<PAGE> 1
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 4, 1999 Registration No. 333-
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
----------------
CERUS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
----------------
DELAWARE 68-0262011
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
----------------
2525 STANWELL DRIVE, SUITE 300
CONCORD, CA 94520
(925) 603-9071
(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)
----------------
1999 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plans)
STEPHEN T. ISAACS
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CERUS CORPORATION
2525 STANWELL DRIVE, SUITE 300
CONCORD, CA 94520
(925) 603-9071
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
----------------
Copies to:
ALAN C. MENDELSON, ESQ.
ANDREA VACHSS, ESQ.
Cooley Godward LLP
One Maritime Plaza, 20th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 693-2000
----------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================================
PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF SECURITIES AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED SHARE (1) PRICE (1) REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Stock Options and
Common Stock (par 580,000 $21.00 - $23.625 $13,505,625.00 $3,754.57
value $.001)
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
Page 1 of 9
Exhibit Index at Page: 7
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================================
TYPE OF SHARES NUMBER OF SHARES OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Shares issuable pursuant to 75,000 $21.00(1)(a) $1,575,000.00
outstanding options under
the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares reserved for future 505,000 $23.625(1)(b) $11,930,625.00
grant pursuant to the
1999 Equity Incentive Plan
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Maximum $13,505,625.00
Aggregate Offering Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration Fee $ 3,754.57
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the
registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h). The offering price per share
and aggregate offering price are based upon (a) the weighted average
exercise price, for shares subject to outstanding options granted by
Cerus Corporation ("Registrant" or "Company") under the Company's 1999
Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), or (b) the average of the high and
low prices of the Company's Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market for July 29, 1999, for shares reserved for future grant
pursuant to the Plan (pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Act).
================================================================================
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As
soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
ii.
<PAGE> 3
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
1. the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998;
2. the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1999; and
3. the description of the Company's common stock set forth in it's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on
January 8, 1997.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered
have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this
Registration Statement from the date of the filing of such reports and
documents.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not Applicable.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Registrant has
broad powers to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities they
may incur in such capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). The Registrant's Bylaws also provide that
the Registrant will indemnify its directors and executive officers and may
indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents to the fullest extent
permitted by Delaware law.
The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation ("Restated Certificate")
provides that the liability of its directors for monetary damages shall be
eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law. Pursuant to
Delaware law, this includes elimination of liability for monetary damages for
breach of the directors' fiduciary duty of care to the Registrant and its
stockholders. These provisions do not eliminate the directors' duty of care and,
in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other
forms of non-monetary relief will remain available under Delaware law. In
addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of
the director's duty of loyalty to the Registrant, for acts or omissions not in
good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for knowing violations of law,
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit, and for payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or
redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law. The provision also does not
affect a director's responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal
securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.
The Registrant has entered into agreements with its directors and officers that
require Cerus to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent authorized or
permitted by the provisions of the Restated Certificate and Delaware law against
expenses, judgements, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and
responsibly incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in connection
with any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such person may
be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director,
officer, employee or other agent of the Registrant or any of its affiliated
enterprise. Delaware law permits such indemnification, provided such person
acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interest of the Registrant and, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was
unlawful. The indemnification agreements also set forth certain procedures that
will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder.
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director or
officer of the Registrant as to which indemnification is being sought nor is the
Registrant aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for
indemnification by any officer or director.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED
Not Applicable.
Page 2 of 9
<PAGE> 4
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
5.1 Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
23.2 Consent of Cooley Godward LLP. Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.
24.1 Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page.
4.1* The Company's Bylaws.
4.2* The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
4.3* Specimen Stock Certificate.
99.1 The Company's 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.
* Documents incorporated by reference from the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11341) filed
with the SEC on September 4, 1996.
