As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 1999
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
----------------------
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE 54-1322110
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, Virginia 20166-9323
(Address of Principal Executive Offices,
including Zip Code)
AtWeb, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan
Sheila A. Clark, Esq.
Acting General Counsel
America Online, Inc.
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, Virginia 20166-9323
(703) 265-1000
(Name, Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<S>
Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum
Title of Each Securities Amount to be Offering Price Per Aggregate Offering Amount of
to be Registered (1) Registered Share (2) Price Registration Fee
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, par value 593,900 shares $0.57 $338,523.00 $94.11
$0.01 per share
</TABLE>
(1) Common Stock being registered hereby includes associated Preferred
Share Purchase Rights, which initially are attached to and traded with
the shares of the Registrant's Common Stock. Value attributable to such
rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of the Common Stock.
(2) The maximum offering price per share has been determined solely for the
purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
and (h) under the Securities Act as follows: for the 593,900 shares of
Common Stock , which may be purchased upon exercise of outstanding
options, the fee is based on the average price of $0.57 at which
options may be exercised.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be
sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1). Such documents are
not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424. Such documents and the documents incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of
this Form, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements
of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents have been filed by America Online, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), with the Commission and are incorporated herein by
reference:
(a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June
30, 1998 (SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of September 28,
1998)
(b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly period
ended September 30, 1998 (SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of
November 6, 1998)
(c) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly period
ended December 31, 1998 (SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of
February 10, 1999)
(d) The Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Company's 1998
Annual Meeting (SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of September
28, 1998)
(e) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1998 (SEC file
number 001-12143 and filing date of August 5, 1998)
(f) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 28, 1998 (SEC
file number 001-12143 and filing date of September 29, 1998)
(g) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 23, 1998 (SEC
file number 001-12143 and filing date of November 24, 1998)
(h) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 1, 1999 (SEC
file number 001-12143 and filing date of February 11, 1999)
(i) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 9, 1998 (SEC
file number 001-12143 and filing date of February 17, 1999)
(j) The description of the common stock set forth in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated June 24, 1998 (SEC file number
333-57153 and filing date of June 24, 1998) filed pursuant to Section
12 of the Securities Exchange Act
(k) The description of the preferred share purchase rights contained in the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1998 (SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of May 15, 1998)
(l) In addition, all documents filed by the Company with the Commission
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 herein and to be part hereof from the date of the filing of
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.
Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
("Delaware Corporation Law") provides, in general, that a corporation shall have
the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation), because the person is or was a director
or officer of the corporation. Such indemnity may be against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and if, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the
person did not have reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was
unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the Delaware Corporation Law provides, in general,
that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director or officer of the
corporation, against any expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation.
Section 145(g) of the Delaware Corporation Law provides, in general,
that a corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation
against any liability asserted against the person in any such capacity, or
arising out of the person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would
have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under the
provisions of the law.
Article Ninth of the Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(incorporated by reference herein) provides for indemnification of directors,
officers and other persons as follows:
To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law as the same now exists or may hereafter be
amended, the Corporation shall indemnify, and advance expenses to, its
directors and officers and any person who is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director or officer, employee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise. The Corporation, by action of its board of directors, may
provide indemnification or advance expenses to employees and agents of
the Corporation or other persons only on such terms and conditions and
to the extent determined by the board of directors in its sole and
absolute discretion.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article Ninth shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any
By-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action
in another capacity while holding such office.
The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify
him against such liability under this Article Ninth.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article Ninth shall, unless
otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the
benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such officer or
director. The indemnification and advancement of expenses that may have
been provided to an employee or agent of the Corporation by action of
the board of directors, pursuant to the last sentence of Paragraph 1 of
this Article Ninth, shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be an employee or
agent of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person, after the time such
person has ceased to be an employee or agent of the Corporation, only
on such terms and conditions and to the extent determined by the board
of directors in its sole discretion.
