COMVERSE TECHNOLOGY INC/NY/
S-8, EX-4.5, 2000-10-26
TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH APPARATUS
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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.5

                    EXALINK LTD. 2000 U.S. STOCK OPTION PLAN

1.       NAME

         This Plan, as amended from time to time, shall be known as the EXALINK
         LTD. 2000 U.S. Stock Option Plan (the "USSOP").

2.       PURPOSE OF THE OPTION PLAN

         The USSOP is intended to provide an incentive and to retain, in the
         employ of EXALINK LTD. (the "COMPANY") and its subsidiaries, persons of
         training, experience and ability, to attract new employees, directors
         and consultants whose services are considered valuable, to encourage
         the sense of proprietorship of such persons, and to stimulate the
         active interest of such persons in the development and financial
         success of the Company by providing them with opportunities to purchase
         shares of the Company, pursuant to the USSOP approved by the board of
         directors of the Company (the "BOARD").

         Options granted to the Optionees may or may not contain such terms as
         will qualify such options as Incentive Stock Options ("ISOS") within
         the meaning of Section 422 (b) of the United States Internal Revenue
         Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE"). Options that do not contain
         terms as will qualify them as ISOs shall be referred to herein as
         Non-Qualified Stock Options ("NQSOS"). All options granted hereunder,
         whether aggregately or separately, shall be hereinafter referred to as
         "OPTIONS".

         The term "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean for the purposes of the USSOP: any
         company (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of companies
         beginning with the Company if, at the time of granting an option, each
         of the companies other than the last company in the unbroken chain owns
         shares possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined
         voting power of all classes of shares in one of the other companies in
         such chain.


3.       ADMINISTRATION OF THE USSOP

         The Board and a share option committee appointed and maintained by the
         Board for such purpose (the "COMMITTEE") shall have the power to
         administer the USSOP. Notwithstanding the above, the Board shall
         automatically have a residual authority if no committee shall be
         constituted or if such Committee shall cease to operate for any reason
         whatsoever.

         The Committee shall consist of such number of members (not less than
         two (2)) as may be fixed by the Board. The Committee may select one of
         its members as its chairman ( the "CHAIRMAN") and shall hold its


<PAGE>

         meetings at such times and places as the Chairman shall determine
         subject to the terms of Company's Article of Association. The Committee
         shall keep records of its meetings and shall make such rules and
         regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.

         Any member of such Committee shall be eligible to receive Options under
         the USSOP while serving on the Committee, unless otherwise specified
         herein, and subject to applicable law.

         The Committee shall recommend the Board and the Board shall have full
         power and authority regarding:

         3.1      Designation of participants.

         3.2      The terms and provisions of respective Option agreements
                  (which need not be identical) including, but not limited to,
                  the number of shares in the Company to be covered by each
                  Option, provisions concerning the time or times when and the
                  extent to which the Options may be exercised and the nature
                  and duration of restrictions as to transferability or
                  restrictions constituting substantial risk of forfeiture.

         3.3      Acceleration of the right of an Optionee to exercise, in whole
                  or in part, any previously granted Option.

         The Committee shall have full power and authority to:

         3.4      Designate Options as ISO Options or NQSO Options.

         3.5      Interpret the provisions and supervise the administration of
                  the USSOP;

         3.6      Determine the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of the
                  Shares (as defined below).

         3.7      Determine any other matter which is necessary or desirable
                  for, or incidental to administration of the USSOP.

         Notwithstanding the above, the identity of each of the Optionees and
         the number of Shares covered by each Option must be ratified by the
         Board.


         The Board shall have the authority to grant, in its discretion, to the
         holder of an outstanding Option, in exchange for the surrender and
         cancellation of such Option, a new Option having a purchase price equal
         to, lower than or higher than the Purchase Price provided in the Option
         so surrendered and canceled, and containing such other terms and
         conditions as the Board may prescribe in accordance with the provisions
         of the USSOP.

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<PAGE>

         Subject to the Articles of Association of the Company, all decisions
         and selections made by the Board or the Committee pursuant to the
         provisions of the USSOP shall be made by a majority of its members
         except that no member of the Board or the Committee shall vote on any
         proposed action of the Board or the Committee relating to any Option to
         be granted to that member. Subject to the Articles of Association of
         the Company any decision reduced to writing and signed by all of the
         members who are authorized to make such decision shall be fully
         effective as if it had been made by a majority at a meeting duly held.

