LASERSCOPE
S-8, 1998-07-31
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
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<PAGE>   1

           As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 1998
                                                 Registration No. 333-__________
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ----------------

                                   LASERSCOPE
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

       CALIFORNIA                                        77-0049527
(State of incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                               3052 ORCHARD DRIVE
                         SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95134-2011
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                             -----------------------

                             1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the Plan)
                             -----------------------

                               ROBERT V. MCCORMICK
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                   LASERSCOPE
                               3052 ORCHARD DRIVE
                         SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95134-2011
                                 (408) 943-0636
 (Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
                             -----------------------
                                    Copy to:

                                ELIAS J. BLAWIE,
                               MARK L. SILVERMAN,
                               THOMAS H. TOBIASON
                                Venture Law Group
                               2800 Sand Hill Road
                          Menlo Park, California 94025
                                 (650) 854-4488


<PAGE>   2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Proposed          Proposed
                                                   Maximum Amount     Maximum           Maximum         Amount of
                                                        to be      Offering Price      Aggregate       Registration
    Title of Securities to be Registered            Registered(1)    Per Share       Offering Price        Fee
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>             <C>                 <C>


1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN
   Common Stock,
   no par value.............................       450,000 Shares    $1.65625(2)    $745,312.50         $219.87

                  TOTAL                            450,000 Shares                   $745,312.50         $219.87
</TABLE>

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

(1)     This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of
        Common Stock which become issuable under the Plan being registered
        pursuant to this Registration Statement by reason of any stock dividend,
        stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected
        without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the
        number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(2)     Computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933
        (the "Securities Act") solely for the purpose of calculating the
        registration fee. Computation based on the weighted average per share
        exercise price (rounded to nearest cent) of outstanding options under
        the referenced plan, the shares issuable under which are registered
        hereby.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
                                     PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

        The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") are hereby incorporated by reference:

        (a)     The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997 filed pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which contains audited
financial statements for the Registrant's latest fiscal year for which such
statements have been filed.

        (b)     The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 1998 and all other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual
Report referred to in (a) above.

        (c)     The description of the Company's Common Stock which is contained
in the following documents: (1) Items 1 and 2 of the Company's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act on
November 15, 1991, as amended by the Form 8-A/A filed on June 12, 1996, as
further amended by the Form 8-A/A filed on September 4, 1996, and (2) Items 1
and 2 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act on October 23, 1989, as amended by Amendment No.
1 thereto filed on November 27, 1989.

        All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be
part hereof from the date of filing such documents.

Item 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES. Not applicable.

Item 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL. Not applicable.

Item 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        The Registrant's Articles of Incorporation reduce the liability of a
director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for
breaches of his or her fiduciary duty of care to the fullest extent permissible
under California law. The Bylaws of the Registrant further provide for
indemnification of corporate agents to the maximum extent permitted by the
California General Corporation Law. In addition, the Registrant has entered into
Indemnification Agreements with its officers and directors.

Item 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED. Not applicable.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
Item 8. EXHIBITS.

       Exhibit
       Number

        4.1     1994 Stock Option Plan

        5.1     Opinion of Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation.

        23.1    Consent of Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation
                (included in Exhibit 5.1).

        23.2    Consent of Independent Auditors.

        24.1    Powers of Attorney.

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

Item 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

                (1)     to file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include
any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement.

                (2)     that, for purposes of determining any liability under
the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

                (3)     to remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        Insofar as the indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered hereunder, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the question has already been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                            [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Laserscope, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of California, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on July
31, 1998.

