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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Confidential, For Use Of The
Commission Only (As Permitted By
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[_] Definitive Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12
Apogee Technology, Inc.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Apogee Technology, Inc.
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] 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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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] 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,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(4) Date Filed:
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APOGEE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
1997 EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR AND CONSULTANT STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. DEFINITIONS.
-----------
Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, the
following terms, as used in this Apogee Technology, Inc. 1997 Employee,
Director and Consultant Stock Option Plan, have the following meanings:
Administrator means the Board of Directors, unless it has delegated
-------------
power to act on its behalf to the Committee, in which case the
Administrator means the Committee.
Affiliate means a corporation which, for purposes of Section 424 of
---------
the Code, is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, direct or
indirect.
Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.
------------------
Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
----
amended.
Committee means the committee of the Board of Directors to which the
---------
Board of Directors has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the
provisions of the Plan.
Common Stock means shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par
------------
value per share.
Company means Apogee Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
-------
Disability or Disabled means permanent and total disability as defined
---------- --------
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock means:
-----------------
(1) If the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange
or traded in the over-the-counter market and sales prices are
regularly reported for the Common Stock, the closing or last price of
the Common Stock on the Composite
<PAGE>
Tape or other comparable reporting system for the trading day
immediately preceding the applicable date;
(2) If the Common Stock is not traded on a national securities
exchange but is traded on the over-the-counter market, if sales prices
are not regularly reported for the Common Stock for the trading day
referred to in clause (1), and if bid and asked prices for the Common
Stock are regularly reported, the mean between the bid and the asked
price for the Common Stock at the close of trading in the over-the-
counter market for the trading day on which Common Stock was traded
immediately preceding the applicable date; and
(3) If the Common Stock is neither listed on a national securities
exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the
Administrator, in good faith, shall determine.
ISO means an option meant to qualify as an incentive stock option
---
under Section 422 of the Code.
Key Employee means an employee of the Company or of an Affiliate
------------
(including, without limitation, an employee who is also serving as an
officer or director of the Company or of an Affiliate), designated by
the Administrator to be eligible to be granted one or more Options
under the Plan.
Non-Qualified Option means an option which is not intended to qualify
--------------------
as an ISO.
Option means an ISO or Non-Qualified Option granted under the Plan.
------
Option Agreement means an agreement between the Company and a
----------------
Participant delivered pursuant to the Plan, in such form as the
Administrator shall approve.
Participant means a Key Employee, director or consultant to whom one
-----------
or more Options are granted under the Plan. As used herein,
"Participant" shall include "Participant's Survivors" where the
context requires.
Plan means this Apogee Technology, Inc. 1997 Employee, Director and
----
Consultant Stock Option Plan.
Shares means shares of the Common Stock as to which Options have been
------
or may be granted under the Plan or any shares of capital stock into
which the Shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within
the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the Plan. The Shares issued upon
exercise of Options granted under the Plan may be authorized and
unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury, or
both.
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Survivors means a deceased Participant's legal representatives and/or
---------
any person or persons who acquired the Participant's rights to an
Option by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
2. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.
--------------------
The Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Shares by Key Employees and
directors of and certain consultants to the Company in order to attract such
people, to induce them to work for the benefit of the Company or of an Affiliate
and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the
Company or of an Affiliate. The Plan provides for the granting of ISOs and Non-
Qualified Options.
3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
--------------------------
The number of Shares which may be issued from time to time pursuant to this
Plan shall be 800,000, or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock
split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in
accordance with Paragraph 16 of the Plan.
If an Option ceases to be "outstanding", in whole or in part, the Shares
which were subject to such Option shall be available for the granting of other
Options under the Plan. Any Option shall be treated as "outstanding" until such
Option is exercised in full, or terminates or expires under the provisions of
the Plan, or by agreement of the parties to the pertinent Option Agreement.
