<PAGE> 1
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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/X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or Sec. 240.14a-12
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
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/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
_______________________________________________________________________
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/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
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- - ---------------
(1) Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined.
<PAGE> 2
[MICROSOFT LOGO]
September , 1994
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of
Microsoft Corporation which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900
Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue, Washington, on October 28, 1994, at 8:00 a.m. I
look forward to greeting as many of our shareholders as possible.
Details of the business to be conducted at the annual meeting are given in
the attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
Whether or not you attend it is important that your shares be represented
and voted at the meeting. Therefore, I urge you to sign, date, and promptly
return the enclosed proxy in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you decide
to attend the annual meeting and vote in person, you will, of course, have that
opportunity.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our
appreciation for your continued interest in the affairs of the Company.
Sincerely,
[Facsimile Signature]
William H. Gates
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE> 3
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OCTOBER 28, 1994
To The Shareholders:
The annual meeting of the shareholders of Microsoft Corporation will be
held at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue, Washington,
on October 28, 1994, at 8:00 a.m. for the following purposes:
1. To elect directors.
2. To approve a proposal to authorize the Company to issue up to
100,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
3. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche as the independent
public auditors of the Company for the current fiscal year.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on September 9, 1994
are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
[Facsimile Signature]
William H. Neukom, Secretary
Redmond, Washington
September , 1994
IMPORTANT
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND IN PERSON, WE URGE YOU TO SIGN,
DATE, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. THIS
WILL ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM AT THE MEETING. PROMPTLY SIGNING,
DATING, AND RETURNING THE PROXY WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSES AND
EXTRA WORK OF ADDITIONAL SOLICITATION. AN ADDRESSED ENVELOPE FOR WHICH NO
POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT
PURPOSE. SENDING IN YOUR PROXY WILL NOT PREVENT YOU FROM VOTING YOUR STOCK
AT THE MEETING IF YOU DESIRE TO DO SO, AS YOUR PROXY IS REVOCABLE AT YOUR
OPTION.
<PAGE> 4
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
ONE MICROSOFT WAY
REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD OCTOBER 28, 1994
This Proxy Statement, which was first mailed to shareholders on September
, 1994, is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Board of Directors of Microsoft Corporation (the "Company"), to be voted at the
annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company, which will be held at 8:00
a.m. on October 28, 1994, at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way N.E.,
Bellevue, Washington, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Shareholders who execute proxies retain the
right to revoke them at any time prior to the exercise of the powers conferred
thereby, by delivering a signed statement to the Secretary of the Company at or
prior to the annual meeting or by executing another proxy dated as of a later
date. The cost of solicitation of proxies is to be borne by the Company.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on September 9, 1994 will
be entitled to vote at the meeting on the basis of one vote for each share held.
On September 9, 1994, there were shares of common stock outstanding,
held of record by shareholders.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
Seven directors are to be elected at the annual meeting, to hold office
until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are
elected and qualified. It is intended that the accompanying proxy will be voted
in favor of the following persons to serve as directors unless the shareholder
indicates to the contrary on the proxy. Management expects that each of the
nominees will be available for election, but if any of them is not a candidate
at the time the election occurs, it is intended that such proxy will be voted
for the election of another nominee to be designated by the Board of Directors
to fill any such vacancy.
NOMINEES
William H. Gates, 38, was a founder of the Company and has been its Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since the Company's predecessor
partnership was incorporated in 1981. From 1975 to 1981, Mr. Gates was a partner
with Paul Allen, Microsoft's other founder, in the predecessor partnership.
Paul G. Allen, 41, has been a director of the Company since 1990. Mr. Allen
was a founder of the Company and worked at Microsoft from 1975 to 1984. He was
previously a director of the Company from its inception in 1981 through 1984.
Mr. Allen owns and invests in a suite of companies which promote the potential
of multimedia digital communications. His companies include Asymetrix
Corporation and Starwave Corporation of Bellevue, Washington and Interval
Research Corporation of Palo Alto, California. He is also a director of Egghead,
Inc.