         The interpretation and construction by the Committee of any provision
         of the USSOP or of any Option Agreement thereunder shall be final and
         conclusive unless otherwise determined by the Board.

         Subject to the Company's article of association, each member of the
         Board or the Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
         Company against any cost or expense (including counsel fees) reasonably
         incurred by him, or any liability (including any sum paid in settlement
         of a claim with the approval of the Company) arising out of any act or
         omission to act in connection with the USSOP, unless arising out of
         such member's own fraud or bad faith, to the extent permitted by
         applicable law. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any rights
         of indemnification the member may have as a director or otherwise under
         the Company's Articles of Association, any agreement, any vote of
         shareholders or disinterested directors, insurance policy or otherwise.

         "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of a Share
         determined as follows:

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

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

                  (iii)    In the absence of an established market for the
                           Shares, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be
                           determined in good faith by the Board or the
                           Committee.


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<PAGE>


4.       DESIGNATION OF PARTICIPANTS

         4.1      The persons eligible to participate in the USSOP as recipients
                  of Options shall include any employees, directors, consultants
                  and service providers of the Company or of any Subsidiary. The
                  grant of an Option hereunder shall neither entitle the
                  Optionee to participate nor disqualify from participating in,
                  any other grant of Options pursuant to the USSOP or any other
                  option or stock plan of the Company or any of its affiliates.


         4.2      Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of
                  the Company, its Parent (if any), and any Subsidiaries.
                  Non-Qualified Stock Options may be granted to employees,
                  Non-Employee Directors, consultants and advisers who, in the
                  opinion of the Board, are in a position to make a significant
                  contribution to the success of the Company, its Parent (if
                  any), and any Subsidiaries.

         4.3      To the extent applicable and anything in the USSOP to the
                  contrary notwithstanding, all grants of Options to directors
                  and office holders - as such term is defined in the Israeli
                  Companies Law -( the "COMPANIES LAW") shall be authorized and
                  implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Companies
                  Law, as in effect from time to time.


5.       SHARES RESERVED UNDER THE OPTION PLAN; RESTRICTIONS THEREON
         5.1      Subject to adjustments as set forth in Section 7 below, the
                  Company has reserved a total of 500,000 authorized but
                  unissued Ordinary Shares par value NIS 0.01 each, of the
                  Company (the "SHARES"), for purpose of the USSOP and for the
                  purpose of the EXALINK LTD 2000 Israeli Stock Option Plan (the
                  "OPTION PLAN")subject to the adjustments as set forth in
                  paragraph 7 below. The Shares are hereby reserved for such
                  purpose out of the authorized share capital of the Company and
                  may only be issued under the terms hereof. Any of such Shares
                  which may remain unissued and which are are not subject to
                  outstanding Options upon the termination of the USSOP shall
                  cease to be reserved for the purpose of the USSOP, but until
                  termination of the USSOP the Company shall at all times
                  reserve sufficient number of Shares to meet the requirements
                  of the USSOP. Should any Option for any reason expire or be
                  canceled prior to its exercise or termination in full, the
                  unissued Shares subject to such Option may again be subjected
                  to an Option under the Option Plan or the USSOP.

         5.2      Each Option granted pursuant to the USSOP, shall be evidenced
                  by a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee
                  (the "OPTION AGREEMENT"), in such form as the Board or the
                  Committee shall from time to time approve. Each Option
                  Agreement shall state a number of the Shares to which the


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<PAGE>

                  Option relates and the type of Option granted thereunder
                  (whether a an ISO or an NQSO).

         5.3      To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined
                  at the time of the grant) of Shares with respect to which
                  incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by
                  the Participant during any calendar year under all plans of
                  the Company and its affiliates exceeds $100,000, the options
                  or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the
                  order in which they were granted) shall be treated as
                  non-qualified stock options. It should be understood that,
                  because of such limit, there is no assurance the all of the
                  Options will, in fact, be treated as an incentive stock
                  options.






