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EXHIBIT 10.3
Chorum Technologies, Inc.
2000 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(AS ADOPTED OCTOBER 11, 2000)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I. INTRODUCTION................................................. 1
ARTICLE II. ADMINISTRATION.............................................. 1
2.1 Committee Composition......................................... 1
2.2 Committee Responsibilities.................................... 1
2.3 Committee for Non-Officer Grants.............................. 1
ARTICLE III. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS................................ 2
3.1 Basic Limitation.............................................. 2
3.2 Annual Increase in Shares..................................... 2
3.3 Additional Shares............................................. 2
3.4 Dividend Equivalents.......................................... 2
ARTICLE IV. ELIGIBILITY................................................. 2
4.1 Incentive Stock Options....................................... 2
4.2 Other Grants.................................................. 3
ARTICLE V. OPTIONS...................................................... 3
5.1 Stock Option Agreement........................................ 3
5.2 Number of Shares.............................................. 3
5.3 Exercise Price................................................ 3
5.4 Effect of Change in Control................................... 3
5.5 Exercisability and Term....................................... 3
5.6 Modification or Assumption of Options......................... 4
5.7 Buyout Provisions............................................. 4
ARTICLE VI. PAYMENT FOR OPTION SHARES................................... 4
6.1 General Rule.................................................. 4
6.2 Surrender of Stock............................................ 4
6.3 Exercise/Sale................................................. 4
6.4 Exercise/Pledge............................................... 4
6.5 Promissory Note............................................... 5
6.6 Other Forms of Payment........................................ 5
ARTICLE VII. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.................................. 5
7.1 SAR Agreement................................................. 5
7.2 Number of Shares.............................................. 5
7.3 Exercise Price................................................ 5
7.4 Exercisability and Term....................................... 5
7.5 Effect of Change in Control................................... 5
7.6 Exercise of SARs.............................................. 6
7.7 Modification or Assumption of SARs............................ 6
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ARTICLE VIII. RESTRICTED SHARES......................................... 6
8.1 Restricted Stock Agreement.................................... 6
8.2 Payment for Awards............................................ 6
8.3 Vesting Conditions............................................ 6
8.4 Voting and Dividend Rights.................................... 7
ARTICLE IX. STOCK UNITS................................................. 7
9.1 Stock Unit Agreement.......................................... 7
9.2 Payment for Awards............................................ 7
9.3 Vesting Conditions............................................ 7
9.4 Voting and Dividend Rights.................................... 7
9.5 Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units.................... 7
9.6 Death of Recipient............................................ 8
9.7 Creditors' Rights............................................. 8
ARTICLE X. PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION.................................. 8
10.1 Adjustments................................................... 8
10.2 Dissolution or Liquidation.................................... 9
10.3 Reorganizations............................................... 9
ARTICLE XI. DEFERRAL OF AWARDS......................................... 9
ARTICLE XII. AWARDS UNDER OTHER PLANS.................................. 9
ARTICLE XIII. PAYMENT OF FEES IN SECURITIES............................. 10
13.1 Effective Date................................................ 10
13.2 Elections to Receive NSOs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units... 10
13.3 Number and Terms of NSOs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units.... 10
ARTICLE XIV. LIMITATION ON RIGHTS....................................... 10
14.1 Retention Rights.............................................. 10
14.2 Stockholders' Rights.......................................... 10
14.3 Regulatory Requirements....................................... 10
ARTICLE XV. WITHHOLDING TAXES........................................... 11
15.1 General....................................................... 11
15.2 Share Withholding............................................. 11
ARTICLE XVI. FUTURE OF THE PLAN......................................... 11
16.1 Term of the Plan.............................................. 11
16.2 Amendment or Termination...................................... 11
ARTICLE XVII. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS................................... 11
17.1 Scope of Limitation........................................... 11
17.2 Application to Award.......................................... 12
17.3 Basic Rule.................................................... 12
17.4 Reduction of Payments......................................... 12
17.5 Overpayments and Underpayments................................ 12
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17.6 Related Corporations.......................................... 12
ARTICLE XVIII. DEFINITIONS............................................. 12
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Chorum Technologies, Inc.
2000 Equity Incentive Plan
ARTICLE I. INTRODUCTION.
The Plan was adopted by the Board to be effective at the IPO. The
purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the
creation of stockholder value by (a) encouraging Employees, Outside Directors
and Consultants to focus on critical long-range objectives, (b) encouraging the
attraction and retention of Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants with
exceptional qualifications, and (c) linking Employees, Outside Directors and
Consultants directly to stockholder interests through increased stock ownership.
