LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORP /CA/
8-K, EX-2.1, 2001-01-11
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                        OF LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                            (a Delaware corporation)
                                       AND
                          LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                           (a California corporation)

         THIS  AGREEMENT  AND PLAN OF MERGER  dated as of  January  2, 2001 (the
"Agreement") is between Linear Technology  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation
("Linear Delaware"), and Linear Technology Corporation, a California corporation
("Linear  California").  Linear  Delaware and Linear  California  are  sometimes
referred to herein as the "Constituent Corporations."

                                    RECITALS

         A. Linear  Delaware is a corporation  duly organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware and has an authorized capital of 2,002,000,000
shares,  2,000,000,000 of which are designated  "Common Stock," par value $0.001
per share,  and 2,000,000 of which are designated  "Preferred  Stock," par value
$0.001 per share.  The Preferred  Stock of Linear Delaware is undesignated as to
series,  rights,  preferences,  privileges or  restrictions.  As of November 30,
2000,  1,000  shares of Common Stock were issued and  outstanding,  all of which
were held by Linear California, and no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and
outstanding.

         B. Linear California is a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of the State of California and has an authorized capital of 482,000,000
shares,  480,000,000 of which are designated  "Common Stock," no par value,  and
2,000,000 of which are designated "Preferred Stock," no par value. The Preferred
Stock of Linear  California is undesignated as to series,  rights,  preferences,
privileges or restrictions. As of October 27, 2000, 316,719,990 shares of Common
Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.

         C. The Board of Directors of Linear California has determined that, for
the purpose of effecting the  reincorporation  of Linear California in the State
of Delaware,  it is advisable and in the best interests of Linear California and
its shareholders that Linear California merge with and into Linear Delaware upon
the terms and conditions herein provided.

         D. The  respective  Boards of Directors  of Linear  Delaware and Linear
California have approved this Agreement and have directed that this Agreement be
submitted to a vote of their  respective sole  stockholder and  shareholders and
executed by the undersigned officers.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants
set forth herein, Linear Delaware and Linear California hereby agree, subject to
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows:


<PAGE>

                                   I. MERGER

         1.1 Merger.  In accordance with the provisions of this  Agreement,  the
Delaware  General  Corporation Law and the California  General  Corporation Law,
Linear  California shall be merged with and into Linear Delaware (the "Merger"),
the separate  existence  of Linear  California  shall cease and Linear  Delaware
shall  survive  the Merger and shall  continue to be governed by the laws of the
State of  Delaware,  and  Linear  Delaware  shall be,  and is  herein  sometimes
referred  to  as,  the  "Surviving  Corporation."  The  name  of  the  Surviving
Corporation   shall  be  "Linear   Technology   Corporation."

         1.2 Filing and  Effectiveness.  The Merger shall become  effective when
the following actions shall have been completed:

                  (a) This  Agreement  and Merger  shall have been  adopted  and
approved by the stockholders of each Constituent  Corporation in accordance with
the  requirements  of the Delaware  General  Corporation  Law and the California
Corporations Code;

                  (b) All of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the
Merger  specified in this Agreement  shall have been satisfied or duly waived by
the party entitled to satisfaction thereof; and

                  (c) An  executed  counterpart  of this  Agreement  meeting the
requirements of the Delaware General  Corporation Law shall have been filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

The date and time when the Merger  shall  become  effective,  as  aforesaid,  is
herein called the "Effective Date of the Merger."

         1.3 Effect of the Merger.  Upon the Effective  Date of the Merger,  the
separate existence of Linear California shall cease, and Linear Delaware, as the
Surviving Corporation,  (i) shall continue to possess all of its assets, rights,
powers and property as  constituted  immediately  prior to the Effective Date of
the  Merger,  (ii) shall be subject to all actions  previously  taken by its and
Linear  California's  Board of  Directors,  (iii) shall  succeed,  without other
transfer, to all of the assets, rights, powers and property of Linear California
in the  manner  more  fully set forth in  Section  259 of the  Delaware  General
Corporation  Law,  (iv)  shall  continue  to be  subject  to all  of the  debts,
liabilities and obligations of Linear Delaware as constituted  immediately prior
to the  Effective  Date of the  Merger,  and (v) shall  succeed,  without  other
transfer, to all of the debts,  liabilities and obligations of Linear California
in the same manner as if Linear  Delaware had itself  incurred them, all as more
fully  provided  under  the  applicable   provisions  of  the  Delaware  General
Corporation Law and the California General Corporation Law.