Article Five of the Registrant's Restated By-Laws (incorporated by
reference herein) provides that:
Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is
threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, because he is or was a director or an officer of the
Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including
service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an
"Indemnitee"), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action
in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in
any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or
agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the
fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any
such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the
Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law
permitted the Corporation to provide before such amendment), against
all expense, liability and loss (including attorney's fees, judgments,
fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection
therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in the section
"Right of Indemnitees to Bring Suit" of this Article with respect to
proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall
indemnify any such Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part
thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of the Corporation.
Right to Advancement of Expenses. The right to indemnification
conferred in the section "Right to Indemnification" of this Article
shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses
(including attorney's fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding
in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the
Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses
incurred by an Indemnitee in his capacity as a director or officer (and
not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such
Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee
benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an
undertaking, by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts
so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial
decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under
this section or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses conferred in this section and the section
"Right to Indemnification" of this Article shall be contract rights and
such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a
director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of
the Indemnitee's heirs, executors and administrators. Any repeal or
modification of any of the provisions of this Article shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of an Indemnitee existing at
the time of such repeal or modification.
Right of Indemnitees to Bring Suit. If a claim under the section "Right
to Indemnification" or "Right to Advancement of Expenses" of this
Article is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days
after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in
the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the
applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the Indemnitee may at any
time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the
unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any
such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an
advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the
Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of
prosecuting or defending such suit. In (1) any suit brought by the
Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in
a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement
of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (2) in any suit brought by
the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the
terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover
such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the Indemnitee has not
met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the
Corporation (including its board of directors, independent legal
counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is
proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General
Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation
(including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard
of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met
the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit
brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit
brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to
an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to
recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an
undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled
to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this
Article or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses conferred in this Article shall not be
exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter
acquire under any statute, the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation as amended from time to time, these By-Laws, any
agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.
Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to
protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or
not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person
against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. The
Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the
board of directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to
the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article with respect to
the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and
officers of the Corporation.
The directors and officers of the Registrant are covered by a policy of
liability insurance.
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number Description
4.1 Article 4, Article 6, Article 8 and Article 11 of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of America Online, Inc. (filed as part of
Exhibit 3.1 to America Online, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended
June 30, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.2 Amendment of Section A of Article 4 of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of America Online, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to America
Online, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.3 Rights Agreement dated as of May 12, 1998, between America Online,
Inc. and BankBoston, N.A., as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
America Online, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.4 Restated By-Laws of America Online, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.5 to
America Online, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.5 AtWeb, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan
5.1 Opinion of Sheila A. Clark, Acting General Counsel to the Company
(including the consent of such acting general counsel) regarding the
legality of the securities being offered
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2 Consent of Sheila A. Clark (included in her opinion filed as Exhibit
5.1 and incorporated herein by reference)
24.1 Powers of Attorney
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The 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:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the
registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high and of the
estimated maximum offering range may be
reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent no more than 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in
the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
the effective registration statement; and
(iii)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;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a) (1) (i)
and (a) (1) (ii) do not apply if this
registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8
or Form F-3, and the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, 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.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934) 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.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 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 Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the 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 the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant 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, hereunto duly
authorized, in the County of Loudoun, State of Virginia, on this 17th day of
March, 1999.
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
By: /s/J. Michael Kelly
Name: J. Michael Kelly
Title:Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed on the 17th day of March, 1999, by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.
Signature Title
* Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Stephen M. Case (Principal Executive Officer)
* President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Robert W. Pittman
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
/s/J. Michael Kelly Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
J. Michael Kelly (Principal Financial Officer)
* Vice President, Controller, Chief Accounting and
James F. MacGuidwin Budget Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
* Director
Daniel F. Akerson
* Director
Frank J. Caufield
* Director
Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
* Director
William N. Melton
* Director
Thomas Middelhoff
* Director
Colin L. Powell
* Director
Franklin D. Raines
* By: /s/J. Michael Kelly
J. Michael Kelly
Attorney-In-Fact
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Description
4.5 AtWeb, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan
5.1 Opinion of Sheila A. Clark, Acting General Counsel to the Company
(including the consent of such acting general counsel) regarding the
legality of the securities being offered
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2 Consent of Sheila A. Clark (included in her opinion filed as Exhibit
5.1 and incorporated herein by reference)
24.1 Powers of Attorney
ATWEB, INC.