The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of
Restricted Shares, Stock Units, Options (which may constitute incentive stock
options or nonstatutory stock options) or stock appreciation rights.
The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of Delaware (except their choice-of-law provisions).
ARTICLE II. ADMINISTRATION.
2.1 Committee Composition. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee. The Committee shall consist exclusively of two or more directors of
the Company, who shall be appointed by the Board. In addition, the composition
of the Committee shall satisfy:
(a) Such requirements as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may establish for administrators acting under plans intended to qualify for
exemption under Rule 16b-3 (or its successor) under the Exchange Act; and
(b) Such requirements as the Internal Revenue Service may
establish for outside directors acting under plans intended to qualify for
exemption under section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.
2.2 Committee Responsibilities. The Committee shall (a) select the
Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants who are to receive Awards under the
Plan, (b) determine the type, number, vesting requirements and other features
and conditions of such Awards, (c) interpret the Plan and (d) make all other
decisions relating to the operation of the Plan. The Committee may adopt such
rules or guidelines as it deems appropriate to implement the Plan. The
Committee's determinations under the Plan shall be final and binding on all
persons.
2.3 Committee for Non-Officer Grants. The Board may also appoint a
secondary committee of the Board, which shall be composed of one or more
directors of the Company who need not satisfy the requirements of Section 2.1.
Such secondary committee may administer the Plan with respect to Employees and
Consultants who are not considered officers or directors of the Company under
section 16 of the Exchange Act, may grant Awards under the
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Plan to such Employees and Consultants and may determine all features and
conditions of such Awards. Within the limitations of this Section 2.3, any
reference in the Plan to the Committee shall include such secondary committee.
ARTICLE III. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS.
3.1 Basic Limitation. Shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the
Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The aggregate
number of Options, SARs, Stock Units and Restricted Shares awarded under the
Plan shall not exceed (a) 3,900,000, (b) plus the shares remaining available for
grant under the Predecessor Plan, plus (c) the additional shares of Common Stock
described in Sections 3.2 and 3.3. The limitations of this Section 3.1 and
Section 3.2 shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 11.
3.2 Annual Increase in Shares. As of September 30 of each year,
commencing with the year 2001 and ending on September 30, 2006, the aggregate
number of Options, SARs, Stock Units and Restricted Shares that may be awarded
under the Plan shall automatically increase by a number equal to the lesser of
5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding, or 2,000,000
shares.
3.3 Additional Shares. If Restricted Shares or shares of Common
Stock issued upon the exercise of Options are forfeited, then such shares of
Common Stock shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. If Stock
Units, Options or SARs are forfeited or terminate for any other reason before
being exercised (including Options originally granted under the Predecessor
Plan), then the corresponding shares of Common Stock shall again become
available for Awards under the Plan. If Stock Units are settled, then only the
number of shares of Common Stock (if any) actually issued in settlement of such
Stock Units shall reduce the number available under Section 3.1 and the balance
shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. If SARs are exercised,
then only the number of shares of Common Stock (if any) actually issued in
settlement of such SARs shall reduce the number available under Section 3.1 and
the balance shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. The
foregoing notwithstanding, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that
may be issued under the Plan upon the exercise of ISOs shall not be increased
when Restricted Shares or other shares of Common Stock are forfeited.
3.4 Dividend Equivalents. Any dividend equivalents paid or credited
under the Plan shall not be applied against the number of Restricted Shares,
Stock Units, Options or SARs available for Awards, whether or not such dividend
equivalents are converted into Stock Units.
ARTICLE IV. ELIGIBILITY.
4.1 Incentive Stock Options. Only Employees who are common-law
employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the
grant of ISOs. In addition, an Employee who owns more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company or any
of its Parents or Subsidiaries shall not be eligible for the grant of an ISO
unless the requirements set forth in section 422(c)(6) of the Code are
satisfied.
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4.2 Other Grants. Only Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants
shall be eligible for the grant of Restricted Shares, Stock Units, NSOs or SARs.
ARTICLE V. OPTIONS.
5.1 Stock Option Agreement. Each grant of an Option under the Plan
shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the
Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and
may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The
Stock Option Agreement shall specify whether the Option is an ISO or an NSO. The
provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan
need not be identical. Options may be granted in consideration of a reduction in
the Optionee's other compensation. A Stock Option Agreement may provide that a
new Option will be granted automatically to the Optionee when he or she
exercises a prior Option and pays the Exercise Price in the form described in
Section 6.2.