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
--------------------------
The Administrator of the Plan will be the Board of Directors, except to the
extent the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Committee, in which
case the Committee shall be the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, the Administrator is authorized to:
a. Interpret the provisions of the Plan or of any Option or Option
Agreement and to make all rules and determinations which it deems
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;
b. Determine which employees of the Company or of an Affiliate shall be
designated as Key Employees and which of the Key Employees, directors
and consultants shall be granted Options;
c. Determine the number of Shares for which an Option or Options shall be
granted; and
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d. Specify the terms and conditions upon which an Option or Options may
be granted;
provided, however, that all such interpretations, rules, determinations, terms
and conditions shall be made and prescribed in the context of preserving the tax
status under Section 422 of the Code of those Options which are designated as
ISOs. Subject to the foregoing, the interpretation and construction by the
Administrator of any provisions of the Plan or of any Option granted under it
shall be final, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if the
Administrator is the Committee.
5. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.
-----------------------------
The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, name the Participants in
the Plan, provided, however, that each Participant must be a Key Employee,
director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate at the time an Option
is granted. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, the Administrator
may authorize the grant of an Option to a person not then an employee, director
or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate. The actual grant of such
Option, however, shall be conditioned upon such person becoming eligible to
become a Participant at or prior to the time of the delivery of the Option
Agreement evidencing such Option. ISOs may be granted only to Key Employees.
Non-Qualified Options may be granted to any Key Employee, director or consultant
of the Company or an Affiliate. The granting of any Option to any individual
shall neither entitle that individual to, nor disqualify him or her from,
participation in any other grant of Options.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
-------------------------------
Each Option shall be set forth in writing in an Option Agreement, duly
executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the
Company, by the Participant. The Administrator may provide that Options be
granted subject to such conditions as the Administrator may deem appropriate
including, without limitation, subsequent approval by the shareholders of the
Company of this Plan or any amendments thereto. The Option Agreements shall be
subject to at least the following terms and conditions:
A. Non-Qualified Options: Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified
---------------------
Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions which the
Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of
the Company, subject to the following minimum standards for any such
Non-Qualified Option:
a. Option Price: Each Option Agreement shall state the option price
(per share) of the Shares covered by each Option, which option
price shall be determined by the Administrator but shall not be
less than the par value per share of Common Stock.
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b. Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which
it pertains;
c. Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it
first is exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be
exercised, and may provide that the Option rights accrue or
become exercisable in installments over a period of months or
years, or upon the occurrence of certain conditions or the
attainment of stated goals or events; and
d. Exercise of any Option may be conditioned upon the Participant's
execution of a Share purchase agreement in form satisfactory to
the Administrator providing for certain protections for the
Company and its other shareholders, including requirements that:
i. The Participant's or the Participant's Survivors' right to
sell or transfer the Shares may be restricted; and
ii. The Participant or the Participant's Survivors may be
required to execute letters of investment intent and must
also acknowledge that the Shares will bear legends noting
any applicable restrictions.
B. ISOs: Each Option intended to be an ISO shall be issued only to a Key
----
Employee and be subject to at least the following terms and
conditions, with such additional restrictions or changes as the
Administrator determines are appropriate but not in conflict with
Section 422 of the Code and relevant regulations and rulings of the
Internal Revenue Service:
a. Minimum standards: The ISO shall meet the minimum standards
required of Non-Qualified Options, as described in Paragraph 6(A)
above, except clause (a) thereunder.
b. Option Price: Immediately before the Option is granted, if the
Participant owns, directly or by reason of the applicable
attribution rules in Section 424(d) of the Code:
i. Ten percent (10%) or less of the total combined voting power
-------
of all classes of share capital of the Company or an
Affiliate, the Option price per share of the Shares covered
by each Option shall not be less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of the Shares on
the date of the grant of the Option.
ii. More than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or an
Affiliate, the Option price per share of the Shares covered
by each Option shall not be
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<PAGE>
less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the said Fair
Market Value on the date of grant.
c. Term of Option: For Participants who own
i. Ten percent (10%) or less of the total combined voting power
-------
of all classes of share capital of the Company or an
Affiliate, each Option shall terminate not more than ten
(10) years from the date of the grant or at such earlier
time as the Option Agreement may provide.
ii. More than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or an
Affiliate, each Option shall terminate not more than five
(5) years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time
as the Option Agreement may provide.
d. Limitation on Yearly Exercise: The Option Agreements shall
restrict the amount of Options which may be exercisable in any
calendar year (under this or any other ISO plan of the Company or
an Affiliate) so that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined
at the time each ISO is granted) of the stock with respect to
which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant
in any calendar year does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000), provided that this subparagraph (d) shall have no
force or effect if its inclusion in the Plan is not necessary for
Options issued as ISOs to qualify as ISOs pursuant to Section
422(d) of the Code.
7. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.
---------------------------------------
An Option (or any part or installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving
written notice to the Company at its principal executive office address,
together with provision for payment of the full purchase price in accordance
with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised,
and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set forth in the Option
Agreement. Such written notice shall be signed by the person exercising the
Option, shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is
being exercised and shall contain any representation required by the Plan or the
Option Agreement. Payment of the purchase price for the Shares as to which such
Option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or
by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of
shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal as of the date of the
exercise to the cash exercise price of the Option, determined in good faith by
the Administrator, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by delivery of
the grantee's personal recourse note bearing interest payable not less than
annually at no less than 100% of the applicable Federal rate, as defined in
Section 1274(d) of the Code, or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, in
accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities
brokerage firm, and approved by the Administrator, or (e) at the discretion of
the Administrator, by any combination
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<PAGE>
of (a), (b), (c) and (d) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator
shall accept only such payment on exercise of an ISO as is permitted by Section
422 of the Code.
The Company shall then reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which
such Option was exercised to the Participant (or to the Participant's Survivors,
as the case may be). In determining what constitutes "reasonably promptly," it
is expressly understood that the delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the
Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without
limitation, state securities or "blue sky" laws) which requires the Company to
take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance. The Shares
shall, upon delivery, be evidenced by an appropriate certificate or certificates
for fully paid, non-assessable Shares.
The Administrator shall have the right to accelerate the date of exercise
of any installment of any Option; provided that the Administrator shall not
accelerate the exercise date of any installment of any Option granted to any Key
Employee as an ISO (and not previously converted into a Non-Qualified Option
pursuant to Paragraph 19) if such acceleration would violate the annual vesting
limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in Paragraph
6.B.d.
The Administrator may, in its discretion, amend any term or condition of an
outstanding Option provided (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted
by the Plan, (ii) any such amendment shall be made only with the consent of the
Participant to whom the Option was granted, or in the event of the death of the
Participant, the Participant's Survivors, if the amendment is adverse to the
Participant, and (iii) any such amendment of any ISO shall be made only after
the Administrator, after consulting the counsel for the Company, determines
whether such amendment would constitute a "modification" of any Option which is
an ISO (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or would cause
any adverse tax consequences for the holder of such ISO.
8. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER.
-----------------------
No Participant to whom an Option has been granted shall have rights as a
shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Option, except after due
exercise of the Option and tender of the full purchase price for the Shares
being purchased pursuant to such exercise and registration of the Shares in the
Company's share register in the name of the Participant.
9. ASSIGNABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS.
--------------------------------------------
By its terms, an Option granted to a Participant shall not be transferable
by the Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, or (ii) as otherwise determined by the Administrator and set forth
in the applicable Option Agreement. The designation of a beneficiary of an
Option by a Participant shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this
Paragraph. Except as provided above, an Option shall be exercisable, during the
Participant's
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lifetime, only by such Participant (or by his or her legal representative) and
shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation
of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or
similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or
other disposition of any Option or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to
the provisions of this Plan, or the levy of any attachment or similar process
upon an Option, shall be null and void.
10. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN "FOR CAUSE" OR DEATH OR
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DISABILITY.
