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EXHIBIT 4.4
DAZZLE MULTIMEDIA, INC.
2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.
1.1 ESTABLISHMENT. The Dazzle Multimedia, Inc. 2000 Stock Option
Plan (the "PLAN") is hereby established effective as of January 12, 2000.
1.2 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of
the Participating Company Group and its shareholders by providing an incentive
to attract and retain persons performing services for the Participating Company
Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and
profitability of the Participating Company Group.
1.3 TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall continue in effect until the
earlier of its termination by the Board or the date on which all of the shares
of Stock available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all
restrictions on such shares under the terms of the Plan and the agreements
evidencing Options granted under the Plan have lapsed. However, all Options
shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the earlier of the date
the Plan is adopted by the Board or the date the Plan is duly approved by the
shareholders of the Company.
2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
2.1 DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall
have their respective meanings set forth below:
(a) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company. If one
or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan,
"BOARD" also means such Committee(s).
(b) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.
(c) "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee or other
committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such
powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee
have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of
the Board granted herein, including, without limitation, the power to amend or
terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable limitations imposed by law.
(d) "COMPANY" means Dazzle Multimedia, Inc., a California
corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
(e) "CONSULTANT" means a person engaged to provide consulting or
advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to a Participating
Company, provided that the identity of such person, the nature of such services
or the entity to which such
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services are provided would not preclude the Company from offering or selling
securities to such person pursuant to the Plan in reliance on either the
exemption from registration provided by Rule 701 under the Securities Act or, if
the Company is required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, registration on a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the
Securities Act.
(f) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board or of the board of
directors of any other Participating Company.
(g) "DISABILITY" means the inability of the Optionee, in the
opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company, to perform the major
duties of the Optionee's position with the Participating Company Group because
of the sickness or injury of the Optionee.
(h) "EMPLOYEE" means any person treated as an employee
(including an officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the
records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any Incentive Stock
Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of
the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a
director's fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the
Plan.
(i) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(j) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of a
share of Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its discretion,
or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly
allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:
(i) If, on such date, the Stock is listed on a national or
regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share
of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock (or the mean of the
closing bid and asked prices of a share of Stock if the Stock is so quoted
instead) as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, The Nasdaq SmallCap Market or
such other national or regional securities exchange or market system
constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in The Wall Street
Journal or such other source as the Company deems reliable. If the relevant date
does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange
or market system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established
shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded prior to the relevant
date, or such other appropriate day as shall be determined by the Board, in its
discretion.
(ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed on a national
or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a
share of Stock shall be as determined by the Board in good faith without regard
to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never
lapse.
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(k) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to be (as
set forth in the Option Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock
option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.
(l) "INSIDER" means an officer or a Director of the Company or
any other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act.
(m) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to
be (as set forth in the Option Agreement) or which does not qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option.
(n) "OPTION" means a right to purchase Stock (subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 4.2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Plan. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory
Stock Option.
(o) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionee setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of
the Option granted to the Optionee and any shares acquired upon the exercise
thereof. An Option Agreement may consist of a form of "Notice of Grant of Stock
Option" and a form of "Stock Option Agreement" incorporated therein by
reference, or such other form or forms as the Board may approve from time to
time.
(p) "OPTIONEE" means a person who has been granted one or more
Options.
(q) "PARENT CORPORATION" means any present or future "parent
corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(r) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY" means the Company or any Parent
Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.
(s) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY GROUP" means, at any point in time,
all corporations collectively which are then Participating Companies.
(t) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as
amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.
(u) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(v) "SERVICE" means an Optionee's employment or service with the
Participating Company Group, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a Director
or a Consultant. An Optionee's Service shall not be deemed to have terminated
merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Optionee renders Service
to the Participating Company Group or a change in the Participating Company for
which the Optionee renders such Service, provided that there is no interruption
or termination of the Optionee's Service. Furthermore, an Optionee's Service
with the Participating Company Group shall not be deemed to have terminated if
the Optionee takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of
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absence approved by the Company; provided, however, that if any such leave
exceeds ninety (90) days, on the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave the
Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated unless the Optionee's
right to return to Service with the Participating Company Group is guaranteed by
statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated
by the Company or required by law, a leave of absence shall not be treated as
Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Optionee's Option
Agreement. The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon
an actual termination of Service or upon the corporation for which the Optionee
performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the
foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the
Optionee's Service has terminated and the effective date of such termination.