5.2 Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option and shall provide for the
adjustment of such number in accordance with Article 10. Options granted to any
Optionee in a single fiscal year of the Company shall not cover more than
1,500,000 shares of Common Stock, except that Options granted to a new Employee
in the fiscal year of the Company in which his or her service as an Employee
first commences shall not cover more than 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The
limitations set forth in the preceding sentence shall be subject to adjustment
in accordance with Article 11.
5.3 Exercise Price. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the
Exercise Price; provided that the Exercise Price under an ISO shall in no event
be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the
date of grant and the Exercise Price under an NSO shall in no event be less than
85% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. In
the case of an NSO, a Stock Option Agreement may specify an Exercise Price that
varies in accordance with a predetermined formula while the NSO is outstanding.
5.4 Effect of Change in Control. The Committee may determine, at the
time of granting an Option or thereafter, that such Option shall become
exercisable as to all or part of the shares of Common Stock subject to such
Option in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company
or in the event that the Optionee is subject to an Involuntary Termination after
a Change in Control. However, in the case of an ISO, the acceleration of
exercisability shall not occur without the Optionee's written consent. In
addition, acceleration of exercisability may be required under Section 10.3.
5.5 Exercisability and Term. Each Stock Option Agreement shall
specify the date or event when all or any installment of the Option is to become
exercisable. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the term of the
Option; provided that the term of an ISO shall in no event exceed 10 years from
the date of grant. A Stock Option Agreement may provide for accelerated
exercisability in the event of the Optionee's death, disability or retirement or
other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the
event of the termination of the Optionee's service. Options may be awarded in
combination with
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SARs, and such an Award may provide that the Options will not be exercisable
unless the related SARs are forfeited.
5.6 Modification or Assumption of Options. Within the limitations of
the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or assume outstanding options or may
accept the cancellation of outstanding options (whether granted by the Company
or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new options for the same or a
different number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price. The
foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the
consent of the Optionee, alter or impair his or her rights or obligations under
such Option.
5.7 Buyout Provisions. The Committee may at any time (a) offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents an Option previously granted
or (b) authorize an Optionee to elect to cash out an Option previously granted,
in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the
Committee shall establish.
ARTICLE VI. PAYMENT FOR OPTION SHARES.
6.1 General Rule. The entire Exercise Price of shares of Common
Stock issued upon exercise of Options shall be payable in cash or cash
equivalents at the time when such shares of Common Stock are purchased, except
as follows:
(a) In the case of an ISO granted under the Plan, payment shall
be made only pursuant to the express provisions of the applicable Stock Option
Agreement. The Stock Option Agreement may specify that payment may be made in
any form(s) described in this Article 6.
(b) In the case of an NSO, the Committee may at any time accept
payment in any form(s) described in this Article 6.
6.2 Surrender of Stock. To the extent that this Section 6.2 is
applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price may be paid by surrendering,
or attesting to the ownership of, shares of Common Stock that are already owned
by the Optionee. Such shares of Common Stock shall be valued at their Fair
Market Value on the date when the new shares of Common Stock are purchased under
the Plan. The Optionee shall not surrender, or attest to the ownership of,
shares of Common Stock in payment of the Exercise Price if such action would
cause the Company to recognize compensation expense (or additional compensation
expense) with respect to the Option for financial reporting purposes.
6.3 Exercise/Sale. To the extent that this Section 6.3 is
applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may
be paid by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable
direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell all or part of
the shares of Common Stock being purchased under the Plan and to deliver all or
part of the sales proceeds to the Company.
6.4 Exercise/Pledge. To the extent that this Section 6.4 is
applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may
be paid by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable
direction to pledge all or part of the shares of
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Common Stock being purchased under the Plan to a securities broker or lender
approved by the Company, as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of
the loan proceeds to the Company.
6.5 Promissory Note. To the extent that this Section 6.5 is
applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may
be paid by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) a full-recourse
promissory note. However, the par value of the shares of Common Stock being
purchased under the Plan, if newly issued, shall be paid in cash or cash
equivalents.
6.6 Other Forms of Payment. To the extent that this Section 6.6 is
applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may
be paid in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations
and rules.
ARTICLE VII. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
7.1 SAR Agreement. Each grant of an SAR under the Plan shall be
evidenced by an SAR Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such SAR
shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any
other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the
various SAR Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical. SARs
may be granted in consideration of a reduction in the Optionee's other
compensation.