Richard A. Hackborn, 57, was appointed to the Board of Directors at its
August 1994 meeting. Mr. Hackborn retired in 1993 from Hewlett-Packard Company,
which designs, manufactures, and services electronic products and systems for
measurement, computation, and communications, and currently serves on that
company's Board of Directors. From 1990 to 1993, he was Hewlett-Packard's
Executive Vice President, Computer Products Organization, and from 1984 through
1990, he was its Vice President and General Manager, Peripherals Group.
David F. Marquardt, 45, has been a director of the Company since 1981.
Since 1980, he has been a general partner of TVI Management, TVI Management-2,
TVI Management-3, and TVI Management-4, which are, respectively, the general
partners of Technology Venture Investors, Technology Venture Investors-2,
Technology Venture Investors-3, and Technology Venture Investors-4, private
venture capital limited
2
<PAGE> 5
partnerships. He is also a director of Auspex Systems, Inc., Parallan Computer,
Inc., and a number of privately held companies.
Robert D. O'Brien, 80, has been a director of the Company since 1986. He
was Chairman of the Board of PACCAR, Inc. between 1965 and 1978. Between 1974
and 1983, Mr. O'Brien was Chairman of the Board of Univar Corporation and he
served on that Board between 1966 and 1985.
William G. Reed, Jr., 55, has been a director of the Company since 1987.
From 1971 to 1986, Mr. Reed was Chairman of the Board of Simpson Timber Company,
a forest products company. Since 1986, Mr. Reed has served as Chairman of the
Board of Simpson Investment Company, a forest products holding company which is
the parent of Simpson Timber Company. He is also a director of Safeco
Corporation and Washington Mutual Savings Bank.
Jon A. Shirley, 56, served as President and Chief Operating Officer of
Microsoft from 1983 to 1990. He has been a director of the Company since 1983.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Mr. Shirley was Vice President, Computer
Merchandising at Tandy Corporation. In addition, Mr. Shirley held a variety of
positions with Tandy Corporation from 1958 to 1983 in sales, merchandising,
manufacturing, and international operations. Mr. Shirley also serves on the
Board of Directors of Mentor Graphics Corporation.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
The Company's Board of Directors has an Audit Committee and a Compensation
Committee. There is no standing nominating committee. Messrs. O'Brien, Reed, and
Shirley serve on the Audit Committee, which meets with financial management, the
internal auditors, and the independent auditors to review internal accounting
controls and accounting, auditing, and financial reporting matters. Messrs.
Marquardt, O'Brien, and Reed serve on the Compensation Committee, which reviews
the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other officers of the
Company, reviews executive bonus plan allocations, and grants stock options to
officers and employees of the Company under its stock option plan.
The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 1994. The Compensation
Committee met three times. The entire Board of Directors met five times during
the last fiscal year. All directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number
of Board meetings and committee meetings.
Messrs. Gates, Allen and Marquardt receive no cash compensation for serving
on the Board except for reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in
attending meetings. Messrs. Hackborn, O'Brien, Reed, and Shirley are each paid
$8,000 per year plus $1,000 for each Board meeting and $500 for each committee
meeting they attend. During fiscal 1994, Messrs. Allen, Marquardt, O'Brien,
Reed, and Shirley each received options to purchase 5,000 shares of the
Company's common stock. The exercise price of the options was the market price
of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
3
<PAGE> 6
INFORMATION REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS,
AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's common shares by the nominees for directors, the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive
officers, and the directors and executive officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
OF COMMON SHARES AS
NAMES OF 9/9/94(1) PERCENT OF CLASS
----- --------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
William H. Gates.......................... (2) %
Paul G. Allen............................. (3)
Richard A. Hackborn....................... 0
David F. Marquardt........................ (4)
Robert D. O'Brien......................... (5)
William G. Reed, Jr....................... (6)
Jon A. Shirley............................ (7)
Steven A. Ballmer......................... (2)
Michael J. Maples......................... (8)
Joachim Kempin............................ (9)
Bernard R. Vergnes........................ (10)
Executive Officers and Directors
as a Group (35 Persons)................. (11)
</TABLE>
- - ---------------
(1) Beneficial ownership represents sole voting and investment power. To the
Company's knowledge, the only shareholders who beneficially owned more than
5% of the outstanding common shares as of September 10, 1994, were Messrs.
Gates, Allen, and Ballmer.
(2) The business address for Messrs. Gates and Ballmer is: Microsoft
Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington 98052.
