SUN MICROSYSTEMS INC
S-8, 1999-08-31
ELECTRONIC COMPUTERS
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<PAGE>   1
         AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 31, 1999
                                                   REGISTRATION NO. 333-


================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                             SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

              DELAWARE                                    94-28905249
    (State or Other Jurisdiction                        (I.R.S. Employer
   of Incorporation or Organization)                  Identification Number)

                              901 SAN ANTONIO ROAD
                               PALO ALTO, CA 94303
                                 (650) 960-1300
                        (Address, including zip code, of
                    Registrant's principal executive offices)

                    STAR DIVISION CORPORATION 1998 STOCK PLAN
                            (FULL TITLE OF THE PLAN)

                                SCOTT G. MCNEALY
                            CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                             SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
                              901 SAN ANTONIO ROAD
                               PALO ALTO, CA 94303
                                 (650) 960-1300
            (Name, address, including zip code and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                                    COPY TO:

                              DAVID J. SEGRE, ESQ.
                              DANIEL R. MITZ, ESQ.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                               PALO ALTO, CA 94304
                                 (650) 493-9300



================================================================================



                                       1
<PAGE>   2

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Proposed                 Proposed
                                                         Amount           Maximum                  Maximum            Amount of
                                                          to be        Offering Price             Aggregate          Registration
  Title of Securities to be Registered                 Registered        Per Share             Offering Price             Fee
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>               <C>                    <C>                   <C>
Common Stock, of the Company to be issued                52,810           $39.90(1)              $2,107,119            $585.78
upon exercise of options granted under the
Star Division Corporation 1998 Stock Plan.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


(1) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933,
    as amended (the "Act"), based on an exercise price of $39.90 per share.




                                        2

<PAGE>   3

                                    PART II:

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT


ITEM 3. INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.


         There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement the following documents and information heretofore filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by Sun Microsystems, Inc.
(the "Registrant"):

         1. The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 1998, filed pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

         2. The Registrant's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended September 27, 1998, December 27, 1998 and March 28, 1999, respectively,
filed pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

         3. The Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A relating to the
Registrant's Common Stock, filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act
on October 24, 1986, as amended.

         4. The Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A relating to the
Registrant's Common Share Purchase Rights filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Exchange Act on May 22, 1989, as amended.

         All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration
Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as
amended, provides that under certain circumstances a corporation may indemnify
any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that



                                        3

<PAGE>   4

he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is
or was serving at its request in such capacity in another corporation or
business association, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

         Section 11 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Registrant provides in effect that, subject to certain limited exceptions,
the Registrant shall indemnify its directors and officers to the extent
authorized or permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
The directors and officers of the Registrant are insured under policies of
insurance maintained by the Company, subject to the limits of the policies,
against certain losses arising from any claims made against them by reason of
being or having been such directors or officers. Like indemnification and
insurance is also provided to those employees of the Registrant who serve as
administrators of the Plan. In addition, the Company has entered into contracts
with certain of its directors providing for indemnification of such persons by
the Registrant to the full extent authorized or permitted by law, subject to
certain limited exceptions.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number          Document
- ------          --------
<S>            <C>
4.1             Star Division Corporation 1998 Stock Plan.

5.1             Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
                Corporation, with respect to the legality of the securities
                being registered.

23.1            Consent of Counsel (Contained in Exhibit 5.1).

23.2            Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.

24.1            Power of Attorney (See page 7).
</TABLE>


ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

         (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

             (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement.

             (2) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed


                                        4

<PAGE>   5


to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

             (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

             (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.



                                        5

<PAGE>   6

                                   SIGNATURES

             Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Sun Microsystems, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Palo Alto, State of
California, on August 31, 1999.

                                         SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.



                                         By: /s/ Michael E. Lehman
                                             --------------------------------
                                             Michael E. Lehman,
                                             Vice President, Corporate
                                             Resources and Chief Financial
                                             Officer




                                        6

<PAGE>   7

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Scott G. McNealy and Michael E. Lehman,
jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments
to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to file the same, with exhibits
thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said
attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE                                         TITLE                                  DATE
- ---------                                         -----                                  ----
<S>                                <C>                                              <C>
/s/ Scott G. McNealy               Chairman of the Board of Directors,              August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------       and Chief Executive Officer
Scott G. McNealy                   (Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ Michael E. Lehman              Vice President, Corporate Resources              August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------       and Chief Financial Officer
Michael E. Lehman                  (Principal Financial Officer)


/s/ Michael L. Popov               Vice President, Corporate Controller             August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------       (Principal Accounting Officer)
Michael L. Popov