(w) "STOCK" means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted
from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2.
(x) "SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION" means any present or future
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the
Code.
(y) "TEN PERCENT OWNER OPTIONEE" means an Optionee who, at the
time an Option is granted to the Optionee, owns stock possessing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a
Participating Company within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
2.2 CONSTRUCTION. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use
of the term "or" is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly
requires otherwise.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
3.1 ADMINISTRATION BY THE BOARD. The Plan shall be administered by
the Board. All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Option shall be
determined by the Board, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon
all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Option.
3.2 AUTHORITY OF OFFICERS. Any officer of a Participating Company
shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any
matter, right, obligation, determination or election which is the responsibility
of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the officer has
apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination
or election.
3.3 POWERS OF THE BOARD. In addition to any other powers set forth
in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the
full and final power and authority, in its discretion:
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(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at
which, Options shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock to be subject
to each Option;
(b) to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options;
(c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or
other property;
(d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions
applicable to each Option (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired
upon the exercise thereof, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise price
of the Option, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased upon the exercise
of the Option, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding
obligation arising in connection with the Option or such shares, including by
the withholding or delivery of shares of stock, (iv) the timing, terms and
conditions of the exercisability of the Option or the vesting of any shares
acquired upon the exercise thereof, (v) the time of the expiration of the
Option, (vi) the effect of the Optionee's termination of Service with the
Participating Company Group on any of the foregoing, and (vii) all other terms,
conditions and restrictions applicable to the Option or such shares not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;
(e) to approve one or more forms of Option Agreement;
(f) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Option or to
waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Option or any shares
acquired upon the exercise thereof;
(g) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability
of any Option or the vesting of any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof,
including with respect to the period following an Optionee's termination of
Service with the Participating Company Group;
(h) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and
policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt supplements to, or alternative
versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Board deems
necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax
policy or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose citizens may be granted
Options; and
(i) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan or any Option Agreement and to make all other
determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any
Option as the Board may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan or applicable law.
3.4 ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO INSIDERS. With respect to
participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity
security of the Company is registered
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pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in
compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3.
3.5 INDEMNIFICATION. In addition to such other rights of
indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or officers or
employees of the Participating Company Group, members of the Board and any
officers or employees of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to
act for the Board or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the
Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and
necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or
proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of
them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in
connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all
amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved
by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in
satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in
relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or
proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or
intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days
after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall
offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle
and defend the same.
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.
4.1 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 4.2, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that
may be issued under the Plan shall be six million (6,000,000) and shall consist
of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any combination
thereof. If an outstanding Option for any reason expires or is terminated or
canceled or if shares of Stock are acquired upon the exercise of an Option
subject to a Company repurchase option and are repurchased by the Company at the
Optionee's exercise price, the shares of Stock allocable to the unexercised
portion of such Option or such repurchased shares of Stock shall again be
available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any
such time as the offer and sale of securities pursuant to the Plan is subject to
compliance with Section 260.140.45 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations ("SECTION 260.140.45"), the total number of shares of Stock issuable
upon the exercise of all outstanding Options (together with options outstanding
under any other stock option plan of the Company) and the total number of shares
provided for under any stock bonus or similar plan of the Company shall not
exceed thirty percent (30%) (or such other higher percentage limitation as may
be approved by the shareholders of the Company pursuant to Section 260.140.45)
of the then outstanding shares of the Company as calculated in accordance with
the conditions and exclusions of Section 260.140.45.
4.2 ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE. In the event of
any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization,
combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the
Company, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares
subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Options and in the exercise price per
share of any outstanding Options. If a majority of the shares which are of the
same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Options are exchanged
for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an
Ownership Change Event, as defined in
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Section 8.1) shares of another corporation (the "NEW SHARES"), the Board may
unilaterally amend the outstanding Options to provide that such Options are
exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of
shares subject to, and the exercise price per share of, the outstanding Options
shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Board, in
its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any fractional share resulting
from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be rounded down to the
nearest whole number, and in no event may the exercise price of any Option be
decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to
the Option. The adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 4.2
shall be final, binding and conclusive.