(3) Includes shares which may be purchased within 60 days of
September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding stock options. Mr. Allen's
business address is: The Paul Allen Group, 110 -- 110th Avenue N.E., Suite
530, Bellevue, Washington 98004.
(4) Includes shares which may be purchased within 60 days of
September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding stock options.
(5) Includes shares held by RDOB Limited Partnership, a family
limited partnership, of which Mr. O'Brien is one of three general partners,
and includes shares which may be purchased within 60 days of
September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding stock options.
(6) Includes shares which may be purchased within 60 days of
September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding stock options.
(7) Includes shares held by Mr. Shirley as trustee under trusts for
two grandsons and shares which may be purchased within 60 days
of September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding stock options.
(8) Includes shares which may be purchased within 60 days of
September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding stock options.
(9) Includes shares which may be purchased within 60 days of
September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding stock options.
(10) Includes shares which may be purchased within 60 days of
September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding stock options.
(11) Includes shares which may be purchased by officers and
directors within 60 days of September 9, 1994, pursuant to outstanding
stock options.
4
<PAGE> 7
INFORMATION REGARDING EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
CASH COMPENSATION
The following table discloses compensation received for the three fiscal
years ended June 30, 1994, by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four
most highly paid executive officers ("Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
ANNUAL ------------
COMPENSATION SECURITIES
--------------------- UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(1) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION(2)
- - --------------------------------- ---- -------- -------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William H. Gates 1994 $275,000 $182,545 0 0
Chairman of the Board 1993 266,660 151,580 0 0
and Chief Executive 1992 175,000 110,296 0 0
Officer; Director
Steven A. Ballmer 1994 238,750 188,112 0 $ 4,722
Executive Vice 1993 220,916 146,520 0 5,099
President, Sales and 1992 174,250 129,735 0 4,553
Support
Michael J. Maples 1994 238,750 253,112 0 4,722
Executive Vice 1993 223,333 211,520 200,000 4,664
President, Products 1992 203,750 221,179 60,000 3,075
Joachim Kempin 1994 187,667 177,745 50,000 4,917
Senior Vice President, 1993 160,750 143,000 40,000 4,589
OEM Sales Division 1992 145,916 120,931 60,000 2,936
Bernard P. Vergnes 1994 300,481 196,885 40,000 0
Senior Vice President, 1993 322,433 91,523 50,000 0
Microsoft; President 1992 255,655 151,739 60,000 0
of Microsoft Europe
</TABLE>
- - ---------------
(1) The amounts disclosed in the Bonus column were all awarded under the
Company's Executive Bonus Plan. Amounts disclosed for Mr. Maples also
include payments of $65,000 each year pursuant to a signing bonus arranged
upon employment with the Company.
(2) The amounts disclosed in this column include only Company contributions
under the Company's 401(k) plan.
COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO STOCK OPTIONS
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth certain information on option grants in
fiscal 1994 to the Named Executive Officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
------------------------------------------------------ VALUE AT
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES TOTAL OPTIONS PRICE APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE TERM(2)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION -------------------------------
NAME GRANTED(#)(1) FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE) DATE 0%($) 5%($) 10%($)
- - ------------------------ ------------- ------------- --------- ---------- ----- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William H. Gates........ 0 0.00% 0 N/A 0 0 0
Steven A. Ballmer....... 0 0.00% 0 N/A 0 0 0
Michael J. Maples....... 0 0.00% 0 N/A 0 0 0
Joachim Kempin.......... 50,000 0.19% $ 37.00 Jul. 2003 0 $1,163,455 $2,948,424
Bernard P. Vergnes...... 40,000 0.15% 37.00 Jul. 2003 0 930,764 2,358,739
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE> 8
- - ---------------
(1) All options listed were granted pursuant to the 1991 Stock Option Plan.
Option exercise prices are generally at the market price when granted; the
options have a term of 10 years and vest over 54 months. The exercise price
and federal tax withholding may be paid in cash or with shares of Microsoft
stock already owned.
