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EXHIBIT 3(ii).1
BYLAWS
OF
SONICBLUE INCORPORATED
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS................................................. 1
Section 1. Place of Meetings........................................................ 1
Section 2. Annual Meeting........................................................... 1
Section 3. Special Meetings......................................................... 2
Section 4. Notice of Meetings....................................................... 2
Section 5. Voting List.............................................................. 2
Section 6. Quorum................................................................... 2
Section 7. Adjournments............................................................. 2
Section 8. Action at Meetings....................................................... 3
Section 9. Voting and Proxies....................................................... 3
Section 10. Action Without Meeting................................................... 3
ARTICLE II DIRECTORS................................................................ 3
Section 1. Number, Election, Tenure and Qualification............................... 3
Section 2. Nominations.............................................................. 3
Section 3. Vacancies................................................................ 4
Section 4. Resignation and Removal.................................................. 4
Section 5. General Powers........................................................... 4
Section 6. Chairman of the Board.................................................... 5
Section 7. Place of Meetings........................................................ 5
Section 8. Regular Meetings......................................................... 5
Section 9. Special Meetings......................................................... 5
Section 10. Quorum, Action at Meeting, Adjournments.................................. 5
Section 11. Action by Consent........................................................ 5
Section 12. Telephonic Meetings...................................................... 5
Section 13. Committees............................................................... 6
Section 14. Compensation............................................................. 6
ARTICLE III OFFICERS................................................................. 6
Section 1. Enumeration.............................................................. 6
Section 2. Election................................................................. 7
Section 3. Tenure................................................................... 7
Section 4. Chairman of the Board.................................................... 7
Section 5. President................................................................ 7
Section 6. Vice-Presidents.......................................................... 7
Section 7. Secretary................................................................ 8
Section 8. Assistant Secretaries.................................................... 8
Section 9. Treasurer................................................................ 8
Section 10. Assistant Treasurers..................................................... 8
Section 11. Bond..................................................................... 8
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ARTICLE IV NOTICES.................................................................. 9
Section 1. Delivery................................................................. 9
Section 2. Waiver of Notice......................................................... 9
ARTICLE V INDEMNIFICATION.......................................................... 9
Section 1. Actions Other than by or in the Right of the Corporation................. 9
Section 2. Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation............................ 10
Section 3. Success on the Merits.................................................... 10
Section 4. Specific Authorization................................................... 10
Section 5. Advance Payment.......................................................... 10
Section 6. Non-Exclusivity.......................................................... 10
Section 7. Insurance................................................................ 11
Section 8. Severability............................................................. 11
Section 9. Intent of Article........................................................ 11
ARTICLE VI CAPITAL STOCK............................................................ 11
Section 1. Certificates of Stock.................................................... 11
Section 2. Lost Certificates........................................................ 11
Section 3. Transfer of Stock........................................................ 12
Section 4. Record Date.............................................................. 12
Section 5. Registered Stockholders.................................................. 12
ARTICLE VII CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS..................................................... 12
Section 1. Transactions with Interested Parties..................................... 12
Section 2. Quorum................................................................... 13
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS....................................................... 13
Section 1. Dividends................................................................ 13
Section 2. Reserves................................................................. 13
Section 3. Checks................................................................... 13
Section 4. Fiscal Year.............................................................. 13
Section 5. Seal..................................................................... 13
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS............................................................... 14
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BYLAWS
OF
SONICBLUE INCORPORATED
ARTICLE I
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be
held at such place within or without the State of Delaware as may be fixed from
time to time by the board of directors or the chief executive officer, or if not
so designated, at the registered office of the corporation.
Section 2. Annual Meeting. Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held
at such date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of
directors or the chief executive officer and stated in the notice of meeting. At
the annual meeting the stockholders shall elect by a plurality vote a board of
directors and shall transact such other business as may properly be brought
before the meeting.
To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be either
(a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or
at the direction of the board of directors, (b) otherwise properly brought
before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (c)
otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder of record. In
addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly
brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have
given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the corporation. To
be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered by a nationally recognized
courier service or mailed by first class United States mail, stage or delivery
charges prepaid, and received at the principal executive offices of the
corporation, not less than fifty days nor more than seventy-five days prior to
the meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than sixty-five
days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the scheduled meeting is
given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so
received not later than the earlier of (a) the close of business on the 15th day
following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was
mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs, and (b) two
days prior to the date of the scheduled meeting. A stockholder's notice to the
secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring
before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business
at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the stockholder
proposing such business, (iii) the class, series and number of shares of the
corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (iv) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business.
Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business
shall be conducted at the annual meeting except in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 2 by any
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stockholder of any business properly brought before the annual meeting in
accordance with said procedure.
The chairman of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine
and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the
meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section, and if he should so
determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly
brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for
any purpose or purposes, may, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the
certificate of incorporation, be called by only the board of directors, the
chairman of the board, or the president. Business transacted at any special
meeting shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated
in the notice of meeting.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law,
written notice of each meeting of stockholders, annual or special, stating the
place, date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the
purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less
than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, to each
stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 5. Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of
the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting
of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and 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 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city or town where
the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the
meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.
The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting
during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is
present.
Section 6. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the
transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by statute, the
certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
Section 7. Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned
from time to time to any other time and to any other place at which a meeting of
stockholders may be held under these bylaws, which time and place shall be
announced at the meeting, by a majority of the stockholders present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote, though less than a
quorum, or, if no stockholder is present or represented by proxy, by any officer
entitled to preside at or to act as secretary of such meeting, without notice
other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or
represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or
represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at
the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if
after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a
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notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 8. Action at Meetings. When a quorum is present at any meeting,
the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the question shall decide any
question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by
express provision of law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a
different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern
and control the decision of such question.
Section 9. Voting and Proxies. Unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the
stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock having
voting power held of record by such stockholder. Each stockholder entitled to
vote at a meeting of stockholders, or to express consent or dissent to corporate
action in writing without a meeting, may authorize another person or persons to
act for him 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.
Section 10. Action Without Meeting. No action required or permitted to be
taken at any annual of special meeting of the stockholders of the corporation
may be taken without a meeting and the power of the stockholders to consent in
writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number, Election, Tenure and Qualification. The number of
directors which shall constitute the whole board shall not be less than three
nor more than nine. Within such limit, the number of directors shall be
determined by resolution of the board of directors. The directors shall be
elected at the annual meeting or at any special meeting of the stockholders,
except as provided in Section 3 of this Article, and each director elected shall
hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, unless sooner
displaced. Directors need not be stockholders.
Section 2. Nominations. Subject to the rights of holders of any class or
series of stock having a preference over the common stock as to dividends or
upon liquidation, nominations for election to the board of directors of the
corporation at a meeting of stockholders may be made on behalf or at the
direction of the board by any nominating committee appointed by the board;
nominations may also be made by any stockholder of record of the corporation
entitled to vote for the election of directors at the annual meeting of
stockholders of the corporation who complies with the notice procedures set
forth in this Section. Such nominations, other than those made by any nominating
committee on behalf or at the direction of the board, shall be made by notice in
writing delivered by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first
class United States mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, and received at
the principal executive offices of the corporation addressed to the attention of
the secretary of the
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corporation not less than one hundred twenty days prior to the scheduled date of
the annual meeting (regardless of any postponements, deferrals or adjournments
of that meeting to a later date); provided, however, that if less than one
hundred days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the scheduled
meeting is given or made to stockholders, such nomination shall have been mailed
or delivered to be received by the secretary of the corporation not later than
the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which such notice
of scheduled meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. Such
stockholder's notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder
proposes to nominate for election who is not an incumbent director (i) the name,
age, business address and, if known, residence address of such person, (ii) the
principal occupation or employment of such person, (iii) the class, series and
number of shares of stock of the corporation which are beneficially owned by
such person, (iv) a statement of such person's citizenship, and (v) any other
information concerning the nominee that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice, (i) the
name and record address of the stockholder and (ii) the class, series and number
of shares of capital stock of the corporation which are beneficially owned by
the stockholder. The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish
such other information as may reasonably be required by the corporation to
determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as director of the
corporation. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the
corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein.
The chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and
declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the
foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the
meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 3. Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting
from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a
majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the
next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall
qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an
election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. In the
event of a vacancy in the board of directors, the remaining directors, except as
otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, may exercise the powers of the full
board until the vacancy is filled.
Section 4. Resignation and Removal. Any director may resign at any time
upon written notice to the corporation at its principal place of business or to
the chief executive officer or the secretary. Such resignation shall be
effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time
or upon the happening of some other event. Any director or the entire board of
directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of
the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, unless otherwise
specified by law or the certificate of incorporation.
