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EXHIBIT 99.1
WOMEN.COM NETWORKS
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADOPTED APRIL 2, 1998
APPROVED BY SHAREHOLDERS ON MAY 31, 1998
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON MAY 26, 1998
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN APPROVED BY SHAREHOLDERS ON
SEPTEMBER 15, 1998
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON NOVEMBER 13, 1998
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN APPROVED BY SHAREHOLDERS ON
DECEMBER 17, 1998
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON MARCH 31, 1999
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN APPROVED BY SHAREHOLDERS ON
MARCH 31, 1999
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON MAY 10, 1999
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN APPROVED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS
ON JUNE 13, 1999
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON JANUARY 20, 2000
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN APPROVED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS
ON MAY 26, 2000
TERMINATION DATE: APRIL 1, 2008
1. PURPOSES.
(a) ELIGIBLE STOCK AWARD RECIPIENTS. The persons eligible to receive
Stock Awards are the Employees, Directors and Consultants of 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.
(d) AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT. The Plan initially was established
effective as of April 2, 1998 and named the "1998 Equity Incentive Plan" (the
"INITIAL PLAN"). The Initial Plan thereafter was amended and restated in its
entirety on May 26, 1998, on November 13, 1998, on March 31, 1999 and on May 10,
1999 and was renamed the "Amended and Restated 1998 Equity Incentive Plan"
(collectively, the "AMENDED AND RESTATED PLAN"). The Amended and Restated Plan
hereby is amended and restated in its entirety, effective as of its adoption by
the Board. The terms of the Plan shall apply to all Awards made pursuant to both
the Initial Plan and the Amended and Restated Plan.
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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 Directors appointed by
the Board in accordance with subsection 3(c).
(e) "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company.
(f) "COMPANY" means Women.com Networks, a California 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 either
Directors who are not compensated by the Company for their services as Directors
or Directors who are merely paid a director's fee by the Company for their
services as Directors.
(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 shareholders 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 (i) before the Listing Date, the inability of a
person, in the opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company, to
perform the major duties of that person's position with the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company because of the sickness or injury of the person and
(ii) after the Listing Date, the permanent and total disability of a person
within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
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(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 System 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.
(iii) Prior to the Listing Date, the value of the Common Stock
shall be determined in a manner consistent with Section 260.140.50 of Title 10
of the California Code of Regulations.
(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.
(p) "LISTING DATE" means the first date upon which any security of the
Company is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on any
securities exchange or designated (or approved for designation) upon notice of
issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system if
such securities exchange or interdealer quotation system has been certified in
accordance with the provisions of Section 25100(o) of the California Corporate
Securities Law of 1968.
(q) "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.
(r) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.
(s) "OFFICER" means (i) before the Listing Date, any person designated
by the Company as an officer and (ii) on and after the Listing Date, 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.
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(t) "OPTION" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(u) "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.
(v) "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.
(w) "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.
(x) "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.
(y) "PLAN" means this Women.com Networks Amended and Restated 1998
Equity Incentive Plan.
(z) "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.
(aa) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(bb) "STOCK AWARD" means any right granted under the Plan, including an
Option, a stock bonus and a right to acquire restricted stock.
(cc) "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.
(dd) "TEN PERCENT SHAREHOLDER" 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:
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(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 stock pursuant to a Stock Award; and the number of shares 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 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 COMPOSITION WHEN COMMON STOCK IS PUBLICLY TRADED.
At such time as the Common Stock is publicly traded, 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 (i) 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 (1) 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 (2) not persons with respect to whom
the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code and/or) (ii)
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 stock, the shares that may be issued pursuant to
Stock Awards shall not exceed in the aggregate fourteen million six hundred
seventy-two thousand five hundred (14,672,500) shares of
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Common Stock less the number of shares issued or issuable pursuant to the
exercise of options granted under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan on the
date of such proposed issuance.
