Exhibit 3.4
BYLAWS
OF
ADERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I. OFFICES........................................................... 1
Section 1. REGISTERED OFFICE.............................................1
Section 2. OTHER OFFICES.................................................1
ARTICLE II. CORPORATE SEAL....................................................1
Section 3. CORPORATE SEAL................................................1
ARTICLE III. STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS...........................................1
Section 4. PLACE OF MEETINGS............................................1
Section 5. ANNUAL MEETINGS..............................................1
Section 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS.............................................3
Section 7. NOTICE OF MEETINGS...........................................3
Section 8. QUORUM.......................................................3
Section 9. ADJOURNMENT AND NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETINGS.................3
Section 10. VOTING RIGHTS................................................3
Section 11. PROXIES......................................................4
Section 12. JOINT OWNERS OF STOCK........................................4
Section 13. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS.........................................4
Section 14. NO ACTION WITHOUT MEETING....................................4
Section 15. ORGANIZATION.................................................5
ARTICLE IV. DIRECTORS.........................................................5
Section 16. NUMBER AND TERM OF OFFICE....................................5
Section 17. POWERS.......................................................5
Section 18. VACANCIES....................................................5
Section 19. RESIGNATION..................................................5
Section 20. REMOVAL......................................................6
Section 21. MEETINGS.....................................................6
Section 22. QUORUM AND VOTING............................................6
Section 23. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING.......................................7
Section 24. FEES AND COMPENSATION........................................7
Section 25. COMMITTEES...................................................7
Section 26. ORGANIZATION.................................................8
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS...........................................................8
Section 27. OFFICERS DESIGNATED..........................................8
Section 28. TENURE AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS................................8
Section 29. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY......................................9
Section 30. RESIGNATIONS.................................................9
Section 31. REMOVAL......................................................9
ARTICLE VI. EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF
SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION.............................9
i
Section 32. EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS...........................9
Section 33. VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION................9
ARTICLE VII. SHARES OF STOCK.................................................10
Section 34. FORM AND EXECUTION OF CERTIFICATES..........................10
Section 35. LOST CERTIFICATES...........................................10
Section 36. TRANSFERS...................................................10
Section 37. FIXING RECORD DATES.........................................10
Section 38. REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS.....................................11
ARTICLE VIII. OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION............................11
Section 39. EXECUTION OF OTHER SECURITIES...............................11
ARTICLE IX. DIVIDENDS........................................................11
Section 40. DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS....................................11
Section 41. DIVIDEND RESERVE............................................11
ARTICLE X. FISCAL YEAR.......................................................12
Section 42. FISCAL YEAR.................................................12
ARTICLE XI. INDEMNIFICATION..................................................12
Section 43. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS, OTHER OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER
AGENTS......................................................12
ARTICLE XII. NOTICES.........................................................14
Section 44. NOTICES.....................................................14
ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS.....................................................15
Section 45. AMENDMENTS..................................................15
ARTICLE XIV. LOANS TO OFFICERS...............................................15
Section 46. LOANS TO OFFICERS...........................................15
ii
BYLAWS
OF
ADERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES
Section 1. REGISTERED OFFICE. The registered office of the corporation in
the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
Section 2. OTHER OFFICES. The corporation shall also have and maintain an
office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board
of Directors, and may also have offices at such other places, both within and
without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time
determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II.
CORPORATE SEAL
Section 3. CORPORATE SEAL. The corporate seal shall consist of a die
bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, "Corporate
Seal-Delaware." Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE III.
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 4. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of the stockholders of the
corporation shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of
Delaware, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or,
if not so designated, then at the office of the corporation required to be
maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
Section 5. ANNUAL MEETINGS.
(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the
purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully
come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated
from time to time by the Board of Directors.Nominations of persons for election
to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be
considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders:
(i) pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting of stockholders; (ii) by or
at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the
corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice
provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to vote at the meeting
and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 5.
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall
be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For
nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by
a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, (i) the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of
the corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter for
stockholder action under the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"), (iii) if
the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or
nomination is made, has provided the corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as
defined in this Section 5(b)), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the
case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to
holders of at least the percentage of the corporation's voting shares required
under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination
or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of
a percentage
of the corporation's voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or
beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to
be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in
such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no Solicitation Notice
relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this section, the
stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not
have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of
such a Solicitation Notice under this Section 5. To be timely, a stockholder's
notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of
the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day
nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day
prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided,
however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more
than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after
the anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of
business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting
and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th)
day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on
which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event
shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a
new time period for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described above.
