<PAGE>
===============================================================================
--------------------------------
\ OMB APPROVAL \
\------------------------------\
\ OMB Number: 3235-0059 \
\ Expires: January 31, 2002 \
\ Estimated average burden \
\ hours per response....13.12 \
--------------------------------
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12
ITERATED SYSTEMS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[_] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
Reg. (S) 240.14a-101.
SEC 1913 (3-99)
<PAGE>
Iterated SYSTEMS, INC.
7 Piedmont Center Suite 600
3525 Piedmont Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30305-1530
----------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on April 28, 2000
----------------
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF Iterated SYSTEMS, INC.:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Iterated
Systems, Inc. (the "Company") will be held on April 28, 2000, at 11:00 a.m.
local time, at Grev Wedels Plass No. 5, First Floor Conference Room, in Oslo,
Norway, to consider and act upon the following matters:
1. To elect five directors to hold office until the 2001 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders;
2. To approve an amendment to the Company's 1994 Amended and Restated Stock
Option Plan;
3. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2000; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment of the meeting.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2000 will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Haines H. Hargrett
----------------------
Haines H. Hargrett
Secretary
March 23, 2000
Atlanta, Georgia
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND
SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IN ORDER
TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING. IN THE EVENT YOU ARE ABLE TO
ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON.
PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK
OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM THE
RECORD OWNER A PROXY IN YOUR NAME.
<PAGE>
ITERATED SYSTEMS, INC.
7 Piedmont Center Suite 600
3525 Piedmont Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30305-1530
----------------
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on April 28, 2000
----------------
General
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed Proxy are furnished on behalf of the
Board of Directors of Iterated Systems, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the
"Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Friday,
April 28, 2000, at 11:00 a.m. local time in Oslo, Norway (the "Annual
Meeting") or at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting, for the
purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting will be held at Grev Wedels Plass No. 5, First Floor
Conference Room, in Oslo, Norway. The Company intends to mail this Proxy
Statement and the accompanying Proxy card on or about April 6, 2000 to all
shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. All proxies will be voted
in accordance with the instructions contained therein, and if no choice is
specified, the proxies will be voted in favor of the proposals set forth in
the accompanying Notice of Meeting. Any proxy may be revoked by a shareholder
at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice to that effect to
the Secretary of the Company.
As used in this Proxy Statement, the term the "Company" refers to Iterated
Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
Shareholders Entitled to Vote
The Board of Directors has fixed March 31, 2000 as the record date for
determining shareholders who are entitled to vote at the meeting. At the close
of business on February 29, 2000, there were outstanding and entitled to vote
17,527,940 shares of common stock of the Company, $.01 par value per share
("Common Stock"). Each holder of record of Common Stock on such date will be
entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon at
the Annual Meeting.
The holders of at least 8,763,971 of the total shares of Common Stock
outstanding on the record date, whether present at the Annual Meeting or in
person, or represented by Proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business at the Annual Meeting. The shares held by each shareholder who
signs and returns the enclosed form of Proxy will be counted for the purposes
of determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting, whether or not
the shareholder abstains on all matters or any matter to be acted on at the
Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted toward
fulfillment of quorum requirements. A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee
holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal
because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to
that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.
Solicitation
The Company will bear the entire cost of solicitation of proxies, including
preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this Proxy Statement and the
accompanying Proxy card. Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to
banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries, and custodians holding in their names
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by others to forward to such
beneficial owners.
Revocability of Proxies
Any person giving a proxy pursuant to this solicitation has the power to
revoke it at any time before it is voted by giving written notice of
revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Secretary of
the Company, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Attendance at
the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
<PAGE>
Counting of Votes
The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the votes cast at the
Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors and for the approval
of each of the other matters which are to be submitted to the shareholders at
the Annual Meeting. ("Plurality" means that more votes must be cast in favor
of the matter than those cast against it). Accordingly, the withholding of
authority by a shareholder (including broker non-votes) will not be counted in
computing a plurality and thus will have no effect on the vote. Shares of
Common Stock represented by executed proxies received by the Company will be
counted for purposes of establishing a quorum at the meeting, regardless of
how or whether such shares are voted on any specific proposal. Each Proxy will
be voted in accordance with the shareholder's directions. Abstentions with
respect to any matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting will have the
same effect as a vote against these proposals. When the enclosed Proxy is
properly signed and returned, the shares which it represents will be voted at
the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions noted thereon. In the
absence of such instructions, the shares represented by a signed Proxy will be
voted in favor of the nominees for election to the Board of Directors, and in
favor of the approval of the remaining proposals. All votes will be tabulated
by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately
tabulate affirmative and negative notes, abstentions, and broker non-votes.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors currently consists of five directors. In accordance
with Section 3.2 of the Company's Restated Bylaws, the Board of Directors
fixed the number of directors of the Company at seven by resolution on March
9, 1998. The Board of Directors has recommended to the shareholders five
nominees for election as directors. In accordance with Article III, Section 3
of the Company's Restated Bylaws, at each annual meeting of shareholders, all
of the directors will be elected for a one-year term. There are no family
relationships between any of the directors or executive officers of the
Company.