5. ELIGIBILITY AND OPTION LIMITATIONS.
5.1 PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR OPTIONS. Options may be granted only to
Employees, Consultants, and Directors. For purposes of the foregoing sentence,
"Employees," "Consultants" and "Directors" shall include prospective Employees,
prospective Consultants and prospective Directors to whom Options are granted in
connection with written offers of an employment or other service relationship
with the Participating Company Group. Eligible persons may be granted more than
one (1) Option.
5.2 OPTION GRANT RESTRICTIONS. Any person who is not an Employee on
the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be granted only
a Nonstatutory Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option granted to a prospective
Employee upon the condition that such person become an Employee shall be deemed
granted effective on the date such person commences Service with a Participating
Company, with an exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with
Section 6.1.
5.3 FAIR MARKET VALUE LIMITATION. To the extent that options
designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock option plans of
the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by an
Optionee for the first time during any calendar year for stock having a Fair
Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portions
of such options which exceed such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options. For purposes of this Section 5.3, options designated as Incentive Stock
Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and
the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the option
with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a
different limitation from that set forth in this Section 5.3, such different
limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with
respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code.
If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this
Section 5.3, the Optionee may designate which portion of such Option the
Optionee is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Optionee shall
be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option
first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon
the exercise of the Option.
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6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
Options shall be evidenced by Option Agreements specifying the
number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Board shall from
time to time establish. No Option or purported Option shall be a valid and
binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Option
Agreement. Option Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan
by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
6.1 EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price for each Option shall be
established in the discretion of the Board; provided, however, that (a) the
exercise price per share for an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than
the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the
Option, (b) the exercise price per share for a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall
be not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of a share
of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option, and (c) no Option granted
to a Ten Percent Owner Optionee shall have an exercise price per share less than
one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on
the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be
granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth
above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for
another option in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of
the Code.
6.2 EXERCISABILITY AND TERM OF OPTIONS. Options shall be exercisable
at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms,
conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the
Board and set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option; provided,
however, that (a) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten
(10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive
Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner Optionee shall be exercisable after
the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such
Option, (c) no Option granted to a prospective Employee, prospective Consultant
or prospective Director may become exercisable prior to the date on which such
person commences Service with a Participating Company, and (d) with the
exception of an Option granted to an officer, Director or Consultant, no Option
shall become exercisable at a rate less than twenty percent (20%) per year over
a period of five (5) years from the effective date of grant of such Option,
subject to the Optionee's continued Service. Subject to the foregoing, unless
otherwise specified by the Board in the grant of an Option, any Option granted
hereunder shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of
the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.
6.3 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.
(a) FORMS OF CONSIDERATION AUTHORIZED. Except as otherwise
provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock
being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check or
cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership,
of shares of Stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as
determined by the Company without regard to any restrictions on transferability
applicable to such stock by reason of federal or state securities laws or
agreements
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with an underwriter for the Company) not less than the exercise price, (iii) by
delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to
a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale
or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the
exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise
complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time
by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) (a "CASHLESS
EXERCISE"), (iv) in the Company's sole discretion at the time the Option is
exercised, by delivery of the Optionee's promissory note in a form approved by
the Company for the aggregate exercise price, provided that, if the Company is
incorporated in the State of Delaware, the Optionee shall pay in cash that
portion of the aggregate exercise price not less than the par value of the
shares being acquired, (v) by such other consideration as may be approved by the
Board from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (vi) by
any combination thereof. The Board may at any time or from time to time, by
approval of or by amendment to the standard forms of Option Agreement described
in Section 7, or by other means, grant Options which do not permit all of the
foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or
which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.
(b) LIMITATIONS ON FORMS OF CONSIDERATION.
(i) TENDER OF STOCK. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the
ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would
constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement
restricting the redemption of the Company's stock. Unless otherwise provided by
the Board, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or
attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have
been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months or were not acquired,
directly or indirectly, from the Company.