1997 STOCK PLAN
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this Stock Plan are to attract and
retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants and to
promote the success of the Company's business. Options granted under the Plan
may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by
the Administrator at the time of grant.
Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees as shall
be administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(b) "APPLICABLE LAWS" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any other country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are
granted under the Plan.
(c) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) "COMMITTEE" means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board
in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(f) "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(g) "COMPANY" means AtWeb, Inc., a California corporation.
(h) "CONSULTANT" means any person who is engaged by the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services to such entity.
(i) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(j) "DISABILITY" means total and permanent disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(k) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service
Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.
For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days,
unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or
contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the
Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock
Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock
Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.
(l) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(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
Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq
Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price
for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as
quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day prior
to the time of determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or
such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market
Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for
the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of
determination; 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" means an Option intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(o) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.
(p) "OFFICER" means 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.
(q) "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(r) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written or electronic agreement between
the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.
(s) "OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM" means a program whereby outstanding
Options are exchanged for Options with a lower exercise price.
(t) "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or a
Stock Purchase Right.
(u) "OPTIONEE" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted under the Plan.
(v) "PARENT" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(w) "PLAN" means this 1997 Stock Plan.
(x) "RESTRICTED STOCK" means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 11 below.
(y) "SECTION 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.
(z) "SERVICE PROVIDER" means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(aa) "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 below.
(bb) "STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT" means a right to purchase Common
Stock pursuant to Section 11 below.
(cc) "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether
now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f)
of the Code.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of the
Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to option and
sold under the Plan is 3,373,846 Shares. The Shares may be authorized but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable
without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option
Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become
available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). However, Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan, upon
exercise of either an Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall not be returned to
the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan,
except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at
their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future
grant under the Plan.
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) ADMINISTRATOR. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a
Committee appointed by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted to comply
with Applicable Laws.
(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, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities, the
Administrator shall have the authority in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;
(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each
such award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, of any Option or
Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but
are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock
Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria),
any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any
restriction or limitation regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right or the
Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;
(vi) to determine whether and under what circumstances an
Option may be settled in cash under subsection 9(e) instead of Common Stock;
(vii) 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 has declined since the date the Option was granted;
(viii) to initiate an Option Exchange Program;
(ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans
established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;
(x) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations
by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares having a
Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. 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. All elections by Optionees to
have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such
conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and
(xi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan.
(c) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. All decisions, determinations
and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all
Optionees.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted
to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
(b) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either
an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(c) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's
relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall it interfere in
any way with his or her right or the Company's right to terminate such
relationship at any time, with or without cause.
6. TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the
Board. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner
terminated under Section 14 of the Plan.
7. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten (10) years
from the date of grant thereof. In the case of an Incentive Stock 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 the Option shall be five (5)
years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the
Option Agreement.
8. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.
(a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon
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 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 exercise price shall
be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the
date of grant.
(B) granted to any other 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 Service Provider who, at the time of
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 exercise price
shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share
on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any other Service Provider, the per
Share exercise price shall be no less than 85% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted
with a per Share exercise price other than as required above pursuant
to a merger or other corporate transaction.
(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). Such consideration may consist of (1) cash,
(2) check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares which (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which such Option shall be exercised, (5) consideration received by the Company
under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with
the Plan, or (6) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. 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.
9. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any Option granted
hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms hereof at such times and
under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the
Option Agreement. Except in the case of Options granted to Officers, Directors
and Consultants, Options shall become exercisable at a rate of no less than 20%
per year over five (5) years from the date the Options are granted. Unless the
Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be
tolled during any unpaid leave of absence. An Option may not be exercised for a
fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance
with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the
Option, and
(ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the
Option is exercised.
Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment
authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the
Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of
the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and
his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate
entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the
Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a
shareholder shall exist with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise
of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares
promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a
dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the
Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 12 of the Plan. Exercise of an
Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares
thereafter 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 RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER. If an Optionee
ceases to be a Service Provider, such Optionee may exercise his or her Option
within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (of at least
thirty (30) days) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of
termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of the Option
as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the
Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months
following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by
the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.