Each of the nominees for election as a director is currently a director of
the Company. If elected at the Annual Meeting, each of the nominees would
serve until the Annual Meeting to be held in 2001 and until his successor is
duly elected and qualified, or until such director's earlier death,
resignation, or removal.
Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so
is not withheld, for the election of the five nominees named below. In the
event that any nominee should be unavailable for election as a result of an
unexpected occurrence, such shares will be voted for the election of such
substitute nominee as the Board of Directors may select. Each person nominated
for election has agreed to serve if elected, and management has no reason to
believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Nominees to Serve as Directors Until the 2001 Annual Meeting
Asmund R. Slogedal
Mr. Slogedal, age 62, has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Company since August 1991. Mr. Slogedal also has served as the Company's
Chief Financial Officer from May 1991 until September 1994. Since January 2000
Mr. Slogedal has been Managing Director of Venturos Management KS. From April
1999 through December 1999 he served as Managing Director of Mosvold Farsund
AS. From April 1989 until December 1999 he was a partner in the Norway-based
venture capital firm Teknoinvest Management AS. Prior to then, he held various
senior management positions with Norsk Data AS, including Senior Vice
President Operations and Vice President International Operations. Presently,
Mr. Slogedal serves on the board of several Norwegian and U.S.-based
technology companies. Mr. Slogedal holds a B.S. degree in engineering from
Purdue University.
John C. Bacon
Mr. Bacon, age 54, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since
February 1998. He joined the Company in March 1997 as Senior Vice
President/General Manager, and in August 1997 was named Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1989 until 1997, Mr. Bacon served
in various positions, including President, Chief Operating Officer, and
Director with XcelleNet, Inc., a publicly traded remote access software
company. Mr. Bacon obtained a BSIE degree from the Georgia Institute of
Technology and has performed graduate and advanced management development work
at Georgia State University, Harvard Business School, and the Wharton School
of Business.
2
<PAGE>
John R. Festa
Mr. Festa, age 48, currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Board of
Directors and has served as a director of the Company since May 1994 and as
the Company's Chief Executive Officer from May 1994 until February 1998. From
1984 until May 1994, Mr. Festa served as President, Chief Executive Officer,
and Chairman of BUYPASS Corporation, a financial transaction processing
services company. Prior to joining BUYPASS Corporation, Mr. Festa held several
positions with American Express Company, including Vice President--Point of
Sale Services, Director--International Market/Product Development, and
Director--Office of Strategic Development. Presently, Mr. Festa serves as
Managing Director, EGL Holdings, Inc. Mr. Festa attended Valparaiso
University.
Terje Mikalsen
Mr. Mikalsen, age 59, became a director of the Company in April 1996. Mr.
Mikalsen has served as Chairman of Venturos Holding AS since January 2000. He
was Chairman of Mosvold Farsund AS from September 1983 through December 1999.
Mr. Mikalsen formerly held the position of Chairman of the following publicly
traded companies: Norsk Data AS until 1993, Hafslund Nycomed ASA until 1996,
and Maritime Hydraulics AS until 1987, and holds several other directorships.
He is also a member of the Norwegian Government's Advisory Board on industrial
policies and the Norwegian Technical Scientific Academy and Norsk
Investorforum, an association of Norwegian private investors. Mr. Mikalsen
holds a Master of Science degree from Norges Tekniske Hoyskole.
Alan D. Sloan
Dr. Sloan, age 54, co-founded the Company in 1987 and has served as a
director since then. He served as President until becoming Executive Vice
President, Strategic Business Development in May 1994. From 1973 until 1987,
Dr. Sloan was a mathematics professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Dr. Sloan obtained a B.A. in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and a Ph.D in mathematics from Cornell University.
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees
During the year ended December 31, 1999, the Board of Directors of the
Company held 6 meetings, including written actions in lieu of meetings. Each
of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total
number of meetings of the Board of Directors, and (ii) the total number of
meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served, in each case
during the periods that he served.
The Company's Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee
and an Audit Committee. Messrs. Slogedal and Festa currently comprise the
members of the Compensation Committee and Messrs. Festa, Sloan and Mikalsen
currently comprise the Audit Committee. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for reviewing and recommending salaries, bonuses, and other
compensation for the Company's executive officers. The Compensation Committee
also is responsible for administering the Company's stock option plans and for
establishing the terms and conditions of all stock options granted under these
plans. The Compensation Committee held no meetings during the year ended
December 31, 1999. The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending
independent auditors, reviewing with the independent auditors the scope and
results of the audit engagement, monitoring the Company's financial policies
and control procedures, and reviewing and monitoring the provisions of
nonaudit services by the Company's auditors. The Audit Committee held one
meeting during the year ended December 31,1999.
