EXHIBIT 4.1
NOVELL, INC.
2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this Nonstatutory Stock
Option Plan are:
o to attract and retain the best available personnel,
o to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants
and
o to promote the success of the Company's business.
Options granted under the Plan will be Nonstatutory Stock Options.
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 of the Plan.
(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 foreign country or jurisdiction where Options are, or will be, 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 of the Plan.
(f) "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(g) "COMPANY" means Novell, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(h) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor,
engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such
entity.
(i) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.
(j) "DISABILITY" means total and permanent disability as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(k) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including Officers, 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. 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, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock 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, as reported in The Wall Street Journal
or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(iii) In the absence of an established market for
the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith
by the Administrator.
(n) "NOTICE OF GRANT" means a written or electronic notice
evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The
Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.
(o) "OPTION" means a nonstatutory stock option granted
pursuant to the Plan, that is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock
option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(p) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means an 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.
(q) "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an
Option.
(r) "OPTIONEE" means the holder of an outstanding Option
granted under the Plan.
(s) "PARENT" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(t) "PLAN" means this 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan.
(u) "RETIREMENT" means a Service Provider who leaves the
employment of the Company at an age of 65 or older.
(v) "SERVICE PROVIDER" means an Employee or Consultant.
(w) "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.
(x) "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
optioned and sold under the Plan is sixteen million (16,000,000) Shares.
The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
If an Option 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).
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be administered by (i) the
Board or (ii) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy
Applicable Laws.
(b) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Subject to the provisions of
the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties
delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock;
(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options
may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine whether and to what extent
Options are granted hereunder;
(iv) to determine the number of shares of Common
Stock to be covered by each Option granted hereunder;
(v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the
Plan;
(vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder. Such
terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price,
the time or times when Options 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 the
shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors
as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;
(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the
Plan and options granted pursuant to the Plan;
(viii) 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;
(ix) to modify or amend each Option (subject to
Section 14(b) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend
the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise
provided for in the Plan;
(x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf
of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option
previously granted by the Administrator;
(xi) to determine the terms and restrictions
applicable to Options;
(xii) 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 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 an Optionee 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
(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed
necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options.
5. ELIGIBILITY. Options may be granted to Service Providers.
6. LIMITATION. Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon
an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as
aService Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the
Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such relationship at any
time, with or without cause.
7. TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon its
adoption by the Board. It shall continue in effect for ten (10) years, unless
sooner terminated under Section 14 of the Plan.
8. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be stated in
the Option Agreement.
9. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.
(a) EXERCISE PRICE. The per share exercise price for the
Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by
the Administrator.
(b) WAITING PERIOD AND EXERCISE DATES. At the time an Option
is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may
be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before
the Option may be exercised.
(c) FORM OF CONSIDERATION. The Administrator shall determine
the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the
method of payment. Such consideration may consist entirely of:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) promissory note;
(iv) other Shares which (A) 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 (B) have a
Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price
of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;
(v) consideration received by the Company under a
cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the
Plan;
(vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company
liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the
Optionee's participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program
or arrangement;
(vii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance
of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or
(viii) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment.
10. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan
and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator
and set forth in the Option Agreement. 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 Optioned Stock, 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.
Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease 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, other than upon the Optionee's death,
Disability, or Retirement, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, but only
within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement, and only 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 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 by the Administrator, the
Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to
the Plan.
(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, 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 (but in no event later than the expiration of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or
by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or
inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of
death. Immediately upon an Optionee's death while a Service Provider, each of
the Optionee's outstanding Options shall become vested on an accelerated basis
with respect to all Shares that would have become vested during the twelve (12)
months following such death if Optionee had remained a Service Provider. 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 his or her entire Option,
the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately
revert to the Plan. The Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator
of the Optionee's estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the
Option under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or distribution. 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) RETIREMENT. In the event of Optionee's Retirement, the
Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Option
Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option
as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee, but only to the extent
that the Option is vested on the date of retirement. Immediately upon an
Optionee's Retirement while a Service Provider, each of the Optionee's
outstanding Options shall become vested on an accelerated basis with respect to
all Shares that would have become vested during the twelve (12) months following
such Retirement if Optionee had remained a Service Provider. In the absence of a
specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for
twenty four (24) months following the Optionee's termination. If, at the time of
Retirement, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the
Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately 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.
(f) 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.
11. TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. Unless determined otherwise by
the Administrator, an Option 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. If the Administrator makes an Option
transferable, such Option shall contain such additional terms and conditions as
the Administrator deems appropriate.