(c) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement
(of at least six (6) months) to the extent the Option is vested on the date of
termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time
in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12)
months following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.
(d) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider,
the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the
Option Agreement (of at least six (6) months) to the extent that the Option is
vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the
term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement) by the Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance. In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the
Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's
termination. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to the
entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall
immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by
such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(e) BUYOUT PROVISIONS. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy
out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on such
terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the
Optionee at the time that such offer is made.
10. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. The Options and
Stock Purchase Rights 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 and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only by the Optionee.
11. STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.
(a) RIGHTS TO PURCHASE. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing or electronically of the terms, conditions and restrictions
related to the offer, including the number of Shares that such person shall be
entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within which such
person must accept such offer. The terms of the offer shall comply in all
respects with Section 260.140.42 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock
purchase agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.
(b) REPURCHASE OPTION. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise,
the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase
option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the
purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or
disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the
Administrator may determine. Except with respect to Shares purchased by
Officers, Directors and Consultants, the repurchase option shall in no case
lapse at a rate of less than 20% per year over five (5) years from the date of
purchase.
(c) OTHER PROVISIONS. The Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(d) RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have rights equivalent to those of a shareholder
and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records
of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment shall be
made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the
date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 12 of
the Plan.
12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, MERGER OR ASSET SALE.
(a) CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, 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. The 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 Board, 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 or Stock Purchase Right.
(b) DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option or Stock Purchase Right until
fifteen (15) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock
covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option or Stock Purchase Right
would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide
that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse as to all such Shares,
provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in
the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an
Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.
(c) MERGER OR ASSET SALE. In the event of a merger of the Company with
or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of
the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be assumed
or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a
Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the
successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or Stock
Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise
the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock, including
Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option
or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of
assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the
Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully exercisable for a period of
fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of
this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed
if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the
right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the
Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of
assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property)
received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each
Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered
a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such
consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share
of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market
value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the
merger or sale of assets.
13. TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. The date of grant of an
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the
Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase
Right, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the
determination shall be given to each Service Provider to whom an Option or Stock
Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.
14. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may at any time amend, alter,
suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The Board shall obtain shareholder approval
of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with
Applicable Laws.
(c) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.
15. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
(a) LEGAL COMPLIANCE. 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 shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.
(b) INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option, the Administrator 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.
16. INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY. 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.
17. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall at
all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
18. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner
required under Applicable Laws.
19. INFORMATION TO OPTIONEES AND PURCHASERS. The Company shall provide to each
Optionee and to each individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan, not
less frequently than annually during the period such Optionee or purchaser has
one or more Options or Stock Purchase Rights outstanding, and, in the case of an
individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan, during the period such
individual owns such Shares, copies of annual financial statements. The Company
shall not be required to provide such statements to key employees whose duties
in connection with the Company assure their access to equivalent information.
ATWEB, INC.
1997 STOCK PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
I. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
[Optionee's Name and Address]
The undersigned Optionee has been granted an Option to purchase Common
Stock of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and
this Option Agreement, as follows:
Date of Grant [ ]
Vesting Commencement Date [ ]
Exercise Price per Share [ ]
Total Number of Shares Granted [ ]
Total Exercise Price [ ]
Type of Option: _____ Incentive Stock Option
_____ Nonstatutory Stock Option
Term/Expiration Date: [ ]
VESTING SCHEDULE:
This Option shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, according to the
following vesting schedule: ____% of the Shares subject to the Option shall
vest ___________________ after the Vesting Commencement Date, and ____% of
the Shares subject to the Option shall vest ________________________,
subject to Optionee continuing to be a Service Provider on such dates.
TERMINATION PERIOD:
This Option shall be exercisable for three months after Optionee ceases to
be a Service Provider. Upon Optionee's death or Disability, this Option may
be exercised for one year after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider.
In no event may Optionee exercise this Option after the Term/Expiration
Date as provided above.