                                      LASERSCOPE

                                      By:  /s/ ROBERT V. MCCORMICK
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Robert V. McCormick, President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Robert V. McCormick and Dennis
LaLumandiere, jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact and agents,
each with the power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in
his or her name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file such
amendments, together with exhibits and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to each attorney-in-fact
and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully as
he or she might or could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that the
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Signature                                    Title                                     Date
               ---------                                    -----                                     ----
<S>                                      <C>                                                      <C>

/s/ BENJAMIN L. HOLMES                   Chairman of the Board of Directors                       July 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------                                                                           
(Benjamin L. Holmes)

/s/ ROBERT V. MCCORMICK                  President, Chief Executive Officer and                   July 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------     Director
(Robert V. McCormick)

/s/ DENNIS LALUMANDIERE                  Vice President of Finance and Chief                      July 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------       Financial Officer (Principal Financial                                      
(Dennis LaLumandiere)                      and Accounting Officer)               
                                         

/s/ E. WALTER LANGE                      Director                                                 July 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------                                                                           
(E. Walter Lange)

/s/ RODNEY PERKINS, M.D.                 Director                                                 July 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------                                                                           
(Rodney Perkins, M.D.)

/s/ ROBERT J. PRESSLEY, PH.D.            Director                                                 July 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------                                                                           
(Robert J. Pressley, Ph.D.)
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   6
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) pertaining to the 1994 Stock Option Plan of Laserscope of our report dated
February 17, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and
schedule of Laserscope included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K), for the year
ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                       ERNST & YOUNG LLP

                                       /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


San Jose, California
July 29, 1998


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Exhibit                                                                     Page
   Number                                                                      No.
   ------                                                                     -----
<S>           <C>                                                             <C>
    4.1       1994 Stock Option Plan                                            9

    5.1       Opinion of Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation         19

    23.1      Consent of Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation         19
              (included in Exhibit 5.1).

    23.2      Consent of Independent Auditors.                                  7

    24.1      Powers of Attorney.                                               5
</TABLE>


                                      -7-

<PAGE>   1
EXHIBIT 4.1

                                   LASERSCOPE

                             1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                       (AS AMENDED THROUGH APRIL 29, 1998)


        1.      Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Option Plan are
to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to the Employees and Consultants
of the Company and to promote the success of the Company's business.

                Options granted hereunder may be either Incentive Stock Options
or Nonstatutory Stock Options, at the discretion of the Board and as reflected
in the terms of the written option agreement.

        2.      Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall
apply:

                (a)     "Administrator" shall mean the Board or any of its
Committees appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.

                (b)     "Applicable Laws" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4(a) below.

                (c)     "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Company.

                (d)     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

                (e)     "Committee" shall mean the Committee appointed by the
Board of Directors in accordance with Section 4(a) below, if one is appointed.

                (f)     "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the
Company.

                (g)     "Company" shall mean Laserscope, a California
corporation.

                (h)     "Consultant" shall mean any person who is engaged by the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting services and is
compensated for such consulting services, and any director of the Company
whether compensated for such services or not; provided that the term Consultant
shall not include directors who are not compensated for their services or are
paid only a director's fee by the Company.

                (i)     "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" shall
mean the absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Employee or
Consultant. Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave, or any other
leave of absence approved by the Administrator; provided that such leave is for
a period of not more than 90 days or reemployment upon the expiration of such
leave is guaranteed by contract or statute. For purposes of this Plan, a change
in status from an Employee to a Consultant or from a Consultant to an Employee
will not constitute a termination of employment.

                (j)     "Director" shall mean a member of the Board.

                (k)     "Employee" shall mean any person, including Named
Executives, Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company. The payment of a director's fee by the Company shall
not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

                (l)     "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.


                                       1
<PAGE>   2
                (m)     "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

                        (i)     If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or a national market system including without limitation the
National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the
closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such system on the date of
determination (if for a given day no sales were reported, the closing bid on
that day shall be used), as such price is reported in The Wall Street Journal or
such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                        (ii)    If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ
System (but not on the National Market System thereof) or regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair
Market Value shall be the mean between the bid and asked prices for the Common
Stock or;

                        (iii)   In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Administrator.

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

                (o)     "Named Executive" shall mean any individual who, on the
last day of the Company's fiscal year, is the chief executive officer of the
Company (or is acting in such capacity) or among the four highest compensated
officers of the Company (other than the chief executive officer). Such officer
status shall be determined pursuant to the executive compensation disclosure
rules under the Exchange Act.