The Company does not have a standing nominating committee.
Directors' Compensation
The Company's directors who are not also employees of the Company
("Nonemployee Directors") currently receive no cash compensation from the
Company, but are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses for attending
each meeting of the Board of Directors. Nonemployee Directors also are
eligible to receive options under the Company's Amended and Restated 1994
Directors Stock Option Plan. Directors who are officers or employees of the
Company do not receive any additional compensation for their services as
directors.
3
<PAGE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
ELECTION OF EACH OF THE FIVE NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
PROPOSAL 2
AMENDMENT TO 1994 AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted, subject to the approval
of the Shareholders, an amendment (the "Amendment") to the Company's 1994
Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the "1994 Employee Plan") (i) to
increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
under the 1994 Employee Plan from 4,400,000 to 5,400,000.
Description of Proposed Amendments and Reasons for Changes
Currently, 4,400,000 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance
under the 1994 Employee Plan, of which 109,000 have been issued as of February
29, 2000 in connection with the exercise of (i) options intended to qualify as
"incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), and (ii) non-qualified stock options. As of
February 29, 2000, options to purchase approximately 4,022,000 shares of
Common Stock were outstanding under the 1994 Employee Plan. If the Amendment
is approved, the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 1994
Employee Plan would be increased by 1,000,000 to 5,400,000. The 1994 Employee
Plan is an essential part of the Company's compensation and reward program for
its employees because awards under the 1994 Employee Plan permit employees to
benefit from the Company's growth and financial performance. The Board of
Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company to
authorize additional shares under the 1994 Employee Plan to continue to
provide employees compensation and reward for their efforts to accomplish the
Company's long-term and short-term goals.
Description of 1994 Employee Plan
In 1992, the Company approved a stock option plan that became effective
December 2, 1992 and reserved shares for future issuance. The plan was
replaced by the 1994 Employee Plan. The purpose of the 1994 Employee Plan is
to provide incentives for employees and key persons to promote the success of
the Company and to enhance the Company's ability to attract and retain the
services of such persons. Options granted under the 1994 Employee Plan may be
either (i) options intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" under
Section 422 of the Code, or (ii) non-qualified stock options. Stock options
may be granted under the 1994 Employee Plan for all employees and key persons
of the Company or of any subsidiary or parent of the Company. The 1994
Employee Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or by a Compensation
Committee, in whole or in part, as delegated by the Board. The Board of
Directors has the authority to determine exercise prices applicable to the
options, the eligible employees or key persons to whom options may be granted,
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each option, and the extent to
which options may be exercisable. Options granted under the 1994 Employee Plan
generally vest over three or four years. No option is transferable by the
optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or as a
bona fide gift and each option is exercisable during the lifetime of the
optionee only by such optionee or donee.
Any incentive stock option that is granted under the 1994 Employee Plan may
not be granted at a price less than the fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on the date of grant (or less than 110% of fair market value in
the case of holders of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or a subsidiary or parent of the Company).
Non-qualified stock options may be granted at the exercise price established
by the Board of Directors, which may be less than the fair market value of the
Company stock on the date of grant.
Each option granted under the 1994 Employee Plan is exercisable for a period
not to exceed ten years from the date of grant (or, with respect to incentive
stock options, five years in the case of a holder of more than 10% of the
total combined power of all classes of stock of the Company or of a subsidiary
or parent of the Company) and shall lapse upon expiration of such period, or
earlier after a designated period of time following termination of the
recipient's employment with the Company, or as determined by the Board of
Directors.
4
<PAGE>
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Federal tax consequences to the Company and to participants of awards of
options will vary with the type of option awarded and the timing of the
participant's disposition of Common Stock purchased through the exercise of
options. A participant will not recognize income, and the Company is not
entitled to take a deduction, upon the grant of an incentive stock option or
non-qualified option under the 1994 Employee Plan. If the participant holds
the Common Stock acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option
for at least two years after the date of grant of the option and one year
after exercising the option, he or she will not recognize ordinary income on
the purchase or disposition of Common Stock. The inherent spread between the
exercise price and fair market value is an item of tax preference, however,
for purposes of computing the participant's liability for alternative minimum
tax. Any gain or loss on the sale of the Common Stock after the required
holding periods, calculated using the exercise price paid as the basis in the
acquired shares, will be subject to capital gains treatment.
A participant who disposes of the Common Stock before these holding periods
are satisfied will have engaged in a "disqualifying disposition" and will
recognize taxable compensation income, at the time of disposition of the
Common Stock, equal to the difference between the exercise price of the
incentive stock option and the fair market value of the Common Stock at the
time the incentive stock option was exercised. The participant's basis in the
Common Stock for purposes of calculating gain in a disqualifying disposition
is increased to its fair market value as of the date of exercise. The
participant will also be subject to tax on capital gain, if any, upon the sale
of the Common Stock in a disqualifying disposition, equal to the amount
realized in excess of the increased basis.