(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 (or vested in the case of Restricted Stock), the
shares not acquired under such Stock Award shall revert to and again become
available for issuance under the Plan. If any Common Stock acquired pursuant to
the exercise of an Option shall for any reason be repurchased by the Company
under an unvested share repurchase option provided under the Plan, the shares
repurchased by the Company under such repurchase option shall not revert to and
again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(c) SOURCE OF SHARES. The shares subject to the Plan may be unissued
shares or reacquired shares, bought on the market or otherwise.
(d) SHARE RESERVE LIMITATION. Prior to the Listing Date and to the
extent then required by Section 260.140.45 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations, the total number of shares issuable upon exercise of all
outstanding Options and the total number of shares provided for under any stock
bonus or similar plan of the Company shall not exceed the applicable percentage
as calculated in accordance with the conditions and exclusions of Section
260.140.45 of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations, based on the
shares of the Company which are outstanding at the time the calculation is
made.(1)
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. However, Stock Awards
may not be granted to any of the following persons: (i) any officer, member of
the Board of Directors or employee of The Hearst Corporation or (ii) any
officer, member of the Board of Directors or employee of any affiliate of The
Hearst Corporation other than the Company.
(b) TEN PERCENT SHAREHOLDERS.
(i) A Ten Percent Shareholder 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.
(ii) Prior to the Listing Date, a Ten Percent Shareholder shall
not be granted a Nonstatutory Stock Option unless the exercise price of such
Option is at least (i) one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock at the date of grant or (ii) such lower percentage of the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the date of grant as is permitted by
Section 260.140.41 of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations at the time
of the grant of the Option.
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(1) Section 260.140.45 generally provides that the total number of shares
issuable upon exercise of all outstanding options (exclusive of certain rights)
and the total number of shares called for under any stock bonus or similar plan
shall not exceed a number of shares which is equal to 30% of the then
outstanding shares of the issuer (convertible preferred or convertible senior
common shares counted on an as if converted basis), exclusive of shares subject
to promotional waivers under Section 260.141, unless a percentage higher than
30% is approved by at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote.
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(iii) Prior to the Listing Date, a Ten Percent Shareholder shall
not be granted a restricted stock award unless the purchase price of the
restricted stock is at least (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock at the date of grant or (ii) such lower percentage of
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the date of grant as is permitted
by Section 260.140.41 of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations at the
time of the grant of the Option.
(c) SECTION 162(m) LIMITATION. Subject to the provisions of Section 11
relating to adjustments upon changes in stock, no Employee shall be eligible to
be granted Options covering more than six hundred thousand (600,000) shares of
the Common Stock during any calendar year. This subsection 5(c) shall not apply
prior to the Listing Date and, following the Listing Date, this subsection 5(c)
shall not apply until (i) the earliest of: (1) the first material modification
of the Plan (including any increase in the number of shares reserved for
issuance under the Plan in accordance with Section 4); (2) the issuance of all
of the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan; (3) the
expiration of the Plan; or (4) the first meeting of shareholders at which
Directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar
year following the calendar year in which occurred the first registration of an
equity security under Section 12 of the Exchange Act; or (ii) such other date
required by Section 162(m) of the Code and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(d) CONSULTANTS.
(i) Prior to the Listing Date, a Consultant shall not be
eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the
offer or the sale of the Company's securities to such Consultant is not exempt
under Rule 701 of the Securities Act ("RULE 701") 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 Rule 701, unless
the Company determines that such grant need not comply with the requirements of
Rule 701 and will satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as
comply with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.
(ii) From and after the Listing Date, 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.
(iii) As of April 7, 1999 Rule 701 and Form S-8 generally are
available to consultants and advisors only if (A) they are natural persons; (B)
they provide bona fide services to the issuer, its parents, its majority-owned
subsidiaries or (for Rule 701 purposes only) majority-owned subsidiaries of the
issuer's parent; and (C) the services are not in connection with the offer or
sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and do not directly or
indirectly promote or maintain a market for the issuer's securities.
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
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Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate
certificate or certificates will be issued for shares 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 Shareholders, no Option granted prior to the Listing Date shall be
exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted,
and no Incentive Stock Option granted on or after the Listing Date 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 Shareholders, the exercise
price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value of the shares 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. Subject to the
provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, the exercise
price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option granted prior to the Listing Date shall
be not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the
shares subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted. The exercise
price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option granted on or after the Listing Date
shall be not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the
shares 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 shares 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) by (1) delivery to the
Company of other Common Stock, (2) according to a deferred payment or other
arrangement (which may include, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the use of other Common Stock) with the Participant 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.