12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION,
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, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, 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; provided, however, that 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.
(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 until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option 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 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 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 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, the Optionee shall
fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the
Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or
exercisable. If an Option 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 shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days
from the date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration
of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option 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, 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,
for each Share of Optioned Stock 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. DATE OF GRANT. The date of grant of an Option shall be, for all
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting
such Option, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a
reasonable time after the date of such grant.
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) 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 Company 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, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as
shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4.1.A
NOVELL, INC.
2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
EXERCISE NOTICE
Novell, Inc.
Attention: Shareholder Services
1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. Effective as of today, ________________, _____,
the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Novell, Inc. (the "Company") under and
pursuant to the 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock
Option Agreement dated, _________, _____, (the "Option Agreement"). The purchase
price for the Shares shall be $__________, as required by the Option Agreement.
2. DELIVERY OF PAYMENT. Purchaser herewith delivers to the
Company the full purchase price for the Shares.
3. REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASER. Purchaser acknowledges that
Purchaser has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement
and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
4. RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or
any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option.
No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date of issuance, except as pro-vided in Section 12 of the
Plan.
5. TAX CONSULTATION. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax
consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.
6. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW. The Plan and Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser. This agreement is
governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of
Utah.
Submitted by: Accepted by:
PURCHASER Novell, Inc.
Signature By
Print Name Title
Date Received
Address:
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4.1.B
NOVELL, INC.
2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
1. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
Optionee: EID
Name:
Address:
Address:
City, St., Zip:
County
You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the
Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement, as follows:
Grant Number:
Date of Grant:
Exercise Price per Share:
Total Number of Shares Granted:
Type of Option: Nonstatutory Stock Option
Term/Expiration Date:
VESTING SCHEDULE:
Subject to the Optionee continuing to be a Service Provider on such
dates, this Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with the
following schedule:
( )% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest ( ) months after
the Date of Grant, and ( ) percent of the Shares subject to the Option shall
vest each (quarter or month) thereafter, subject to the Optionee continuing to
be a Service Provider on such dates. Unless the Administrator provides
otherwise, vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be (i) tolled (i.e., shall
cease) during any unpaid personal leave of absence and (ii) tolled as of the
91st day of any other leave of absence.
In the event that an Optionee is terminated due to a job elimination or
reduction in force, the following provision shall apply. Immediately upon an
Optionee's termination, due to job elimination or reduction in force, while a
Service Provider, each of the Optionee's outstanding Options shall become vested
on an accelerated basis with respect to all Shares that would have become vested
during the 90 days following such termination if Optionee had remained a Service
Provider.
TERMINATION PERIOD:
This Option may be exercised for XX days after Optionee ceases to be a
Service Provider. Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option may
be exercised for such longer period as provided in the Plan. In no event shall
this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.
2. AGREEMENT
(a) GRANT OF OPTION. The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants to the
Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this Agreement (the
"Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of Shares, as set
forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the
Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to Section 14(b) of
the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the
Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the terms and
conditions of the Plan shall prevail.
(b) EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(i) Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in
accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.
(ii) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery of an
exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise Notice"),
which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares
in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised Shares"),
and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the
Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be
completed by the Optionee and delivered to the Shareholder Services Department
of the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the
aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares. This Option shall be
deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully executed
Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price.
No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such
compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered
transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to
such Exercised Shares.
(c) METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be
by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the
Optionee:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; or
(iv) surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares acquired
upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
(6) months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the
date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised Shares.
(d) NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
(e) TERM OF OPTION. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.
(f) TAX CONSEQUENCES. Some of the federal tax consequences relating to
this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below. THIS
SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING
THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
(i) Exercising the Option. The Optionee may incur regular federal
income tax liability upon exercise of an NSO. The Optionee will be treated
as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates)
equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares
on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price. If the Optionee is
an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to withhold
from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the
applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this
compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the
exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not
delivered at the time ofexercise.
(ii) Disposition of Shares. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at
least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated
as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.
(g) ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not
the choice of law rules, of Utah.
(h) NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED
ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT
THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES
HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH
HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT
AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL,
AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR
WITHOUT CAUSE.
By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative
below, you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed
by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee has
reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an
opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option
Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement.
Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions
or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan
and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.
OPTIONEE Novell, Inc.
Signature By
Print Name Title
Residence Address