                 II. CHARTER DOCUMENTS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         2.1 Certificate of  Incorporation.  The Certificate of Incorporation of
Linear  Delaware as in effect  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Date of the
Merger  shall  continue  in  full  force  and  effect  as  the   Certificate  of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with
the provisions thereof and applicable law.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>


         2.2  Bylaws.  The Bylaws of Linear  Delaware  as in effect  immediately
prior to the  Effective  Date of the  Merger  shall  continue  in full force and
effect  as the  Bylaws  of the  Surviving  Corporation  until  duly  amended  in
accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law.

         2.3  Directors  and  Officers.  The  directors  and  officers of Linear
California  immediately  prior to the Effective  Date of the Merger shall be the
directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall
have been duly elected and  qualified or until as otherwise  provided by law, or
the Certificate of Incorporation  of the Surviving  Corporation or the Bylaws of
the Surviving Corporation.

                       III. MANNER OF CONVERSION OF STOCK

         3.1 Linear  California  Common Stock.  Upon the  Effective  Date of the
Merger,  each share of Linear  California  Common Stock  issued and  outstanding
immediately  prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
by the Constituent Corporations,  the holder of such shares or any other person,
be converted into and exchanged for one (1) fully paid and  nonassessable  share
of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

         3.2 Linear  California  Options,  Stock Purchase Rights and Convertible
Securities.

                  (a) Upon  the  Effective  Date of the  Merger,  the  Surviving
Corporation  shall  assume and  continue  the stock  option  plans and all other
employee  benefit plans of Linear  California.  Each outstanding and unexercised
option or other right to purchase or security convertible into Linear California
Common  Stock  shall  become  an  option  or right  to  purchase  or a  security
convertible  into the Surviving  Corporation's  Common Stock on the basis of one
share of the  Surviving  Corporation's  Common  Stock  for each  share of Linear
California  Common Stock  issuable  pursuant to any such option,  stock purchase
right or  convertible  security,  on the same  terms  and  conditions  and at an
exercise  price per share equal to the  exercise  price  applicable  to any such
Linear California  option,  stock purchase right or convertible  security at the
Effective  Date of the  Merger.  There are no  options,  purchase  rights for or
securities convertible into Preferred Stock of Linear California.

                  (b) A number of shares of the Surviving  Corporation's  Common
Stock shall be  reserved  for  issuance  upon the  exercise  of  options,  stock
purchase  rights  and  convertible  securities  equal to the number of shares of
Linear  California  Common Stock so reserved  immediately prior to the Effective
Date of the Merger.

         3.3  Linear  Delaware  Common  Stock.  Upon the  Effective  Date of the
Merger,  each share of Common  Stock,  par value  $0.001  per  share,  of Linear
Delaware  issued and outstanding  immediately  prior thereto shall, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action by Linear Delaware,  the holder of such shares
or any other person,  be canceled and returned to the status of  authorized  but
unissued shares.

         3.4 Exchange of  Certificates.  After the Effective Date of the Merger,
each  holder  of  an  outstanding  certificate  representing  shares  of  Linear
California  Common  Stock  may,  at such  stockholder's  option,  but need  not,
surrender  the  same for  cancellation  to the  transfer  agent  for the  Linear
California Common Stock, as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent"), and each such

                                      -3-

<PAGE>


holder  shall be  entitled  to receive in  exchange  therefor a  certificate  or
certificates  representing  the number of shares of the Surviving  Corporation's
Common  Stock  into  which  the  surrendered  shares  were  converted  as herein
provided.  Unless  and  until  so  surrendered,   each  outstanding  certificate
theretofore  representing  shares of Linear  California  Common  Stock  shall be
deemed for all  purposes  to  represent  the  number of shares of the  Surviving
Corporation's  Common Stock into which such shares of Linear  California  Common
Stock were converted in the Merger.

         The  registered  owner  on the  books  and  records  of  the  Surviving
Corporation  or the Exchange  Agent of any shares of stock  represented  by such
outstanding   certificate   shall,   until  such  certificate  shall  have  been
surrendered  for  transfer  or  conversion  or  otherwise  accounted  for to the
Surviving  Corporation or the Exchange  Agent,  have and be entitled to exercise
any voting and other rights with respect to and to receive  dividends  and other
distributions  upon the  shares of  Common  Stock of the  Surviving  Corporation
represented by such outstanding certificate as provided above.

