granting of any Stock Right to any individual or entity shall neither entitle
that individual or entity to, nor disqualify such individual or entity from,
participation in any other grant of Stock Rights.
4. STOCK. The stock subject to Stock Rights shall be authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), or shares of
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Common Stock reacquired by the Company in any manner. The aggregate number of
shares which may be issued pursuant to the Plan is 3,250,000, subject to
adjustment as provided in paragraph 13. 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 shall be
repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased shares of Common Stock subject to
such Option shall again be available for grants of Stock Rights under the Plan.
No employee of the Company or any Related Corporation may be granted
Options to acquire, in the aggregate, more than 70% of the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan during any
fiscal year of the Company. 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 shall be repurchased by
the Company, the shares subject to such Option shall be included in the
determination of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock deemed to have
been granted to such employee under the Plan.
5. GRANTING OF STOCK RIGHTS. Stock Rights may be granted under the Plan
at any time on or after October 16, 1997 and prior to October 15, 2007. 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; provided, however, that such
date shall not be prior to the date on which the Committee acts to approve the
grant.
6. MINIMUM OPTION PRICE; ISO LIMITATIONS.
A. PRICE FOR NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS, AWARDS AND
PURCHASES. Subject to paragraph 2(D) (relating to compliance
with Section 162(m) of the Code), the exercise price per share
specified in the agreement relating to each Non-Qualified
Option granted, and the purchase price per share of stock
granted in any Award or authorized as a Purchase, under the
Plan may be less than the fair market value of the Common
Stock of the Company on the date of grant; provided that, in
no event shall such exercise price or such purchase price be
less than the lesser of (i) the book value per share of Common
Stock as of the end of the fiscal year of the Company
immediately preceding the date of such grant, or (ii) 50
percent of the fair market value per share of Common Stock on
the date of such grant.
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 possessing
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.
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For purposes of determining stock ownership under this
paragraph, the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall
apply.
C. $100,000 ANNUAL LIMITATION ON ISO VESTING. Each
eligible employee may be granted Options treated as 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, ISOs do not become exercisable for the first time
by such employee during any calendar year with respect to
stock having a fair market value (determined at the time the
ISOs were granted) in excess of $100,000. The Company intends
to designate any Options granted in excess of such limitation
as Non-Qualified Options, and the Company shall issue separate
certificates to the optionee with respect to Options that are
Non-Qualified Options and Options that are ISOs.
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 date of grant or, if the prices or quotes
discussed in this sentence are unavailable for such date, the
last business day for which such prices or quotes are
available prior to the date of grant 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. If the Common Stock is not publicly traded at
the time an Option is granted under the Plan, "fair market
value" shall mean 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
paragraphs 9 and 10 or in the agreement relating to such Option, 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 Options generally and (ii) 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, as determined
under paragraph 6(B). Subject to earlier termination as provided in paragraphs 9
and 10, the term of each ISO shall be the term set forth in the original
instrument granting such ISO, except with respect to any part of such ISO that
is converted into a Non-Qualified Option pursuant to paragraph 16.
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8. EXERCISE OF OPTION. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 9
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 that any installment of any
Option becomes exercisable; provided that the Committee shall
not, without the consent of an optionee, accelerate the
permitted exercise date of any installment of any Option
granted to any employee as an ISO (and not previously
converted into a Non-Qualified Option pursuant to paragraph
16) if such acceleration would violate the annual vesting
limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as
described in paragraph 6(C).
9. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Unless otherwise specified in the
agreement relating to such ISO, if an ISO optionee ceases to be employed by the
Company and all Related Corporations other than by reason of death or disability
as defined in paragraph 10, no further installments of his or her ISOs shall
become exercisable, and his or her ISOs shall terminate after the passage of 60
days from the date of termination of his or her employment, but in no event
later than on the specified expiration dates of such ISOs, except to the extent
that such ISOs (or unexercised installments thereof) have been converted into
Non-Qualified Options pursuant to paragraph 16. For purposes of this paragraph
9, a leave of absence with the written approval of the Committee shall not be
considered an interruption of employment under the Plan, provided that such
written approval contractually obligates the Company or any Related Corporation
to continue the employment of the employee after the approved period of absence.
Employment shall also be considered as continuing uninterrupted during any other
bona fide leave of absence (such as those attributable to illness, military
obligations or governmental service) provided that the period of such leave does
not exceed 90 days or, if longer, any period during which such optionee's right
to reemployment is guaranteed by statute or by contract. A bona fide leave of
absence with the written approval of the Committee shall not be considered an
interruption of employment under this paragraph 9, provided that such written
approval contractually obligates the Company or any Related Corporation to
continue the employment of the optionee after the approved period of absence.