                (p)     "Nonstatutory Stock Option" shall mean an Option not
intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

                (q)     "Officer" shall mean a person who is an officer of the
Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

                (r)     "Option" shall mean a stock option granted pursuant to
the Plan.

                (s)     "Optioned Stock" shall mean the Common Stock subject to
an Option.

                (t)     "Optionee" shall mean an Employee or Consultant who
receives an Option.

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

                (v)     "Plan" shall mean this 1994 Stock Option Plan.

                (w)     "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act as the same may be amended from time to time, or any successor
provision.

                (x)     "Share" shall mean a share of the Common Stock, as
adjusted in accordance with Section 14 of the Plan.

                (y)     "Subsidiary" shall mean a "subsidiary corporation,"
whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.


                                       2
<PAGE>   3
        3.      Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section
14 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be optioned and
sold under the Plan is 2,550,000 shares of Common Stock. The Shares may be
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

        If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason
without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares that were subject
thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, become available for
future grant under the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan,
shares issued under the Plan and later repurchased by the Company shall not
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan.

        4.      Administration of the Plan.

                (a)     Composition of Administrator.

                        (i)     Multiple Administrative Bodies. If permitted by
Rule 16b-3 and by the legal requirements relating to the administration of
incentive stock option plans, if any, of applicable securities laws and the Code
(collectively, the "Applicable Laws"), the Plan may (but need not) be
administered by different administrative bodies with respect to Directors,
Officers who are not Directors and Employees who are neither Directors nor
Officers.

                        (ii)    Administration with respect to Directors and
Officers. With respect to grants of Options to Employees or Consultants who are
also Officers or Directors of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A)
the Board, if the Board may administer the Plan in compliance with Rule 16b-3 as
it applies to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan and
Section 162(m) of the Code as it applies so as to qualify grants of Options to
Named Executives as performance-based compensation, or (B) a Committee
designated by the Board to administer the Plan, which Committee shall be
constituted (I) in such a manner as to permit the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3
as it applies to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan,
(II) in such a manner as to qualify grants of Options to Named Executives as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and (III) in
such a manner as to satisfy the Applicable Laws.

                        (iii)   Administration with respect to Other Persons.
With respect to grants of Options to Employees or Consultants who are neither
Directors nor Officers of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the
Board or (B) a Committee designated by the Board, which Committee shall be
constituted in such a manner as to satisfy the Applicable Laws.

                        (iv)    General. Once a Committee has been appointed
pursuant to subsection (ii) or (iii) of this Section 4(a), such Committee shall
continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the
Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of any Committee and
appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and
appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies (however caused)
and remove all members of a Committee and thereafter directly administer the
Plan, all to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws and, in the case of a
Committee appointed under subsection (ii), to the extent permitted by Rule 16b-3
as it applies to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan,
and to the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code to qualify grants of
Options to Named Executives as performance-based compensation.

                (b)     Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions
of the Plan and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the
Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its
discretion:

                        (i)     to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock, in accordance with Section 2(m) of the Plan;

                        (ii)    to select the Employees and Consultants to whom
Options may from time to time be granted hereunder;


                                       3
<PAGE>   4
                        (iii)   to determine whether and to what extent Options
are granted hereunder;

                        (iv)    to determine the number of shares of Common
Stock to be covered by each such award granted hereunder;

                        (v)     to approve forms of agreement for use under the
Plan;

                        (vi)    to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder
(including, but not limited to, the share price and any restriction or
limitation, or any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions
regarding any Option and/or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based
in each case on such factors as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole
discretion);

                        (vii)   to determine whether, to what extent and under
what circumstances Common Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an
award under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election
of the participant (including providing for and determining the amount, if any,
of any deemed earnings on any deferred amount during any deferral period); and

                        (viii)  to reduce the exercise price of any Option to
the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
covered by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was
granted;

                (c)     Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all Optionees and any other holders of any Options.