         Each certificate representing Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation
so issued in the Merger shall bear the same legends, if any, with respect to the
restrictions on  transferability  as the  certificates  of Linear  California so
converted and given in exchange  therefore,  unless otherwise  determined by the
Board of Directors of the Surviving  Corporation in compliance  with  applicable
laws,  or other such  additional  legends  as agreed  upon by the holder and the
Surviving Corporation.

         If any  certificate for shares of Linear Delaware stock is to be issued
in a name  other  than that in which the  certificate  surrendered  in  exchange
therefor is  registered,  it shall be a condition  of issuance  thereof that the
certificate  so surrendered  shall be properly  endorsed and otherwise in proper
form for  transfer,  that such  transfer  otherwise  be proper and  comply  with
applicable  securities laws and that the person  requesting such transfer pay to
Linear  Delaware or the Exchange  Agent any  transfer or other taxes  payable by
reason of  issuance  of such new  certificate  in a name  other than that of the
registered   holder  of  the   certificate   surrendered  or  establish  to  the
satisfaction of Linear Delaware that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

                                  IV. GENERAL

         4.1 Covenants of Linear Delaware.  Linear Delaware covenants and agrees
that it will, on or before the Effective Date of the Merger:

                  (a)  qualify to do business  as a foreign  corporation  in the
State of California and in connection  therewith appoint an agent for service of
process as  required  under the  provisions  of Section  2105 of the  California
General Corporation Law;

                  (b) file any and all documents with the  California  Franchise
Tax  Board  necessary  for  the  assumption  by  Linear  Delaware  of all of the
franchise tax liabilities of Linear California;

                  (c) file an executed counterpart of this Agreement meeting the
requirements  of the California  General  Corporation  Law with the Secretary of
State of the State of California; and

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  (d)  take  such  other  actions  as  may  be  required  by the
California General Corporation Law.

         4.2  Further  Assurances.  From time to time,  as and when  required by
Linear  Delaware or by its  successors  or assigns,  there shall be executed and
delivered on behalf of Linear California such deeds and other  instruments,  and
there  shall be taken or  caused  to be taken  by  Linear  Delaware  and  Linear
California  such further and other actions as shall be  appropriate or necessary
in order to vest or  perfect  in or  conform  of record or  otherwise  by Linear
Delaware the title to and  possession  of all the property,  interests,  assets,
rights,  privileges,  immunities,  powers,  franchises  and  authority of Linear
California  and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this  Agreement,  and the
officers and directors of Linear  Delaware are fully  authorized in the name and
on behalf of Linear  California or otherwise to take any and all such action and
to execute and deliver any and all such deeds and other instruments.

         4.3  Abandonment.  At any time before the Effective Date of the Merger,
this  Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned for any reason
whatsoever  by the Board of Directors of either  Linear  California or of Linear
Delaware,  or of both,  notwithstanding  the  approval of this  Agreement by the
shareholders of Linear California or by the sole stockholder of Linear Delaware,
or by both.

         4.4 Amendment.  The Boards of Directors of the Constituent Corporations
may amend this  Agreement at any time prior to the filing of this Agreement with
the Secretaries of State of the States of Delaware and California, provided that
an  amendment  made  subsequent  to  the  adoption  of  this  Agreement  by  the
stockholders of either Constituent Corporation shall not, unless approved by the
stockholders  as  required  by law:  (a) alter or change  the  amount or kind of
shares, securities,  cash, property and/or rights to be received in exchange for
or on conversion  of all or any of the shares of any class or series  thereof of
such Constituent Corporation; (b) alter or change any term of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving  Corporation to be effected by the Merger; or (c)
alter or change  any of the  terms  and  conditions  of this  Agreement  if such
alteration or change would  adversely  affect the holders of any class or series
of capital stock of any Constituent Corporation.

         4.5  Registered   Office.   The  registered  office  of  the  Surviving
Corporation  in the State of  Delaware is 15 East North  Street,  City of Dover,
County  of  Kent,  Delaware  19901,  and  Incorporating  Services,  Ltd.  is the
registered agent of the Surviving Corporation at such address.