Page 3 of 9
<PAGE> 5
UNDERTAKINGS
1. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(A) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(I) To include any prospectus required by section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(II) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered
would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or
high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (230.424(b) of this
chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
(III) To include any material information with respect
to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if
the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8 and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed by the issuer pursuant to section 13 or
section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(B) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(C) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
2. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Page 4 of 9
<PAGE> 6
SIGNATURES
THE REGISTRANT. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Concord, State of California on August 2, 1999.
CERUS CORPORATION
By /s/ Gregory W. Schafer
---------------------------------------
Gregory W. Schafer
Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Stephen T. Isaacs and Gregory W. Schafer
and each or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form
S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes or
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Stephen T. Isaacs
- ------------------------------------ President, Chief Executive Officer August 2, 1999
Stephen T. Isaacs and Director (Principal Executive
Officer)
/s/ Gregory W. Schafer
- ------------------------------------ Vice President, Finance and Chief August 2, 1999
Gregory W. Schafer Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/ B.J. Cassin
- ------------------------------------ Director August 2, 1999
B.J. Cassin
</TABLE>
Page 5 of 9
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ John E. Hearst
- ------------------------------------ Director August 2, 1999
John E. Hearst
/s/ Peter H. McNerney
- ------------------------------------ Director August 2, 1999
Peter H. McNerney
/s/ Dale A. Smith
- ------------------------------------ Director August 2, 1999
Dale A. Smith
/s/ Henry E. Stickney
- ------------------------------------ Director August 2, 1999
Henry E. Stickney
</TABLE>
Page 6 of 9
<PAGE> 8
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
5.1 Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
23.2 Consent of Cooley Godward LLP. Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.
24.1 Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page.
4.1* The Company's Bylaws.
4.2* The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
4.3* Specimen Stock Certificate.
99.1 The Company's 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.
* Documents incorporated by reference from the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11341) filed
with the SEC on September 4, 1996.
Page 7 of 9
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
OPINION OF COOLEY GODWARD LLP
August 3, 1999
Cerus Corporation
2525 Stanwell Drive, Suite 300
Concord, CA 94520
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection
with the filing by Cerus Corporation (the "Company") of a Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange
Commission covering the offering of up to 580,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock, $.001 par value, (the "Shares") pursuant to its 1999 Equity Incentive
Plan (the "Plan").
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus, your Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, and Bylaws, as amended, and such other documents, records,
certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we deem necessary as a basis
for this opinion. We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies thereof, and the due execution and delivery
of all documents where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the
effectiveness thereof.
On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion
that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plan, the
Registration Statement and related Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred
payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such
deferred payments are made in full).
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
Very truly yours,
COOLEY GODWARD LLP
/s/ Alan C. Mendelson
- -----------------------
Alan C. Mendelson
MJS:wp
Page 8 of 9
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8) pertaining to the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan of Cerus Corporation of
our report dated January 22, 1999, except for Note 2 as to which the date is
January 30, 1999, and Note 5, as to which the date is March 3, 1999, with
respect to the financial statements of Cerus Corporation included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
----------------------
Ernst & Young LLP
Walnut Creek, California
August 2, 1999
Page 9 of 9
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.1
CERUS CORPORATION
1999 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED APRIL 30, 1999
APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS JULY 2, 1999
TERMINATION DATE: APRIL 29, 2009
1. PURPOSES.
(a) ELIGIBLE STOCK AWARD RECIPIENTS. The persons eligible to receive
Stock Awards are the Employees and Directors of, and Consultants to, the Company
and its Affiliates.
(b) AVAILABLE STOCK AWARDS. The purpose of the Plan is to provide a
means by which eligible recipients of Stock Awards may be given an opportunity
to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of
the following Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock
Options, (iii) stock bonuses and (iv) rights to acquire restricted stock.
(c) GENERAL PURPOSE. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain
the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Stock Awards, to secure
and retain the services of new members of this group and to provide incentives
for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its
Affiliates.
2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "AFFILIATE" means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation
of the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in
Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.
(b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) "COMMITTEE" means a committee of one or more members of the Board
appointed by the Board in accordance with subsection 3(c).
(e) "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company.