7.2 Number of Shares. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the number of
shares of Common Stock to which the SAR pertains and shall provide for the
adjustment of such number in accordance with Article 11. SARs granted to any
Optionee in a single calendar year shall in no event pertain to more than
1,500,000 shares of Common Stock, except that SARs granted to a new Employee in
the fiscal year of the Company in which his or her service as an Employee first
commences shall not pertain to more than 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The
limitations set forth in the preceding sentence shall be subject to adjustment
in accordance with Article 11.
7.3 Exercise Price. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the Exercise
Price. An SAR Agreement may specify an Exercise Price that varies in accordance
with a predetermined formula while the SAR is outstanding.
7.4 Exercisability and Term. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the
date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become exercisable. The SAR
Agreement shall also specify the term of the SAR. An SAR Agreement may provide
for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Optionee's death, disability
or retirement or other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of
its term in the event of the termination of the Optionee's service. SARs may be
awarded in combination with Options, and such an Award may provide that the SARs
will not be exercisable unless the related Options are forfeited. An SAR may be
included in an ISO only at the time of grant but may be included in an NSO at
the time of grant or thereafter. An SAR granted under the Plan may provide that
it will be exercisable only in the event of a Change in Control.
7.5 Effect of Change in Control. The Committee may determine, at the
time of granting an SAR or thereafter, that such SAR shall become fully
exercisable as to all shares of
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Common Stock subject to such SAR in the event that the Company is subject to a
Change in Control or in the event that the Optionee is subject to an Involuntary
Termination after a Change in Control. In addition, acceleration of
exercisability may be required under Section 10.3.
7.6 Exercise of SARs. Upon exercise of an SAR, the Optionee (or any
person having the right to exercise the SAR after his or her death) shall
receive from the Company (a) shares of Common Stock, (b) cash or (c) a
combination of shares of Common Stock and cash, as the Committee shall
determine. The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of shares of Common
Stock received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, be equal to the
amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the shares
of Common Stock subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price. If, on the date
when an SAR expires, the Exercise Price under such SAR is less than the Fair
Market Value on such date but any portion of such SAR has not been exercised or
surrendered, then such SAR shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of
such date with respect to such portion.
7.7 Modification or Assumption of SARs. Within the limitations of
the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or assume outstanding SARs or may
accept the cancellation of outstanding SARs (whether granted by the Company or
by another issuer) in return for the grant of new SARs for the same or a
different number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price. The
foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an SAR shall, without the consent
of the Optionee, alter or impair his or her rights or obligations under such
SAR.
ARTICLE VIII. RESTRICTED SHARES.
8.1 Restricted Stock Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Shares
under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement between the
recipient and the Company. Such Restricted Shares shall be subject to all
applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not
inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock
Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
8.2 Payment for Awards. Subject to the following sentence,
Restricted Shares may be sold or awarded under the Plan for such consideration
as the Committee may determine, including (without limitation) cash, cash
equivalents, full-recourse promissory notes, past services and future services.
To the extent that an Award consists of newly issued Restricted Shares, the
consideration shall consist exclusively of cash, cash equivalents or past
services rendered to the Company (or a Parent or Subsidiary) or, for the amount
in excess of the par value of such newly issued Restricted Shares, full-recourse
promissory notes, as the Committee may determine.
8.3 Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Restricted Shares may or may
not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon
satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Agreement. A
Restricted Stock Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of
the Participant's death, disability or retirement or other events. The Committee
may determine, at the time of granting Restricted Shares or thereafter, that all
or part of such Restricted Shares shall become vested in the event that a
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Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company or in the event that the
Participant is subject to an Involuntary Termination after a Change in Control.
8.4 Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Restricted Shares
awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as
the Company's other stockholders. A Restricted Stock Agreement, however, may
require that the holders of Restricted Shares invest any cash dividends received
in additional Restricted Shares. Such additional Restricted Shares shall be
subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Award with respect to
which the dividends were paid.
ARTICLE IX. STOCK UNITS.
9.1 Stock Unit Agreement. Each grant of Stock Units under the Plan
shall be evidenced by a Stock Unit Agreement between the recipient and the
Company. Such Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan
and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan.
The provisions of the various Stock Unit Agreements entered into under the Plan
need not be identical. Stock Units may be granted in consideration of a
reduction in the recipient's other compensation.
9.2 Payment for Awards. To the extent that an Award is granted in
the form of Stock Units, no cash consideration shall be required of the Award
recipients.
9.3 Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Stock Units may or may not be
subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon
satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Stock Unit Agreement. A Stock
Unit Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the
Participant's death, disability or retirement or other events. The Committee may
determine, at the time of granting Stock Units or thereafter, that all or part
of such Stock Units shall become vested in the event that the Company is subject
to a Change in Control or in the event that the Participant is subject to an
Involuntary Termination after a Change in Control. In addition, acceleration of
vesting may be required under Section 10.3.
