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EXHIBIT 10.2
NETGEAR, INC.
2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.
1.1 ESTABLISHMENT. The Netgear, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan (the
"PLAN") is hereby established effective as of April 6, 2000.
1.2 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests
of the Participating Company Group and its stockholders 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
stockholders 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 NETGEAR, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
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(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 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.
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(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.
(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) "SECTION 162(m)" means Section 162(m) of the Code.
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(v) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.
(w) "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 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.
(x) "STOCK" means the common stock of the Company, as
adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2.
(y) "SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION" means any present or future
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the
Code.
(z) "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.
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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:
(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,
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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 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 COMMITTEE COMPLYING WITH SECTION 162(m). If a Participating
Company is a "publicly held corporation" within the meaning of Section 162(m),
the Board may establish a Committee of "outside directors" within the meaning of
Section 162(m) to approve the grant of any Option which might reasonably be
anticipated to result in the payment of employee remuneration that would
otherwise exceed the limit on employee remuneration deductible for income tax
purposes pursuant to Section 162(m).
3.6 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 three million (3,000,000). Any further
increase in the number of shares of stock that may be issued under the Plan
shall be approved by the board. If an outstanding Option for any reason expires
or is terminated or canceled or if shares of Stock are acquired upon the
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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.
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, to the Section 162(m) Grant Limit described in Section 5.4
below 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 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. 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.
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
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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.
5.4 SECTION 162(m) GRANT LIMIT. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 4.2, at any such time as a Participating Company is a
"publicly held corporation" within the meaning of Section 162(m), no Employee
shall be granted one or more Options within any fiscal year of the Company which
in the aggregate are for the purchase of more than five hundred thousand
(500,000) shares of Stock (the "SECTION 162(m) GRANT LIMIT"). An Option which is
canceled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted shall
continue to be counted against the Section 162(m) Grant Limit for such period
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 Option shall be not less than the Fair Market
Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option, and (b)
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
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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 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) provided that the Optionee is an Employee
and 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.
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(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. 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.
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
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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 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.
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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 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 stockholders 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 stockholders 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
12
<PAGE> 13
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. In the event the
Acquiring Corporation elects not to assume or substitute for outstanding Options
in connection with a Change in Control, any unexercisable or unvested portions
of outstanding Options and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof held by
Optionees whose Service has not terminated prior to such date shall be
immediately exercisable and vested in full as of the date ten (10) days prior to
the date of the Change in Control. The exercise or vesting of any Option and any
shares acquired upon the exercise thereof that was permissible solely by reason
of this Section 8.2 shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the Change in
Control. 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 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.
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
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<PAGE> 14
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 stockholders, 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 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 stockholders 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.
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<PAGE> 15
PLAN HISTORY
April 6, 2000 Board adopts the Plan, with an initial reserve of 3,000,000
shares
April 6, 2000 Stockholders approve the Plan.
<PAGE> 16
NETGEAR, INC.
NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION
________________________ (the "OPTIONEE") has been granted an option
(the "OPTION") to purchase certain shares of Stock of NETGEAR, Inc. pursuant to
the NETGEAR, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan (the "PLAN"), as follows:
DATE OF OPTION GRANT: _____________________
NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES: _____________________
EXERCISE PRICE: $ _________ per share
OPTION EXPIRATION DATE: The date ten (10) years after the Date of
Option Grant.
TAX STATUS OF OPTION: _______ Stock Option. (Enter "Incentive" or
"Nonstatutory." If blank, this Option will
be a Nonstatutory Stock Option.)
VESTED SHARES: Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Option
Agreement, the number of Vested Shares (disregarding any resulting fractional
share) as of any date is determined by multiplying the Number of Option Shares
by the "VESTED PERCENTAGE" determined as of such date as follows:
(i) On the date occuring one (1) after the Date of Option Grant
(the "First Anniversary"), the Vested Percentage shall be 25% provided that the
Optionee's Service has not terminated prior to such date.
(ii) The Vested Percentage shall be increased by 2.083% on the
last day of each month following the First Anniversary, provided that the
Optionee's Service has not terminated prior to such date, so that Vested
Percentage shall be 100% on and as of the fourth anniversary of the Date of
Option Grant.
By their signatures below, the Company and the Optionee agree that the
Option is governed by this Notice and by the provisions of the Plan and the
Stock Option Agreement, both of which are attached to and made a part of this
document. The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and the Stock
Option Agreement, represents that the Optionee has read and is familiar with
their provisions, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of their terms
and conditions.