(ii) CASHLESS EXERCISE. The Company reserves, at any and all
times, the right, in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to establish,
decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of
Options by means of a Cashless Exercise.
(iii) PAYMENT BY PROMISSORY NOTE. No promissory note shall
be permitted if the exercise of an Option using a promissory note would be a
violation of any law, regulation or rule, including, without limitation, any
rule promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Any
permitted promissory note shall be on such terms as the Board shall determine at
the time the Option is granted. The Board shall have the authority to permit or
require the Optionee to secure any promissory note used to exercise an Option
with the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option or with other
collateral acceptable to the Company. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if
the Company at any time is subject to the regulations promulgated by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other governmental entity
affecting the extension of credit in connection with the Company's securities,
any promissory note shall comply with such applicable regulations, and the
Optionee shall pay the unpaid principal and accrued interest, if any, to the
extent necessary to comply with such applicable regulations.
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6.4 TAX WITHHOLDING. The Company shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable upon the exercise of an
Option, or to accept from the Optionee the tender of, a number of whole shares
of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all
or any part of the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by
law to be withheld by the Participating Company Group with respect to such
Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise thereof. Alternatively or in
addition, in its discretion, the Company shall have the right to require the
Optionee, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, including by
means of a Cashless Exercise, to make adequate provision for any such tax
withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group arising in connection
with the Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise thereof. The Fair
Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax
withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable
minimum statutory withholding rates. The Company shall have no obligation to
deliver shares of Stock or to release shares of Stock from an escrow established
pursuant to the Option Agreement until the Participating Company Group's tax
withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Optionee.
6.5 REPURCHASE RIGHTS. Shares issued under the Plan may be subject
to a right of first refusal, one or more repurchase options, or other conditions
and restrictions as determined by the Board in its discretion at the time the
Option is granted. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any
repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to
one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. Upon request by the
Company, each Optionee shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer
restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall
promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of
Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate
legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.
6.6 EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
(a) OPTION EXERCISABILITY. Subject to earlier termination of the
Option as otherwise provided herein and unless otherwise provided by the Board
in the grant of an Option and set forth in the Option Agreement, an Option shall
be exercisable after an Optionee's termination of Service only during the
applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section 6.6 and
thereafter shall terminate:
(i) DISABILITY. If the Optionee's Service with the
Participating Company Group terminates because of the Disability of the
Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on
which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or
the Optionee's guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the
expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer period of time as determined by
the Board, in its discretion) after the date on which the Optionee's Service
terminated, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the
Option's term as set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option (the
"OPTION EXPIRATION DATE").
(ii) DEATH. If the Optionee's Service with the Participating
Company Group terminates because of the death of the Optionee, the Option, to
the extent
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unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service
terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee's legal representative or other
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee's
death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer
period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date on
which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the
Option Expiration Date. The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have
terminated on account of death if the Optionee dies within three (3) months (or
such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after
the Optionee's termination of Service.
(iii) OTHER TERMINATION OF SERVICE. If the Optionee's
Service with the Participating Company Group terminates for any reason, except
Disability or death, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable by
the Optionee on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Optionee at any time prior to the expiration of three (3)
months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its
discretion) after the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in
any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
(b) EXTENSION IF EXERCISE PREVENTED BY LAW. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 6.6(a) is prevented by the provisions of Section 10 below, the
Option shall remain exercisable until three (3) months (or such longer period of
time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date the Optionee
is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no
later than the Option Expiration Date.
(c) EXTENSION IF OPTIONEE SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 6.6(a) of shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option would
subject the Optionee to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option
shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day
following the date on which a sale of such shares by the Optionee would no
longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day
after the Optionee's termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration
Date.
6.7 TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. During the lifetime of the Optionee,
an Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian
or legal representative. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the
Optionee, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Board, in its
discretion, and set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option, a
Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to the
applicable limitations, if any, described in Section 260.140.41 of Title 10 of
the California Code of Regulations, Rule 701 under the Securities Act, and the
General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities
Act.