----------
Except as otherwise provided in the pertinent Option Agreement, in the
event of a termination of service (whether as an employee, director or
consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate before the Participant has
exercised all Options, the following rules apply:
a. A Participant who ceases to be an employee, director or consultant of
the Company or of an Affiliate (for any reason other than termination
"for cause", Disability, or death for which events there are special
rules in Paragraphs 11, 12, and 13, respectively), may exercise any
Option granted to him or her to the extent that the Option is
exercisable on the date of such termination of service, but only
within such term as the Administrator has designated in the pertinent
Option Agreement.
b. In no event may an Option Agreement provide, if the Option is intended
to be an ISO, that the time for exercise be later than three (3)
months after the Participant's termination of employment.
c. The provisions of this Paragraph, and not the provisions of Paragraph
12 or 13, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes
Disabled or dies after the termination of employment, director status
or consultancy, provided, however, in the case of a Participant's
Disability or death within three (3) months after the termination of
employment, director status or consultancy, the Participant or the
Participant's Survivors may exercise the Option within one (1) year
after the date of the Participant's termination of employment, but in
no event after the date of expiration of the term of the Option.
d. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a
Participant's termination of employment, termination of director
status or termination of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an
Option, the Board of Directors determines that, either prior or
subsequent to the Participant's termination, the Participant engaged
in conduct which would constitute "cause", then such Participant shall
forthwith cease to have any right to exercise any Option.
e. A Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who is
absent from work with the Company or with an Affiliate because of
temporary disability
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(any disability other than a permanent and total Disability as
defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for
any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be
deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such
Participant's employment, director status or consultancy with the
Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may
otherwise expressly provide.
f. Except as required by law or as set forth in the pertinent Option
Agreement, Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any
change of a Participant's status within or among the Company and any
Affiliates, so long as the Participant continues to be an employee,
director or consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.
11. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE "FOR CAUSE".
--------------------------------------------
Except as otherwise provided in the pertinent Option Agreement, the
following rules apply if the Participant's service (whether as an employee,
director or consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated "for
cause" prior to the time that all his or her outstanding Options have been
exercised:
a. All outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the
Participant is notified his or her service is terminated "for
cause" will immediately be forfeited.
b. For purposes of this Plan, "cause" shall include (and is not
limited to) dishonesty with respect to the Company or any
Affiliate, insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-
feasance of duty, unauthorized disclosure of confidential
information, and conduct substantially prejudicial to the
business of the Company or any Affiliate. The determination of
the Administrator as to the existence of "cause" will be
conclusive on the Participant and the Company.
c. "Cause" is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a
Participant's termination of service, nor is it necessary that
the Administrator's finding of "cause" occur prior to
termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a
Participant's termination of service but prior to the exercise of
an Option, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant's
termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would
constitute "cause," then the right to exercise any Option is
forfeited.
d. Any definition in an agreement between the Participant and the
Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition
of "cause" for termination and which is in effect at the time of
such termination, shall supersede the definition in this Plan
with respect to such Participant.
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12. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.
-----------------------------------------------
Except as otherwise provided in the pertinent Option Agreement, a
Participant who ceases to be an employee, director or consultant of the Company
or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability may exercise any Option granted to
such Participant:
a. To the extent exercisable but not exercised on the date of Disability;
and
b. In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the
extent of a pro rata portion of any additional rights as would have
accrued had the Participant not become Disabled prior to the end of
the accrual period which next ends following the date of Disability.
The proration shall be based upon the number of days of such accrual
period prior to the date of Disability.
A Disabled Participant may exercise such rights only within a period of not
more than one (1) year after the date that the Participant became Disabled,
notwithstanding that the Participant might have been able to exercise the Option
as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if the Participant had not
become disabled and had continued to be an employee, director or consultant or,
if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.
The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability
has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such
determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such
Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination).
If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or
approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for
by the Company.
13. EFFECT OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.
---------------------------------------------------------
Except as otherwise provided in the pertinent Option Agreement, in the
event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an employee,
director or consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, such Option may be
exercised by the Participant's Survivors:
a. To the extent exercisable but not exercised on the date of death; and
b. In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the
extent of a pro rata portion of any additional rights which would have
accrued had the Participant not died prior to the end of the accrual
period which next ends following the date of death. The proration
shall be based upon the number of days of such accrual period prior to
the Participant's death.
If the Participant's Survivors wish to exercise the Option, they must take
all necessary steps to exercise the Option within one (1) year after the date of
death of such Participant, notwithstanding that the decedent might have been
able to exercise the Option as to some or all
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of the Shares on a later date if he or she had not died and had continued to be
an employee, director or consultant or, if earlier, within the originally
prescribed term of the Option.
14. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT.
