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EXHIBIT 4.3
DAZZLE MULTIMEDIA, INC.
1998 STOCK PLAN
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this 1998 Stock Plan are to
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and to promote the success of the Company's
business. Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options (as
defined under Section 422 of the Code) or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as
determined by the Administrator at the time of grant of an Option and subject to
the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder. Stock purchase rights may also be granted
under the Plan.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees
appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "BUSINESS PARTNER" means any entity which has a business
relationship with the Company.
(d) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) "COMMITTEE" means the Committee appointed by the Board of
Directors in accordance with Section 4(a) and (b) of the Plan.
(f) "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(g) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, who is
engaged by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Business Partner to render
services and is compensated for such services, and any director of the Company
whether compensated for such services or not, and any employee of a
_________________.
(h) "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT" means the
absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Employee or
Consultant. Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of: (i) sick leave; (ii) military leave;
(iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Administrator, provided that
such leave is for a period of not more than 90 days, unless reemployment upon
the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless
provided otherwise pursuant to Company policy adopted from time to time; or (iv)
in the case of transfers between locations of the Company or between the
Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective successors. For purposes of this
Plan, a change in status from an Employee to a Consultant or from a Consultant
to an Employee will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Status as an
Employee or Consultant.
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(i) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including officers and directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, with the
status of employment determined based upon such minimum number of hours or
periods worked as shall be determined by the Administrator in its discretion,
subject to any requirements of the Code. The payment by the Company of a
director's fee to a director shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment"
of such director by the Company.
(j) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(k) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the fair market value
of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system including without limitation the National
Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation ("Nasdaq") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing bid
price for such stock, as quoted on such system or exchange, or the exchange with
the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock for the last market trading day
prior to the time of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or
such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq System (but not
on the National Market thereof) or regularly quoted by a recognized securities
dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the
mean between the closing bid price for the Common Stock for the last market
trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in The Wall Street
Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.
(l) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as
an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, as
designated in the applicable written Option Agreement.
(m) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, as designated in the applicable written
Option Agreement.
(n) "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or
a Stock Purchase Right.
(o) "OPTIONEE" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an
Option or a Stock Purchase Right.
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(p) "PARENT" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code, or any successor provision.
(q) "PLAN" means this 1998 Stock Plan.
(r) "REPORTING PERSON" means an officer, director, or greater than
10% shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-2 under the
Exchange Act, who is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under the
Exchange Act.
(s) "RESTRICTED STOCK" means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 10 below.
(t) "RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means a written agreement
between a holder of a Stock Purchase Right and the Company reflecting the terms
of a Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan and includes any documents
attached to such agreement.
(u) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act, as the same may be amended from time to time, or any successor provision.
(v) "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.
(w) "STOCK EXCHANGE" means any stock exchange or consolidated stock
price reporting system on which prices for the Common Stock are quoted at any
given time.
(x) "STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT" means the right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to Section 10 below.
(y) "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, or any successor
provision.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Shares may be
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. If an Option should expire
or become unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in full,
the unpurchased Shares that were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan shall
have been terminated, become available for future grant under the Plan. In
addition, any Shares of Common Stock which are retained by the Company upon
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right in order to satisfy the exercise
or purchase price for such Option or Stock Purchase Right or any withholding
taxes due with respect to such exercise shall be treated as not issued and shall
continue to be available under the Plan. Shares repurchased by the Company
pursuant to any repurchase right which the Company may have shall not be
available for future grant under the Plan.
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4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) INITIAL PLAN PROCEDURE. Prior to the date, if any, upon which
the Company becomes subject to the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered
by the Board or Committee appointed by the Board.
(b) PLAN PROCEDURE AFTER THE DATE, IF ANY, UPON WHICH THE COMPANY
BECOMES SUBJECT TO THE EXCHANGE ACT.
(i) MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES. If permitted by Rule 16b-3,
grants under the Plan may be made by different bodies with respect to directors,
non-director officers and Employees or Consultants who are not Reporting
Persons.