7. STANDARD FORMS OF OPTION AGREEMENT.
7.1 OPTION AGREEMENT. Unless otherwise provided by the Board at the
time the Option is granted, an Option shall comply with and be subject to the
terms and conditions set
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forth in the form of Option Agreement approved by the Board concurrently with
its adoption of the Plan and as amended from time to time.
7.2 AUTHORITY TO VARY TERMS. The Board shall have the authority from
time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Option Agreement
described in this Section 7 either in connection with the grant or amendment of
an individual Option or in connection with the authorization of a new standard
form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new,
revised or amended standard form or forms of Option Agreement are not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
8. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
8.1 DEFINITIONS.
(a) An "OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT" shall be deemed to have occurred
if any of the following occurs with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or
indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the
shareholders of the Company of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock
of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party;
(iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company; or (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b) A "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean an Ownership Change Event
or a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, a "TRANSACTION")
wherein the shareholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do
not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company's voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company or the corporation or corporations to
which the assets of the Company were transferred (the "TRANSFEREE
CORPORATION(S)"), as the case may be. For purposes of the preceding sentence,
indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest
resulting from ownership of the voting stock of one or more corporations which,
as a result of the Transaction, own the Company or the Transferee
Corporation(s), as the case may be, either directly or through one or more
subsidiary corporations. The Board shall have the right to determine whether
multiple sales or exchanges of the voting stock of the Company or multiple
Ownership Change Events are related, and its determination shall be final,
binding and conclusive.
8.2 EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL ON OPTIONS. In the event of a Change
in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or
parent corporation thereof, as the case may be (the "ACQUIRING CORPORATION"),
may either assume the Company's rights and obligations under outstanding Options
or substitute for outstanding Options substantially equivalent options for the
Acquiring Corporation's stock. Any Options which are neither assumed or
substituted for by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Change in
Control nor exercised as of the date of the Change in Control shall terminate
and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of an Option prior
to the Change in Control and any consideration
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received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall
continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of the Option Agreement
evidencing such Option except as otherwise provided in such Option Agreement.
Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock of
which is subject to the outstanding Options immediately prior to an Ownership
Change Event described in Section 8.1(a)(i) constituting a Change in Control is
the surviving or continuing corporation and immediately after such Ownership
Change Event less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of
its voting stock is held by another corporation or by other corporations that
are members of an affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the
Code without regard to the provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the
outstanding Options shall not terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in
its discretion.
9. PROVISION OF INFORMATION.
At least annually, copies of the Company's balance sheet and income
statement for the just completed fiscal year shall be made available to each
Optionee and purchaser of shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option. The
Company shall not be required to provide such information to key employees whose
duties in connection with the Company assure them access to equivalent
information.
10. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW.
The grant of Options and the issuance of shares of Stock upon
exercise of Options shall be subject to compliance with all applicable
requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities.
Options may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise
would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign
securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock
exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition,
no Option may be exercised unless (a) a registration statement under the
Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with
respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (b) in the opinion
of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option
may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to
obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any,
deemed by the Company's legal 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. As a condition to the exercise of any
Option, the Company may require the Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that
may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law
or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as
may be requested by the Company.
11. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN.
The Board may terminate or amend the Plan at any time. However,
subject to changes in applicable law, regulations or rules that would permit
otherwise, without the approval of the Company's shareholders, there shall be
(a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be
issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of
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Section 4.2), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive
Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would
require approval of the Company's shareholders under any applicable law,
regulation or rule. No termination or amendment of the Plan shall affect any
then outstanding Option unless expressly provided by the Board. In any event, no
termination or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any then outstanding
Option without the consent of the Optionee, unless such termination or amendment
is required to enable an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or is necessary to comply with any
applicable law, regulation or rule.
12. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
The Plan or any increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares
of Stock issuable thereunder as provided in Section 4.1 (the "AUTHORIZED
SHARES") shall be approved by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12)
months of the date of adoption thereof by the Board. Options granted prior to
shareholder approval of the Plan or in excess of the Authorized Shares
previously approved by the shareholders shall become exercisable no earlier than
the date of shareholder approval of the Plan or such increase in the Authorized
Shares, as the case may be.
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