9.4 Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Stock Units shall
have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, any Stock Unit awarded
under the Plan may, at the Committee's discretion, carry with it a right to
dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an
amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one share of Common Stock while the
Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional
Stock Units. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash,
in the form of shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of both. Prior to
distribution, any dividend equivalents which are not paid shall be subject to
the same conditions and restrictions as the Stock Units to which they attach.
9.5 Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units. Settlement of vested
Stock Units may be made in the form of (a) cash, (b) shares of Common Stock or
(c) any combination of both, as determined by the Committee. The actual number
of Stock Units eligible for settlement may be larger or smaller than the number
included in the original Award, based on predetermined performance factors.
Methods of converting Stock Units into cash may include (without limitation) a
method based on the average Fair Market Value of shares of
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Common Stock over a series of trading days. Vested Stock Units may be settled in
a lump sum or in installments. The distribution may occur or commence when all
vesting conditions applicable to the Stock Units have been satisfied or have
lapsed, or it may be deferred to any later date. The amount of a deferred
distribution may be increased by an interest factor or by dividend equivalents.
Until an Award of Stock Units is settled, the number of such Stock Units shall
be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 11.
9.6 Death of Recipient. Any Stock Units Award that becomes payable
after the recipient's death shall be distributed to the recipient's beneficiary
or beneficiaries. Each recipient of a Stock Units Award under the Plan shall
designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed
form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the
prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Award recipient's death.
If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the
Award recipient, then any Stock Units Award that becomes payable after the
recipient's death shall be distributed to the recipient's estate.
9.7 Creditors' Rights. A holder of Stock Units shall have no rights
other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Stock Units represent an
unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and
conditions of the applicable Stock Unit Agreement.
ARTICLE X. PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION.
10.1 Adjustments. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in shares of Common
Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in a form other than shares of Common
Stock in an amount that has a material affect on the price of shares of Common
Stock, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of shares of Common
Stock, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Committee
shall make such adjustments as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate in
one or more of:
(a) The number of Options, SARs, Restricted Shares and Stock
Units available for future Awards under Article 3, including the number and/or
class of securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each
year;
(b) The limitations set forth in Sections 5.2 and 7.2;
(c) The number of shares of Common Stock covered by each
outstanding Option and SAR;
(d) The Exercise Price under each outstanding Option and SAR; or
(e) The number of Stock Units included in any prior Award which
has not yet been settled.
Except as provided in this Article 11, a Participant shall have no rights by
reason of any issue by the Company of stock of any class or securities
convertible into stock of any class, any subdivision or consolidation of shares
of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase
or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class.
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10.2 Dissolution or Liquidation. To the extent not previously
exercised or settled, Options, SARs and Stock Units shall terminate immediately
prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.
10.3 Reorganizations. In the event that the Company is a party to a
merger or other reorganization, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the
agreement of merger or reorganization. Such agreement shall provide for (a) the
continuation of the outstanding Awards by the Company, if the Company is a
surviving corporation, (b) the assumption of the outstanding Awards by the
surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary, (c) the substitution by the
surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary of its own awards for the
outstanding Awards, (d) full exercisability or vesting and accelerated
expiration of the outstanding Awards or (e) settlement of the full value of the
outstanding Awards in cash or cash equivalents followed by cancellation of such
Awards.
ARTICLE XI. DEFERRAL OF AWARDS.
The Committee (in its sole discretion) may permit or require a
Participant to:
(a) Have cash that otherwise would be paid to such Participant
as a result of the exercise of an SAR or the settlement of Stock Units credited
to a deferred compensation account established for such Participant by the
Committee as an entry on the Company's books;
(b) Have shares of Common Stock that otherwise would be
delivered to such Participant as a result of the exercise of an Option or SAR
converted into an equal number of Stock Units; or
(c) Have shares of Common Stock that otherwise would be
delivered to such Participant as a result of the exercise of an Option or SAR or
the settlement of Stock Units converted into amounts credited to a deferred
compensation account established for such Participant by the Committee as an
entry on the Company's books. Such amounts shall be determined by reference to
the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock as of the date when they
otherwise would have been delivered to such Participant.
A deferred compensation account established under this Article 12 may be
credited with interest or other forms of investment return, as determined by the
Committee. A Participant for whom such an account is established shall have no
rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Such an account
shall represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company and shall be
subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable agreement between such
Participant and the Company. If the deferral or conversion of Awards is
permitted or required, the Committee (in its sole discretion) may establish
rules, procedures and forms pertaining to such Awards, including (without
limitation) the settlement of deferred compensation accounts established under
this Article 12.