Generally, the Company is not entitled to a tax deduction under the grant of
an option or the exercise of an incentive stock option under the 1994 Employee
Plan. However, if the participant engages in a disqualifying disposition, the
Company may take a tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income
recognized by the participant.
Upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant recognizes
taxable compensation equal to the difference between the fair market value of
the Common Stock and the exercise price paid under the non-qualified stock
option. The Company is entitled to deduct this amount for tax purposes,
provided that the Company timely reports to the Internal Revenue Service
(generally through the W-2 or a Form 1099, as applicable) the compensation
income deemed received by the participant. The participant is also subject to
capital gains treatment on the subsequent sale of the Common Stock acquired
through the exercise of an option, with the participant's holding period of
the Common Stock determining whether short-term or long-term capital gains
treatment will apply.
Corporate income tax deductions for reasonable compensation paid to the
Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid officers of the
Company, since it is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 12 of
the Exchange Act, are limited to $1 million per year under Section 162(m) of
the Code, with certain exceptions. Amounts taxed as compensation income upon
the exercise of a non-qualified stock option or the disqualifying disposition
of shares purchased through the exercise of an incentive stock option are
included in the $1 million limit unless certain procedures are implemented.
Amendments to the 1994 Employee Plan were adopted in 1998 to provide the
necessary procedures. Specifically, these provisions (1) require that any
grants of stock options to the Chief Executive Officer or four other highest
paid officers of the Company be made by a compensation committee composed of
two or more outside directors, and (2) limit the number of options which could
be granted to any employee during a twelve-month period.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT
TO THE COMPANY'S 1994 EMPLOYEE PLAN.
PROPOSAL 3
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Subject to the ratification by the Shareholders, the Board of Directors has
selected, for the year ending December 31, 2000, the firm of Ernst & Young LLP
as independent auditors for the Company. If the Shareholders do not ratify the
selection of Ernst & Young LLP, the Board of Directors will reconsider the
matter. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. They will have an opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so, and they will also be available to respond
to appropriate questions from Shareholders.
5
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of February 29, 2000, the beneficial
ownership of the Company's outstanding Common Stock of (i) each person known
by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock, (ii) each person who served as Chief Executive Officer and each
of the four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company during
1999, (iii) each director of the Company, and (iv) all executive officers and
directors as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Beneficially Owned(/2/)
---------------------------------------
Name and Address of Beneficial Number of Shares of
Owners(/1/) Common Stock Percentage of Class
- ------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Asmund R. Slogedal(/3/)............... 148,000 *
John C. Bacon(/4/).................... 433,000 2.4%
John R. Festa(/5/).................... 830,000 4.5%
Terje Mikalsen(/6/)................... 0 *
Alan D. Sloan(/7/).................... 1,790,000 10.1%
David G. Gibson(/8/).................. 35,000 *
Haines H. Hargrett(/9/)............... 53,000 *
Burton M. Smith(/8/).................. 40,000 *
Mosvold Farsund AS(/6/)............... 5,064,000 28.9%
Tharald Brovig........................ 1,499,000 8.6%
Union Bancaire Privee................. 954,000 5.4%
All executive officers and directors
as a group (10 persons).............. 8,437,000 44.2%
</TABLE>
- --------
*Less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or
investment power with respect to securities. Except as indicated by
footnote, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as
beneficially owned by them. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on
17,528,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 29, 2000. The
business address of each beneficial owner other than Mosvold Farsund AS,
Mr. Brovig, and Union Bancaire Privee is c/o Iterated Systems, Inc., 7
Piedmont Center Suite 600, 3525 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-
1530. The business address of Mosvold Farsund AS is PO Box 113, 4551
Farsund, Norway. The business address of Mr. Brovig is Radhusgt. 5b, 0151
Oslo, Norway. The business address of Union Bancaire Privee is 96-98 Rue
de Rhone, Geneva, Switzerland.
(2) Includes shares of Common Stock subject to options that may be exercised
within 60 days of February 29, 2000. Such shares are deemed to be
outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the
individual holding such shares, but are not deemed outstanding for
purposes of computing the percentage of any other person shown in the
table.
(3) Includes options to purchase 40,000 shares of Common Stock.
(4) Includes options to purchase 433,000 shares of Common Stock.
(5) Includes options to purchase 830,000 shares of Common Stock.
(6) Includes 4,817,000 shares held by Mosvold Farsund AS and 247,000 shares
held by Teto Invest V AS.
(7) Includes options to purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock.
(8) Includes options to purchase 35,000 shares of Common Stock.