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(f) TRANSFERABILITY OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. A Nonstatutory Stock
Option granted prior to the Listing Date shall not be transferable except by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, to the extent provided in
the Option Agreement, to such further extent as permitted by Section
260.140.41(d) of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations at the time of
the grant of the Option, and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the
Optionholder only by the Optionholder. A Nonstatutory Stock Option granted on or
after the Listing Date 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 which 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 as to which an Option may be exercised.
(h) MINIMUM VESTING PRIOR TO THE LISTING DATE. Notwithstanding the
foregoing subsection 6(g), to the extent that the following restrictions on
vesting are required by Section 260.140.41(f) of Title 10 of the California Code
of Regulations at the time of the grant of the Option, then:
(i) Options granted prior to the Listing Date to an Employee who
is not an Officer, Director or Consultant shall provide for vesting of the total
number of shares of Common Stock at a rate of at least twenty percent (20%) per
year over five (5) years from the date the Option was granted, subject to
reasonable conditions such as continued employment; and
(ii) Options granted prior to the Listing Date to Officers,
Directors or Consultants may be made fully exercisable, subject to reasonable
conditions such as continued employment, at any time or during any period
established by the Company.
(i) 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 it 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, which, for
Options granted prior to the Listing Date, shall not be less than thirty (30)
days, unless such termination is for cause), 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.
(j) 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 at any time solely because the issuance of
shares 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
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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.
(k) DISABILITY OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event 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 it 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, which, for Options granted prior to the Listing Date, shall
not be less than six (6) months) 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.
(l) 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 the 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, which, for Options granted prior to the Listing Date, shall not be
less than six (6) months) 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.
(m) 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 subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option.
Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in subsection 10(h), any unvested shares
so purchased may be subject to an unvested share repurchase option in favor of
the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate.
(n) RIGHT OF REPURCHASE. Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in
subsection 10(h), the Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the
Company may elect, prior to the Listing Date, to repurchase all or any part of
the vested shares acquired by the Optionholder pursuant to the exercise of the
Option.
(o) RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Option may, but need not, include a
provision whereby the Company may elect, prior to the Listing Date, to exercise
a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Optionholder of
the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares exercised pursuant to the
Option. Except as expressly provided in this subsection 6(o), such right of
first refusal shall otherwise comply with any applicable provisions of the
Bylaws of the Company.
(p) RE-LOAD OPTIONS. Without in any way limiting the authority of the
Board to make or not to make grants of Options hereunder, the Board shall have
the authority (but not an obligation) to include as part of any Option Agreement
a provision entitling the Optionholder to a further Option (a "RE-LOAD OPTION")
in the event the Optionholder exercises the Option evidenced by the Option
Agreement, in whole or in part, by surrendering other shares of Common Stock in
accordance with this
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Plan and the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement. Any such Re-Load
Option shall (i) provide for a number of shares equal to the number of shares
surrendered as part or all of the exercise price of such Option; (ii) have an
expiration date which is the same as the expiration date of the Option the
exercise of which gave rise to such Re-Load Option; and (iii) have an exercise
price which is equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock subject to the Re-Load Option on the date of exercise of the
original Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Re-Load Option shall be
subject to the same exercise price and term provisions heretofore described for
Options under the Plan.
Any such Re-Load Option may be an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonstatutory Stock Option, as the Board may designate at the time of the grant
of the original Option; provided, however, that the designation of any Re-Load
Option as an Incentive Stock Option shall be subject to the one hundred thousand
dollar ($100,000) annual limitation on the exercisability of Incentive Stock
Options described in subsection 10(d) and in Section 422(d) of the Code. There
shall be no Re-Load Options on a Re-Load Option. Any such Re-Load Option shall
be subject to the availability of sufficient shares under subsection 4(a) and
the "Section 162(m) Limitation" on the grants of Options under subsection 5(c)
and shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as the Board may
determine which are not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan
regarding the terms of Options.