6.       PURCHASE PRICE

         6.1      The purchase price of each Share subject to an Option to be
                  granted or any portion thereof shall be determined by the
                  Board or the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion in
                  accordance with applicable law, subject to any guidelines as
                  may be determined by the Board from time to time (the
                  "PURCHASE PRICE"). The Purchase Price of the Shares covered by
                  each ISO shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of the
                  Company shares on the date the Option is granted; provided,
                  however, that the purchase price of the Shares subject to any
                  ISO may not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the
                  Company's shares on the date the Option is granted with
                  respect to Options granted to an eligible employee who owns
                  more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company.


6.2 THE PURCHASE PRICE SHALL BE PAYABLE UPON THE EXERCISE OF THE OPTION IN A
FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE BOARD OR THE COMMITTEE BY CASH OR CHECK. THE COMMITTEE
SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO POSTPONE THE DATE OF PAYMENT ON SUCH TERMS AS IT MAY
DETERMINE.


7.       ADJUSTMENTS

         Upon the occurrence of any of the following described events,
         Optionee's rights to purchase Shares under the USSOP shall be adjusted
         as hereafter provided:

7.1 IN THE EVENT OF A MERGER OF THE COMPANY WITH OR INTO ANOTHER COMPANY (THE
"Successor Company"), OR THE SALE OF ALL OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE ASSETS OR
SHARES OF THE COMPANY (THE "Transaction") WHILE UNEXERCISED OPTIONS REMAIN


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<PAGE>

OUTSTANDING UNDER THE USSOP, THEN EACH UNEXERCISED OPTION SHALL BE ASSUMED, OR
SUBSTITUTED FOR BY AN APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF SHARES, OF EACH CLASS OF SHARES OR
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY (OR A PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY OF THE
SUCCESSOR COMPANY) WHICH WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY IN
RESPECT OF SUCH SHARES. IN THE CASE OF SUCH ASSUMPTION AND/OR SUBSTITUTION OF
SHARES, APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS SHALL BE MADE IN THE PURCHASE PRICE TO REFLECT
SUCH ACTION, AND ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OPTION AGREEMENTS, SUCH
AS THE VESTING DATES, SHALL REMAIN IN FORCE, ALL AS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE
COMMITTEE WHOSE DETERMINATION SHALL BE FINAL.



7.2 NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE AND SUBJECT TO ANY APPLICABLE LAW, UNLESS THE
BOARD OR THE COMMITTEE DETERMINES OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN OPTION
AGREEMENTS, THERE SHALL BE A CLAUSE IN EACH OPTION AGREEMENT INSTRUCTING THAT IF
IN ANY SUCH TRANSACTION AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 7.1 ABOVE, THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY
(OR PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY OF THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY) DOES NOT AGREE TO ASSUME OR
SUBSTITUTE FOR THE OPTIONS, ALL UNEXERCISED OPTIONS SHALL BE EXPIRED AS OF THE
DATE OF THE TRANSACTION.



7.3 FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 7.1 ABOVE, THE OPTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED
ASSUMED OR SUBSTITUTED IF, FOLLOWING THE MERGER OR ACQUISITION, THE DOCUMENT
PURSUANT TO WHICH THE TRANSACTION OCCURS PROVIDE THAT THE OPTIONEE HAS THE RIGHT
TO PURCHASE OR RECEIVE, FOR EACH SHARE OF OPTIONED SHARES IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO
THE TRANSACTION, THE CONSIDERATION (WHETHER SHARES, OPTIONS, CASH, OR OTHER
SECURITIES OR PROPERTY) RECEIVED IN THE TRANSACTION BY HOLDERS OF SHARES FOR
EACH SHARE HELD ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE TRANSACTION (AND IF SUCH HOLDERS
WERE OFFERED A CHOICE OF CONSIDERATION, THE TYPE OF CONSIDERATION CHOSEN BY THE
HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES) MINUS THE OPTION PRICE PER
SHARE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF SUCH CONSIDERATION RECEIVED IN THE TRANSACTION
IS NOT SOLELY ORDINARY SHARES (OR THEIR EQUIVALENT) OF THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY OR
ITS PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY, THE COMMITTEE MAY, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE SUCCESSOR
COMPANY, PROVIDE FOR THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED UPON THE EXERCISE OF THE
OPTION TO BE SOLELY ORDINARY SHARES (OR THEIR EQUIVALENT) OF THE SUCCESSOR
COMPANY OR ITS PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY EQUAL IN FAIR MARKET VALUE TO THE PER SHARE
CONSIDERATION RECEIVED BY HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES IN THE
TRANSACTION; AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT THE COMMITTEE MAY DETERMINE, IN ITS
DISCRETION, THAT IN LIEU OF SUCH ASSUMPTION OR SUBSTITUTION OF OPTIONS FOR
OPTIONS OF THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY OR ITS PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY, SUCH OPTIONS WILL
BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ANY OTHER TYPE OF ASSET OR PROPERTY INCLUDING CASH WHICH IS
FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