Such stockholder's notice shall set forth: (A) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposed to nominate for election or reelection as a director all
information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is
otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") and Rule 14a-11 thereunder
(including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement
as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any other
business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief
description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the
reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in
such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and
the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made
(i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the
corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and number of
shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such
stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such stockholder
or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to
holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the percentage of the
corporation's voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal
or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders
of the corporation's voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an
affirmative statement of such intent, a "Solicitation Notice").
(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 5(b) of
these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be
elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is
no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the
size of the increased Board of Directors made by the corporation at least one
hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual
meeting, a stockholder's notice required by this Section 5 shall also be
considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions
created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of
business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public
announcement is first made by the corporation.
(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 5 shall be eligible to serve as directors
and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall
have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Section 5. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Chairman of the
meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any
business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the
case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if
any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to
declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall not be presented for
stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in
order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy
statement and form of proxy for a stockholders' meeting, stockholders must
provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act.
Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to
request inclusion of proposals in the corporation proxy statement pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.
2
(f) For purposes of this Section 5, "public announcement" shall mean
disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated
Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the
corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13,
14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
Section 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders of the
corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, by (i) the Chairman of
the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of
Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of
authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously
authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the
Board of Directors for adoption).
Section 7. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Except as otherwise provided by law or the
Certificate of Incorporation, written notice of each meeting of stockholders
shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the
date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such
notice to specify the place, date and hour and purpose or purposes of the
meeting. Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting of stockholders
may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof,
either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by
his attendance thereat in person or by proxy, except when the stockholder
attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the
meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be
bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice
thereof had been given.
Section 8. QUORUM. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise
provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws,
the presence, in person or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting
of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairman of
the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented
thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The
stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is
present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding
the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as
otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws,
in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the
majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and
entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders.
Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or
these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to
vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes
or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding
shares of such class or classes or series, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that
vote on that matter and, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the
majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of the votes cast
by the holders of shares of such class or classes or series shall be the act of
such class or classes or series.
Section 9. ADJOURNMENT AND NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETINGS. Any meeting of
stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time
either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares
casting votes. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need
not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned
meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty
(30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the
adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 10. VOTING RIGHTS. For the purpose of determining those
stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as
otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock
records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 13 of
these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every
person entitled to vote shall have the right to do so either in person or by an
agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law.
An agent so
3
appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three (3)
years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section 11. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of
stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder
by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from
its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The following shall
constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority: (i) a
stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act
for such stockholder as proxy (which execution may be accomplished by the
stockholder or such stockholder's authorized officer, director, employee or
agent signing such writing or causing such person's signature to be affixed to
such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile
signature); and (ii) a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to
act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the
transmission of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission
to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation
firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the
person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission,
provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic
transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which
it can be determined that the telegram, cable gram or other electronic
transmission was authorized by the stockholder. If it is determined that such
telegrams, cablegrams or other electronic transmissions are valid, the
inspectors or, if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that
determination shall specify the information upon which they relied. Any copy,
facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or
transmission created pursuant to (i) and (ii) of this section may be substituted
or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes
for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such
copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete
reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. A duly executed
proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only
as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an
irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the
interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an
interest in the corporation generally. All proxies must be filed with the
Secretary of the corporation at the beginning of each meeting in order to be
counted in any vote at the meeting.
Section 12. JOINT OWNERS OF STOCK. If shares or other securities having
voting power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether
fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants
by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same
fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given
written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or
order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided,
their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only
one (1) votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the
majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is
evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in
question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for
relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the
Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority
or even-split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or
even-split in interest.
Section 13. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at
least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the
stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order,
showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in
the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business
hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a
place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be
specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not specified, at the place where
the meeting is to be held. The list shall be produced and kept at the time and
place of meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any
stockholder who is present.
Section 14. NO ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Any action required or permitted to
be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken only
upon the vote of the stockholders at any annual or special meeting duly called
and may not be taken by written consent of the stockholders.
4
Section 15. ORGANIZATION.
(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the President,
or, if the President is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority
in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy,
shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary
directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled to
make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it
shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and
regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall
have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures
and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary,
appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including,
without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting,
rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of
those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of
record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and
such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the
meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the
time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the
opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted
on by ballot. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or
the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to
be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE IV.