ARTICLE XII. AWARDS UNDER OTHER PLANS.
The Company may grant awards under other plans or programs. Such
awards may be settled in the form of shares of Common Stock issued under this
Plan. Such shares of
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Common Stock shall be treated for all purposes under the Plan like shares of
Common Stock issued in settlement of Stock Units and shall, when issued, reduce
the number of shares of Common Stock available under Article 3.
ARTICLE XIII. PAYMENT OF FEES IN SECURITIES.
13.1 Effective Date. No provision of this Article 14 shall be
effective unless and until the Board has determined to implement such provision.
13.2 Elections to Receive NSOs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units.
An Outside Director may elect to receive his or her annual retainer payments or
meeting fees from the Company in the form of cash, NSOs, Restricted Shares or
Stock Units, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Board. Such NSOs,
Restricted Shares and Stock Units shall be issued under the Plan. An election
under this Article 14 shall be filed with the Company on the prescribed form.
13.3 Number and Terms of NSOs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units.
The number of NSOs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units to be granted to Outside
Directors in lieu of annual retainers or meeting fees that would otherwise be
paid in cash shall be calculated in a manner determined by the Board. The Board
shall also determine the terms of such NSOs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units.
ARTICLE XIV. LIMITATION ON RIGHTS.
14.1 Retention Rights. Neither the Plan nor any Award granted under
the Plan shall be deemed to give any individual a right to remain an Employee,
Outside Director or Consultant. The Company and its Parents, Subsidiaries and
Affiliates reserve the right to terminate the service of any Employee, Outside
Director or Consultant at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable
laws, the Company's certificate of incorporation and by-laws and a written
employment agreement (if any).
14.2 Stockholders' Rights. A Participant shall have no dividend
rights, voting rights or other rights as a stockholder with respect to any
shares of Common Stock covered by his or her Award prior to the time when a
stock certificate for such shares of Common Stock is issued or, if applicable,
the time when he or she becomes entitled to receive such shares of Common Stock
by filing any required notice of exercise and paying any required Exercise
Price. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which
the record date is prior to such time, except as expressly provided in the Plan.
14.3 Regulatory Requirements. Any other provision of the Plan
notwithstanding, the obligation of the Company to issue shares of Common Stock
under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations
and such approval by any regulatory body as may be required. The Company
reserves the right to restrict, in whole or in part, the delivery of shares of
Common Stock pursuant to any Award prior to the satisfaction of all legal
requirements relating to the issuance of such shares of Common Stock, to their
registration, qualification or listing or to an exemption from registration,
qualification or listing.
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ARTICLE XV. WITHHOLDING TAXES.
15.1 General. To the extent required by applicable federal, state,
local or foreign law, a Participant or his or her successor shall make
arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding
tax obligations that arise in connection with the Plan. The Company shall not be
required to issue any shares of Common Stock or make any cash payment under the
Plan until such obligations are satisfied.
15.2 Share Withholding. The Committee may permit a Participant to
satisfy all or part of his or her withholding or income tax obligations by
having the Company withhold all or a portion of any shares of Common Stock that
otherwise would be issued to him or her or by surrendering all or a portion of
any shares of Common Stock that he or she previously acquired. Such shares of
Common Stock shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when taxes
otherwise would be withheld in cash.
ARTICLE XVI. FUTURE OF THE PLAN.
16.1 Term of the Plan. The Plan, as set forth herein, shall become
effective the date of effectiveness of the IPO. The Plan shall remain in effect
until it is terminated under Section 17.2, except that no ISOs shall be granted
on or after the 10/th/ anniversary of the later of (a) the date when the Board
adopted the Plan or (b) the date when the Board adopted the most recent increase
in the number of shares of Common Stock available under Article 3 which was
approved by the Company's stockholders. The Plan shall serve as the successor to
the Predecessor Plan, and no further option grants shall be made under the
Predecessor Plan after the Plan effective date. All options outstanding under
the Predecessor Plan as of such date shall, immediately upon effectiveness of
the Plan, remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. Each outstanding
option under the Predecessor Plan shall continue to be governed solely by the
terms of the documents evidencing such option, and no provision of the Plan
shall be deemed to affect or otherwise modify the rights or obligations of the
holders of such incorporated options with respect to their acquisition of shares
of Common Stock, except that the vesting acceleration provisions of Article 10
relating to Change in Control shall be extended to the options incorporated from
the Predecessor Plan.