(9) Includes options to purchase 28,000 shares of Common Stock.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
("Exchange Act"), requires the Company's officers and directors and persons
who own more than 10% of the Common Stock to file initial statements of
beneficial ownership (Form 3) and statements of changes in beneficial
ownership (Forms 4 and 5) of Common Stock and any other equity securities of
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors,
and greater than 10% shareholders are required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission to furnish the Company with copies of all such forms they file.
6
<PAGE>
Based solely on a review of the copies of the forms that it has received,
the Company believes that its officers, directors, and greater than 10%
beneficial owners complied with all of the filing requirements in 1999.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In addition to the individuals who serve on the Company's Board of Directors
who are also executive officers of the Company, the following individuals
presently serve as executive officers of the Company:
David G. Gibson
Mr. Gibson, age 41, has served as Vice President of Sales since February
1998. He served as Director of OEM Sales of the Company from August 1997 to
February 1998. From July 1995 to August 1997, Mr. Gibson served as Regional
Sales Manager for the Company. From June 1986 to July 1995, Mr. Gibson held
various sales management, marketing and business management positions with
Integraph Corporation. Mr. Gibson has a B.S. degree in Engineering from
Tennessee Technological University.
Haines H. Hargrett
Mr. Hargrett, age 57, has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company
since September 1997. From 1994 to 1997 he was Chief Financial
Officer/Treasurer of Medifax, Inc., a high technology medical transcription
company. From 1992 to 1994 he was Chief Financial Officer for Park N Fly,
Inc., a company involved in developing and managing parking facilities near
major-city airports. Mr. Hargrett holds a B.A. in Economics from Duke
University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Indiana University.
Christopher D. Lynn
Mr. Lynn, age 49, has served as Vice President of Business Development since
October 1999. Prior to that he served as Vice President of Printing and
Publishing since joining the Company in April 1999. From 1997 to 1999 he was a
partner and co-owner of Scott Hillam Associates, a consulting business engaged
in international marketing of technology products. From 1994 to 1997 Mr. Lynn
served as President of Cosa Technology, Inc., a subsidiary of Hagemayer Cosa
Liebemann, Ltd., for whom he was Vice President from 1991 through 1994. Prior
to that he held various management positions with Crosfield Electronics Ltd.
of the United Kingdom. Mr. Lynn is a Chartered Engineer and holds a degree in
electronics from Southampton University in England.
Ernest W. Quarles
Mr. Quarles, age 38, has served as Vice President of Development since July
1999. He served as Product Development Manager, Project Manager, Software
Engineer and Project Engineer since joining the Company in 1991. From 1989 to
1991 Mr. Quarles worked as a software design engineer at Cross Systems, Inc.,
and from 1986 to 1989 he was a design engineer at Rockwell International,
Missile Systems Division. Mr. Quarles completed a dual-degree program at
Morehouse College and the Georgia Institute of Technology where he received
degrees in physics and electrical engineering.
Burton M. Smith
Mr. Smith, age 44, has served as Vice President of Marketing since February
1998. He served as Director of Marketing of the Company since June 1997. From
July 1995 to June 1997, Mr. Smith served as Regional Sales Manager for the
Company. From February 1984 to July 1995, Mr. Smith held various sales
management and marketing positions with Integraph Corporation. Mr. Smith has a
Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
7
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain summary information with respect to
the compensation earned for services rendered by the Company's Chief Executive
Officers and the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers") for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Summary Compensation Table
Long-Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
----------------------- ------------
Name and Principal All Other
Position Year Salary($) Bonus($)(/1/) Options(#) Compensation(/2/)
- ------------------ ---- --------- ------------- ------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John C. Bacon 1999 $285,000 $ 0 0 $ 0
President, Chief 1998 280,000 0 1,300,000 0
Executive 1997 141,000 0 300,000(/3/) 0
Officer and Director
Alan D. Sloan 1999 150,000 0 0 0
Executive Vice 1998 153,000 0 0 0
President 1997 244,000 0 0 0
and Director
Burton M. Smith 1999 125,000 45,000 25,000 0
Vice President 1998 125,000 54,000 80,000 0
Marketing 1997 104,000 45,000 30,000(/3/) 0
David G. Gibson 1999 105,000 58,000 25,000 0
Vice President Sales 1998 105,000 58,000 80,000 0
1997 93,000 62,000 30,000(/3/) 0
Haines H. Hargrett 1999 134,000 0 25,000 0
Chief Financial 1998 127,000 0 60,000 0
Officer, 1997 32,000 0 35,000(/3/) 0
Secretary & Treasurer
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Bonuses were for services rendered in the fiscal year indicated.
(2) In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
other compensation in the form of perquisites and other personal benefits
has been omitted because such perquisites and other personal benefits
constituted less than the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual
salary and bonus for the Named Executive Officer for such year.
(3) Options were cancelled in conjunction with new grant of new options in
1998.