DIRECTORS
Section 16. NUMBER AND TERM OF OFFICE. The authorized number of directors
of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of
Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the
Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors shall not have
been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as
convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in
the manner provided in these Bylaws.
Section 17. POWERS. The powers of the corporation shall be exercised, its
business conducted and its property controlled by the Board of Directors, except
as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 18. VACANCIES. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death,
resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall,
unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies
or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even
though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. Any director elected in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of
the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and
until such director's successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy
in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Section 18 in the
case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.
Section 19. RESIGNATION. Any director may resign at any time by delivering
his written resignation to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it
will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the
pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made, it shall
be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one or more
directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date,
a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so
resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon
to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and
each Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term
of the Director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have
been duly elected and qualified.
5
Section 20. REMOVAL.
(a) Neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be
removed without cause.
(b) Subject to any limitation imposed by law, any individual director
or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the voting power of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of
directors.
Section 21. MEETINGS.
(a) ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held immediately before or after the annual meeting of stockholders and
at the place where such meeting is held. No notice of an annual meeting of the
Board of Directors shall be necessary and such meeting shall be held for the
purpose of electing officers and transacting such other business as may lawfully
come before it.
(b) REGULAR MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate
of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any
time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware which has
been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. No
formal notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors.
(c) SPECIAL MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate
of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any
time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the
directors then in office.
(d) TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of
any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting
by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
(e) NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Notice of the time and place of all special
meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by telephone,
including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to
record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic
mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least
twenty-four (24) hours before the date and time of the meeting, or sent in
writing to each director by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three
(3) days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in
writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any
director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the meeting for
the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened.
(f) WAIVER OF NOTICE. The transaction of all business at any meeting
of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed,
or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after
regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after
the meeting, each of the directors not present shall sign a written waiver of
notice. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a
part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 22. QUORUM AND VOTING.
(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number
and except with respect to indemnification questions arising under Section 43
hereof, for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors
fixed from time to time in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, a
quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number
of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance
with the Certificate of Incorporation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, at any meeting whether
a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may
adjourn from time to time until
6
the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without
notice other than by announcement at the meeting.
(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is
present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by
law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 23. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or
committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic
transmission, and such writing or writings or electronic transmission or
electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board
of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are
maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are
maintained in electronic form.
Section 24. FEES AND COMPENSATION. Directors shall be entitled to such
compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors,
including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum
and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board
of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any
director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer,
agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 25. COMMITTEES.
(a) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Board of Directors may appoint an
Executive Committee to consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of
Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided
in the resolution of the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all the
powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business
and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to
be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have
the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or
recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the
DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or
repealing any bylaw of the corporation.
(b) OTHER COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors may, from time to time,
appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees
appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members of
the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may
be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in
no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive
Committee in these Bylaws.
(c) TERM. Each member of a committee of the Board of Directors shall
serve a term on the committee coexistent with such member's term on the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any
outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of subsections (a) or
(b) of this Bylaw, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of
a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a
committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary
resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member
and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death,
resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The
Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of
any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting
of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any
member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and
not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may
unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the
meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
(d) MEETINGS. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide,
regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed
pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as are
determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice
7
thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of
such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such
committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time
by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such
committee, upon written notice to the members of such committee of the time and
place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of
written notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of
special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any
committee may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and
will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director
attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. A majority of the authorized number of
members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.
Section 26. ORGANIZATION. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is
absent, the President (if a director), or, if the President is absent, the most
senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a
chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall
preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, any Assistant
Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the
meeting.
ARTICLE V.
OFFICERS
Section 27. OFFICERS DESIGNATED. The officers of the corporation shall
include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice
Presidents and the Secretary, all of whom shall be elected at the annual
organizational meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may
also appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers,
Controllers, Assistant Controllers and such other officers and agents with such
powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign
such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem
appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at
any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and
other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in
the manner designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 28. TENURE AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
(a) GENERAL. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board
of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office
of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the
Board of Directors.
(b) DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors
shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. If there is no President, then the Chairman
of the Board of Directors shall also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in paragraph (c) of
this Section 28.
(c) DUTIES OF PRESIDENT. The President shall preside at all meetings
of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the
Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. Unless
some other officer has been elected Chief Executive Officer of the corporation,
the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall,
subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision,
direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The
President shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall
also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of
Directors shall designate from time to time.