Netgear, Inc. Optionee
By:
-------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Signature
Its:
------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Date
Address:
--------------------------- ------------------------------------
Address
ATTACHMENTS: 2000 Stock Option Plan, as amended through the Date of Option Grant
Stock Option Agreement
<PAGE> 17
NETGEAR, INC.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
NETGEAR, Inc. has granted to the individual (the "OPTIONEE") named in
the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the "NOTICE") to which this Stock Option
Agreement (the "OPTION AGREEMENT") is attached an option (the "OPTION") to
purchase certain shares of Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the
Notice and this Option Agreement. The Option has been granted pursuant to and
shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the NetGear,
Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan (the "PLAN"), as amended to the Date of Option
Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing
the Notice, the Optionee: (a) represents that the Optionee has read and is
familiar with the terms and conditions of the Notice, the Plan, and this Option
Agreement, including the Effect of Termination of Service set forth in Section 7
and the Right of First Refusal set forth in Section 11, (b) accepts the Option
subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Notice, the Plan and this
Option Agreement, (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all
decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the
Notice, the Plan or this Option Agreement, and (d) acknowledges receipt of a
copy of the Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement.
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
1.1 DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized
terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Notice or the Plan.
1.2 CONSTRUCTION. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of this Option Agreement. 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.
2. TAX CONSEQUENCES.
2.1 TAX STATUS OF OPTION. This Option is intended to have the
tax status designated in the Notice.
(a) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. If the Notice so designates,
this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of
Section 422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that
this Option qualifies as such. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee's
own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements
necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the
Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE TO
OPTIONEE: If the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the date
on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or
permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the
Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive
Stock Option to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.)
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<PAGE> 18
(b) NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. If the Notice so
designates, this Option is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall
not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b)
of the Code.
2.2 ISO FAIR MARKET VALUE LIMITATION. If the Notice designates
this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, then to the extent that the Option
(together with all Incentive Stock Options granted to the Optionee under all
stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan)
becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares
having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000),
the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 2.2, options designated
as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in which they
were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock is 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 2.2, such
different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the
date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the 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 2.2, 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.
(NOTE TO OPTIONEE: If the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option (that is, the
Exercise Price multiplied by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate
exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options you hold (whether granted
pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company
Group) is greater than $100,000, you should contact the Chief Financial Officer
of the Company to ascertain whether the entire Option qualifies as an Incentive
Stock Option.)
3. ADMINISTRATION.
All questions of interpretation concerning this Option Agreement
shall be determined by the Board. All determinations by the Board shall be final
and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any officer of a
Participating Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company
with respect to any matter, right, obligation, 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,
or election.
4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTION.
4.1 RIGHT TO EXERCISE. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Option shall be exercisable on and after the Date of Option Grant and prior to
the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to
exceed the number of Vested Shares less the number of shares previously acquired
upon exercise of the Option, subject to the Company's repurchase rights set
forth in Section 11. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares
than the Number of Option Shares.
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<PAGE> 19
4.2 METHOD OF EXERCISE. Exercise of the Option shall be by
written notice to the Company which must state the election to exercise the
Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being
exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Optionee's
investment intent with respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the
provisions of this Option Agreement. The written notice must be signed by the
Optionee and must be delivered in person, by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other
means as the Company may permit, to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
or other authorized representative of the Participating Company Group, prior to
the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6, accompanied by full
payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being
purchased. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the
Company of such written notice and the aggregate Exercise Price.
4.3 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.
(a) FORMS OF CONSIDERATION AUTHORIZED. Except as
otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number
of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in
cash, by check, or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or
attestation to the ownership, of whole 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 with an underwriter for the Company) not
less than the aggregate Exercise Price, (iii) by means of a Cashless Exercise,
as defined in Section 4.3(b), or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing.
(b) LIMITATIONS ON FORMS OF CONSIDERATION.
(i) TENDER OF STOCK. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the 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. The
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. A "CASHLESS EXERCISE"
means the delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable
instructions to a broker in a form acceptable to the Company providing for the
assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some
or all of the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option pursuant
to a program or procedure approved by the Company (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). The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company's
sole and absolute discretion, to decline to approve or terminate any such
program or procedure.