II.AGREEMENT
1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants
to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the "Optionee"), an option (the
"Option") to purchase the number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Grant, at
the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise
Price"), and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is
incorporated herein by reference. Subject to Section 14(c) of the Plan, in the
event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail. If designated in
the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option ("ISO"),this Option is intended
to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
Nevertheless, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section
422(d), this Option shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").
2. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(a) RIGHT TO EXERCISE. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with
the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.
(b) METHOD OF EXERCISE. This Option shall be exercisable by delivery of
an exercise notice in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise Notice")
which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares with
respect to which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations
and agreements as may be required by the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be
accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised
Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company
of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by the aggregate Exercise
Price. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless
such issuance and such exercise complies with Applicable laws. Assuming such
compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred
to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to
such Shares.
3. OPTIONEE'S REPRESENTATIONS. In the event the Shares have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time this Option
is exercised, the Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with
the exercise of all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his or
her Investment Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B.
4. LOCK-UP PERIOD. Optionee hereby agrees that, if so requested by the
Company or any representative of the underwriters (the "Managing Underwriter")
in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the
Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer
any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180-day period (or such
other period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and
agreed to in writing by the Company) (the "Market Standoff Period") following
the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the
Securities Act. Such restriction shall apply only to the first registration
statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act that
includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an
underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose
stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing
restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period.
5. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be
by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the
Optionee:
(a) cash or check;
(b) consideration received by the Company under a formal cashless
exercise program adopted by the Company in connection with the Plan; or
(c) surrender of other Shares which, (i) in the case of Shares acquired
upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
(6) months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the
date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised Shares.
6. RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE. This Option may not be exercised until
such time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or
if the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any Applicable
Law.
7. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of
the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
8. TERM OF OPTION. This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.
9. TAX CONSEQUENCES. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
of this Option of some of the federal tax consequences of exercise of this
Option and disposition of the Shares.
THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND
REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER
BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
(a) EXERCISE OF ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there will be
no regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option,
although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date
of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as an adjustment to the
alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes and may subject the Optionee to
the alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise.
(b) EXERCISE OF NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. There may be a regular
federal income tax liability upon the exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at
ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value
of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an
Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to withhold from
Optionee's compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable
taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this compensation
income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse
to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of
exercise.
(c) DISPOSITION OF SHARES. In the case of an NSO, if Shares are held
for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. In the case
of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least
one year after exercise and of at least two years after the Date of Grant, any
gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as long-term
capital gain for federal income tax purposes. If Shares purchased under an ISO
are disposed of within one year after exercise or two years after the Date of
Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as compensation
income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the difference
between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (1) the Fair Market Value of the
Shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the sale price of the Shares. Any
additional gain will be taxed as capital gain, short-term or long-term depending
on the period that the ISO Shares were held.
(d) NOTICE OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION OF ISO SHARES. If the Option
granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise
disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the
later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one
year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify the
Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized by the Optionee.
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws but not
the choice of law rules of California.
11. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED
ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH
THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES
HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO
NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A
SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL
NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR
WITHOUT CAUSE.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he
or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby
accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof.
Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had
an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this
Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby
agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or
interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the
Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.
OPTIONEE: ATWEB, INC.:
---------------------------------- -------------------------
Signature By
---------------------------------- -------------------------
Print Name Title
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Residence Address
EXHIBIT A
1997 STOCK PLAN
EXERCISE NOTICE
AtWeb, Inc.
686 West Maude Avenue
Suite 103
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Attention: Gautam Godhwani
1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. Effective as of today, ___________, 19__, the
undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to exercise Optionee's option to purchase
_________ shares of the Common Stock (the "Shares") of AtWeb, Inc. (the
"Company") under and pursuant to the 1997 Stock Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock
Option Agreement dated ________, 19 (the "Option Agreement").
2. DELIVERY OF PAYMENT. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the
full purchase price of the Shares, as set forth in the Option Agreement.