(2) Potential realizable values are based on assumed annual rates of return
specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission. By way of comparison,
using the same assumed annual rates of stock price appreciation over the
ten-year term of the stock options set forth above, all Microsoft
shareholders would realize the following increases in the market value of
their stock: $0 (0% appreciation); $13.5 billion (5% annual appreciation);
and $34.3 billion (10% annual appreciation). Microsoft management has
consistently cautioned shareholders and option holders that such increases
in values are based on speculative assumptions and should not inflate
expectations of the future value of their holdings.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table provides information on option exercises in fiscal 1994
by the Named Executive Officers and the value of such officers' unexercised
options at June 30, 1994.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
ACQUIRED VALUE FISCAL YEAR-END(#) FISCAL YEAR-END($)
ON EXERCISE REALIZED --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME (#) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William H. Gates........... 0 0 0 0 0 0
Steven A. Ballmer.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0
Michael J. Maples.......... 0 0 65,000 180,000 $ 1,346,875 $ 3,575,000
Joachim Kempin............. 88,000 $2,385,000 0 128,000 0 2,854,500
Bernard P. Vergnes......... 0 0 132,500 107,500 5,316,563 2,177,188
</TABLE>
REPORT OF THE MICROSOFT CORPORATION BOARD
OF DIRECTORS COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Microsoft Corporation employee compensation policy is to offer a
package including a competitive salary, an incentive bonus based upon individual
performance goals, competitive benefits, and an efficient workplace environment.
The Company also encourages broad-based employee ownership of Microsoft stock
through stock option and stock purchase programs in which all employees are
eligible to participate.
The Company's compensation policy for officers is similar to that for other
employees, and is designed to promote continued performance and attainment of
corporate and personal goals.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (comprised entirely of
non-employee directors) reviews and approves individual officer salaries, bonus
financial performance goals, bonus plan allocations, and stock option grants.
The Committee also reviews guidelines for compensation, bonus, and stock option
grants for non-officer employees.
Executive officers of the Company are paid salaries in line with their
responsibilities. These salaries are structured to be within the median range of
salaries paid by competitors in the computer industry. (In the performance graph
which immediately follows this report, the Company's performance is compared to
that of the Nasdaq Computer & Data Processing Services (C&DPS) Index.
Competitors considered relevant for salary comparison purposes do not include
some companies included in the C&DPS Index and include some companies that are
not in the index.) Executive officers also participate in the Executive Bonus
Plan. Each officer is eligible to receive a discretionary bonus of up to 15% of
base salary based upon individually established performance goals. Officers are
also eligible for financial performance bonuses of up to 90% of base salary,
with amounts based on a graduated formula which takes into account predetermined
corporate revenue and profit goals and, in the case of officers with profit and
loss responsibility, group revenue and profit goals.
6
<PAGE> 9
The maximum total bonus under the Executive Bonus Plan is 105% of base salary.
The Compensation Committee establishes aggressive revenue and profit goals as an
incentive for superior individual, group, and corporate performance. Likewise,
stock option grants to officers (and other employees) promote success by
aligning employee financial interests with long-term shareholder value. Stock
option grants are based on various subjective factors primarily relating to the
responsibilities of the individual officers, and also to their expected future
contributions and prior option grants.
As noted above, the Company's compensation policy is primarily based upon
the practice of pay-for-performance. In August 1993, the Internal Revenue Code
was amended to impose a limitation on the deductibility of nonperformance-based
compensation in excess of $1 million paid to Named Executive Officers. The
Company's stock option plan has been amended with the intent that all
compensation attributable to stock option exercises should qualify as deductible
performance-based compensation. The Committee currently believes that the
Company will be able to continue to manage its executive compensation program to
preserve federal income tax deductions.
The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves the compensation
of William H. Gates, the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gates also participates in
the Executive Bonus Plan, with his bonus tied to corporate revenue and profit
goals, but does not participate in the individual performance portion of the
Executive Bonus Plan. His maximum possible bonus is 90% of his base salary. The
Committee believes Mr. Gates is paid a reasonable salary, and his bonus is based
on the same corporate financial goals as the other officers of the Company. Mr.
Gates is the only employee of the Company not eligible for stock options. Since
Mr. Gates is a significant shareholder in the Company, his rewards as CEO
reflect increases in value enjoyed by all other shareholders.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
David F. Marquardt
Robert D. O'Brien
William G. Reed, Jr.