3
<PAGE> 20
4.4 TAX WITHHOLDING. At the time the Option is exercised, in
whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the
Optionee hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts
payable to the Optionee, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for
(including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the
Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax
withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise
in connection with the Option, including, without limitation, obligations
arising upon (i) the exercise, in whole or in part, of the Option, (ii) the
transfer, in whole or in part, of any shares acquired upon exercise of the
Option, (iii) the operation of any law or regulation providing for the
imputation of interest, or (iv) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to
any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option. The Company shall have no
obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the tax withholding obligations of
the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Optionee.
4.5 CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION. Except in the event the Exercise
Price is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as
to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the
Optionee, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Optionee.
4.6 RESTRICTIONS ON GRANT OF THE OPTION AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the
Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of
federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option 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, the Option
may not be exercised unless (i) 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 (ii) 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 OPTIONEE IS CAUTIONED THAT
THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED.
ACCORDINGLY, THE OPTIONEE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION WHEN DESIRED
EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. 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 subject to the Option 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 the
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.
4.7 FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Company shall not be required to
issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.
4
<PAGE> 21
5. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTION.
The Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee
only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian or legal representative and may
not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution. Following the death of the Optionee, the Option, to
the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by the Optionee's legal
representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee's
will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.
6. TERMINATION OF THE OPTION.
The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised on the
first to occur of (a) the Option Expiration Date, (b) the last date for
exercising the Option following termination of the Optionee's Service as
described in Section 7, or (c) a Change in Control to the extent provided in
Section 8.
7. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
7.1 OPTION EXERCISABILITY.
(a) 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 after the date on which the Optionee's Service
terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
(b) DEATH. If the Optionee's Service with the
Participating Company Group terminates because of the death 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'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 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 after the Optionee's termination of Service.
(c) 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 other 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.
5
<PAGE> 22
7.2 EXTENSION IF EXERCISE PREVENTED BY LAW. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 7.1 is prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the Option
shall remain exercisable until three (3) months 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.
7.3 EXTENSION IF OPTIONEE SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 7.1 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.
8. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
In the event of a Change in Control, the Acquiring Corporation
may either assume the Company's rights and obligations under the Option or
substitute for the Option a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiring
Corporation's stock. The Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding
effective as of the date of the Change in Control to the extent that the Option
is 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the
Option prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to
the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject
to all applicable provisions of this Option Agreement except as otherwise
provided herein.
9. 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, Exercise Price and class of shares of stock subject to the Option. If a
majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are
subject to the Option are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become
(whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another
corporation (the "NEW SHARES"), the Board may unilaterally amend the Option to
provide that the Option is exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such
amendment, the Number of Option Shares and the Exercise Price 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 9 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number,
and in no event may the Exercise Price 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 9 shall be final, binding and
conclusive.
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<PAGE> 23
10. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT.
The Optionee shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect
to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of a
certificate for the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced
by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized
transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends,
distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date
such certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 9. If the Optionee is
an Employee, the Optionee understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise
provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating
Company and the Optionee, the Optionee's employment is "at will" and is for no
specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee
any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in
any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the
Optionee's Service as an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any
time.
11. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
11.1 GRANT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Except as provided in
Section 11.7 below, in the event the Optionee, the Optionee's legal
representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option
proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any shares
acquired upon exercise of the Option (the "TRANSFER SHARES") to any person or
entity, including, without limitation, any stockholder of a Participating
Company, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer Shares
under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the
"RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL").
11.2 NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSFER. Prior to any proposed transfer
of the Transfer Shares, the Optionee shall deliver written notice (the "TRANSFER
NOTICE") to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the
number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the
"PROPOSED TRANSFEREE") and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer
price, and containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of
the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary transfer,
the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the
Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If the Optionee
proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee,
the Optionee shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer
to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both the
Optionee and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of
the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares
to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal.
11.3 BONA FIDE TRANSFER. If the Company determines that the
information provided by the Optionee in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to
establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company
shall give the Optionee written notice of the Optionee's failure to comply with
the procedure described in this Section 11, and the Optionee shall have no right
to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure
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<PAGE> 24
described in this Section 11. The Optionee shall not be permitted to transfer
the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.
11.4 EXERCISE OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. If the Company
determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the
right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as
the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the
terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Optionee of a notice
of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date
the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company's exercise or
failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed
transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company's right to
exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer
described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer
Notice is issued by the Optionee or issued by a person other than the Optionee
with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the
Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Optionee shall
thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms
set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the
Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered
by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer
Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the
Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present
value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as
reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing,
cancellation of any indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company
shall be treated as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid
principal and any accrued interest canceled.