Section 5. General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation
shall be managed by its board of directors, which may exercise all powers of the
corporation and do all
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such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by
the stockholders.
Section 6. Chairman of the Board. If the board of directors appoints a
chairman of the board, he shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the board of directors. He shall perform such duties and
possess such powers as are customarily vested in the office of the chairman of
the board or as may be vested in him by the board of directors.
Section 7. Place of Meetings. The board of directors may hold meetings,
both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.
Section 8. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board of directors
may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to
time be determined by the board; provided that any director who is absent when
such a determination is made shall be given prompt notice of such determination.
A regular meeting of the board of directors may be held without notice
immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.
Section 9. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board may be called
by the chief executive officer, secretary, or on the written request of two or
more directors, or by one director in the event that there is only one director
in office. Two days notice to each director, either personally or by telegram,
cable, telecopy, commercial delivery service, telex or similar means sent to his
business or home address, or three days notice by written notice deposited in
the mail, shall be given to each director by the secretary or by the officer or
one of the directors calling the meeting. A notice or waiver of notice of a
meeting of the board of directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting.
Section 10. Quorum, Action at Meeting, Adjournments. At all meetings of
the board, a majority of directors then in office, but in no event less than one
third of the entire board, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at
which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as
may be otherwise specifically provided by law or by the certificate of
incorporation. For purposes of this section, the term "entire board" shall mean
the number of directors last fixed by the stockholders or directors, as the case
may be, in accordance with law and these bylaws; provided, however, that if less
than all the number so fixed of directors were elected, the "entire board" shall
mean the greatest number of directors so elected to hold office at any one time
pursuant to such authorization. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting
of the board of directors, a majority of the directors present thereat may
adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at
the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 11. Action by Consent. 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 or committee, as the
case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed
with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.
Section 12. Telephonic Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the
certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the board of directors
or of any committee thereof
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may participate in a meeting of the board of directors or of any committee, as
the case may be, by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in
person at the meeting.
Section 13. Committees. The board of directors may, by resolution passed
by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The
board 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. Any such committee, to the extent 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 amending the certificate of incorporation, adopting an
agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale,
lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation's property and
assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a
revocation of a dissolution, or amending the bylaws of the corporation; and,
unless the resolution designating such committee or the certificate of
incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or
authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Such
committee or Committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from
time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors. Each committee
shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and make such reports to the board of
directors as the board of directors may request. Except as the board of
directors may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct
of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the directors or in such
rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner
as is provided in these bylaws for the conduct of its business by the board of
directors.
Section 14. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate
of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors shall have the
authority to fix from time to time the compensation of directors. The directors
may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the board
of directors and the performance of their responsibilities as directors and may
be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors
and/or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director
from serving the corporation or its parent or subsidiary corporations in any
other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. The board of directors may
also allow compensation for members of special or standing committees for
service on such committees.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 1. Enumeration. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen
by the board of directors and shall be a president, a secretary and a treasurer
and such other officers with such titles, terms of office and duties as the
board of directors may from time to time determine, including a chairman of the
board, one or more vice-presidents, and one or more assistant
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secretaries and assistant treasurers. If authorized by resolution of the board
of directors, the chief executive officer may be empowered to appoint from time
to time assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers. Any number of offices
may be held by the same person, unless the certificate of incorporation or these
bylaws otherwise provide.
Section 2. Election. The board of directors at its first meeting after
each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a president, a secretary and a
treasurer. Other officers may be appointed by the board of directors at such
meeting, at any other meeting, or by written consent.
Section 3. Tenure. The officers of the corporation shall hold office
until their successors are chosen and qualify, unless a different term is
specified in the vote choosing or appointing him, or until his earlier death,
resignation or removal. Any officer elected or appointed by the board of
directors or by the chief executive officer may be removed at any time by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors or a committee duly
authorized to do so, except that any officer appointed by the chief executive
officer may also be removed at any time by the chief executive officer. Any
vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation may be filled by the board of
directors, at its discretion. Any officer may resign by delivering his written
resignation to the corporation at its principal place of business or to the
chief executive officer or the secretary. Such resignation shall be effective
upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon
the happening of some other event.
Section 4. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if there
shall be such an officer, shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may
be from time to time assigned to him by the Board of Directors or prescribed by
the Bylaws.