3. REPRESENTATIONS OF OPTIONEE. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has
received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
4. RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. Until the issuance of the Shares (as
evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly
authorized transfer agent of the Company), 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 Shares shall be issued to
the Optionee as soon as practicable after the Option is exercised. No adjustment
shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior
to the date of issuance except as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.
5. COMPANY'S RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Before any Shares held by Optionee
or any transferee (either being sometimes referred to herein as the "Holder")
may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of
law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to
purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section (the
"Right of First Refusal").
(a) NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSFER. The Holder of the Shares
shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the "Notice") stating:
(i) the Holder's bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such
Shares; (ii) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee
("Proposed Transferethe number of Shares to be transferred to each
Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the bona fide cash price or other
consideration for which the Holder proposes to transfer the Shares (the
"Offered Price"), and the Holder shall offer the Shares at the Offered
Price to the Company or its assignee(s).
(b) EXERCISE OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. At any time within
thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its
assignee(s) may, by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to
purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be
transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees, at the
purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (c) below.
(c) PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for
the Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this
Section shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes
consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the
non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board of Directors of
the Company in good faith.
(d) PAYMENT. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at
the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by
cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the
Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to
the assignee), or by any combination thereof within 30 days after
receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times set forth in
the Notice.
(e) HOLDER'S RIGHT TO TRANSFER. If all of the Shares proposed
in the Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not
purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this
Section, then the Holder may sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to
that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price,
provided that such sale or other transfer is consummated within 120
days after the date of the Notice, that any such sale or other transfer
is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and that
the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this
Section shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such
Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not
transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, a new Notice
shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees
shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares
held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise transferred.
(f) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN FAMILY TRANSFERS. Anything to the
contrary contained in this Section notwithstanding, the transfer of any
or all of the Shares during the Optionee's lifetime or on the
Optionee's death by will or intestacy to the Optionee's immediate
family or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee's immediate family
shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section. "Immediate Family"
as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent,
father, mother, brother or sister. In such case, the transferee or
other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred
subject to the provisions of this Section, and there shall be no
further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of
this Section.
(g) TERMINATION OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Right of First
Refusal shall terminate as to any Shares upon the first sale of Common
Stock of the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration
statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
6. TAX CONSULTATION. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax
consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.
7. RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS AND STOP-TRANSFER ORDERS.
(a) LEGENDS. Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall
cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto,
to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together
with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state or
federal securities laws:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT
OR, IN THE OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE
SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN
COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS
ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE
ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST
REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
(b) STOP-TRANSFER NOTICES. Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure
compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue
appropriate "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and
that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate
notations to the same effect in its own records.
(c) REFUSAL TO TRANSFER. The Company shall not be required (i) to
transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in
violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner
of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser
or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
8. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The Company may assign any of its rights
under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to
the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding
upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns.
9. INTERPRETATION. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this
Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the
Administrator which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting.
The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all parties.
10. GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY. This Agreement is governed by the
internal substantive laws but not the choice of law rules, of California.
11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated
herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan, the Option Agreement and the
Investment Representation Statement constitute the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee.
Submitted by: Accepted by:
OPTIONEE: ATWEB, INC.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------
Signature By
- ---------------------------------- --------------------------
Print Name Its
ADDRESS: ADDRESS:
- --------------------------------- 686 West Maude Avenue
Suite 103
- --------------------------------- Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Date Received: -----------------
EXHIBIT B
INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT
OPTIONEE:
COMPANY: ATWEB, INC.
SECURITY: COMMON STOCK
AMOUNT:
DATE:
In connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, the undersigned
Optionee represents to the Company the following:
(a) Optionee is aware of the Company's business affairs and financial condition
and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed
and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Optionee is acquiring
these Securities for investment for Optionee's own account only and not with a
view to, or for resale in connection with, any "distribution" thereof within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
(b) Optionee acknowledges and understands that the Securities constitute
"restricted securities" under the Securities Act and have not been registered
under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which
exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee's
investment intent as expressed herein. In this connection, Optionee understands
that, in the view of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the statutory basis
for such exemption may be unavailable if Optionee's representation was
predicated solely upon a present intention to hold these Securities for the
minimum capital gains period specified under tax statutes, for a deferred sale,
for or until an increase or decrease in the market price of the Securities, or
for a period of one year or any other fixed period in the future. Optionee
further understands that the Securities must be held indefinitely unless they
are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such
registration is available. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that
the Company is under no obligation to register the Securities. Optionee
understands that the certificate evidencing the Securities will be imprinted
with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Securities unless they are
registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel
satisfactory to the Company, a legend prohibiting their transfer without the
consent of the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of California and any
other legend required under applicable state securities laws.