        5.      Eligibility.

                (a)     Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees. An Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option may, if he
or she is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional Option or Options.

                (b)     Each Option shall be designated in the written option
agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate
Fair Market Value of Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an
Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options.

                (c)     For purposes of Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options
shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the
Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option
with respect to such Shares is granted.

                (d)     The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right
with respect to continuation of employment or consulting relationship with the
Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the
Company's right to terminate his or her employment or consulting relationship at
any time, with or without cause.

        6.      Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier
to occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the shareholders of the
Company as described in Section 20 of the Plan. It shall continue in effect for
a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 16 of the Plan.

        7.      Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be the term stated
in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option, the term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of
grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.
However, in the case of an Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the
Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary,
the term of 




                                       4
<PAGE>   5
the Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such
shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

        8.      Limitation on Grants to Employees. Subject to adjustment as
provided in this Plan, the maximum number of Shares which may be granted under
options to any Employee under this Plan for any fiscal year of the Company shall
be 325,000.

        9.      Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

                (a)     The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued
pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the
Administrator, but shall be subject to the following:

                        (i)     In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                                (A)     granted to an Employee who, at the time
of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than
ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than
110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant;

                                (B)     granted to any Employee, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

                        (ii)    In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option

                                (A)     granted to a person who, at the time of
the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of the grant;

                                (B)     granted to a person who, at the time of
the grant of such Option, is a Named Executive of the Company, the per share
Exercise Price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date
of grant;

                                (C)     granted to any person other than a Named
Executive, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 50% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                (b)     The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued
upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined
by the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely of (1) cash, (2)
check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares that (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option either have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six months on the date of surrender or were not acquired, directly or
indirectly, from the Company, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised, (5) authorization from the Company to retain from the
total number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised that number of Shares
having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price
for the total number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised, (6) delivery
of a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to
a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds
required to pay the exercise price, (7) delivery of an irrevocable subscription
agreement for the Shares that irrevocably obligates the option holder to take
and pay for the Shares not more than twelve months after the date of delivery of
the subscription agreement, (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment, or (9) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance
of Shares to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws. In making its
determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator shall
consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to
benefit the Company.


                                       5
<PAGE>   6
        10.     Exercise of Option.

                (a)     Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such
conditions as determined by the Administrator, including performance criteria
with respect to the Company and/or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible
under the terms of the Plan.

                An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

                An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment may, as authorized by the Administrator, consist of any
consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 9(b) of the Plan.
Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to
be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 14 of the Plan.

                Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease
in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of
the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the
Option is exercised.

                (b)     Termination of Status as an Employee or Consultant. In
the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant, such Optionee may, but only within thirty (30) days (or such other
period of time, not exceeding three (3) months as is determined by the
Administrator, with such determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option
being made at the time of grant of the Option) after the date of such
termination (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of
such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise his or her Option to
the extent that he or she was entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination. To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of such termination, or if the optionee does not exercise
such Option (which he or she was entitled to exercise) within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate.

                (c)     Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 10(b) above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of his or her total and
permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), he or she
may, but only within six (6) months (or such other period of time not exceeding
twelve (12) months as is determined by the Administrator, with such
determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option being made at the time of
grant of the Option) from the date of such termination (but in no event later
than the date of expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement), exercise his or her Option to the extent he or she was
entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that he
or she was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if
he does not exercise such Option (which he was entitled to exercise) within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

                (d)     Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an
Optionee:

                        (i)     during the term of the Option who is at the time
of his death an Employee or Consultant of the Company and who shall have been in
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the date of grant of the
Option, the Option may be exercised, at any time within six (6) months (or such
other period of time, not exceeding twelve (12) months, as is determined by the
Administrator, with such determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option
being made at the time of grant of the Option) following the date of death (but
in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of such Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who
acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance but only to
the extent of the right to exercise that would have accrued had the Optionee
continued living and remained in 


                                       6
<PAGE>   7
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant six (6) months (or such other
period of time as is determined by the Administrator as provided above) after
the date of death, subject to the limitation set forth in Section 5(b); or

                        (ii)    within three (3) months (or such other period of
time not exceeding three (3) months as is determined by the Administrator, with
such determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option being made at the
time of grant of the Option) after the termination of Continuous Status as an
Employee or Consultant, the Option may be exercised, at any time within six (6)
months following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), by
the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the
Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to
exercise that had accrued at the date of termination.