ISOs granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of employment
within or among the Company and Related Corporations, so long as the optionee
continues to be an employee of the Company or any Related Corporation. Nothing
in the Plan
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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.
10. DEATH; DISABILITY.
A. DEATH. If an ISO optionee ceases to be employed by
the Company and all Related Corporations by reason of his or
her death, any ISO owned by such optionee may be exercised, to
the extent otherwise exercisable on the date of death, by the
estate, personal representative or beneficiary who has
acquired the ISO by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the
specified expiration date of the ISO or (ii) 180 days from the
date of the optionee's death.
B. DISABILITY. If an ISO optionee ceases to be
employed by the Company and all Related Corporations by reason
of his or her disability, such optionee shall have the right
to exercise any ISO held by him or her on the date of
termination of employment, for the number of shares for which
he or she could have exercised it on that date, at any time
prior to the earlier of (i) the specified expiration date of
the ISO or (ii) 180 days from the date of the termination of
the optionee's employment. For the purposes of the Plan, the
term "disability" shall mean "permanent and total disability"
as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code or any successor
statute.
11. ASSIGNABILITY. No ISO shall be assignable or transferable by the
optionee except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during
the lifetime of the optionee shall be exercisable only by such optionee. Stock
Rights other than ISOs shall be transferable to the extent set forth in the
agreement relating to such Stock Right.
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. The Committee may specify that any
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 such optionee
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:
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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.
B. CONSOLIDATIONS OR MERGERS. If the Company is to be
consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger or
other reorganization in which the holders of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company immediately preceding the
consummation of such event, shall, immediately following such
event, hold, as a group, less than a majority of the voting
securities of the surviving or successor entity, or in the
event of a sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets or otherwise (each, an "Acquisition"), the Committee
may take one or more of the following actions: (i) provide for
the acceleration and/or termination of any time period
relating to the exercise of the Options, (ii) provide for the
purchase of the Options, upon the optionee's request, for the
amount in cash that could have been received upon the exercise
of the Options and sale of the shares obtained thereby, (iii)
adjust the terms of the Options in a manner determined by the
Committee, (iv) cause the Options to be assumed, or new rights
substituted therefor, by another entity or (v) make such other
provision as the Committee may consider equitable and in the
best interests of the Company.
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 or she would have received if he or she had
exercised such 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 or would cause
adverse tax consequences to the holders, it may refrain from
making such adjustments.
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E. RESTRICTED SECURITIES. If any person or entity
owning restricted Common Stock obtained by exercise of an
Option made hereunder receives new or additional or different
shares or securities ("New Securities") in connection with a
transaction described in subparagraphs A, B or C above, as a
result of owning such restricted Common Stock, such New
Securities shall be subject to all of the conditions and
restrictions applicable to the restricted Common Stock with
respect to which such New Securities were issued.
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. Any fractional shares which, but for
this subparagraph G, would have been issued to an optionee
pursuant to an Option, shall be deemed to have been issued and
immediately sold to the Company for their fair market value,
and the optionee shall receive from the Company cash in lieu
of such fractional shares.
H. ADJUSTMENTS. Upon the happening of any of the
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 events described in such
subparagraphs. The Committee shall determine the specific
adjustments to be made under this paragraph 13 and, subject to
paragraph 2, its determination shall be conclusive.
14. MEANS OF EXERCISING OPTIONS. An Option (or any part or installment
thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company at its
principal office address, or to such transfer agent as the Company shall
designate. Such notice shall identify the Option being exercised and specify the
number of shares as to which such Option is being exercised, accompanied by full
payment of the purchase price therefor either (a) in United States dollars in
cash or by check, (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 Option, (c) at the discretion of the
Committee, by delivery of the optionee'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, (d) at the discretion
of the Committee and consistent with applicable law, through the delivery of an
assignment to the Company of a sufficient amount of the proceeds from the sale
of the Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option and an authorization to
the broker or selling agent to pay that amount to the Company, which sale shall
be at the participant's direction at the time of exercise, or (e) at the
discretion of the Committee, by any combination of (a), (b), (c) and (d) 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
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clauses (b), (c), (d) or (e) 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 an Option shall not have the rights of a shareholder with respect to the
shares covered by such Option until the date of issuance of a stock certificate
to such holder 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 in
July 1997 and by the stockholders of the Company on September 9, 1997. The Plan
was amended on March 12, 1998 to increase the number of shares authorized for
issuance under the Plan by 750,000 shares to 1,500,000, and such amendment was
approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting held on April
30, 1998. On March 1, 1999, the Board of Directors further amended the Plan to
increase the number of Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan by
1,000,000 shares to 2,500,000 shares and to make certain other minor
modifications, and such amendment was approved by the stockholders of the
Company at the Annual Meeting held on April 27, 1999. On May 15, 1999, the Board
of Directors further amended the Plan by adding Section 22 to the Plan. On March
8, 2000, the Board of Directors further amended the Plan to increase the number
of shares authorized for issuances under the Plan by 750,000 to 3,250,000 and
such amendment was approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Annual
Meeting held on April 25, 2000. The Plan shall expire at the end of the day on
October 15, 2007 (except as to Options outstanding on that date). Subject to the
provisions of paragraph 5 above, Options 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
13); and (d) the expiration date of the Plan may not be extended. Except as
otherwise provided in this paragraph 15, in no event may action of the Board or
stockholders alter or impair the rights of a grantee, without such grantee's
consent, under any Stock Right previously granted to such grantee.