/s/ James L. Barksdale             Director                                         August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------
James L. Barksdale


/s/ L. John Doerr                  Director                                         August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------
L. John Doerr


/s/ Judith L. Estrin               Director                                         August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------
Judith L. Estrin


/s/ Robert J. Fisher               Director                                         August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------
Robert J. Fisher


/s/ Robert L. Long                 Director                                         August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------
Robert L. Long


/s/ M. Kenneth Oshman              Director                                         August 31, 1999
- ----------------------------
M. Kenneth Oshman


</TABLE>



                                        7

<PAGE>   8

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NUMBER         DESCRIPTION
- -------         -----------
<S>            <C>
4.1             Star Division Corporation 1998 Stock Plan.

5.1             Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
                Corporation, with respect to the legality of the securities
                being registered.

23.1            Consent of Counsel (Contained in Exhibit 5.1).

23.2            Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.

24.1            Power of Attorney (See page 7).
</TABLE>




                                        8


<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1


                            STAR DIVISION CORPORATION

                                 1998 STOCK PLAN


         1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Plan are to attract
and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and
Consultants and to promote the success of the Company's business. Options
granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock
Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant. Stock Purchase
Rights may also be granted under the Plan.

         2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

            (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

            (b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any other country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are
granted under the Plan.

            (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

            (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

            (e) "Committee" means a committee of Directors appointed by the
Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

            (f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

            (g) "Company" means Star Division Corporation, a California
corporation.

            (h) "Consultant" means any person who is engaged by the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services to such
entity.

            (i) "Director" means a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company.

            (j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.


<PAGE>   2

            (k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service
Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.
For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days,
unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or
contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the
Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock
Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock
Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

            (l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

            (m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common
Stock determined as follows:

                (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

                (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value
shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock
on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination; or

                (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

            (n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as
an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

            (o) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

            (p) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within
the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

            (q) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

            (r) "Option Agreement" means a written or electronic agreement
between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan.


<PAGE>   3

            (s) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby outstanding
Options are exchanged for Options with a lower exercise price.

            (t) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or
a Stock Purchase Right.

            (u) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted under the Plan.

            (v) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

            (w) "Plan" means this 1998 Stock Plan.

            (x) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 11 below.

            (y) "Service Provider" means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

            (z) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 below.

            (aa) "Stock Purchase Right" means a right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to Section 11 below.

            (bb) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

         3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 12
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to
option and sold under the Plan is 3,000,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized
but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

            If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes
unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant
to an Option Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto
shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan
has terminated). However, Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan,
upon exercise of either an Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall not be returned
to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the
Plan, except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company
at their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future
grant under the Plan.



<PAGE>   4

         4. Administration of the Plan.

            (a) Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a
Committee appointed by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted to comply
with Applicable Laws.

            (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board
to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities, the
Administrator shall have the authority in its discretion:

                (i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

                (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;

                (iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each
such award granted hereunder;

                (iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

                (v) to determine the terms and conditions, of any Option or
Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but
are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock
Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria),
any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any
restriction or limitation regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right or the
Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

                (vi) to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option
may be settled in cash under subsection 9(e) instead of Common Stock;

                (vii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered
by such Option has declined since the date the Option was granted;

                (viii) to initiate an Option Exchange Program;

                (ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans
established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;


<PAGE>   5

                (x) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by
electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise
of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the
Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to
be withheld is to be determined. All elections by Optionees to have Shares
withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions
as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and

                (xi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan.

            (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all Optionees.

         5. Eligibility.

            (a) Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be
granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees.

            (b) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as
either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

            (c) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's
relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall it interfere in
any way with his or her right or the Company's right to terminate such
relationship at any time, with or without cause.

         6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by
the Board. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless
sooner terminated under Section 14 of the Plan.

         7. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the
Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten
(10) years from the date of grant thereof. In the case of an Incentive Stock
Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall
be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided
in the Option Agreement.



<PAGE>   6

         8. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

            (a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator,
but shall be subject to the following:

                (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                    (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant of such
Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power
of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the exercise
price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.

                    (B) granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.

                (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option

                     (A) granted to a Service Provider who, at the time of grant
of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary,
the exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share
on the date of grant.

                     (B) granted to any other Service Provider, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

                (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with
a per Share exercise price other than as required above pursuant to a merger or
other corporate transaction.

             (b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant). Such consideration may consist of (1) cash,
(2) check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares which (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which such Option shall be exercised, (5) consideration received by the Company
under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with
the Plan, or (6) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In making
its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator
shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to
benefit the Company.