(f) "COMPANY" means Cerus Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
(g) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, (i) engaged by
the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and who is
compensated for such services or (ii) who is a member of the Board of Directors
of an Affiliate. However, the term "Consultant" shall not include Directors who
are not compensated by the Company for their services as Directors.
<PAGE> 2
(h) "CONTINUOUS SERVICE" means that the Participant's service with the
Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not
interrupted or terminated. The Participant's Continuous Service shall not be
deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which
the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee,
Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant
renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of
the Participant's Continuous Service. For example, a change in status from an
Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or a Director will not
constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Board or the chief
executive officer of the Company, in that party's sole discretion, may determine
whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any
leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or
any other personal leave.
(i) "COVERED EMPLOYEE" means the chief executive officer and the four
(4) other highest compensated officers of the Company for whom total
compensation is required to be reported to stockholders under the Exchange Act,
as determined for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(j) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(k) "DISABILITY" means the permanent and total disability of a person
within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(l) "EMPLOYEE" means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate.
Mere service as a Director or payment of a director's fee by the Company or an
Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company or
an Affiliate.
(m) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(n) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of the Common
Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or traded on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market,
the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales
price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted
on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume
of trading in the Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the day
of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Board deems reliable.
(ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the
Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
(o) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
2
<PAGE> 3
(p) "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not a
current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or a subsidiary, does
not receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the Company or its parent
or a subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other
than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be
required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the
Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest in any other
transaction as to which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of
Regulation S-K and is not engaged in a business relationship as to which
disclosure would be required under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is
otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(q) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.
(r) "OFFICER" means a person who is an officer of the Company within the
meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(s) "OPTION" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(t) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the Company and
an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option
grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.
(u) "OPTIONHOLDER" means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant
to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding
Option.
(v) "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not a current
employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the meaning of
Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a
former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" receiving
compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax qualified
pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation"
at any time and is not currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from
the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in any capacity other
than as a Director or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(w) "PARTICIPANT" means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted
pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an
outstanding Stock Award.
(x) "PLAN" means this Cerus Corporation 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.
(y) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or
any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(z) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(aa) "STOCK AWARD" means any right granted under the Plan, including an
Option, a stock bonus and a right to acquire restricted stock.
3
<PAGE> 4
(bb) "STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and a holder of a Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan.
(cc) "TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDER" means a person who owns (or is deemed to
own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or of any of its Affiliates.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) ADMINISTRATION BY BOARD. The Board shall administer the Plan unless
and until the Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in
subsection 3(c). Any interpretation of the Plan by the Board and any decision by
the Board under the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons.
(b) POWERS OF BOARD. The Board shall have the power, subject to, and
within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine from time to time which of the persons eligible
under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; when and how each Stock Award
shall be granted; what type or combination of types of Stock Award shall be
granted; the provisions of each Stock Award granted (which need not be
identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to
receive Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award; and the number of shares of
Common Stock with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such
person.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted
under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its
administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement,
in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the
Plan fully effective.
(iii) To amend the Plan or a Stock Award as provided in Section
12.
(iv) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts
as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the
Company which are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan.
(c) DELEGATION TO COMMITTEE.
(i) GENERAL. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to
a Committee or Committees of one (1) or more members of the Board, and the term
"Committee" shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been
delegated. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall
have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore
possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of
the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and
references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or
subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the
provisions of the
4
<PAGE> 5
Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish
the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the
Plan.
(ii) COMMITTEE OF OUTSIDE OR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. In the
discretion of the Board, a Committee may consist solely of two or more Outside
Directors, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, and/or solely of two
or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3. Within the scope
of such authority, the Board or the Committee may (1) delegate to a committee of
one or more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors, the authority to
grant Stock Awards to eligible persons who are either (a) not then Covered
Employees and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of
recognition of income resulting from such Stock Award or (b) not persons with
respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code
and/or (2) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are
not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Stock Awards to eligible
persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) SHARE RESERVE. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 relating to
adjustments upon changes in Common Stock, the Common Stock that may be issued
pursuant to Stock Awards shall not exceed in the aggregate five hundred eighty
thousand (580,000) shares of Common Stock.