Section 5. President. The president shall be the chief operating officer
of the corporation. He shall also be the chief executive officer unless the
board of directors otherwise provides. The president shall, unless the board of
directors provides otherwise in a specific instance or generally, preside at all
meetings of the stockholders and the board of directors, have general and active
management of the business of the corporation and see that all orders and
resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect. The president
shall execute bonds, mortgages, and other contracts requiring a seal, under the
seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be
otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof
shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or
agent of the corporation.
Section 6. Vice-Presidents. In the absence of the president or in the
event of his inability or refusal to act, the vice-president, or if there be
more than one vice-president, the vice-presidents in the order designated by the
board of directors or the chief executive officer (or in the absence of any
designation, then in the order determined by their tenure in office) shall
perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. The
vice-presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as
the board of directors or the chief executive officer may from time to time
prescribe.
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Section 7. Secretary. The secretary shall have such powers and perform
such duties as are incident to the office of secretary. He shall maintain a
stock ledger and prepare lists of stockholders and their addresses as required
and shall be the custodian of corporate records. The secretary shall attend all
meetings of the board of directors and all meetings of the stockholders and
record all the proceedings of the meetings of the corporation and of the board
of directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties
for the standing committees when required. He shall give, or cause to be given,
notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the board of
directors, and shall perform such. Other duties as may be from time to time
prescribed by the board of directors or chief executive officer, under whose
supervision he shall be. He shall have custody of the corporate seal of the
corporation and he, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the
same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by
his signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The board of
directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of
the corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature.
Section 8. Assistant Secretaries. The assistant secretary, or if there be
more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of
directors, the chief executive officer or the secretary (or if there be no such
determination, then in the order determined by their tenure in office), shall,
in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his inability or refusal to
act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors,
the chief executive officer or the secretary may from time to time prescribe. In
the absence of the secretary or any assistant secretary at any meeting of
stockholders or directors, the person presiding at the meeting shall designate a
temporary or acting secretary to keep a record of the meeting.
Section 9. Treasurer. The treasurer shall perform such duties and shall
have such powers as may be assigned to him by the board of directors or the
chief executive officer. In addition, the treasurer shall perform such duties
and have such powers as are incident to the office of treasurer. The treasurer
shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full
and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the
corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name
and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated
by the board of directors. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may
be ordered by the board of directors, taking proper vouchers for such
disbursements, and shall render to the chief executive officer and the board of
directors, When the chief executive officer or board of directors so requires,
an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition
of the corporation.
Section 10. Assistant Treasurers. The assistant treasurer, or if there
shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the
board of directors, the chief executive officer or the treasurer (or if there be
no such determination, then in the order determined by their tenure in office),
shall, in the absence of the treasurer or in the event of his inability or
refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer and
shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of
directors, the chief executive officer or the treasurer may from time to time
prescribe.
Section 11. Bond. If required by the board of directors, any officer
shall give the corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties
and upon such terms and
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conditions as shall be satisfactory to the board of directors, including without
limitation a bond for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and
for the restoration to the corporation of all books, papers, vouchers, money and
other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control and
belonging to the corporation.
ARTICLE IV
NOTICES
Section 1. Delivery. Whenever, under the provisions of law, or of the
certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, written notice is required to be
given to any director or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail,
addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the
records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall
be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United
States mail. Unless written notice by mail is required by law, written notice
may also be given by telegram, cable, telecopy, commercial delivery service,
telex or similar means, addressed to such director or stockholder at his address
as it appears on the records of the corporation, in which case such notice shall
be deemed to be given when delivered into the control of the persons charged
with effecting such transmission, the transmission charge to be paid by the
corporation or the person sending such notice and not by the addressee. Oral
notice or other in-hand delivery, in person or by telephone, shall be deemed
given at the time it is actually given.
Section 2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given
under the provisions of law or of the certificate of incorporation or of these
bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to
said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Actions Other than by or in the Right of the Corporation. The
corporation shall indemnify 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 (other than
an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he
is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner
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which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
Section 2. Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation. The corporation
shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right
of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that
he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless and only to
the extent that the Court of Chancer of the State of Delaware or the court in
which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of
the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or such other
court shall deem proper.
Section 3. Success on the Merits. To the extent that any person described
in Section 1 or 2 of this Article V has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in said
Sections, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection therewith.