7
<PAGE> 10
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Note: Microsoft Management consistently cautions that the stock price
performance shown in the graph below should not be considered indicative of
potential future stock price performance.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG MICROSOFT CORPORATION,
S&P 500 INDEX, AND NASDAQ COMPUTER & DATA PROCESSING SERVICES (C&DPS) INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD MICROSOFT S&P 500 NASDAQ C&DPS
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) CORPORATION INDEX INDEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1989 100 100 100
1990 287 113 161
1991 386 117 170
1992 594 128 234
1993 747 142 299
1994 876 140 300
</TABLE>
The Company's common stock was added to the S&P 500 Index in June 1994, and
as a result the S&P 500 Stock Index is used in the above table instead of the
index used last year, the Nasdaq U.S. & Foreign Index. For the Nasdaq U.S. &
Foreign Index, the five-year cumulative total return was $174 for $100 invested
at the beginning of 1989.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Craig J. Mundie, an officer of the Company, was loaned $250,000 when he
accepted employment with the Company in February 1993, in order to assist him in
relocating to Redmond. The note bears interest at 6.5% per annum and is due
February 1998, with accelerated payments based on a stock option exercise
schedule. As of June 30, 1994, the total amount of principal and interest due on
the note was $271,918.
In February 1994, the Company paid $2,792,000 to acquire certain assets and
rights from Continuum Products Corporation, a Washington corporation
("Continuum"), substantially all of the stock of which is owned by William H.
Gates, Chairman of the Company. The terms and conditions of the transaction were
approved by a special committee of the Board of Directors consisting of Messrs.
Allen, Marquardt, and Shirley. The assets purchased consist of hardware,
software, and intellectual property developed or acquired by Continuum over
several years.
STOCK OWNERSHIP AND TRADING REPORTS
Michel Lacombe and Rolf Skoglund became officers of the Company in April
1994. Their Form 3 filings were made five days late. Form 4 filings reporting
transactions for January 1994 were filed four days late by the
8
<PAGE> 11
following officers and directors, due to severe weather conditions which
disrupted overnight delivery services to Washington, D.C. on February 9-10,
1994: Paul G. Allen, David L. Fulton, Gary E. Gigot, Joachim Kempin, Jeffrey S.
Raikes, and William G. Reed., Jr.
2. AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE
100,000,000 SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK
On August 12, 1994, the Company's Board of Directors approved an amendment
to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation that would authorize the
Company to issue, from time to time, as determined by the Board of Directors, up
to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share ("Preferred
Shares").
If the proposed amendment is approved, the Board of Directors would be
empowered, without the necessity of further action or authorization by the
Company's shareholders (unless such action or authorization is required in a
specific case by applicable laws or regulations or stock exchange rules), to
authorize the issuance of the Preferred Shares from time to time in one or more
series or classes, and to fix by resolution the designations, preferences,
limitations, and relative rights of each such series or class. Each series or
class of Preferred Shares could, as determined by the Board of Directors at the
time of issuance, rank, with respect to dividends and redemption and liquidation
rights, senior to the Company's shares of common stock, $.00005 par value per
share ("Common Shares"). No preferred stock is presently authorized by the
Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation.
The Preferred Shares will provide authorized and unissued shares of
preferred stock which may be used by the Company for any proper corporate
purpose. Such purpose might include, without limitation, issuance as part or all
of the consideration required to be paid by the Company in the acquisition of
other businesses or properties, or issuance in public or private sales for cash
as a means of obtaining additional capital for use in the Company's business and
operations. There are no transactions presently under review by the Board of
Directors which contemplate the issuance of Preferred Shares.
It is not possible to state the precise effects of the authorization of the
Preferred Shares upon the rights of the holders of the Company's Common Shares
until the Board of Directors determines the respective preferences, limitations,
and relative rights of the holders of each class or series of the Preferred
Shares. However, such effects might include: (a) reduction of the amount
otherwise available for payment of dividends on Common Shares, to the extent
dividends are payable on any issued Preferred Shares; (b) restrictions on
dividends on the Common Shares; (c) dilution of the voting power of the Common
Shares to the extent that the Preferred Shares had voting rights; (d) conversion
of the Preferred Shares into Common Shares at such prices as the Board
determines, which could include issuance at below the fair market value or
original issue price of the Common Shares; and (e) the holders of Common Shares
not being entitled to share in the Company's assets upon liquidation until
satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to holders of the Preferred
Shares.