7.4 IF THE COMPANY IS LIQUIDATED OR DISSOLVED WHILE UNEXERCISED OPTIONS REMAIN
OUTSTANDING UNDER THE USSOP, THEN THE BOARD IN ITS OWN DISCRETION MAY DETERMINE
THAT ALL SUCH OUTSTANDING OPTIONS MAY BE EXERCISED IN FULL BY THE OPTIONEES AS
OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ANY SUCH LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPANY
WITHOUT REGARD TO THE VESTING PROVISIONS HEREOF. IF THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT
THE OUTSTANDING OPTIONS MAY BE EXERCISED, ALL SUCH OUTSTANDING OPTIONS MAY BE


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<PAGE>

EXERCISED IN FULL BY THE OPTIONEES GIVING NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE COMPANY OF
THEIR INTENTION TO SO EXERCISE TOGETHER WITH PAYMENT OF THE OPTION PRICE

7.5 IF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF THE COMPANY SHALL AT ANY TIME BE CHANGED OR
EXCHANGED BY DECLARATION OF A STOCK DIVIDEND (BONUS SHARES), STOCK SPLIT,
COMBINATION OR EXCHANGE OF SHARES, RECAPITALIZATION, OR ANY OTHER LIKE EVENT BY
OR OF THE COMPANY, AND AS OFTEN AS THE SAME SHALL OCCUR, THEN THE NUMBER, CLASS
AND KIND OF SHARES SUBJECT TO THE USSOP OR SUBJECT TO ANY OPTIONS THEREFORE
GRANTED, AND THE PURCHASE PRICES, SHALL BE APPROPRIATELY AND EQUITABLY ADJUSTED
SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE PROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF SHARES WITHOUT CHANGING THE
AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO ADJUSTMENT SHALL BE MADE BY
REASON OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS (RIGHTS OFFERING) ON
OUTSTANDING STOCK. UPON HAPPENING OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, THE CLASS AND
AGGREGATE NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE PURSUANT TO THE USSOP(AS SET FORTH IN
PARAGRAPH 6 HEREOF), IN RESPECT OF WHICH OPTIONS HAVE NOT YET BEEN EXERCISED,
SHALL BE APPROPRIATELY ADJUSTED, ALL AS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD WHOSE
DETERMINATION SHALL BE FINAL.

7.6 ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING, IF PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION
OF AN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING ALL OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE SHARES OF THE
COMPANY ARE TO BE SOLD, OR UPON A TRANSACTION REORGANIZATION OR THE LIKE, ALL OR
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE SHARES OF THE COMPANY ARE TO BE EXCHANGED FOR
SECURITIES OF ANOTHER COMPANY, THEN EACH OPTIONEE SHALL BE OBLIGED TO SELL OR
EXCHANGE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, ANY SHARES SUCH OPTIONEE PURCHASED UNDER THE
USSOP, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE BOARD IN CONNECTION
WITH THE TRANSACTION, WHOSE DETERMINATION SHALL BE FINAL.



8.       TERM AND EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

8.1 AN OPTION SHALL BE EXERCISED BY THE OPTIONEE BY GIVING WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE
COMPANY, IN SUCH FORM AND METHOD AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE COMPANY, AND
PAYMENT OF OPTION PRICE. SUCH EXERCISE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH
NOTICE AND FULL PAYMENT FOR THE SHARES WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THE OPTION IS BEING
EXERCISED, BY THE COMPANY AT ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE. THE NOTICE SHALL SPECIFY THE
NUMBER OF SHARES WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THE OPTION IS BEING EXERCISED.