11.5 FAILURE TO EXERCISE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. If the Company
fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent
as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) within the period specified in
Section 11.4 above, the Optionee may conclude a transfer to the Proposed
Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the
Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90) days
following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall have
the right to demand further assurances from the Optionee and the Proposed
Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the
Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described
in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of
the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and
has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms
and conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as
any subsequent proposed transfer by the Optionee, shall again be subject to the
Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by the Optionee with the
procedure described in this Section 11.
11.6 TRANSFEREES OF TRANSFER SHARES. All transferees of the
Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be
required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form
satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such
Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions
of this Option Agreement, including this Section 11 providing for the Right of
First Refusal with
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<PAGE> 25
respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of any shares acquired
upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the provisions of this Section
11 are met.
11.7 TRANSFERS NOT SUBJECT TO RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Right
of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares
acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in
connection with an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received
pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of a Participating
Company, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal
unless the provisions of Section 11.9 below result in a termination of the Right
of First Refusal.
11.8 ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Company shall
have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not
there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected
by the Company.
11.9 EARLY TERMINATION OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The other
provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal
shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of
a Change in Control, unless the Acquiring Corporation assumes the Company's
rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially
equivalent option for the Acquiring Corporation's stock for the Option, or (b)
the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of
First Refusal. A "PUBLIC MARKET" shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is
listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange
Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and prices
therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.
12. STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS SUBJECT TO OPTION AGREEMENT.
If, from time to time, there is any stock dividend, stock split
or other change, as described in Section 9, in the character or amount of any of
the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which is subject to the
provisions of this Option Agreement, then in such event any and all new,
substituted or additional securities to which the Optionee is entitled by reason
of the Optionee's ownership of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option
shall be immediately subject to the Right of First Refusal with the same force
and effect as the shares subject to the Right of First Refusal immediately
before such event.
13. NOTICE OF SALES UPON DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.
The Optionee shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to
the Option only in accordance with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In
addition, if the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, the
Optionee shall (a) promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if
the Optionee disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option
within one (1) year after the date the Optionee exercises all or part of the
Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Option Grant and (b) provide
the Company with a description of the circumstances of such disposition. Until
such time as the Optionee disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with
the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless
9
<PAGE> 26
otherwise expressly authorized by the Company, the Optionee shall hold all
shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Optionee's name (and not in the
name of any nominee) for the one-year period immediately after the exercise of
the Option and the two-year period immediately after Date of Option Grant. At
any time during the one-year or two-year periods set forth above, the Company
may place a legend on any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to
the Option requesting the transfer agent for the Company's stock to notify the
Company of any such transfers. The obligation of the Optionee to notify the
Company of any such transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has
been placed on the certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.
14. LEGENDS.
The Company may at any time place legends referencing the Right
of First Refusal and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law
restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock subject to the
provisions of this Option Agreement. The Optionee shall, at the request of the
Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing
shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Optionee in
order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by
the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be
limited to, the following:
14.1 "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD,
TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH
SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND
PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT."
14.2 "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO
A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET
FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH
HOLDER'S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL
OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION."
14.3 If the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock
Option: "THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION
TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AS DEFINED
IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED ("ISO"). IN
ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO ISOs, THE SHARES
SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE LATER OF TWO YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF
OPTION GRANT OR ONE YEAR AFTER THE DATE OF EXERCISE. SHOULD THE REGISTERED
HOLDER ELECT TO
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<PAGE> 27
TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX TREATMENT, THE
TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY. THE
REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDER'S NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE)
PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE."
15. LOCK-UP AGREEMENT.
The Optionee hereby agrees that in the event of any underwritten
public offering of stock, including an initial public offering of stock, made by
the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the
Securities Act, the Optionee shall not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge,
hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale of, or
otherwise dispose of any shares of stock of the Company or any rights to acquire
stock of the Company for such period of time from and after the effective date
of such registration statement as may be established by the underwriter for such
public offering; provided, however, that such period of time shall not exceed
one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of the registration
statement to be filed in connection with such public offering. The foregoing
limitation shall not apply to shares registered in the public offering under the
Securities Act.
16. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES.
No shares acquired upon exercise of the Option may be sold,
exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee
or agent of the Optionee), assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed
of, including by operation of law, in any manner which violates any of the
provisions of this Option Agreement and any such attempted disposition shall be
void. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares
which will have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth
in this Option Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such shares or to accord
the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom
such shares will have been so transferred.
17. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
17.1 BINDING EFFECT. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set
forth herein, this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns.