8
<PAGE>
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
The following table sets forth information concerning options granted to the
Named Executive Officers during the year ended December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Individual Grants
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Realizable
Value at Assumed
Number of Percent of Annual Rates of
Securities Total Appreciation for Option
Underlying Granted to Exercise or Term(/3/)
Options Employees Base Price Expiration -----------------------
Executive Officer Granted(/1/) In 1998 Per Share(/2/) Date 5% 10%
- ----------------- ------------ ---------- -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John C. Bacon........... 0 0% $0.00 0 0
Alan D Sloan............ 0 0% 0.00 0 0
Burton M. Smith......... 25,000 5% 2.00 4/12/09 31,000 80,000
David G. Gibson......... 25,000 5% 2.00 4/12/09 31,000 80,000
Haines H. Hargrett...... 25,000 5% 2.00 4/12/09 31,000 80,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Grants become exercisable in equal installments on the first three
anniversaries of the date of grant. Vesting may be accelerated upon the
occurrence of certain events.
(2) Options were granted with an exercise price equal to or above the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the
Board of Directors.
(3) This column shows the hypothetical gain or option spreads of the options
granted based on assumed annual compound stock appreciation rates of 5%
and 10% over the full terms of the options. The 5% and 10% assumed rates
of appreciation are mandated by the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and do not represent the Company's estimate or projection of
future Common Stock prices.
Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Year-End Option Values
The following table sets forth the aggregate dollar value of all options
exercised and the total number of unexercised options held, on December 31,
1999, by the Named Executive Officers:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Options at In-the-Money Options at
Shares December 31, 1999 December 31, 1999(/1/)
Acquired Value ------------------------- -------------------------
Executive Officer on Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ----------------- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John C. Bacon........... 0 $ 0 433,000 867,000 $ 0 $ 0
Alan D. Sloan........... 0 0 150,000 0 0 0
Burton M. Smith......... 0 0 35,000 115,000 0 0
David G. Gibson......... 0 0 35,000 115,000 0 0
Haines H. Hargrett...... 0 0 28,000 92,000 0 0
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The closing price for the Company's Common Stock as reported by the Oslo
Stock Exchange on December 31, 1999 was $1.04. The value is calculated by
the excess of the year-end value of $1.04 over the option exercise price,
multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the option.
9
<PAGE>
Report on Repricing/Replacing of Executive Stock Options
The following table sets forth the options that have been repriced or
replaced for Executive Officers within the last three years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number Of Remaining
Shares Term of
Underlying Market Price Of Exercise Price Old Option
Options Stock At Time At Time New At Date Of
Name Date Repriced Of Repricing Of Repricing Exercise Price Repricing
- ---- -------- ---------- --------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John C. Bacon 09/10/98 300,000 $1.44 $10.00 $5.00 8
President & CEO, 09/10/98 1,000,000 1.44 7.26 5.00 9
Director
John R. Festa 12/31/97 46,000 7.40 4.83 7.40 6
Director 12/31/97 200,000 7.40 10.00 7.40 9
Asmund R. Slogedal 09/10/98 25,000 1.44 6.00 2.00 7
Director 09/10/98 15,000 1.44 10.00 2.00 8
David G. Gibson 09/10/98 10,000 1.44 6.00 2.00 7
Vice President 09/10/98 30,000 1.44 10.00 2.00 9
Haines H. Hargrett 09/10/98 35,000 1.44 10.00 2.00 9
Chief Financial Officer
Christopher D. Lynn None
Vice President
Ernest M. Quarles 09/10/98 3,000 1.44 6.00 2.00 5
Vice President 09/10/98 10,000 1.44 10.00 2.00 7
09/10/98 6,000 1.44 4.50 2.00 10
Burton M. Smith 09/10/98 10,000 1.44 6.00 2.00 7
Vice President 09/10/98 30,000 1.44 10.00 2.00 9
</TABLE>
In December 1997 under the terms of the Severance Agreement, Mr. Festa
exchanged 246,000 stock options then outstanding for 124,000 new options
reflecting an exercise price equal to the then-current trading price of the
Company's Common Stock on the OSE.
In September 1998 the Board of Directors recognized that due to the fact
that the exercise price of many existing stock options were far in excess of
the then-current trading price of the Company's Common Stock, the existing
options no longer provided a performance incentive to employees. The Board of
Directors determined that in order for the Company's stock option plan to
continue to meet objectives of attracting, retaining and fairly compensating
employees, employees should be provided the opportunity to exchange their
stock options then outstanding for new stock options reflecting an exercise
price that was slightly higher than the then-current trading price of the
Company's Common Stock on the OSE.