(d) DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENTS. The Vice Presidents may assume and
perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the
President or whenever the office of President is
8
vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to
their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers
as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
(e) DUTIES OF SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of
the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and
proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall
give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders
and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof
requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties given him in
these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant
Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or
disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other
duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time.
Section 29. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY. The Board of Directors may from time
to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or
agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
Section 30. RESIGNATIONS. Any officer may resign at any time by giving
written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the
Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person
or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified
therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later
time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall
be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any
contract with the resigning officer.
Section 31. REMOVAL. Any officer may be removed from office at any time,
either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the
directors in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officers upon
whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI.
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES
OWNED BY THE CORPORATION
Section 32. EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS. The Board of Directors may,
in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or
officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation
any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation
the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of
the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and
such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.
All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the
credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be
signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to
do.
Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the
agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power
or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge
its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 33. VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION. All stock and
other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for
itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies
with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by
resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization,
by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, or any Vice President.
9
ARTICLE VII.
SHARES OF STOCK
Section 34. FORM AND EXECUTION OF CERTIFICATES. Certificates for the shares
of stock of the corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with the
Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in the
corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of
the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or
any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary
or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the
corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles.
In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose
facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be
such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it
may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent,
or registrar at the date of issue. Each certificate shall state upon the face or
back thereof, in full or in summary, all of the powers, designations,
preferences, and rights, and the limitations or restrictions of the shares
authorized to be issued or shall, except as otherwise required by law, set forth
on the face or back a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge
to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and
relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of each class of
stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of
such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or
transfer of uncertificated stock, the corporation shall send to the registered
owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set
forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this section or otherwise required
by law or with respect to this section a statement that the corporation will
furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers,
designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special
rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders
of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be
identical.
Section 35. LOST CERTIFICATES. A new certificate or certificates shall be
issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the
corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of
an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be
lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition
precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of
such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal
representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall
require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it
may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the
corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen,
or destroyed.
Section 36. TRANSFERS.
(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be
made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly
authorized, and upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or
certificates for a like number of shares.
(b) The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any
agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of
the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation
of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not
prohibited by the DGCL.
Section 37. FIXING RECORD DATES.
(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing
the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date
shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten
(10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the
Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if
notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record
10
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any
adjournment of the meeting; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Board of Directors may
fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment
of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of
any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other
lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the
record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60)
days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for
determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business
on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating
thereto.
Section 38. REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. The Corporation shall be entitled to
recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner
of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be
bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or
shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or
other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VIII.
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
Section 39. EXECUTION OF OTHER SECURITIES. All bonds, debentures and other
corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered
in Section 35), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the
President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by
the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile
of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that where any such bond, debenture
or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or
where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant
to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the
signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond,
debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the
signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond,
debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid,
shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or
such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear
imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer
who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate
security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such
interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture
or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered,
such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by
the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the
same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to
be such officer of the corporation.
ARTICLE IX.
DIVIDENDS
Section 40. DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the capital stock of
the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation
and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant
to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in
property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
Section 41. DIVIDEND RESERVE. Before payment of any dividend, there may be
set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum
or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute
discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for
equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think
conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
11
ARTICLE X.
FISCAL YEAR
Section 42. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed
by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI.
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 43. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, OTHER
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS.
(a) DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The corporation shall indemnify its
directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any
other applicable law; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the corporation may modify the
extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and
officers; and, PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the corporation shall not be required to
indemnify any director or officer in connection with any proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly
required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of
Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the
corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the
corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such
indemnification is required to be made under paragraph (d) of this Section 44.
(b) OTHER EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS. The corporation shall have power
to indemnify its other employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or
any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to
delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such
person to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall
determine.
(c) EXPENSES. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or
is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or executive
officer, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final
disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefore, all
expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such
proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to
repay said amounts if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not
entitled to be indemnified under this Section 43 or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to
paragraph (e) of this Section 43, no advance shall be made by the corporation to
an officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such officer is
or was a director of the corporation in which event this paragraph shall not
apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly
made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
directors who were not parties to the proceeding, or (ii) if such quorum is not
obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so
directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known
to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate
clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that
such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation.