(b) REVERSION OF SHARES TO THE SHARE RESERVE. If any Stock Award shall
for any reason expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in part, without
having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock not acquired under
such Stock Award shall revert to and again become available for issuance under
the Plan.
(c) SOURCE OF SHARES. The shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan may
be unissued shares or reacquired shares, bought on the market or otherwise.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIFIC STOCK AWARDS. Incentive Stock Options may
be granted only to Employees. Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options
may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants.
(b) TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDERS. A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be
granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at
least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock at the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the
expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.
(c) SECTION 162(m) LIMITATION. Subject to the provisions of Section 11
relating to adjustments upon changes in the shares of Common Stock, no Employee
shall be eligible to be granted Options covering more than two hundred fifty
thousand (250,000) shares of the Common Stock during any calendar year.
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(d) CONSULTANTS. A Consultant shall not be eligible for the grant of a
Stock Award if, at the time of grant, a Form S-8 Registration Statement under
the Securities Act ("Form S-8") is not available to register either the offer or
the sale of the Company's securities to such Consultant because of the nature of
the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, or because the
Consultant is not a natural person, or as otherwise provided by the rules
governing the use of Form S-8, unless the Company determines both (i) that such
grant (A) shall be registered in another manner under the Securities Act (e.g.,
on a Form S-3 Registration Statement) or (B) does not require registration under
the Securities Act in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities
Act, if applicable, and (ii) that such grant complies with the securities laws
of all other relevant jurisdictions.
6. OPTION PROVISIONS.
Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately
designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of
grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates
will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of
Option. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each
Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in
the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) TERM. Subject to the provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten
Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the
expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
(b) EXERCISE PRICE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. Subject to the
provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise
price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the
date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock
Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the
preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or
substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section
424(a) of the Code.
(c) EXERCISE PRICE OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. The exercise price of
each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than eighty-five percent (85%)
of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the date
the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Nonstatutory Stock
Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the
preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or
substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section
424(a) of the Code.
(d) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and
regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised or (ii) at
the discretion of the Board at the time of the grant of the Option (or
subsequently in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option) (1) by delivery to the
Company of outstanding shares of Common Stock, (2) according to a deferred
payment or
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other similar arrangement with the Optionholder or (3) in any other form of
legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board; provided, however, that
at any time that the Company is incorporated in Delaware, payment of the Common
Stock's "par value," as defined in the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall
not be made by deferred payment.
In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be
compounded at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of
interest necessary to avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable
provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest
under the deferred payment arrangement.
(e) TRANSFERABILITY OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. An Incentive Stock
Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder
only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may,
by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the
Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the
Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.
(f) TRANSFERABILITY OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. A Nonstatutory Stock
Option shall be transferable to the extent provided in the Option Agreement. If
the Nonstatutory Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the
Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of
the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form
satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the
death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.
(g) VESTING GENERALLY. The total number of shares of Common Stock
subject to an Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in
periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be
subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be
exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board may
deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. The
provisions of this subsection 6(g) are subject to any Option provisions
governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option may
be exercised.
(h) TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE. In the event an Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder's death or
Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that
the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of
termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i)
the date three (3) months following the termination of the Optionholder's
Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option
Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his
or her Option within the time specified in the Option Agreement, the Option
shall terminate.
(i) EXTENSION OF TERMINATION DATE. An Optionholder's Option Agreement
may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of
the Optionholder's Continuous Service (other than upon the Optionholder's death
or Disability) would be prohibited
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at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate
the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option shall
terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the Option set
forth in subsection 6(a) or (ii) the expiration of a period of three (3) months
after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service during which the
exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such registration
requirements.
(j) DISABILITY OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event that an Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's Disability, the
Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder
was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only
within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12)
months following such termination (or such longer or shorter period specified in
the Option Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not
exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.