8.2 AN OPTION MAY BE EXERCISED BY THE OPTIONEE IN WHOLE AT ANY TIME OR IN PART
FROM TIME TO TIME, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE OPTION BECOMES VESTED AND EXCERCISABLE
FOLLOWING THE DATES FOR THE NUMBER OF SHARES AS SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR IN EXHIBIT
B TO THE OPTION AGREEMENT., AND UP TO THE NUMBER OF SHARES, AS PROVIDED IN
EXHIBIT B TO THE OPTIONEE'S OPTION AGREEMENT, BUT NO LATER THAN THE EARLIER OF:
(I) IN THE EVENT OF GRANT OF ISO'S, THE EXPIRATION OF EXPIRATION DATE (AS
DEFINED IN OPTIONEE'S OPTION AGREEMENT) OR 10 YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF GRANT,


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<PAGE>

(II) IN THE EVENT OF GRANT OF ISO'S TO HOLDERS OF MORE THAN 10% OF THE SHARES,
THE EXPIRATION OF 5 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF GRANT; OR THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS
DEFINED IN THE OPTION AGREEMENT).

8.3 AN OPTION SHALL NOT BE TRANSFERABLE BY AN OPTIONEE OTHER THAN BY WILL OR
LAWS OF DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION, AND DURING AN OPTIONEE'S LIFETIME MAY BE
EXERCISABLE ONLY BY THAT OPTIONEE.

8.4 THE OPTIONS MAY BE EXERCISED BY THE OPTIONEE IN WHOLE AT ANY TIME OR IN PART
FROM TIME TO TIME, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE OPTIONS BECOME VESTED AND ARE
EXERCISABLE AND PROVIDED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 8.6 BELOW,
THE OPTIONEE IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AT ALL
TIMES DURING THE PERIOD BEGINNING WITH THE GRANTING OF THE OPTION AND ENDING
UPON THE DATE OF EXERCISE.


8.5 SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 8.6 BELOW, IN THE EVENT OF TERMINATION
OF OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR IF
APPLICABLE, THE TERMINATION OF SERVICES GIVEN BY THE OPTIONEE TO THE COMPANY OR
ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, ALL UNEXERCISED OPTIONS GRANTED TO THE OPTIONEE WILL
IMMEDIATELY EXPIRE. A NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICES SHALL BE
DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICES.

8.6 NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN SECTION 8.4 AND 8.5 ABOVE, AN
OPTION MAY BE EXERCISED AFTER THE DATE OF TERMINATION OF OPTIONEE'S SERVICE OR
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OF THE COMPANY ONLY WITH RESPECT
TO THE NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PORTION OF THE OPTION THAT HAS ALREADY
VESTED AND IS UNEXPIRED AT THE TIME OF SUCH TERMINATION ACCORDING TO THE VESTING
AND EXPIRATION PERIODS OF THE OPTIONS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT B OF SUCH OPTIONEE'S
OPTION AGREEMENT, PROVIDED THAT EITHER:


8.6.1 prior to the date of such termination, the Committee shall authorize an
extension of the exercise period of all or part of the Option beyond the date of
such termination for a period not to exceed the period during which the Option
by its terms would otherwise have been exercisable; or -

8.6.2 such termination is without Cause (as defined below), in which event the
Option may be exercised within a period of 90 days from the date of such
termination; or -

8.6.3 such termination is the result of death or disability of the Optionee, in
which event the Option may be exercised within a period of 12 (twelve) months
from such date of termination.

                           The term "cause" shall mean (i) material misconduct
                           which has an adverse effect on the business and
                           affairs of Company; (ii) Optionee's (a) willful or
                           continued failure to substantially perform his
                           material job duties hereunder, or (b) material
                           misconduct which reasonably could be expected to have
                           an adverse effect on Company, including without
                           limitation disregard of lawful written instructions
                           of Company's Board of Directors consistent with
                           Optionee's position relating to the business of


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<PAGE>

                           Company or neglect of duties or failure to act,
                           provided in each such case Company has given at least
                           thirty (30) day's prior written notice describing the
                           alleged breach, failure or misconduct in detail and
                           the Optionee has failed to cure such deficiency
                           within such thirty-day (30-day) period (provided such
                           breach, failure or misconduct is capable of being
                           cured within such period); (iii) gross negligence,
                           gross neglect of duties, including fiduciary duties,
                           or gross insubordination; (iv) conviction or plea of
                           no contest to common law fraud, a felony criminal act
                           or a crime involving moral turpitude; (v) abuse of
                           alcohol or other drugs or controlled substances to
                           the material detriment of Company; (vi) unauthorized
                           appropriation of Company's property.