<PAGE>   7

         9. Exercise of Option.

            (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms hereof at such
times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth
in the Option Agreement. Except in the case of Options granted to Officers,
Directors and Consultants, Options shall become exercisable at a rate of no less
than 20% per year over five (5) years from the date the Options are granted.
Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted
hereunder to Officers and Directors shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of
absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

               An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the
Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right
for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

               Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in
the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

             (b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an
Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, such Optionee may exercise his or her
Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (of at
least thirty (30) days) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of
termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of the Option
as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the
Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months
following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by
the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.


<PAGE>   8

             (c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement
(of at least six (6) months) to the extent the Option is vested on the date of
termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time
in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12)
months following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.

             (d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service
Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified
in the Option Agreement (of at least six (6) months) to the extent that the
Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration
of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement) by the
Optionee's estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option
by bequest or inheritance. In the absence of a specified time in the Option
Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following
the Optionee's termination. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested
as to the entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the
Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares
covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

             (e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on
such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate
to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

         10. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. The
Options and Stock Purchase Rights may not be sold, pledged, assigned,
hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by
the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of
the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

         11. Stock Purchase Rights.

             (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing or electronically of the terms, conditions and restrictions
related to the offer, including the number of Shares that such person shall be
entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within which such
person must accept such offer. The terms of the offer shall comply in all
respects with Section 260.140.42 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock
purchase agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.


<PAGE>   9

             (b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or
disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the
Administrator may determine. Except with respect to Shares purchased by
Officers, Directors and Consultants, the repurchase option shall in no case
lapse at a rate of less than 20% per year over five (5) years from the date of
purchase.

             (c) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

             (d) Rights as a Shareholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have rights equivalent to those of a shareholder
and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records
of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment shall be
made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the
date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 12 of
the Plan.

         12. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Merger or Asset Sale.

             (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company. The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination
in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly
provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no
adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price
of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.


<PAGE>   10

             (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option or Stock Purchase Right until
fifteen (15) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock
covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option or Stock Purchase Right
would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide
that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse as to all such Shares,
provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in
the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an
Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.

             (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be
assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor
corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event
that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or
Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to
exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock,
including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If
an Option or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu
of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the
Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully exercisable for a period of
fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of
this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed
if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the
right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the
Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of
assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property)
received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each
Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered
a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such
consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share
of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market
value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the
merger or sale of assets.

         13. Time of Granting Options and Stock Purchase Rights. The date of
grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date
on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock
Purchase Right, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice
of the determination shall be given to each Service Provider to whom an Option
or Stock Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of
such grant.


<PAGE>   11

         14. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

             (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

             (b) Shareholder Approval. The Board shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply
with Applicable Laws.

             (c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.

         15. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

             (a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

             (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of
an Option, the Administrator may require the person exercising such Option to
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being
purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required.

         16. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to
obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority
is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in
respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite
authority shall not have been obtained.

         17. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

         18. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner
required under Applicable Laws.

         19. Information to Optionees and Purchasers. The Company shall provide
to each Optionee and to each individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the
Plan, not less frequently than annually during the period such Optionee or
purchaser has one or more Options or Stock Purchase Rights outstanding, and, in
the case of an individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan, during the
period such individual owns such Shares, copies of annual financial statements.
The Company shall not be required to provide such statements to key employees
whose duties in connection with the Company assure their access to equivalent
information.



<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                               PALO ALTO, CA 94304
                                 (650) 493-9300

                                 August 30, 1999


Sun Microsystems, Inc.
901 San Antonio Road
Palo Alto, CA  94303

         Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:


         We have acted as counsel to Sun Microsystems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company" or "you") and have examined the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 31, 1999 in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
of 52,810 additional shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.00067
per share (the "Shares"), reserved for issuance under the Star Division
Corporation 1998 Stock Plan (the "Plan").

         As your legal counsel, we have examined the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, the Plan and such other documents of
the Company as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of the
opinion expressed herein, and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be
taken by you in connection with the operation and administration of the Plan and
the sale and issuance of the Shares pursuant to the Plan.

         In our opinion, the Shares, when issued and sold in the manner referred
to in the Plan and pursuant to the agreements which accompany the Plan, will be
legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement and any subsequent amendments thereto.


                                      Very truly yours,

                                      WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                      Professional Corporation


                                      /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI




<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the Star Division Corporation 1998 Stock
Plan of our reports dated July 15, 1998, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Sun Microsystems, Inc., incorporated by reference in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 and the
related financial statement schedule included therein, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.



                                                  /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California
August 26, 1999



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