Section 4. Specific Authorization. Any indemnification under Section 1 or
2 of this Article V (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation
only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of any person described in said Sections is proper in the
circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
said Sections. Such determination shall be made (1) by the board of directors by
a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such
action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or even
if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders of the
corporation.
Section 5. Advance Payment. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of
the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the
board of directors in the manner provided for in Section 4 of this Article V
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of any person described in said
Section to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is
entitled to indemnification by the corporation as authorized in this Article V.
Section 6. Non-Exclusivity. The indemnification provided by this Article
V shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified
may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
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in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of
the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Section 7. Insurance. The board of directors may authorize, by a vote of
the majority of the full board, the corporation to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against
him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him
against such liability under the provisions of this Article V.
Section 8. Severability. If any word, clause or provision of this Article
V or any award made hereunder shall for any reason be determined to be invalid,
the provisions hereof shall not otherwise be affected thereby but shall remain
in full force and effect.
Section 9. Intent of Article. The intent of this Article V is to provide
for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by section 145 of the
General Corporation Law of Delaware. To the extent that such Section or any
successor section may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this Article
V shall be amended automatically and construed so as to permit indemnification
to the fullest extent from time to time permitted by law.
ARTICLE VI
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1. Certificates of Stock. 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 or vice-chairman of the board of directors,
or the president or a vice-president and the treasurer or an assistant
treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation,
certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. Any or all of
the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. 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 by the
corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or
registrar at the date of issue. Certificates may be issued for partly paid
shares and in such case upon the face or back of the certificates issued to
represent any such partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to
be paid therefor, and the amount paid thereon shall be specified.
Section 2. Lost Certificates. The board of directors may direct a new
certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or
certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or
certificates, the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition
precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate or
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certificates, or his legal representative, to give reasonable evidence of such
loss, theft or destruction, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall
require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum 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 or the
issuance of such new certificate.
Section 3. Transfer of Stock. Upon surrender to the corporation or the
transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares, duly endorsed or
accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to
transfer, and proper evidence of compliance with other conditions to rightful
transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to
the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the
transaction upon its books.
Section 4. Record Date. 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, or to express consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution or allotment of any rights, or 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 shall not be more than sixty days nor less then ten days before the date
of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action to which
such record date relates. A determination of stockholders of record 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. If no record date is fixed, 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 before the day on
which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the
day before the day on which the meeting is held. The record date for determining
stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without
a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is necessary, shall be
the day on which the first written consent is expressed. The record date for
determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business
on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating to
such purpose.
Section 5. 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 to hold liable
for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of
shares, 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 VII
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Section 1. Transactions with Interested Parties. No contract or
transaction between the corporation and one or more of its directors or
officers, or between the corporation and any
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other corporation, partnership, association or other organization in which one
or more of its directors or officers are directors or have a financial interest,
shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director
or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the board or
committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction or solely because
his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if:
(a) the material facts as to his relationship or interest and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of
directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes
the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the
disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a
quorum; or
(b) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders
entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or
(c) The contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as
of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the board of directors, a
committee thereof, or the stockholders.
Section 2. Quorum. Common or interested directors may be counted in
determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or
of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the
corporation, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or
special meeting or by written consent, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in
cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions
of the certificate of incorporation.
Section 2. Reserves. The directors may set apart out of any funds of the
corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose
and may abolish any such reserve.
Section 3. Checks. All checks or demands for money and notes of the
corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or
persons as the board of directors may from time to time designate.
Section 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed
by resolution of the board of directors.
Section 5. Seal. The board of directors may, by resolution, adopt a
corporate seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the
corporation, the year of its organization and the word "Delaware." The seal may
be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof
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to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced. The seal may be altered from
time to time by the board of directors.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
The board of directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal
Bylaws of the corporation, provided, however, that any adoption, amendment or
repeal of Bylaws of the corporation by the board of directors shall require the
approval of at least sixty-six and two- thirds percent of the total number of
authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously
authorized directorships at the time any resolution providing for adoption,
amendment or repeal is presented to the board). The stockholders shall also have
power to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws of the corporation, provided, however,
that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of
this corporation required by law or by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the corporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six
and two-thirds percent of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares
of the stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for such
adoption, amendment or repeal by the stockholders of any provisions of the
Bylaws of the corporation.
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