-----------------------
Unless the offering and sale of the Shares to be issued upon the particular
exercise of an Option shall have been effectively registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as now in force or hereafter amended (the "1933 Act"),
the Company shall be under no obligation to issue the Shares covered by such
exercise unless and until the following conditions have been fulfilled:
a. The person(s) who exercise(s) such Option shall warrant to the
Company, prior to the receipt of such Shares, that such person(s) are
acquiring such Shares for their own respective accounts, for
investment, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with,
the distribution of any such Shares, in which event the person(s)
acquiring such Shares shall be bound by the provisions of the
following legend which shall be endorsed upon the certificate(s)
evidencing their Shares issued pursuant to such exercise or such
grant:
"The shares represented by this certificate have been taken for
investment and they may not be sold or otherwise transferred by
any person, including a pledgee, unless (1) either (a) a
Registration Statement with respect to such shares shall be
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b)
the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel
satisfactory to it that an exemption from registration under such
Act is then available, and (2) there shall have been compliance
with all applicable state securities laws."
b. At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company shall have
received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued upon
such particular exercise in compliance with the 1933 Act without
registration thereunder.
15. DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.
-----------------------------------------
Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options granted
under this Plan which as of such date shall not have been exercised will
terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights of a
Participant or a Participant's Survivors have not otherwise terminated and
expired, the Participant or the Participant's Survivors will have the right
immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation to exercise any Option to
the extent that the Option is exercisable as of the date immediately prior to
such dissolution or liquidation.
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16. ADJUSTMENTS.
-----------
Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant's rights
with respect to any Option granted to him or her hereunder which has not
previously been exercised in full shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided,
unless otherwise specifically provided in the pertinent Option Agreement:
A. Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If the shares of Common Stock shall
--------------------------------
be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the
Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its
outstanding Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
the exercise of such Option shall be appropriately increased or decreased
proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made in the purchase price
per share to reflect such subdivision, combination or stock dividend.
B. Consolidations or Mergers. If the Company is to be consolidated with
-------------------------
or acquired by another entity in a merger, sale of all or substantially all of
the Company's assets or otherwise (an "Acquisition"), the Administrator or the
board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company
hereunder (the "Successor Board"), shall, as to outstanding Options, either (i)
make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting
on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options either the
consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in
connection with the Acquisition or securities of any successor or acquiring
entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that all
Options must be exercised (either to the extent then exercisable or, at the
discretion of the Administrator, all Options being made fully exercisable for
purposes of this Subparagraph), within a specified number of days of the date of
such notice, at the end of which period the Options shall terminate; or (iii)
terminate all Options in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the
Fair Market Value of the shares subject to such Options (either to the extent
then exercisable or, at the discretion of the Administrator, all Options being
made fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph) over the exercise
price thereof.
C. Recapitalization or Reorganization. In the event of a
----------------------------------
recapitalization or reorganization of the Company (other than a transaction
described in Subparagraph B above) pursuant to which securities of the Company
or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of
Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option shall be entitled to
receive for the purchase price paid upon such exercise the securities which
would have been received if such Option had been exercised prior to such
recapitalization or reorganization.
D. Modification of ISOs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments
--------------------
made pursuant to Subparagraph A, B or C with respect to ISOs shall be made only
after the Administrator, after consulting with counsel for the Company,
determines whether such adjustments would constitute a "modification" of such
ISOs (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or would cause any
adverse tax consequences for the holders of such ISOs. If the Administrator
determines that such adjustments made with respect to ISOs would constitute a
modification of such ISOs, it may refrain from making such adjustments, unless
the holder of an ISO specifically requests in writing
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that such adjustment be made and such writing indicates that the holder has full
knowledge of the consequences of such "modification" on his or her income tax
treatment with respect to the ISO.
17. ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES.
-----------------------
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares
of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any
class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with
respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Options. Except as
expressly provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in
cash or in property (including without limitation, securities) of the Company.
18. FRACTIONAL SHARES.
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No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the person
exercising such right shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such
fractional shares equal to the Fair Market Value thereof.