16.2 Amendment or Termination. The Board may, at any time and for any
reason, amend or terminate the Plan. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject
to the approval of the Company's stockholders only to the extent required by
applicable laws, regulations or rules. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan
after the termination thereof. The termination of the Plan, or any amendment
thereof, shall not affect any Award previously granted under the Plan.
ARTICLE XVII. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS.
17.1 Scope of Limitation. This Article 18 shall apply to an Award
only if:
(a) The independent auditors most recently selected by the Board
(the "Auditors") determine that the after-tax value of such Award to the
Participant, taking into account the effect of all federal, state and local
income taxes, employment taxes and excise taxes applicable to the Participant
(including the excise tax under section 4999 of the Code), will be
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greater after the application of this Article 18 than it was before the
application of this Article 18; or
(b) The Committee, at the time of making an Award under the Plan
or at any time thereafter, specifies in writing that such Award shall be subject
to this Article 18 (regardless of the after-tax value of such Award to the
Participant).
17.2 Application to Award. If this Article 18 applies to an Award, it
shall supersede any contrary provision of the Plan or of any Award granted under
the Plan.
17.3 Basic Rule. In the event that the Auditors determine that any
payment or transfer by the Company under the Plan to or for the benefit of a
Participant (a "Payment") would be nondeductible by the Company for federal
income tax purposes because of the provisions concerning "excess parachute
payments" in section 280G of the Code, then the aggregate present value of all
Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the Reduced Amount. For
purposes of this Article 18, the "Reduced Amount" shall be the amount, expressed
as a present value, which maximizes the aggregate present value of the Payments
without causing any Payment to be nondeductible by the Company because of
section 280G of the Code.
17.4 Reduction of Payments. If the Auditors determine that any
Payment would be nondeductible by the Company because of section 280G of the
Code, then the Company shall promptly give the Participant notice to that effect
and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof and of the Reduced Amount, and
the Participant may then elect, in his or her sole discretion, which and how
much of the Payments shall be eliminated or reduced (as long as after such
election the aggregate present value of the Payments equals the Reduced Amount)
and shall advise the Company in writing of his or her election within 10 days of
receipt of notice. If no such election is made by the Participant within such
10-day period, then the Company may elect which and how much of the Payments
shall be eliminated or reduced (as long as after such election the aggregate
present value of the Payments equals the Reduced Amount) and shall notify the
Participant promptly of such election. For purposes of this Article 18, present
value shall be determined in accordance with section 280G(d)(4) of the Code. All
determinations made by the Auditors under this Article 18 shall be binding upon
the Company and the Participant and shall be made within 60 days of the date
when a Payment becomes payable or transferable. As promptly as practicable
following such determination and the elections hereunder, the Company shall pay
or transfer to or for the benefit of the Participant such amounts as are then
due to him or her under the Plan and shall promptly pay or transfer to or for
the benefit of the Participant in the future such amounts as become due to him
or her under the Plan.
17.5 Overpayments and Underpayments. As a result of uncertainty in
the application of section 280G of the Code at the time of an initial
determination by the Auditors hereunder, it is possible that Payments will have
been made by the Company which should not have been made (an "Overpayment") or
that additional Payments which will not have been made by the Company could have
been made (an "Underpayment"), consistent in each case with the calculation of
the Reduced Amount hereunder. In the event that the Auditors, based upon the
assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or
the Participant which the Auditors believe has a high probability of success,
determine that an Overpayment has been made, such Overpayment shall be treated
for all purposes as a loan to the Participant which
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he or she shall repay to the Company, together with interest at the applicable
federal rate provided in section 7872(f)(2) of the Code; provided, however, that
no amount shall be payable by the Participant to the Company if and to the
extent that such payment would not reduce the amount which is subject to
taxation under section 4999 of the Code. In the event that the Auditors
determine that an Underpayment has occurred, such Underpayment shall promptly be
paid or transferred by the Company to or for the benefit of the Participant,
together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided in section
7872(f)(2) of the Code.
17.6 Related Corporations. For purposes of this Article 18, the term
"Company" shall include affiliated corporations to the extent determined by the
Auditors in accordance with section 280G(d)(5) of the Code.
ARTICLE XVIII. DEFINITIONS.
18.1 "Affiliate" means any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the
Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.
18.2 "Award" means any award of an Option, an SAR, a Restricted Share
or a Stock Unit under the Plan.
18.3 "Board" means the Company's Board of Directors, as constituted
from time to time.
