PMC SIERRA INC
S-8, EX-4.1, 2000-10-18
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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                             SWITCHON NETWORKS, INC.

                                 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 foreign 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 SwitchOn Networks, Inc., 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  and  is
compensated for such services.

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

         (j)  "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.


<PAGE>

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


         (l) "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.

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

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

         (o)  "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.

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

         (q) "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.

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

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

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

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

         (v) "Plan" means this 1996 Stock Plan.


<PAGE>


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

         (x) "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.

         (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 9,072,299  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.


4.       Administration of the Plan.
         --------------------------

         (a)  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;

<PAGE>

         (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(f) 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;

         (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.

<PAGE>


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.

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

         (1)  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.

         (2) 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

         (1)  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 the grant.

         (2) 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>


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,  but in no case at a rate of less than 20% per year over five
(5) years from the date the Option is granted. Unless the Administrator provides
otherwise,  vesting  of Options  granted  hereunder  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).  To the extent that the  Optionee is not
entitled  to  exercise  the  Option on the date of such  termination,  or if the
Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time
specified  herein,  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  Optionee's  disability,  the Optionee may within twelve
(12)  months from the date of such  termination  (but in no event later than the
expiration  date  of the  term  of  such  Option  as  set  forth  in the  Option
Agreement),  exercise an Option to the extent otherwise  entitled to exercise it
at the date of such  termination.  If such  disability is not a "disability"  as
such  term is  defined  in  Section  22(e)(3)  of the  Code,  in the  case of an
Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock Option shall  automatically cease to
be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as
a  Nonstatutory  Stock Option on the day three months and one day following such
termination.  To the extent that the  Optionee is not  entitled to exercise  the
Option on the date of  termination,  or if the Optionee  does not exercise  such
Option to the extent so entitled  within the time specified  herein,  the Option
shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
<PAGE>


         (d) Death of Optionee.  If an Optionee  dies while a Service  Provider,
the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months  following the
date of death  (but in no event  later than the  expiration  of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) to the extent  vested on the date of
death.  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 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) 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.  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.

         (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,  but in no case at a rate of less than 20% per year
over five 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.

<PAGE>


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.

         (b)  Dissolution  or   Liquidation.   In  the  event  of  the  proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company,  the  Administrator  shall notify the
Optionee at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent
it has not been previously  exercised,  the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
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  Employee or Consultant to whom an
Option or Stock Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable  time after the
date of such grant.

<PAGE>


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.



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