Although the Board of Directors would authorize the issuance of additional
Preferred Shares based on its judgment as to the best interests of the Company
and its shareholders, the issuance of authorized Preferred Shares could have the
effect of diluting the voting power per share and could have the effect of
diluting the book value per share of the outstanding Common Shares. In addition,
the Preferred Shares could, in certain instances, render more difficult or
discourage a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest and thus potentially have an
"anti-takeover" effect, especially if Preferred Shares were issued in response
to a potential takeover. In addition, issuances of authorized Preferred Shares
can be implemented, and have been implemented by some companies in recent years,
with voting or conversion privileges intended to make acquisition of the Company
more difficult or more costly. Such an issuance could deter the types of
transactions which may be proposed or could discourage or limit the
shareholders' participation in certain types of transactions that might be
proposed (such as a tender offer), whether or not such transactions were favored
by the majority of the shareholders, and could enhance the ability of officers
and directors to retain their positions.
9
<PAGE> 12
If the amendment is authorized, Article IV of the Company's Restated
Articles of Incorporation will be amended to read as follows:
4.1 The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall
have authority to issue is 2,100,000,000 shares, which shall consist of
2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $.00005 par value per share ("Common
Shares") and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per
share ("Preferred Shares"). Except as otherwise provided in accordance with
these Articles of Incorporation, the Common Shares shall have unlimited
voting rights, with each share being entitled to one vote, and the rights
to receive the net assets of the Corporation upon dissolution, with each
share participating on a pro rata basis.
4.2 The Board of Directors is hereby authorized from time to time,
without shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of Preferred Shares
in one or more series not exceeding in the aggregate the number of
Preferred Shares authorized by these Articles of Incorporation, as amended
from time to time; and to determine with respect to each such series the
voting powers, if any (which voting powers, if granted, may be full or
limited), designations, preferences, and relative, participating, option,
or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations, or
restrictions relating thereto, including without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the voting rights relating to Preferred Shares of any series
(which may be one or more votes per share or a fraction of a vote per
share, which may vary over time, and which may be applicable generally or
only upon the happening and continuance of stated events or conditions),
the rate of dividend to which holders of Preferred Shares of any series may
be entitled (which may be cumulative or noncumulative), the rights of
holders of Preferred Shares of any series in the event of liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the rights,
if any, of holders of Preferred Shares of any series to convert or exchange
such Preferred Shares of such series for shares of any other class or
series of capital stock or for any other securities, property, or assets of
the Corporation or any subsidiary (including the determination of the price
or prices or the rate or rates applicable to such rights to convert or
exchange and the adjustment thereof, the time or times during which the
right to convert or exchange shall be applicable, and the time or times
during which a particular price or rate shall be applicable), whether or
not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and if so, the terms and
conditions of such redemption, including the date or dates upon or after
which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of
redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at
different redemption dates, and whether any shares of that series shall be
redeemed pursuant to a retirement or sinking fund or otherwise and the
terms and conditions of such obligation.
4.3 Before the Corporation shall issue any Preferred Shares of any
series, Articles of Amendment or Restated Articles of Incorporation, fixing
the voting powers, designations, preferences, the relative, participating,
option, or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, and
restrictions, if any, relating to the Preferred Shares of such series, and
the number of Preferred Shares of such series authorized by the Board of
Directors to be issued shall be filed with the secretary of state in
accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act ("WBCA") and shall
become effective without any shareholder action. The Board of Directors is
further authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of
such shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any
series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series.
There are currently 2,000,000,000 Common Shares authorized under the
Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation. The proposed amendment would not
change the number of Common Shares currently authorized.
VOTE REQUIRED AND BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Common Shares entitled
to vote at the meeting is required to approve the proposed amendment. If the
amendment is not approved by the shareholders, the Company's Restated Articles
of Incorporation, which do not authorize the issuance of any Preferred Shares,
will continue in effect. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
PROPOSAL.