(ii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO REPORTING PERSONS. With
respect to grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to Employees who are
Reporting Persons, such grants shall be made by (A) the Board if the Board may
make grants to Reporting Persons under the Plan in compliance with Rule 16b-3,
or (B) a Committee designated by the Board to make grants to Reporting Persons
under the Plan, which Committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to
permit grants under the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3. Once appointed, such
Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
make grants to Reporting Persons under the Plan, all to the extent permitted by
Rule 16b-3.
(iii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO CONSULTANTS AND OTHER
EMPLOYEES. With respect to grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to
Employees or Consultants who are not Reporting Persons, the Plan shall be
administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee designated by the Board, which
Committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to satisfy the legal
requirements relating to the administration of Incentive Stock Option plans, if
any, of applicable corporate and securities laws, of the Code and of any
applicable Stock Exchange (the "Applicable Laws"). Once appointed, such
Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws.
(c) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board
to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities,
including the approval, if required, of any Stock Exchange, the Administrator
shall have the authority, in its discretion:
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(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in
accordance with Section 2(k) of the Plan;
(ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom Options and
Stock Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options and Stock
Purchase Rights or any combination thereof are granted hereunder;
(iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each such award granted hereunder;
(v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder;
(vii) to determine whether and under what circumstances an
Option may be settled in cash under Section 9(f) instead of Common Stock;
(viii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered
by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was granted;
(ix) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to Stock
Purchase Rights and the Restricted Stock purchased by exercising such Stock
Purchase Rights;
(x) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan; and
(xi) in order to fulfill the purposes of the Plan and without
amending the Plan, to modify grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to
participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the United States
in order to recognize differences in local law, tax policies or customs.
(d) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may be granted to Employees and Consultants. Incentive Stock
Options may be granted only to Employees. An Employee or Consultant who has been
granted an Option or Stock Purchase Right may, if he or she is otherwise
eligible, be granted additional Options or Stock Purchase Rights.
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(b) TYPE OF OPTION. Each Option shall be designated in the Option
Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate
Fair Market Value of Shares with respect to which Options designated as
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee
during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5(b), Incentive Stock
Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and
the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall
be determined as of the date of the grant of such Option.
(c) The Plan shall not confer upon the holder of any Option or Stock
Purchase Right any right with respect to continuation of employment or
consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with
such holder's right or the Company's right to terminate his or her employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.
6. TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
shareholders of the Company as described in Section 19 of the Plan. It shall
continue in effect for a term of ten years unless sooner terminated under
Section 15 of the Plan.
7. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in
the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten
years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in
the Option Agreement and provided further that, in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns
stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Option shall be five years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term
as may be provided in the Option Agreement.
8. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.
(a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued
pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the
Board and set forth in the applicable agreement, but shall be subject to the
following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is:
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of
such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 10% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.
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(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option that is:
(A) granted to a person who, at the time of the grant of
such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the
per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per
Share on the date of the grant.
(B) granted to any person, the per Share exercise price
shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.
(b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely of (1) cash, (2)
check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares that (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender or such other period as may be required
to avoid a charge to the Company's earnings, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which such Option shall be exercised, (5) authorization for the Company to
retain from the total number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised that
number of Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the
exercise price for the total number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised, (6) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with
such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if applicable,
shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of
the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price and any applicable
income or employment taxes, (7) delivery of an irrevocable subscription
agreement for the Shares that irrevocably obligates the option holder to take
and pay for the Shares not more than twelve months after the date of delivery of
the subscription agreement, (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment, or (9) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance
of Shares to the extent permitted under the Applicable Laws. In making its
determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator shall
consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to
benefit the Company.
9. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions
as determined by the Administrator and reflected in the Option Agreement, which
may include vesting requirements and/or performance criteria with respect to the
Company and/or the Optionee; provided, however, that such Option shall become
exercisable at the rate of at least 20% per year over five years from the date
the Option is granted. In the event that any of the Shares issued upon exercise
of an Option should be subject to a right of repurchase in the Company's favor,
such repurchase right shall lapse at the rate of at least 20% per year over five
years from the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding
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the above, in the case of an Option granted to an officer, director or
Consultant of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the Option
may become fully exercisable, and a repurchase right, if any, in favor of the
Company shall lapse, at any time or during any period established by the
Administrator.