17.2 TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT. The Board may terminate or amend
the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided
in Section 8 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or
amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof
without the consent of the Optionee unless such termination or amendment is
necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation or is
required to enable the Option, if designated an Incentive Stock Option in the
Notice, to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. No amendment or addition to
this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.
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<PAGE> 28
17.3 NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall
be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent
that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt
of such notice) upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post
Office, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid,
addressed to the other party at the address shown below that party's signature
or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to
time to the other party.
17.4 INTEGRATED AGREEMENT. The Notice, this Option Agreement and
the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Optionee and
the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained
herein or therein and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings,
restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Optionee and the
Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter other than those
as set forth or provided for herein or therein. To the extent contemplated
herein or therein, the provisions of the Notice and the Option Agreement shall
survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect.
17.5 APPLICABLE LAW. This Option Agreement shall be governed by
the laws of the State of California as such laws are applied to agreements
between California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within
the State of California.
17.6 COUNTERPARTS. The Notice may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
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(TM) Incentive Stock Option Optionee:
---------------------------
(TM) Nonstatutory Stock Option
Date:
------------------------
STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE
NETGEAR, Inc.
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. OPTION. I was granted an option (the "OPTION") to purchase shares of
the common stock (the "SHARES") of NetGear, Inc. (the "COMPANY") pursuant to the
Company's 2000 Stock Option Plan (the "PLAN"), my Notice of Grant of Stock
Option (the "NOTICE") and my Stock Option Agreement (the "OPTION AGREEMENT") as
follows:
Grant Number:
-------------------
Date of Option Grant:
-------------------
Number of Option Shares:
-------------------
Exercise Price per Share: $
------------------
2. COMPLIANCE WITH PLAN. I hereby certify to the Company that I have
complied with all of the provisions of the Plan and the Option Agreement,
including without limitation the provisions related to the cancellation and
recission of Options set forth in Section 6.8 of the Plan. I understand and
acknowledge that if I have not complied with the Plan or the Option Agreement, I
may be required to pay to the Company an amount equal to any gain I realize on
exercise of the Option in accordance with the Plan.
3. EXERCISE OF OPTION. I hereby elect to exercise the Option to purchase
the following number of Shares, all of which are Vested Shares in accordance
with the Notice and the Option Agreement:
Total Shares Purchased:
-----------
Total Exercise Price (Total Shares X Price per Share) $
----------
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4. PAYMENTS. I enclose payment in full of the total exercise price for
the Shares in the following form(s), as authorized by my Option Agreement:
(TM) Cash: $
-------------------------
(TM) Check: $
-------------------------
(TM) Tender of Company Stock: Contact Plan Administrator
5. TAX WITHHOLDING. I authorize payroll withholding and otherwise will
make adequate provision for the federal, state, local and foreign tax
withholding obligations of the Company, if any, in connection with the Option.
6. OPTIONEE INFORMATION.
My address is:
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
My Social Security Number is:
------------------------------------
7. NOTICE OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION. If the Option is an Incentive
Stock Option, I agree that I will promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of
the Company if I transfer any of the Shares within one (1) year from the date I
exercise all or part of the Option or within two (2) years of the Date of Option
Grant.
8. BINDING EFFECT. I agree that the Shares are being acquired in
accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the
Option Agreement, including the Right of First Refusal set forth therein, to all
of which I hereby expressly assent. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns.
9. TRANSFER. I understand and acknowledge that the Shares have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"),
and that consequently the Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are
subsequently registered under the Securities Act, an exemption from such
registration is available, or they are sold in accordance with Rule 144 or Rule
701 under the Securities Act. I further understand and acknowledge that the
Company is under no obligation to register the Shares. I understand that the
certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares will be imprinted with legends
which prohibit the transfer of the Shares unless they are registered or such
registration is not required in the opinion of legal counsel satisfactory to the
Company. I am aware that Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which permits
limited public resale of securities acquired in a nonpublic offering, is not
currently available with respect to the Shares and, in any event, is available
only if certain conditions are satisfied. I understand that any sale of the
Shares that might be made in reliance upon Rule 144 may only be made in limited
amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of such rule and that a copy
of Rule 144 will be delivered to me upon request.
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I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of
the Plan, the Notice and my Option Agreement, copies of which I have received
and carefully read and understand.
Very truly yours,
------------------------------------
(Signature)
Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged.
NETGEAR, Inc.
By:
--------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
Dated:
-----------------------------
3