8.6 SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 9 BELOW, THE HOLDERS OF OPTIONS SHALL
NOT HAVE ANY OF THE RIGHTS OR PRIVILEGES OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY IN
RESPECT OF ANY SHARES PURCHASABLE UPON THE EXERCISE OF ANY PART OF AN OPTION,
NOR SHALL THEY BE DEEMED TO BE A CLASS OF SHAREHOLDERS OR CREDITORS OF THE
COMPANY FOR PURPOSE OF THE OPERATION OF SECTION 350 AND 351 OF THE COMPANIES LAW
OR SUCCESSOR TO SUCH SECTION, UNTIL REGISTRATION OF THE OPTIONEE AS HOLDER OF
SUCH SHARES IN THE COMPANY'S REGISTER OF MEMBERS UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE USSOP.

8.7 ANY FORM OF OPTION AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED BY THE USSOP MAY CONTAIN SUCH OTHER
PROVISIONS AS THE COMMITTEE MAY, FROM TIME TO TIME, DEEM ADVISABLE. WITHOUT
LIMITING THE FOREGOING THE COMMITTEE MAY, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE OPTIONEE, FROM
TIME TO TIME, CANCEL ALL OR ANY PORTION OF ANY OPTION THEN SUBJECT TO EXERCISE,
AND THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION IN RESPECT OF SUCH OPTION MAY BE DISCHARGED BY (I)
PAYMENT TO THE OPTIONEE OF AN AMOUNT IN CASH EQUAL TO THE EXCESS, IF ANY, OF THE
FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE SHARES AT THE DATE OF SUCH CANCELLATION SUBJECT TO THE
PORTION OF THE OPTION SO CANCELED OVER THE AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE OF SUCH
SHARES, (II) THE ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER TO THE OPTIONEE OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY
WITH A FAIR MARKET VALUE AT THE DATE OF SUCH TRANSFER EQUAL TO ANY SUCH EXCESS,
OR (III) A COMBINATION OF CASH AND SHARES WITH A COMBINED VALUE EQUAL TO ANY
SUCH EXCESS, ALL AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMITTEE IN THEIR SOLE DISCRETION.

         8.8      Options shall vest (i.e., Options shall become exercisable )
                  at the dates set forth in Section 3 OF EXHIBIT "B" to the
                  Option Agreement (the "VESTING DATE"). An Option may be
                  granted subject to such other terms and conditions on the time
                  or times when it may be exercised, as the Committee or the
                  Board may deem appropriate to include in the Option Agreement.


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<PAGE>

9.       SHARES SUBJECT TO RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

            9.1   NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THE ARTICLES OF
                  ASSOCIATION OF THE COMPANY, THE OPTIONEE SHALL NOT HAVE A
                  RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL IN RELATION TO ANY SALE OF SHARES IN
                  THE COMPANY.

           9.2    SALE OF SHARES BY THE OPTIONEE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT
                  OF FIRST REFUSAL OF OTHER SHAREHOLDERS AS SET FORTH IN THE
                  ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE COMPANY. IN THE EVENT THAT THE
                  ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE COMPANY SHALL NOT CONTAIN ANY
                  PROVISION REGARDING RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL, THEN, UNLESS
                  OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THE BOARD, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE
                  COMPANY SHALL EFFECTUATE AN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING, THE SALE
                  OF SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF AN OPTION, SHALL BE
                  SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ON THE PART OF THE
                  REPURCHASER(S).