Employee Benefit and Stock Option Plans
Description of 1994 Employee Plan. In 1992, the Company approved a stock
option plan which became effective December 2, 1992 and reserved shares for
future issuance. The plan was replaced by the 1994 Amended and Restated Stock
Option Plan (the "1994 Employee Plan"). The purpose of the 1994 Employee Plan
is to provide incentives for employees and key persons to promote the success
of the Company and to enhance the
10
<PAGE>
Company's ability to attract and retain the services of such persons. Options
granted under the 1994 Employee Plan may be either (i) options intended to
qualify as "incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Code, or (ii)
non-qualified stock options. Stock options may be granted under the 1994
Employee Plan for all employees and key persons of the Company or of any
subsidiary or parent of the Company. The 1994 Employee Plan is administered by
the Board of Directors or by a Compensation Committee, in whole or in part, as
delegated by the Board. The Board of Directors has the authority to determine
exercise prices applicable to the options, the eligible employees or key
persons to whom options may be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock
subject to each option, and the extent to which options may be exercisable.
Options granted under the 1994 Employee Plan generally vest over three or four
years. No option is transferable by the optionee other than by will or the
laws of descent and distribution or as a bona fide gift and each option is
exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee or
donee.
Any incentive stock option that is granted under the 1994 Employee Plan may
not be granted at a price less than the fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on the date of grant (or less than 110% of fair market value in
the case of holders of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or a subsidiary or parent of the Company).
Non-qualified stock options may be granted at the exercise price established
by the Board of Directors, which may be less than the fair market value of the
Company stock on the date of grant.
Each option granted under the 1994 Employee Plan is exercisable for a period
not to exceed ten years from the date of grant (or, with respect to incentive
stock options, five years in the case of a holder of more than 10% of the
total combined power of all classes of stock of the Company or of a subsidiary
or parent of the Company) and shall lapse upon expiration of such period, or
earlier after a designated period of time following termination of the
recipient's employment with the Company, or as determined by the Board of
Directors.
Description of Non-Employee Director Plan. In 1994, the Company approved the
Amended and Restated 1994 Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Directors Plan").
The purposes of the Directors Plan are to enhance the Company's ability to
attract and retain the services of experienced and knowledgeable non-employee
directors and to encourage such directors to acquire an increased proprietary
interest in the Company. Stock options may be granted under the Directors Plan
to any director who is not an employee of the Company or a parent or
subsidiary. The Directors Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or by
a Compensation Committee, in whole or in part, as delegated by the Board. The
Board of Directors has the authority to determine exercise prices applicable
to the options, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each option,
and the extent to which options may be exercisable. Options granted under the
Directors Plan generally vest over three years. No option is transferable by
the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or as
a bona fide gift and each option is exercisable during the lifetime of the
optionee only by such optionee or donee.
Options granted under the Directors Plan are non-qualified stock options and
may be granted at the exercise price established by the Board of Directors,
which may be less than the fair market value of the Company stock on the date
of grant.
Each option granted under the Directors Plan is exercisable for a period not
to exceed ten years from the date of grant and shall lapse upon the earlier of
the expiration of such period or 30 days after termination of the recipient's
service as a member of the Board of Directors.
An aggregate of 180,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance
under the Directors Plan.
Employment Contracts and Termination and Change-in-Control Arrangements
On February 16, 1998, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Mr. Bacon who serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. The employment agreement provides for a base salary of $285,000 per
annum. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Bacon was granted stock options pursuant
to the Company's 1994 Employee Plan for 500,000 shares, vesting ratably over a
three year period at the exercise price per share of the Company's Common
Stock equal to the closing price of the Company's Common Stock traded on the
Oslo Stock Exchange as of the date of the agreement. In addition, pursuant to
the agreement, Mr. Bacon was granted options for a number of shares vesting
upon the first to occur of the closing of a public sale of Common Stock by the
Company under certain circumstances (the "Offering Closing Date"), a Change in
Control (as defined in the agreement), or completion of seven years of
continuous service following the date of the agreement. Pursuant to the
agreement, Mr. Bacon was also granted options to purchase an additional number
of shares vesting upon the first to occur of either 180 days after the
Offering Closing Date, or after completion
11
<PAGE>
of seven years of continuous service following the date of the agreement. The
agreement further provides that Mr. Bacon is entitled to receive a cash bonus
on the first to occur of either the Offering Closing Date or a Change in
Control. The term of the employment agreement is three years. If the Company
terminates Mr. Bacon's employment without cause, the Company would be required
to continue to pay Mr. Bacon an amount equal to his monthly salary at the then
current rate for a period of 18 months.
On February 16, 1998, the Company entered into an Executive Severance
Agreement with Mr. Festa which supersedes and cancels his prior employment
agreement. Pursuant to the Executive Severance Agreement, Mr. Festa agreed to
serve as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Special Advisor to
the Company for a two-year period for an annual base salary of $150,000. Mr.