(c) Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule 144, each
promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public
resale of "restricted securities" acquired, directly or indirectly from the
issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the
time of the grant of the Option to the Optionee, the exercise will be exempt
from registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, ninety (90) days thereafter (or such longer period as any
market stand-off agreement may require) the Securities exempt under Rule 701 may
be resold, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by
Rule 144, including: (1) the resale being made through a broker in an
unsolicited "broker's transaction" or in transactions directly with a market
maker (as said term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and,
in the case of an affiliate, (2) the availability of certain public information
about the Company, (3) the amount of Securities being sold during any three
month period not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), and (4) the
timely filing of a Form 144, if applicable.
In the event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of
grant of the Option, then the Securities may be resold in certain limited
circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires the resale
to occur not less than one year after the later of the date the Securities were
sold by the Company or the date the Securities were sold by an affiliate of the
Company, within the meaning of Rule 144; and, in the case of acquisition of the
Securities by an affiliate, or by a non-affiliate who subsequently holds the
Securities less than two years, the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
sections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the paragraph immediately above.
(d) Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable
requirements of Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under the
Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration
exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144
and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement
securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to
Rules 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an
exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such
persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so
at their own risk. Optionee understands that no assurances can be given that any
such other registration exemption will be available in such event.
Signature of Optionee:
- ----------------------
Exhibit 5.1
March 17, 1999
America Online, Inc.
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, Virginia 20166
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished in connection with the filing by America
Online, Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. You have requested my opinion concerning the
status under Delaware law of the 593,900 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), and certain Preferred
Stock Purchase Rights (the "Rights") which are being registered under the
Registration Statement for issuance by the Company pursuant to the terms of the
AtWeb, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan (the "Plan").
I am Acting General Counsel to the Company and have acted as counsel in
connection with the Registration Statement. In that connection, I, or a member
of my staff upon whom I have relied, have examined and am familiar with
originals or copies, certified or otherwise, identified to our satisfaction, of:
1. Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, and
as presently in effect;
2. Restated By-Laws of the Company as presently in effect;
3. Certain resolutions adopted by the Company's Board of Directors;
4. Rights Agreement of the Company adopted on May 12, 1998 (the "Rights
Agreement"); and
5. The Plan.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the
authenticity of the originals of such copies. We have also assumed that: (i) all
of the Shares will be issued for the consideration permitted under the Plan as
currently in effect, and none of such Shares will be issued for less than $.01;
(ii) all actions required to be taken under the Plan by the Compensation and
Management Development Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company have
been or will be taken by the Compensation and Management Development Committee
and the Board of Directors of the Company, respectively; and (iii) at the time
of the exercise of the options under the Plan, the Company shall continue to
have sufficient authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance thereunder.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The shares of Common Stock and the related Preferred Stock Purchase
Rights which may be issued upon the exercise of the Rights have been
duly authorized for issuance.
2. If and when any Common Stock and the related Preferred Stock Purchase
Rights are issued in accordance with the authorization therefor (as
adjusted) established with respect to the applicable Rights in
accordance with the requirements of the Plan, and against receipt of
the exercise price therefor, and assuming the continued updating and
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and the completion of any
necessary action to permit such issuance to be carried out in
accordance with applicable securities laws, such shares of Common
Stock will be validly issued, fully-paid and nonassessable, and the
accompanying Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, if the Company's
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights have not expired or been redeemed in
accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement, will be validly
issued.