                (e)     Rule 16b-3. Options granted to persons subject to
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act must comply with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain
such additional conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to
qualify for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with
respect to Plan transactions.

        11.     Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of Options
granted hereunder, the Optionee shall make such arrangements as the
Administrator may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or
foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the
exercise, receipt or vesting of such Option. The Company shall not be required
to issue any Shares under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.

        12.     Stock Withholding to Satisfy Withholding Tax Obligations. At the
discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding obligations
as provided in this paragraph. When an Optionee incurs tax liability in
connection with an Option which tax liability is subject to tax withholding
under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is obligated to pay the Company an
amount required to be withheld under applicable tax laws, the Optionee may
satisfy the withholding tax obligation by one or some combination of the
following methods: (a) by cash payment, or (b) out of Optionee's current
compensation, (c) if permitted by the Administrator, in its discretion, by
surrendering to the Company Shares that (i) in the case of Shares previously
acquired from the Company, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a fair market value on the date
of surrender equal to or less than Optionee's marginal tax rate times the
ordinary income recognized, or (d) by electing to have the Company withhold from
the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option that number of Shares having
a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld. For this
purpose, the fair market value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined
on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax
Date").

                        Any surrender by an Officer or Director of previously
owned Shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of
this Option must comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall
be subject to such additional conditions or restrictions as may be required
thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange
Act with respect to Plan transactions.

                        All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to
satisfy tax withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form
acceptable to the Administrator and shall be subject to the following
restrictions:

                (a)     the election must be made on or prior to the applicable
Tax Date;

                (b)     all elections shall be subject to the consent or
disapproval of the Administrator.

                        In the event the election to have Shares withheld is
made by an Optionee and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code
because no election is filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Optionee shall
receive the full number of Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised
but such Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to the
Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.




                                       7
<PAGE>   8
        13.     Non-Transferability of Options. The Option may not be sold,
pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other
than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. The designation of a
beneficiary by an Optionee will not constitute a transfer. An Option may be
exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee or a
transferee permitted by this Section 13.

        14.     Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger. Subject to
any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of
Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option, the number of shares of Common
Stock that have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no
Options have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon
cancellation or expiration of an Option, the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock for which Options may be granted to any employee under Section 8 of the
Plan, and the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding
Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common
Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of
Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided,
however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not
be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such
adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that
respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided
herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no
adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price
of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.

        In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company,
the Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
action, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator. The Administrator may,
in the exercise of its sole discretion in such instances, declare that any
Option shall terminate as of a date fixed by the Administrator and give each
Optionee the right to exercise his or her Option as to all or any part of the
Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another
corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be
substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such
successor corporation, unless the Administrator determines, in the exercise of
its sole discretion and in lieu of such assumption or substitution, that the
Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option as to some or all of the
Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable. If the Administrator makes an Option exercisable in lieu of
assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the
Administrator shall notify the Optionee that the Option shall be exercisable for
a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such notice, and the Option will
terminate upon the expiration of such period.

        15.     Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall,
for all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
granting such Option or such other date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the determination shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to
whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.