19. CONVERSION OF ISOs INTO NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS; TERMINATION OF ISOs.
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The Administrator, at the written request of any Participant, may in its
discretion take such actions as may be necessary to convert such Participant's
ISOs (or any portions thereof) that have not been exercised on the date of
conversion into Non-Qualified Options at any time prior to the expiration of
such ISOs, regardless of whether the Participant is an employee of the Company
or an Affiliate at the time of such conversion. Such actions may include, but
not be limited to, extending the exercise period or reducing the exercise price
of the appropriate installments of such Options. At the time of such
conversion, the Administrator (with the consent of the Participant) may impose
such conditions on the exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the
Administrator in its discretion may determine, provided that such conditions
shall not be inconsistent with this Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed
to give any Participant the right to have such Participant's ISOs converted into
Non-Qualified Options, and no such conversion shall occur until and unless the
Administrator takes appropriate action. The Administrator, with the consent of
the Participant, may also terminate any portion of any ISO that has not been
exercised at the time of such conversion.
20. WITHHOLDING.
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In the event that any federal, state, or local income taxes, employment
taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act ("F.I.C.A.") withholdings or other
amounts are required by applicable law or governmental regulation to be withheld
from the Participant's salary, wages or other remuneration in connection with
the exercise of an Option or a Disqualifying Disposition
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(as defined in Paragraph 21), the Company may withhold from the Participant's
compensation, if any, or may require that the Participant advance in cash to the
Company, or to any Affiliate of the Company which employs or employed the
Participant, the amount of such withholdings unless a different withholding
arrangement, including the use of shares of the Company's Common Stock or a
promissory note, is authorized by the Administrator (and permitted by law). For
purposes hereof, the fair market value of the shares withheld for purposes of
payroll withholding shall be determined in the manner provided in Paragraph 1
above, as of the most recent practicable date prior to the date of exercise. If
the fair market value of the shares withheld is less than the amount of payroll
withholdings required, the Participant may be required to advance the difference
in cash to the Company or the Affiliate employer. The Administrator in its
discretion may condition the exercise of an Option for less than the then Fair
Market Value on the Participant's payment of such additional withholding.
21. NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.
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Each Key Employee who receives an ISO must agree to notify the Company in
writing immediately after the Key Employee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of
any shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. A Disqualifying
Disposition is any disposition (including any sale) of such shares before the
later of (a) two years after the date the Key Employee was granted the ISO, or
(b) one year after the date the Key Employee acquired Shares by exercising the
ISO. If the Key Employee has died before such stock is sold, these holding
period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur
thereafter.
22. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
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The Plan will terminate on May 14, 2007, the date which is ten (10) years
from the earlier of the date of its adoption and the date of its approval by the
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shareholders of the Company. The Plan may be terminated at an earlier date by
vote of the shareholders of the Company; provided, however, that any such
earlier termination shall not affect any Option Agreements executed prior to the
effective date of such termination.
23. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS.
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The Plan may be amended by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may
also be amended by the Administrator, including, without limitation, to the
extent necessary to qualify any or all outstanding Options granted under the
Plan or Options to be granted under the Plan for favorable federal income tax
treatment (including deferral of taxation upon exercise) as may be afforded
incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, and to the extent
necessary to qualify the shares issuable upon exercise of any outstanding
Options granted, or Options to be granted, under the Plan for listing on any
national securities exchange or quotation in any national automated quotation
system of securities dealers. Any amendment approved by the Administrator which
the Administrator determines is of a scope that requires shareholder
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approval shall be subject to obtaining such shareholder approval. Any
modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a
Participant, adversely affect his or her rights under an Option previously
granted to him or her. With the consent of the Participant affected, the
Administrator may amend outstanding Option Agreements in a manner which may be
adverse to the Participant but which is not inconsistent with the Plan. In the
discretion of the Administrator, outstanding Option Agreements may be amended by
the Administrator in a manner which is not adverse to the Participant.
24. EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP.
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Nothing in this Plan or any Option Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the
Company or an Affiliate from terminating the employment, consultancy or director
status of a Participant, nor to prevent a Participant from terminating his or
her own employment, consultancy or director status or to give any Participant a
right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any
Affiliate for any period of time.
25. GOVERNING LAW.
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This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the
State of Delaware.
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