                  THE TERM Repurchaser(s) SHALL MEANS (I) THE COMPANY, IF
                  PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS; ( II) IF THE COMPANY IS NOT
                  PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, THEN ANY AFFILIATE OR SUBSIDIARY
                  OF THE COMPANY DESIGNATED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION IS REACHED
                  BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; OR ( III) IF NO UNANIMOUS DECISION
                  IS REACHED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS , THEN THE COMPANY
                  EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS (SAVE, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT , FOR
                  OTHER OPTIONEES WHO ALREADY EXERCISED THEIR OPTIONS), PRO RATA
                  IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR SHAREHOLDING. THE OPTIONEE SHALL GIVE
                  A NOTICE OF SALE (THE "Notice") TO THE COMPANY IN ORDER TO
                  OFFER THE SHARES TO THE REPURCHASER(S), AND THE COMPANY WILL
                  FORWARD THE NOTICE TO THE EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS.
                  The Notice shall specify the Number of Shares offered for
                  sale, the price per Share, the payment terms the name of each
                  proposed purchaser or other Transferee ( "PROPOSED
                  TRANSFEREE"),. The Repurchaser(s) will be entitled for 30 days
                  from the day of receipt of the Notice ("THE 30 DAYS PERIOD"),
                  to purchase all or part of the offered Shares. If by the end
                  of the 30 Days Period not all of the offered Shares have been
                  purchased by the Repurchaser(s) , the Optionee will be
                  entitled to sell such Shares at any time during the 90 days
                  following the end of the 30 Days Period on terms not more
                  favorable than those set out in the Notice, provided that the
                  proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of
                  this section shall continue to apply to the Shares in the
                  hands of such proposed Transferee.



10.      PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT

         The Company's obligation to issue Shares upon exercise of an Option
         granted under the Plan is expressly conditioned upon (a) the Company's
         completion of any registration or other qualifications of such Shares
         under any state and/or federal law, rulings or regulations or (b)
         representations and undertakings by the Optionee (or his legal


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<PAGE>

         representative, heir or legatee, in the event of the Optionee's death)
         to assure that the sale of the Shares complies with any registration
         exemption requirements which the Company in its sole discretion shall
         deem necessary or advisable. Such required representations and
         undertakings may include representations and agreements that such
         Optionee (or his legal representative, heir, or legatee): (a) is
         purchasing such Shares for investment and not with any present
         intention of selling or otherwise disposing thereof; and (b) agrees to
         have placed upon the face and reverse of any certificates evidencing
         such Shares a legend setting forth (i) any representations and
         undertakings which such Optionee has given to the Company or a
         reference thereto and (ii) that, prior to effecting any sale or other
         disposition of any such Shares, the Optionee must furnish to the
         Company an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such
         sale or disposition will not violate the applicable laws, rules and
         regulations whether of the state of Israel or of the United States or
         any other State having jurisdiction over the Company and/or the
         Optionee requirements of State and federal laws and regulatory
         agencies.





11.      ASSIGNABILITY AND SALE OF OPTIONS

         Except as provided in section 8.3, no option granted hereunder, whether
         fully paid or not, shall be assignable, transferable or given as
         collateral or any right with respect to them given to any third party
         whatsoever, and during the lifetime of the Optionee each and all of
         such Optionee's rights to purchase Shares hereunder shall be
         exercisable only by the Optionee. Any such action made directly or
         indirectly, for an immediate validation or for a future one, shall be
         void.

12.      TERM OF THE OPTION PLAN

         The USSOP shall become effective on the date that it is adopted by the
         Board of Directors; provided, however, that no Option may be exercised
         until the Option Plan has been approved by the sharehholders of of the
         Company within 12 months before or after the date the USSOP is adopted
         by the Board . If the USSOP is not approved by the shareholders of the
         Company within twelve months after the date the USSOP is adopted by the
         Board, the USSOP and all Options granted thereunder shall be null and
         void. The USSOP shall terminate at the end of 10 years from the day of
         its adoption by the Board, unless earlier terminated pursuant to
         section 13.


13.      AMENDMENT; TERMINATION

THE BOARD MAY, AT ANY TIME AND FROM TIME TO TIME, AMEND, ALTER OR DISCONTINUE
THE USSOP, EXCEPT THAT NO AMENDMENT OR ALTERATION SHALL BE MADE WHICH WOULD


                                       11
<PAGE>

IMPAIR THE RIGHTS OF THE HOLDER OF ANY OPTION PREVIOUSLY GRANTED, WITHOUT HIS
WRITTEN CONSENT. TERMINATION OF THE USSOP SHALL NOT AFFECT THE COMMITTEE'S
AND/OR THE BOARD'S ABILITY TO EXERCISE THE POWERS GRANTED TO IT HEREUNDER AND
UNDER THE TERMS OF AN OPTION AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE OPTIONS GRANTED UNDER
THE USSOP PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH TERMINATION.