You acknowledge that I am admitted to practice only in Massachusetts,
Texas and the District of Columbia and am not an expert in the laws of any other
jurisdiction. No one other than the addressees and their assigns are permitted
to rely on or distribute this opinion without the prior written consent of the
undersigned.
This opinion is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware and federal law, although the Company acknowledges that I am not
admitted to practice in the State of Delaware and am not an expert in the laws
of that jurisdiction. We express no opinion with respect to the laws of any
other jurisdiction.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and further consent to the use of my name wherever
appearing in the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto.
Very truly yours,
/s/Sheila A. Clark, Esq.
Sheila A. Clark, Esq.
Acting General Counsel
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Auditors
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-______) pertaining to the AtWeb, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan of our report
dated September 25, 1998, except for the last paragraph of Note 17, as to which
the date is February 15, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of America Online, Inc., included in its Current Report on Form 8-K
dated November 9, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
February 17, 1999.
/S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Ernst & Young LLP
Vienna, Virginia
March 16, 1999
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, Stephen M. Case, whose signature appears below, constitute and appoint
Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A. Clark and James
F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them, for
him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to
sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any required amendments or
supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
necessary to be done in or about the premises, as full to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or
his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be
executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/Stephen M. Case
Signature
Stephen M. Case
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, Robert W. Pittman, whose signature appears below, constitute
and appoint Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A.
Clark and James F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution
in each of them, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any
and all capacities, to sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any
required amendments or supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in or about the premises,
as full to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or
any of them or their or his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney
to be executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/Robert W. Pittman
Signature
Robert W. Pittman
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, James F. MacGuidwin, whose signature appears below, constitute
and appoint Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A.
Clark and James F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution
in each of them, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any
and all capacities, to sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any
required amendments or supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in or about the premises,
as full to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or
any of them or their or his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney
to be executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/James F. MacGuidwin
Signature
James F. MacGuidwin
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, Daniel F. Akerson, whose signature appears below, constitute
and appoint Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A.
Clark and James F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution
in each of them, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any
and all capacities, to sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any
required amendments or supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in or about the premises,
as full to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or
any of them or their or his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney
to be executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/Daniel F. Akerson
Signature
Daniel F. Akerson
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, Frank J. Caufield, whose signature appears below, constitute
and appoint Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A.
Clark and James F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution
in each of them, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any
and all capacities, to sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any
required amendments or supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in or about the premises,
as full to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or
any of them or their or his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney
to be executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/Frank J. Caufield
Signature
Frank J. Caufield
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., whose signature appears below, constitute and
appoint Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A. Clark
and James F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them,
for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities,
to sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any required amendments or
supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
necessary to be done in or about the premises, as full to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or
his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be
executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
Signature
Alexander M. Haig, Jr.e
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, William N. Melton, whose signature appears below, constitute and appoint
Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A. Clark and James
F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them, for
him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to
sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any required amendments or
supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
necessary to be done in or about the premises, as full to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or
his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be
executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/William N. Melton
Signature
William N. Melton
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, Dr. Thomas Middelhoff, whose signature appears below, constitute and
appoint Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A. Clark
and James F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them,
for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities,
to sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any required amendments or
supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
necessary to be done in or about the premises, as full to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or
his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be
executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/Dr. Thomas Middelhoff
Signature
Dr. Thomas Middelhoff
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, Colin L. Powell, whose signature appears below, constitute and appoint
Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A. Clark and James
F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them, for
him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to
sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any required amendments or
supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
necessary to be done in or about the premises, as full to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or
his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be
executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/Colin L. Powell
Signature
Colin L. Powell
Print Name
POWER OF ATTORNEY
FOR
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
I, Franklin D. Raines, whose signature appears below, constitute and
appoint Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J. Michael Kelly, Sheila A. Clark
and James F. MacGuidwin, and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them,
for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities,
to sign this registration statement on Form S-8, and any required amendments or
supplements thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
necessary to be done in or about the premises, as full to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or
his/her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be
executed as of this 17th day of March, 1999.
/s/Franklin D. Raines
Signature
Franklin D. Raines
Print Name