(k) DEATH OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event (i) an Optionholder's Continuous
Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's death or (ii) the
Optionholder dies within the period (if any) specified in the Option Agreement
after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service for a reason
other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the
Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by
the Optionholder's estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the
Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the
option upon the Optionholder's death pursuant to subsection 6(e) or 6(f), but
only within the period ending on the earlier of (1) the date eighteen (18)
months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified
in the Option Agreement) or (2) the expiration of the term of such Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement. If, after death, the Option is not exercised
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(l) EARLY EXERCISE. The Option may, but need not, include a provision
whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of
the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of
the Option. Any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a
repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board
determines to be appropriate.
7. PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS.
(a) STOCK BONUS AWARDS. Each stock bonus agreement shall be in such form
and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate.
The terms and conditions of stock bonus agreements may change from time to time,
and the terms and conditions of separate stock bonus agreements need not be
identical, but each stock bonus agreement shall include (through incorporation
of provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance
of each of the following provisions:
(i) CONSIDERATION. A stock bonus may be awarded in consideration
for past services actually rendered to the Company or an Affiliate for its
benefit.
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(ii) VESTING. Shares of Common Stock awarded under the stock
bonus agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in
favor of the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by
the Board.
(iii) TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT'S CONTINUOUS SERVICE. In the
event a Participant's Continuous Service terminates, the Company may reacquire
any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant which have not
vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the stock bonus
agreement.
(iv) TRANSFERABILITY. Rights to acquire shares under the stock
bonus agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms
and conditions as are set forth in the stock bonus agreement, as the Board shall
determine in its discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the stock
bonus agreement remains subject to the terms of the stock bonus agreement.
(b) RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS. Each restricted stock purchase agreement
shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board
shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of the restricted stock
purchase agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions
of separate restricted stock purchase agreements need not be identical, but each
restricted stock purchase agreement shall include (through incorporation of
provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of
each of the following provisions:
(i) PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price under each restricted
stock purchase agreement shall be such amount as the Board shall determine and
designate in such restricted stock purchase agreement. The purchase price shall
not be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Common Stock's Fair Market
Value on the date such award is made or at the time the purchase is consummated.
(ii) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to the restricted stock purchase agreement shall be paid either: (i) in
cash at the time of purchase; (ii) at the discretion of the Board, according to
a deferred payment or other similar arrangement with the Participant; or (iii)
in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in
its discretion; provided, however, that at any time that the Company is
incorporated in Delaware, then payment of the Common Stock's "par value," as
defined in the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall not be made by deferred
payment.
(iii) VESTING. Shares of Common Stock acquired under the
restricted stock purchase agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share
repurchase option in favor of the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule
to be determined by the Board.
(iv) TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT'S CONTINUOUS SERVICE. In the
event a Participant's Continuous Service terminates, the Company may repurchase
or otherwise reacquire any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the
Participant which have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms
of the restricted stock purchase agreement.
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(v) TRANSFERABILITY. Rights to acquire shares under the
restricted stock purchase agreement shall be transferable by the Participant
only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock
purchase agreement, as the Board shall determine in its discretion, so long as
Common Stock awarded under the restricted stock purchase agreement remains
subject to the terms of the restricted stock purchase agreement.
8. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) AVAILABILITY OF SHARES. During the terms of the Stock Awards, the
Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock
required to satisfy such Stock Awards.
(b) SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. The Company shall seek to obtain from
each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such
authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares
of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this
undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act
the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any
such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain
from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for
the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock
under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to
issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until
such authority is obtained.
9. USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK.
Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall
constitute general funds of the Company.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) ACCELERATION OF EXERCISABILITY AND VESTING. The Board shall have the
power to accelerate the time at which a Stock Award may first be exercised or
the time during which a Stock Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance
with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award stating the
time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.
(b) STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. No Participant shall be deemed to be the holder
of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of
Common Stock subject to such Stock Award unless and until such Participant has
satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its
terms.