18.4 "Change in Control" shall mean:
(a) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company
with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if persons
who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger,
consolidation or other reorganization own immediately after such merger,
consolidation or other reorganization 50% or more of the voting power of the
outstanding securities of each of (i) the continuing or surviving entity and
(ii) any direct or indirect parent corporation of such continuing or surviving
entity;
(b) The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets;
(c) A change in the composition of the Board, as a result of
which fewer than 50% of the incumbent directors are directors who either (i) had
been directors of the Company on the date 24 months prior to the date of the
event that may constitute a Change in Control (the "original directors") or (ii)
were elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes
of at least a majority of the aggregate of the original directors who were still
in office at the time of the election or nomination and the directors whose
election or nomination was previously so approved; or
(d) Any transaction as a result of which any person is the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly
or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing at least 50% of the
total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting
securities. For purposes of this Paragraph (d), the term "person" shall have the
same meaning as when used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act but
shall
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exclude(i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee
benefit plan of the Company or of a Parent or Subsidiary and (ii) a corporation
owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially
the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Company.
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to
change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company
that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held
the Company's securities immediately before such transaction.
18.5 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
18.6 "Committee" means a committee of the Board, as described in
Article 2.
18.7 "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.
18.8 "Company" means Chorum Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
18.9 "Consultant" means a consultant or adviser who provides bona
fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an
independent contractor. Service as a Consultant shall be considered employment
for all purposes of the Plan, except as provided in Section 4.1.
18.10 "Employee" means a common-law employee of the Company, a
Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.
18.11 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
18.12 "Exercise Price," in the case of an Option, means the amount
for which one share of Common Stock may be purchased upon exercise of such
Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. "Exercise Price,"
in the case of an SAR, means an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR
Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value of one share of Common
Stock in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.
18.13 "Fair Market Value" means the market price of one share of
Common Stock, determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it
deems appropriate. Whenever possible, the determination of Fair Market Value by
the Committee shall be based on the prices reported in The Wall Street Journal.
-----------------------
Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
18.14 "Involuntary Termination" means the termination of the Service
of any individual which occurs by reason of:
(a) such individual's involuntary dismissal or discharge by
the Company for reasons other than Misconduct, or
(b) such individual's voluntary resignation following (A) a
change in his or her position with the Company which materially reduces his or
her level of responsibility,
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(B) a reduction in his or her level of compensation (including base salary,
fringe benefits and participation in bonus or incentive programs) or (C) a
relocation of such individual's place of employment by more than fifty (50)
miles, provided and only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected by
the Company without the individual's consent.
18.15 "ISO" means an incentive stock option described in section
422(b) of the Code.
18.16 "Misconduct" means the commission of any act of fraud,
embezzlement or dishonesty by the Optionee or Participant, any unauthorized use
or disclosure by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the
Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by
such person adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Company (or any
Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not
be deemed to be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the Company (or any
Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the dismissal or discharge of
any Optionee or Participant or other person in the Service of the Company (or
any Parent or Subsidiary).
18.17 "NSO" means a stock option not described in sections 422 or 423
of the Code.
18.18 "Option" means an ISO or NSO granted under the Plan and
entitling the holder to purchase shares of Common Stock.
18.19 "Optionee" means an individual or estate who holds an Option or
SAR.
18.20 "Outside Director" shall mean a member of the Board who is not
an Employee. Service as an Outside Director shall be considered employment for
all purposes of the Plan, except as provided in Section 4.1.
18.21 "Parent" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the
corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on
a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as
of such date.
18.22 "Participant" means an individual or estate who holds an Award.
18.23 "Plan" means this Chorum Technologies, Inc. 2000 Equity
Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
18.24 "Predecessor Plan" means the Company's existing 1997 Stock
Plan.
18.25 "Restricted Share" means a share of Common Stock awarded under
the Plan.
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18.26 "Restricted Stock Agreement" means the agreement between the
Company and the recipient of a Restricted Share which contains the terms,
conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Share.
18.27 "SAR" means a stock appreciation right granted under the Plan.
18.28 "SAR Agreement" means the agreement between the Company and an
Optionee which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to his
or her SAR.
18.29 "Stock Option Agreement" means the agreement between the
Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions
pertaining to his or her Option.
18.30 "Stock Unit" means a bookkeeping entry representing the
equivalent of one share of Common Stock, as awarded under the Plan.
18.31 "Stock Unit Agreement" means the agreement between the Company
and the recipient of a Stock Unit which contains the terms, conditions and
restrictions pertaining to such Stock Unit.
18.32 "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the Company) in
an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the
corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock
possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains
the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be
considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.
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