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such
exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and the Company has
received full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is
exercised. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist of any
consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(b) of the Plan.
Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duty authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to
be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 12 of the Plan.
Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the
number of Shares that thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the Plan
and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.
(b) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP. Subject to
Section 9(c) below, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant with the Company, such Optionee may, but
only within three months (or such other period of time not less than 30 days as
is determined by the Administrator, with such determination in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option being made at the time of grant of the Option and not
exceeding three months) after the date of such termination (but in no event
later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement), exercise his or her Option to the extent that the Optionee
was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that
the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such
termination, or if the Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so
entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. No
termination shall be deemed to occur and this Section 9(b) shall not apply if
(i) the Optionee is a Consultant who becomes an Employee, or (ii) the Optionee
is an Employee who becomes a Consultant.
(c) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.
(i) Notwithstanding Section 9(b) above, in the event of
termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a
result of his or her total and permanent disability (within the meaning of
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), such Optionee may, but only within twelve months
from the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration
date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise
the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination. To the extent that the Optionee was not
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entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if the Optionee
does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(ii) In the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of a disability which does not
fall within the meaning of total and permanent disability (as set forth in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), such Optionee may, but only within six months
from the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration
date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise
the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination. However, to the extent that such Optionee fails to exercise an
Option which is an Incentive Stock Option (within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Code) within three months of the date of such termination, the Option will
not qualify for Incentive Stock Option treatment under the Code. To the extent
that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of
termination, or if the Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so
entitled within six months from the date of termination, the Option shall
terminate.
(d) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of an Optionee
during the period of Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the
date of grant of the Option, or within 30 days following termination of the
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, the Option may be
exercised, at any time within six months following the date of death (but in no
event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Option Agreement), by such Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the
right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent
of the right to exercise that had accrued at the date of death or, if earlier,
the date of termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant. To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of death or termination, as the case may be, or if the
Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(e) RULE 16b-3. Options granted to Reporting Persons shall comply
with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such additional conditions or restrictions as
may be required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption for Plan
transactions.
10. STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.
(a) RIGHTS TO PURCHASE. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the
offer, including the number of Shares that such person shall be entitled to
purchase, the price to be paid (which price shall not be less than 85% of the
Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date of the offer, or, in the case of
a person owning stock representing more than (10%) of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the
price shall
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not be less than (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date of
the offer), and the time within which such person must accept such offer, which
shall in no event exceed 30 days from the date upon which the Administrator made
the determination to grant the Stock Purchase Right. The offer shall be accepted
by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by
the Administrator.
(b) REPURCHASE OPTION. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's employment with the Company for any reason (including death or
disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original purchase price paid by
the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the
purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the
Administrator may determine; provided, however, that with respect to an Optionee
who is not an officer, director or Consultant of the Company or of any Parent,
Subsidiary or Business Partner of the Company, it shall lapse at a minimum rate
of 20% per year.
(c) OTHER PROVISIONS. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. In
addition, the provisions of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements need not be the
same with respect to each purchaser.
(d) RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 12
of the Plan.
11. STOCK WITHHOLDING TO SATISFY WITHHOLDING TAX OBLIGATIONS. At the
discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding obligations
as provided in this paragraph. When an Optionee incurs tax liability in
connection with an Option or Stock Purchase Right, which tax liability is
subject to tax withholding under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is
obligated to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable
tax laws, the Optionee may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by one or some
combination of the following methods: (a) by cash or check payment, (b) out of
the Optionee's current compensation, (c) if permitted by the Administrator, in
its discretion, by surrendering to the Company Shares that (i) in the case of
Shares previously acquired from the Company, have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to or less than the Optionee's marginal tax rate
times the ordinary income recognized, or (d) by electing to have the Company
withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option, or the Shares
to be issued in connection with the Stock Purchase Right, if any, that number of
Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld.
For this purpose, the fair
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market value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that
the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax Date").
Any surrender by a Reporting Person of previously owned Shares to
satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of this Option must
comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3.
All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax
withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the
Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:
(a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax
Date;
(b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the
particular Shares of the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to which the election
is made; and
(c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of
the Administrator.