14.      GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
         The USSOP, the granting and exercise of Options hereunder, and the
         obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Shares issued upon
         exercise of such Options, shall be subject to all applicable laws,
         rules, and regulations of the United States or any other state having
         jurisdiction over the Company and the Optionee, including the
         registration of the Shares under the 1933 Act , and to such approvals
         by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be
         required.

15.      CONTINUANCE OF EMPLOYMENT OR HIRED SERVICES
         Neither the USSOP nor the Option Agreement with an Optionee shall
         impose any obligation on the Company or a subsidiary thereof, to
         continue employing any Optionee or hiring of the Optionee's services,
         and nothing in the USSOP or in any Option granted pursuant thereto
         shall confer upon any Optionee any right to continue in the employ or
         service of the Company or a subsidiary thereof or restrict the right of
         the Company or a subsidiary thereof to terminate such employment or
         service hiring at any time, with or without notice.


16.      GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION

         This USSOP shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
         accordance with the laws of the State of Israel applicable to contracts
         made and to be performed therein, without giving effect to the
         principles of conflict of laws. The competent courts of Tel-Aviv,
         Israel shall have sole jurisdiction in any matters pertaining to the
         USSOP.

17.      TAX CONSEQUENCES
         Any tax consequences arising from the grant or exercise of any Option,
         from the payment for Shares issued upon exercise of an Option or from
         any other event or act hereunder (of the Company and or its
         Subsidiaries or the Optionee), shall be borne solely by the Optionee.
         The Company and/or its subsidiaries shall withhold taxes according to
         the requirements under the applicable laws, rules, and regulations,
         including the withholding of taxes at source. Furthermore, the Optionee
         shall agree to indemnify the Company and/or its subsidisries and hold
         them harmless against and from any and all liability for any such tax
         or interest or penalty thereon, including without limitation,
         liabilities relating to the necessity to withhold, or to have withheld,
         any such tax from any payment made to the Optionee.


                                       12
<PAGE>


18.      NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF THE USSOP

         The adoption of the USSOP by the Board shall not be construed as
         amending, modifying or rescinding any previously approved incentive
         arrangements or as creating any limitations on the power of the Board
         to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable,
         including, without limitation, the granting of stock Options otherwise
         then under the USSOP, and such arrangements may be either applicable
         generally or only in specific cases. For the avoidance of doubt, prior
         grant of options to Optionees of the Company under their employment
         agreements, and not in the framework of any previous option plan, shall
         not be deemed an approved incentive arrangement for the purpose of this
         Section.

19.      MULTIPLE AGREEMENTS

THE TERMS OF EACH OPTION MAY DIFFER FROM OTHER OPTIONS GRANTED UNDER THE USSOP
AT THE SAME TIME, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME. THE COMMITTEE MAY ALSO GRANT MORE THAN
ONE OPTION TO A GIVEN OPTIONEE DURING THE TERM OF THE OPTION PLAN, EITHER IN
ADDITION TO, OR IN SUBSTITUTION FOR, ONE OR MORE OPTIONS PREVIOUSLY GRANTED TO
THAT OPTIONEE.





                                       13
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B
                                    ---------

                               TERMS OF THE OPTION
                               -------------------



NAME OF THE OPTIONEE:      ____________________

DATE OF GRANT:             ____________________

DESIGNATION:               ISO / NQSO

OPTION NUMBER:             ____________________

1.       NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO THE OPTION: ___________________________

2.       PURCHASE PRICE PER SHARE:          ___________________________

3.       VESTING PERIODS:
<TABLE>
         -------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                                      <C>
                           NUMBER                                   VESTING DATE
         -------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

         -------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

         -------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

         -------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

         -------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

         -------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

         -------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

</TABLE>

4.       EXPIRATION DATE:                   10  YEARS FROM THE DATE OF GRANT











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