(d) ENFORCEMENT. Without the necessity of entering into an express
contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive
officers under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be
effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the
corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification
or advances granted by this Section 43 to a director or executive officer shall
be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of
competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is
denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within
ninety (90) days of request therefore. The claimant in such enforcement action,
if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense
of prosecuting his claim. In connection
12
with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise
as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of
conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for
the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection
with any claim by an executive officer of the corporation (except in any action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the
corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense
as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in
bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to
believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or
any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not
met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by a director or
executive officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of
expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or executive officer
is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under
this Section 43 or otherwise shall be on the corporation.
(e) NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person by
this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have
or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to
action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically
authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors,
officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the
fullest extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law, or by any
other applicable law.
(f) SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person by this
Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors
and administrators of such a person.
(g) INSURANCE. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any
other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors,
may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be
indemnified pursuant to this Section 43.
(h) AMENDMENTS. Any repeal or modification of this Section 43 shall
only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect
at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is
the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.
(i) SAVING CLAUSE. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to
the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Section 43 that
shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Section
43 shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of
another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and
executive officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.
(j) CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following
definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "proceeding" shall be broadly construed and shall
include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution,
defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in,
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative.
13
(2) The term "expenses" shall be broadly construed and shall
include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys' fees, witness fees, fines,
amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any
nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(3) The term the "corporation" shall include, in addition to the
resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of
a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its
directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions
of this Section 43 with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he
would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate
existence had continued.
(4) References to a "director," "executive officer," "officer,"
"employee," or "agent" of the corporation shall include, without limitation,
situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as,
respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
(5) References to "other enterprises" shall include employee
benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on
a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at
the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or
involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to
an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest
of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be
deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation" as referred to in this Section 43.
ARTICLE XII.
NOTICES
Section 44. NOTICES.
(a) NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS. Whenever, under any provisions of these
Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any stockholder, it shall be given in
writing, timely and duly deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
and addressed to his last known post office address as shown by the stock record
of the corporation or its transfer agent.
(b) NOTICE TO DIRECTORS. Any notice required to be given to any
director may be given by any method stated in Section 21(e) hereof.
(c) AFFIDAVIT OF MAILING. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly
authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent
appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, specifying the name and
address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or
director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and
the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima
facie evidence of the facts therein contained.
(d) TIME NOTICES DEEMED GIVEN. All notices given by mail or by
overnight delivery service, as above provided, shall be deemed to have been
given as at the time of mailing, and all notices given by facsimile, telex or
telegram shall be deemed to have been given as of the sending time recorded at
time of transmission.
(e) METHODS OF NOTICE. It shall not be necessary that the same method
of giving notice be employed in respect of all directors, but one permissible
method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible
method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.
14
(f) FAILURE TO RECEIVE NOTICE. The period or limitation of time within
which any stockholder may exercise any option or right, or enjoy any privilege
or benefit, or be required to act, or within which any director may exercise any
power or right, or enjoy any privilege, pursuant to any notice sent him in the
manner above provided, shall not be affected or extended in any manner by the
failure of such stockholder or such director to receive such notice.
(g) NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL. Whenever
notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom
communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be
required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or
agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or
meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom
communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice
had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is
such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL,
the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that
notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons
with whom communication is unlawful.
(h) NOTICE TO PERSON WITH UNDELIVERABLE ADDRESS. Whenever notice is
required to be given, under any provision of law or the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any stockholder to whom (i)
notice of two consecutive annual meetings, and all notices of meetings or of the
taking of action by written consent without a meeting to such person during the
period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (ii) all, and at least
two, payments (if sent by first class mail) of dividends or interest on
securities during a twelve-month period, have been mailed addressed to such
person at his address as shown on the records of the corporation and have been
returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be
required. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to
such person shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly
given. If any such person shall deliver to the corporation a written notice
setting forth his then current address, the requirement that notice be given to
such person shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the
corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any
provision of the DGCL, the certificate need not state that notice was not given
to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to this
paragraph.
ARTICLE XIII.
AMENDMENTS
Section 45. AMENDMENTS. Subject to paragraph (h) of Section 43 of the
Bylaws, the Bylaws may be altered or amended or new Bylaws adopted by the
affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the
voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the voting stock of the
corporation entitled to vote. The Board of Directors shall also have the power
to adopt, amend, or repeal Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV.
LOANS TO OFFICERS
Section 46. LOANS TO OFFICERS. The corporation may lend money to, or
guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee
of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who
is a Director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be
expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may
be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as
the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of
shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to
deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at
common law or under any statute.
15