(c) NO EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER SERVICE RIGHTS. Nothing in the Plan or any
instrument executed or Stock Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon
any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in
the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect
the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an
Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a
Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant's agreement with the Company
or an
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Affiliate or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of
the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may
be.
(d) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION $100,000 LIMITATION. To the extent that the
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock
with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time
by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and
its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options or
portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they
were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(e) INVESTMENT ASSURANCES. The Company may require a Participant, as a
condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to
give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant's
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a
purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is
knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or
she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser
representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to
give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant
is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant's own
account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing
the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant
to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (iii) the issuance of the shares
of Common Stock upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock
Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration
statement under the Securities Act or (iv) as to any particular requirement, a
determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not
be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The
Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock
certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or
appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but
not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.
(f) WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. To the extent provided by the terms of a
Stock Award Agreement, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local
tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common
Stock under a Stock Award by any of the following means (in addition to the
Company's right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the
Company) or by a combination of such means: (i) tendering a cash payment; (ii)
authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of
Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise
or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award; or (iii) delivering to the
Company owned and unencumbered shares of the Common Stock.
11. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.
(a) CAPITALIZATION ADJUSTMENTS. If any change is made in the Common
Stock subject to the Plan, or subject to any Stock Award, without the receipt of
consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other
than cash, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of
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shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction
not involving the receipt of consideration by the Company), the Plan will be
appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject
to the Plan pursuant to subsection 4(a) and the maximum number of securities
subject to award to any person pursuant to subsection 5(c), and the outstanding
Stock Awards will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of
securities and price per share of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Stock
Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be
final, binding and conclusive. (The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be treated as a transaction "without receipt of
consideration" by the Company.)
(b) CHANGE IN CONTROL--DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of a
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, then all outstanding Stock Awards
shall terminate immediately prior to such event.
(c) CHANGE IN CONTROL--ASSET SALE, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR REVERSE
MERGER. In the event of (i) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, (ii) a merger or consolidation
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or (iii) a reverse merger
in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the
merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or
otherwise, then any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation shall assume
any Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan or shall substitute similar stock
awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the
stockholders in the transaction described in this subsection 11(c)) for those
outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving corporation or acquiring
corporation refuses to assume such Stock Awards or to substitute similar stock
awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to Stock Awards
held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated, the vesting of
such Stock Awards (and, if applicable, the time during which such Stock Awards
may be exercised) shall be accelerated in full, and the Stock Awards shall
terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to such event. With
respect to any other Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Stock Awards
shall terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to such event.
12. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND STOCK AWARDS.
(a) AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may
amend the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 11 relating to
adjustments upon changes in Common Stock, no amendment shall be effective unless
approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval
is necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3
or any Nasdaq or securities exchange listing requirements.
(b) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit
any other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not
limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of
Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder regarding the
exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate
deductibility of compensation paid to certain executive officers.
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(c) CONTEMPLATED AMENDMENTS. It is expressly contemplated that the Board
may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to
provide eligible Employees with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided
under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder
relating to Incentive Stock Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or Incentive
Stock Options granted under it into compliance therewith.
(d) NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS. Rights under any Stock Award granted before
amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless
(i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (ii) the Participant
consents in writing.
(e) AMENDMENT OF STOCK AWARDS. The Board at any time, and from time to
time, may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards; provided, however,
that the rights under any Stock Award shall not be impaired by any such
amendment unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and
(ii) the Participant consents in writing.
13. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) PLAN TERM. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.
Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth
(10th) anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by
the stockholders of the Company, whichever is earlier. No Stock Awards may be
granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(b) NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall
not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan
is in effect, except with the written consent of the Participant.
14. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan shall become effective as determined by the Board, but no Stock
Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock bonus, shall be granted)
unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company,
which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the
Plan is adopted by the Board.
15. CHOICE OF LAW.
The law of the State of California shall govern all questions concerning
the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to
such state's conflict of laws rules.
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