16. MODIFICATIONS OF ISOS; CONVERSION OF ISOS INTO NON-QUALIFIED
OPTIONS. Subject to paragraph 13(D), without the prior written consent of the
holder of an ISO, the Committee shall not alter the terms of such ISO (including
the means of exercising such ISO) if such alteration would constitute a
modification (within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code). The
Committee, at the written request or with the written consent of any optionee,
may in its discretion take such actions as may be necessary to convert such
optionee's ISOs (or any installments or portions of installments thereof) that
have not been exercised on the date of conversion into Non-Qualified Options at
any time prior to the expiration of such ISOs, regardless of whether the
optionee is an employee of the Company or a Related Corporation at the time of
such conversion. Such actions may include, but shall not be limited to,
extending the
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exercise period of such ISOs. At the time of such conversion, the Committee
(with the consent of the optionee) may impose such conditions on the exercise of
the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the Committee in its discretion may
determine, provided that such conditions shall not be inconsistent with this
Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any optionee the right to have
such optionee's ISOs converted into Non-Qualified Options, and no such
conversion shall occur until and unless the Committee takes appropriate action.
Upon the taking of such action, the Company shall issue separate certificates to
the optionee with respect to Options that are Non-Qualified Options and Options
that are ISOs. The Committee, with the consent of the optionee, may also
terminate any portion of any ISO that has not been exercised at the time of such
conversion.
17. APPLICATION OF FUNDS. The proceeds received by the Company from the
sale of shares pursuant to Options granted and Purchases authorized under the
Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
18. NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION. By accepting an ISO
granted under the Plan, each optionee agrees to notify the Company in writing
immediately after such optionee makes a Disqualifying Disposition (as described
in Sections 421, 422 and 424 of the Code and regulations thereunder) of any
stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of ISOs granted under the Plan. A
Disqualifying Disposition is generally any disposition occurring on or before
the later of (a) the date two years following the date the ISO was granted or
(b) the date one year following the date the ISO was exercised.
19. WITHHOLDING OF ADDITIONAL INCOME TAXES. Upon the exercise of a
Non-Qualified Option, the transfer of a Non-Qualified Stock Option pursuant to
an arm's-length transaction, 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 18), the vesting or transfer of restricted
stock or securities acquired on the exercise of an Option hereunder, or the
making of a distribution or other payment with respect to such stock or
securities, the Company may withhold, or may require the grantee to pay,
additional withholding taxes in respect of amounts that constitute compensation
includible in gross income. The Committee in its discretion may condition (i)
the exercise of an Option, (ii) the transfer of a Non-Qualified Stock Option,
(iii) the grant of an Award, (iv) the making of a Purchase of Common Stock for
less than its fair market value, or (v) the vesting or transferability of
restricted stock or securities acquired by exercising an Option, on the
grantee's making satisfactory arrangement for such withholding. Such arrangement
may include payment by the grantee in cash or by check of the amount of the
withholding taxes or, at the discretion of the Committee, by the grantee's
delivery of previously held shares of Common Stock or the withholding from the
shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise of a Option shares
having an aggregate fair market value equal to the amount of such withholding
taxes.
20. 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. Government regulations may impose reporting or
other obligations on the Company with respect to the Plan.
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For example, the Company may be required to send tax information statements to
employees and former employees that exercise ISOs under the Plan, and the
Company may be required to file tax information returns reporting the income
received by grantees of Options in connection with the Plan.
21. GOVERNING LAW. The validity and construction of the Plan and the
instruments evidencing Stock Rights shall be governed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or the laws of any jurisdiction in which the
Company or its successors in interest may be organized.
22. REPRICING. Without the prior approval of the Company's
stockholders, Options issued under the Plan shall not be repriced, replaced or
regranted through cancellation or by lowering the Option exercise price of a
previously granted Option.