In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by an Optionee
and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election is
filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Optionee shall receive the full
number of Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Purchase Right is
exercised but such Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to
the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.
12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, MERGER OR CERTAIN OTHER
TRANSACTIONS.
(a) CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock that have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or that have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination, recapitalization or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any
other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock
effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however,
that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall
be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final,
binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the
Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares
of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject
to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.
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(b) DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the Optionee
at least 15 days prior to such proposed action. To the extent it has not been
previously exercised, the Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS. In the event of a proposed sale of all
or substantially all of the Company's assets or a merger of the Company with or
into another corporation where the successor corporation issues its securities
to the Company's shareholders, each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right shall be substituted by such
successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation,
unless the successor corporation does not agree to assume the Option or Stock
Purchase Right or to substitute an equivalent option or right, in which case
such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon the consummation of the
merger or sale of assets. For purposes of this Section 12(c), an Option or a
Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed, without limitation, if, at the
time of issuance of the stock or other consideration upon such merger or sale of
assets, each holder of an Option or a Stock Purchase Right would be entitled to
receive upon exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right the same number and
kind of shares of stock or the same amount of property, cash or securities as
such holder would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such
transaction if the holder had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the
holder of the number of Shares of Common Stock covered by the Option or the
Stock Purchase Right at such time (after giving effect to any adjustments in the
number of Shares covered by the Option or Stock Purchase Right as provided for
in this Section 12).
(d) CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. In the event of any distribution to the
Company's shareholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (other
than dividends payable in cash or stock of the Company) without receipt of
consideration by the Company, the Administrator may, in its discretion,
appropriately adjust the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right to reflect the effect of such
distribution.
(e) STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT TERMS. To the extent the provisions of
any stock option agreement with respect to the subject matter of this Section 12
differ from the provisions of this Section, the provisions set forth in the
stock option agreement shall govern.
13. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. Options
and Stock Purchase Rights may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised or purchased during the lifetime of
the Optionee or the holder of Stock Purchase Rights only by the Optionee or the
holder of Stock Purchase Rights.
14. TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. The date of
grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date
on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock
Purchase
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Right, or such other date as is determined by the Board; provided, however, that
in the case of any Incentive Stock Option, the grant date shall be the later of
the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such
Incentive Stock Option or the date of commencement of the Optionee's employment
relationship with the Company. Notice of the determination shall be given to
each Employee or Consultant to whom an Option or Stock Purchase Right is so
granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
15. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) AUTHORITY TO AMEND OR TERMINATE. The Board may at any time
amend, alter, suspend or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration,
suspension or discontinuation shall be made that would impair the rights of any
Optionee under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In
addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 or
with Section 422 of the Code (or any other applicable law or regulation,
including the requirements of any Stock Exchange), the Company shall obtain
shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree
as required.
(b) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. No amendment or termination
of the Plan shall adversely affect Options already granted, unless mutually
agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Board, which agreement must be in
writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
16. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the
exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of
such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the
requirements of any Stock Exchange.
As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require the
person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by law.
17. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. The inability of the Company
to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which
authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
18. AGREEMENTS. Options and Stock Purchase Rights shall be evidenced by
written Option Agreements and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements,
respectively, in such form(s) as the Administrator shall approve from time to
time.
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19. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve months before or after
the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the
degree and manner required under applicable state and federal law and the rules
of any Stock Exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed. All Options and
Stock Purchase Rights issued under the Plan shall become void in the event such
approval is not obtained.
20. INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS TO OPTIONEES AND PURCHASERS. The Company
shall provide financial statements at least annually to each Optionee and to
each individual who acquired Shares pursuant to the Plan, during the period such
Optionee or purchaser has one or more Options or Stock Purchase Rights
outstanding, and in the case of an individual who acquired Shares pursuant to
the Plan, during the period such individual owns such Shares. The Company shall
not be required to provide such information if the issuance of Options or Stock
Purchase Rights under the Plan is limited to key employees whose duties in
connection with the Company assure their access to equivalent information. In
addition, at the time of issuance of any securities under the Plan, the Company
shall provide to the Optionee or the purchaser a copy of the Plan and any
agreement(s) pursuant to which securities granted under the Plan are issued.
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