        16.     Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

                (a)     Amendment and Termination. The Board may amend or
terminate the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem
advisable; provided that, the following revisions or amendments shall require
approval of the shareholders of the Company in the manner described in Section
20 of the Plan:

                        (i)     any increase in the number of Shares subject to
                the Plan, other than in connection with an adjustment under
                Section 14 of the Plan;

                        (ii)    any change in the designation of the class of
                persons eligible to be granted Options;


                                       8
<PAGE>   9
                        (iii)   any change in the limitation on grants to
                employees as described in Section 8 of the Plan or other changes
                which would require shareholder approval to qualify Options
                granted hereunder as performance-based compensation under
                Section 162(m) of the Code; or

                        (iv)    if the Company has a class of equity securities
                registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act at the time of
                such revision or amendment, any material increase in the
                benefits accruing to participants under the Plan.

                (b)     Shareholder Approval. If any amendment requiring
shareholder approval under Section 16(a) of the Plan is made subsequent to the
first registration of any class of equity securities by the Company under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such shareholder approval shall be solicited as
described in Section 20 of the Plan.

                (c)     Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment
or termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and
the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the
Company.

        17.     Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the
issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may
then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the
Company with respect to such compliance.

                As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may
require the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time
of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.

        18.     Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this
Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as
shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

                The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.

        19.     Option Agreement. Options shall be evidenced by written option
agreements in such form as the Board shall approve.

        20.     Shareholder Approval.

                (a)     Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to approval by
the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the
date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the
manner and to the degree required under applicable federal and state law.

                (b)     In the event that the Company registers any class of
equity securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, any required
approval of the shareholders of the Company obtained after such registration
shall be solicited substantially in accordance with Section 14(a) of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                (c)     If any required approval by the shareholders of the Plan
itself or of any amendment thereto is solicited at any time otherwise than in
the manner described in Section 20(b) hereof, then the Company shall, at or
prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders held subsequent to the later
of (1) the first registration of 


                                       9
<PAGE>   10
any class of equity securities of the Company under Section 12 of the Exchange
Act or (2) the granting of an Option hereunder to an Officer or Director after
such registration, do the following:

                        (i)     furnish in writing to the holders entitled to
vote for the Plan substantially the same information that would be required (if
proxies to be voted with respect to approval or disapproval of the Plan or
amendment were then being solicited) by the rules and regulations in effect
under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act at the time such information is
furnished; and

                        (ii)    file with, or mail for filing to, the Securities
and Exchange Commission four copies of the written information referred to in
subsection (i) hereof not later than the date on which such information is first
sent or given to shareholders.

        21.     Information to Optionees. The Company shall provide to each
Optionee, during the period for which such Optionee has one or more Options
outstanding, copies of all annual reports and other information which are
provided to all shareholders.


                                       10
<PAGE>   11
EXHIBIT 5.1




[JULY __, 1998]


Laserscope
3052 Orchard Drive
San Jose, CA  95134-2011

         REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about July __, 1998 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 975,000 additional shares of
your Common Stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance under the 1994 Stock
Option Plan (the "1994 Option Plan"). As your legal counsel, we have examined
the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken
by you in connection with the sale and issuance of the Shares under the 1994
Option Plan.

         It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to
in the 1994 Option Plan and pursuant to the respective agreement which
accompanies each grant under the 1994 Option Plan, the Shares will be legally
and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever it appears in the
Registration Statement and any amendments to it.

                                   Sincerely,

                                   VENTURE LAW GROUP
                                   A Professional Corporation



MLS



<PAGE>   1

EXHIBIT 5.1


July 31, 1998


Laserscope
3052 Orchard Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-2011


       Registration Statement on Form S-8
       ----------------------------------


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about July 31, 1998 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 975,000 additional shares of
your Common Stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance under the 1994 Stock
Option Plan (the "1994 Option Plan"). As your legal counsel, we have examined
the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken
by you in connection with the sale and issuance of the Shares under the 1994
Option Plan. 

     It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in
the 1994 Option Plan and pursuant to the respective agreement which accompanies
each grant under the 1994 Option Plan, the Shares will be legally and validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name whereever it appears in the
Registration Statement and any amendments to it.


                                                  Sincerely,

                                                  VENTURE LAW GROUP
                                                  A Professional Corporation

                                                  /s/ VENTURE LAW GROUP

MLS


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