         4.6 Agreement. Executed copies of this Agreement will be on file at the
principal  place of  business  of the  Surviving  Corporation  at 1630  McCarthy
Boulevard,  Milpitas,  California  95035 and copies thereof will be furnished to
any  stockholder  of either  Constituent  Corporation,  upon request and without
cost.

         4.7 Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall in all respects be construed,
interpreted  and  enforced in  accordance  with and  governed by the laws of the
State of  Delaware  and,  so far as  applicable,  the merger  provisions  of the
California General Corporation Law.

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

         4.8  Counterparts.  In order to facilitate  the filing and recording of
this Agreement, the same may be executed in any number of counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  and all of  which  together  shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Agreement  having first been approved by the
resolutions  of the Board of  Directors  of  Linear  Technology  Corporation,  a
Delaware   corporation,   and  Linear  Technology   Corporation,   a  California
corporation,  is hereby executed on behalf of each of such two  corporations and
attested by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

                           LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                           a Delaware corporation

                           /s/ Robert H. Swanson, Jr.
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           Robert H. Swanson, Jr.
                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                           /s/ Paul Coghlan
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           Paul Coghlan
                           Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer


                           LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                           a California corporation

                           /s/ Robert H. Swanson, Jr.
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           Robert H. Swanson, Jr.
                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                           /s/ Paul Coghlan
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           Paul Coghlan
                           Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

                                      -6-

<PAGE>


                          LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                           (a California corporation)

                              OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE

Robert H. Swanson, Jr. and Paul Coghlan certify that:

         1. They are the  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  and the Vice
President,  Finance  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,   respectively,  of  Linear
Technology  Corporation,  a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
California.

         2. The  corporation  has  authorized  two classes of stock,  designated
"Common  Stock"  and  "Preferred  Stock,"  respectively.  There  are  authorized
480,000,000  shares of Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The
Preferred  Stock  is  undesignated   as  to  series,   rights,   preferences  or
restrictions.

         3.  There  were  316,515,460  shares of Common  Stock and  no shares of
Preferred  Stock  outstanding  as of September 13, 2000 (the "Record  Date") and
entitled to vote at the shareholders' meeting at which the Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the "Merger Agreement") attached hereto was approved.

         4. The  principal  terms of the Merger  Agreement  were approved by the
Board of Directors  and by the vote of a number of shares of each class of stock
which equaled or exceeded the vote required.

         5. The percentage vote required was more than 50% of the votes entitled
to be cast by holders of Common Stock  outstanding as of the Record Date, voting
as a single class.

         6.  Robert H.  Swanson,  Jr. and Paul  Coghlan  further  declare  under
penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that they have read
the  foregoing  certificate  and know the contents  thereof and that the same is
true of their own knowledge.

         Executed in Milpitas, California on December 22, 2000.


                           /s/ Robert H. Swanson, Jr.
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           Robert H. Swanson, Jr.
                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                           /s/ Paul Coghlan
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           Paul Coghlan
                           Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>


                          LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                            (a Delaware corporation)

                              OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE

Robert H. Swanson, Jr. and Paul Coghlan certify that:

         1. They are the  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  and the Vice
President,  Finance  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,   respectively,  of  Linear
Technology  Corporation,  a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware.

         2. The  corporation  has  authorized  two classes of stock,  designated
"Common  Stock"  and  "Preferred  Stock,"  respectively.  There  are  authorized
2,000,000,000  shares of Common Stock and 2,000,000  shares of Preferred  Stock.
The  Preferred  Stock is  undesignated  as to  series,  rights,  preferences  or
restrictions.

         3. There are 1,000 shares of Common Stock  outstanding  and entitled to
vote on the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  (the  "Merger  Agreement")  attached
hereto. There are no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.

         4. The  principal  terms of the Merger  Agreement  were approved by the
Board  of  Directors  and by the  vote  of 100% of the  shares  outstanding  and
entitled to vote on the Merger Agreement.

         5. The percentage vote required was more than 50% of the votes entitled
to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock.

         6.  Robert H.  Swanson,  Jr. and Paul  Coghlan  further  declare  under
penalty of perjury  under the laws of the State of Delaware  that they have read
the  foregoing  certificate  and know the contents  thereof and that the same is
true of their own knowledge.

         Executed in Milpitas, California on December 22, 2000.


                           /s/ Robert H. Swanson, Jr.
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           Robert H. Swanson, Jr.
                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                           /s/ Paul Coghlan
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           Paul Coghlan
                           Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer



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