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3. RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors will request that the shareholders ratify its
selection of Deloitte & Touche, Certified Public Accountants, as independent
public auditors for the Company for the current fiscal year. If the shareholders
do not ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche, another firm of certified
public accountants will be selected as independent public auditors by the Board
of Directors.
Representatives of Deloitte & Touche will be present at the Annual Meeting,
will have an opportunity to make a statement, and will be available to respond
to appropriate questions.
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Annual Meeting on
October 27, 1995 must be received by the Company no later than June 9, 1995 to
be included in the Company's Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that
meeting.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The proxy accompanying this Proxy Statement is solicited by the Board of
Directors of the Company. Proxies may be solicited by officers, directors, and
regular supervisory and executive employees of the Company, none of whom will
receive any additional compensation for their services. Also, W.F. Doring & Co.
may solicit proxies at an approximate cost of $12,500 plus reasonable expenses.
Such solicitations may be made personally, or by mail, facsimile, telephone,
telegraph, or messenger. The Company will pay persons holding shares of common
stock in their names or in the names of nominees, but not owning such shares
beneficially, such as brokerage houses, banks, and other fiduciaries, for the
expense of forwarding solicitation materials to their principals. All of the
costs of solicitation of proxies will be paid by the Company.
VOTING TABULATION
Vote Required: Under the Washington Business Corporation Act ("WBCA"), the
election of the Company's Directors requires a plurality of the votes
represented in person or by proxy at the meeting and the other proposals
described in the accompanying Notice to Shareholders require that the votes in
favor exceed the votes against the proposal. Votes cast by proxy or in person at
the meeting will be tabulated by First Interstate Bank of Washington, N.A.
Effect of an Abstention and Broker Non-Votes: A shareholder who abstains
from voting on any or all proposals will be included in the number of
shareholders present at the meeting for the purpose of determining the presence
of a quorum. Abstentions will not be counted either in favor of or against the
election of the nominees or other proposals. Under the rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, brokers holding stock for the accounts of
their clients who have not been given specific voting instructions as to a
matter by their clients may vote their clients' proxies in their own discretion,
except as to certain matters such as Proposal 2 relating to the amendment of the
Restated Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of Preferred
Shares. Broker non-votes will be included in determining the presence of a
quorum. Shares held by a broker who does not receive instructions with respect
to Proposal 2 will not be voted. Thus, a broker non-vote will generally have the
effect of neither a vote in favor of nor against the proposal. However,
abstentions or broker non-votes by shareholders who otherwise favor Proposal 2
could, in the event of a negative or tie vote on Proposal 2, have the effect of
contributing to the defeat of the proposal.
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OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not intend to bring any other business before
the meeting, and so far as is known to the Board, no matters are to be brought
before the meeting except as specified in the notice of the meeting. However, as
to any other business which may properly come before the meeting, it is intended
that proxies, in the form enclosed, will be voted in respect thereof in
accordance with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies.
DATED: Redmond, Washington, September , 1994.
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1994,
CONTAINING INFORMATION ON OPERATIONS, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. PLEASE WRITE
TO:
INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
ONE MICROSOFT WAY
REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052
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<PAGE> 15
PROXY MICROSOFT CORPORATION
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF MICROSOFT CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints WILLIAM H. GATES and WILLIAM H. NEUKOM, and
each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to vote the shares
which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of the Company
to be held at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue,
Washington on October 28, 1994 at 8:00 a.m. and at any adjournments thereof.
1. / / FOR Election of directors: William H. Gates, Paul G. Allen, Richard A.
Hackborn, David F. Marquardt, Robert D. O'Brien, William G.
Reed, Jr., and Jon A. Shirley.
Except vote withheld from following nominee(s) listed in space at right:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / NOT FOR Election of directors
2. FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN / / Proposal to amend the Company's
Restated Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to
100,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
3. FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN / / Proposal to ratify the selection of
Deloitte & Touche as the independent public auditors of the Company for the
current fiscal year.
4. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
This proxy when properly signed will be voted and will be voted in the manner
directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, AND 3.
Dated: ________________, 1994.
--------------------------
Signature
--------------------------
Signature if held jointly
When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should
sign. When signing as
attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee, or
guardian, please give full
title as such. If a
corporation, please sign
in full corporate name by
President or other
authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign
in partnership name by an
authorized person.
IMPORTANT -- PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