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.
(ii) VESTING. Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in
subsection 10(h), 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. Subject
to the "Repurchase Limitation" in subsection 10(h), 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. For a stock bonus award made before the
Listing Date, rights to acquire shares under the stock bonus agreement shall not
be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and
shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the
Participant. For a stock bonus award made on or after the Listing Date, 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
stock awarded under the stock bonus agreement remains subject to the terms of
the stock bonus agreement.
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(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. Subject to the provisions of subsection 5(b)
regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, 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. For restricted stock
awards made prior to the Listing Date, the purchase price shall not be less than
eighty-five percent (85%) of the share's Fair Market Value on the date such
award is made or at the time the purchase is consummated. For restricted stock
awards made on or after the Listing Date, the purchase price shall not be less
than eighty-five percent (85%) of the share'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 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. Subject to the "Repurchase Limitation" in
subsection 10(h), 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. Subject to
the "Repurchase Limitation" in subsection 10(h), 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.
(v) TRANSFERABILITY. For a restricted stock award made before
the Listing Date, rights to acquire shares under the restricted stock purchase
agreement shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant
only by the Participant. For a restricted stock award made on or after the
Listing Date, 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 shares 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.
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(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 shares 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 shares under the
Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and
sell shares upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority
is obtained.
9. USE OF PROCEEDS FROM SHARES.
Proceeds from the sale of shares 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) SHAREHOLDER 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 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 or other holder of Stock Awards 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 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 shares 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 shares 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
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written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is
acquiring the shares subject to the Stock Award for the Participant's own
account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing
the shares. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to
such requirements, shall be inoperative if (iii) the issuance of the shares upon
the exercise or acquisition of shares 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 shares.
(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 shares
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 from the shares of the Common Stock
otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition
of stock under the Stock Award; or (iii) delivering to the Company owned and
unencumbered shares of the Common Stock.
(g) INFORMATION OBLIGATION. Prior to the Listing Date, to the extent
required by Section 260.140.46 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations, the Company shall deliver financial statements to Participants at
least annually. This subsection 10(g) shall not apply to key Employees whose
duties in connection with the Company assure them access to equivalent
information.
(h) REPURCHASE LIMITATION. The terms of any repurchase option shall be
specified in the Stock Award and may be either at Fair Market Value at the time
of repurchase or at not less than the original purchase price. To the extent
required by Section 260.140.41 and Section 260.140.42 of Title 10 of the
California Code of Regulations at the time a Stock Award is made, any repurchase
option contained in a Stock Award granted prior to the Listing Date to a person
who is not an Officer, Director or Consultant shall be upon the terms described
below:
(i) FAIR MARKET VALUE. If the repurchase option gives the
Company the right to repurchase the shares upon termination of employment at not
less than the Fair Market Value of the shares to be purchased on the date of
termination of Continuous Service, then (i) the right to repurchase shall be
exercised for cash or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness for the shares
within ninety (90) days of termination of Continuous Service (or in the case of
shares issued upon exercise of Stock Awards after such date of termination,
within ninety (90) days after the date of the exercise) or such longer period as
may be agreed to by the Company and the Participant (for example, for purposes
of satisfying the requirements of Section 1202(c)(3) of the Code regarding
"qualified small business stock") and (ii) the right terminates when the shares
become publicly traded.
(ii) ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. If the repurchase option gives the
Company the right to repurchase the shares upon termination of Continuous
Service at the original purchase price, then (i) the right to repurchase at the
original purchase price shall lapse at the rate of at least twenty percent (20%)
of the shares per year over five (5) years from the date the Stock Award is
granted (without respect to the date the Stock Award was exercised or became
exercisable) and (ii) the right to repurchase shall be exercised for cash or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness for the shares within ninety (90)
days of termination of Continuous Service (or in the case of shares issued upon
exercise of Options after such
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date of termination, within ninety (90) days after the date of the exercise) or
such longer period as may be agreed to by the Company and the Participant (for
example, for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Section 1202(c)(3) of
the Code regarding "qualified small business stock").
11. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.
(a) CAPITALIZATION ADJUSTMENTS. If any change is made in the shares
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 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 stock subject to such outstanding Stock Awards. The
Board, the determination of which shall be final, binding and conclusive, shall
make such adjustments. (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 such Stock Awards shall be
terminated if not exercised (if applicable) prior to such event.
(c) CHANGE IN CONTROL--ASSET SALE, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR REVERSE
MERGER.
(i) In the event of (1) a sale, lease or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (2) a merger or
consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or (3) 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 may
assume any Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar
stock awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the
shareholders in the transaction described in this subsection 11(c) for those
outstanding under the Plan).
(ii) Whether or not the surviving corporation or acquiring
corporation assumes such Stock Awards or substitutes similar stock awards for
those outstanding under the Plan, if an event described in subsection 11(c)(i)
(other than a merger of the Company into Hearst Homearts, Inc.) occurs, then
with respect to Stock Awards held by Participants whose Continuous Service has
not terminated, (1) at least thirty (30) days prior to such event 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 any reacquisition or
repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Stock Awards shall
lapse, (2) the Board promptly shall give such Participants written notice of
such occurrence within no more than two (2) days of such acceleration of Stock
Awards or the lapsing of such reacquisition or repurchase rights, and (3) such
Participants may pay the exercise price of such Stock Awards pursuant to the
following deferred payment alternative:
(1) Not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the
aggregate exercise price, plus accrued interest, shall be due four (4) years
from date of exercise or, at the Company's election, upon termination of the
Participant's Continuous Service.
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(2) 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
portion of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the
deferred payment arrangement.
(3) If the Company is then incorporated in Delaware,
payment of the Common Stock's "par value," as defined in the Delaware General
Corporation Law, shall be made in cash and not by deferred payment.
(4) In order to elect the deferred payment alternative,
the Participant must, as a part of his or her written notice of exercise, give
notice of the election of this deferred payment alternative and, in order to
secure the payment of the deferred exercise price to the Company thereunder, if
the Company so requests, must tender to the Company a promissory note and a
security agreement covering the purchased shares of Common Stock, both in form
and substance satisfactory to the Company, or such other or additional
documentation as the Company may request.
(iii) In the event the surviving corporation or acquiring
corporation refuses to assume such Stock Awards or to substitute similar stock
awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then 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.
(d) CHANGE IN CONTROL--SECURITIES ACQUISITION. After the Listing Date,
in the event of an acquisition by any person, entity or group within the meaning
of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor
provisions (excluding any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or
maintained by the Company or an Affiliate) of the beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable
successor rule) of securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent
(50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of Directors
(except that in the case of The Hearst Corporation and its subsidiaries, the
percentage shall be eighty percent (80%)), then with respect to Stock Awards
held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated, prior to such
event 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 any
reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such
Stock Awards shall lapse.
(e) EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENTS.
(i) If any benefit received or to be received by a Participant
pursuant to the acceleration of the vesting and/or exercisability of a Stock
Award, or the lapsing of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the
Company with respect to a Stock Award, would constitute an "excess parachute
payment" subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (the "EXCISE
TAX"), the amount or benefit to be received by such person shall be reduced if
such reduction, taking into account all applicable federal, state and local
income and employment taxes and the Excise Tax, results in a greater after-tax
benefit for such person. The determination by the Company's independent auditors
("ACCOUNTANTS") of any required reduction pursuant to this subsection 11(e)(i)
shall be conclusive and binding upon such person.
(ii) For purposes of making the calculations required by
subsection 11(e)(i), the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and
approximations concerning applicable taxes and may
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rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of the
Code. The Company and such Participants shall furnish to the Accountants such
information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to
make a determination under subsection 11(e)(i). The Company shall bear all costs
the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations
contemplated by subsection 11(e)(i).
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 stock, no amendment shall be effective unless
approved by the shareholders of the Company to the extent shareholder 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) SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit
any other amendment to the Plan for shareholder 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.
(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 shareholders 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.
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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 shareholders of the Company,
which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the
Plan is adopted by the Board.
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