Festa also agreed to forfeit 218,000 options granted to him as of December 31,
1997 and received a new grant of 124,000 non-qualified stock options
exercisable at the price as of the date of the agreement on the Oslo Stock
Exchange, vesting in full one year after the date of the Agreement with a term
of seven years, subject to the terms of the Company's 1994 Amended and
Restated Stock Option Plan. Mr. Festa also received, upon the signing of the
agreement, a bonus in the amount of $150,000 for service in 1997. The
agreement further provides that the Company would pay up to $400 per month for
a leased automobile for Mr. Festa's use during the term of the agreement, and,
as additional compensation, an amount which, after deducting federal and state
income taxes, would equal the amount which the Company would contribute as a
"matching contribution" to Mr. Festa's account under the Company's 401(k)
plan, assuming that Mr. Festa was still an active participant in the plan and
elected to defer $800.00 in compensation each month under the plan. The
agreement contains covenants restricting disclosure of confidential
information and non-competition and non-solicitation covenants. The agreement
expired in February 2000.
In May 1994, the Company entered into employment agreements of an indefinite
term with Dr. Sloan, who serves as an executive officer of the Company. Under
the terms of the employment agreement, if the Company terminates the
employment of Dr. Sloan for any reason, other than for cause, the Company will
be required to continue the payment of his base salary for a period of two
years from the date of termination.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Board of Directors of the Company has established the Compensation
Committee of the Board to assist the Board in its administration of the
Company's compensation programs. The Committee is comprised of two directors:
John R. Festa and Asmund R. Slogedal. The Committee is responsible for: (i)
recommending the most effective total executive compensation strategy based
upon the business needs of the Company and consistent with shareholders'
interests; (ii) monitoring corporate performance and its relationship to
compensation of executive officers; and (iii) making appropriate
recommendations concerning matters of executive compensation.
Compensation Philosophy
The policies of the Board and the Committee with respect to executive
officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, are to provide compensation
sufficient to attract, motivate and retain executives of outstanding ability
and potential. To emphasize sustained performance of the Company's executive
officers, the Board has considered ways to align executive compensation with
the creation of shareholder value. The Board's policies are implemented using
a mix of the following key elements:
1. The Company pays base salaries that are generally competitive with other
leading software companies with which the Company competes for talent.
To ensure that its salaries are sufficient to attract and retain highly
qualified executives and other key employees, the Company regularly
compares its salaries with those of its competitors and sets salary
parameters based on this review;
2. The Company pays cash bonuses based on the achievement of financial and
operating goals and high levels of performance; and
3. The Company provides significant equity-based incentives pursuant to the
Company's 1994 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan and 1994 Directors
Stock Plan to ensure that the Company's executive officers, directors
and key employees are motivated to achieve the Company's long-term
goals.
12
<PAGE>
Base Salary
The Committee recognizes the importance of maintaining compensation
practices and levels of compensation competitive with other leading software
companies with which the Company competes for personnel. Base salary
represents the fixed component of the executive compensation program. Base
salary levels are established based on an annual review of executive salary
levels at similar software companies and on the basis of individual
performance. Periodic increases in base salary are the result of individual
contributions evaluated against established annual long-term performance
objectives and an annual salary survey of comparable companies in the
Company's industry. Base salaries for some of the Company's executives were
increased during 1999 and the Company believes they are competitive with
comparable companies.
Cash Bonuses
Cash bonus awards are another component of the Company's compensation
program and are designed to reward the Company's executives and other senior
managers for assisting the Company in achieving its operational goals through
exemplary individual performance. Bonuses, if any, are both linked to the
achievement of specified individual and corporate goals as well as a review of
personal performance that is determined at the discretion of the Board or the
Committee.
Equity Compensation
The Company's 1994 Employee Plan has been established to provide all
employees including executive officers of the Company with an opportunity to
share, along with the shareholders of the Company, in the long-term
performance of the Company. The Committee strongly believes that a primary
goal of the compensation program should be to provide key employees who have
significant responsibility for the management, growth and future success of
the Company with an opportunity to increase their ownership of the Company and
potentially gain financially from increases in the price of the Company's
Common Stock. The interests of shareholders, executives, and employees should
thereby be closely aligned. The exercise price of incentive stock options
granted under the 1994 Employee Plan must be at least equal to fair market
value at the date of grant, whereas non-qualified stock options granted under
the Plan may be at an exercise price less than the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of the grant. The options generally vest over a
period of three years and expire not more than ten years from the date of
grant.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
The Committee uses the procedures described above in recommending the annual
salary, bonus, and stock option awards for the Company's Chief Executive
Officer. John C. Bacon was elected as the Company's Chief Executive Officer
effective February 16, 1998. Pursuant to Mr. Bacon's employment agreement with
the Company, he received $285,000 in annual base salary in 1999. In addition,
Mr. Bacon is entitled to receive a cash bonus of $500,000 on the first to
occur of either the Offering Closing Date or a Change in Control (as defined
in and described in the foregoing description of Mr. Bacon's Employment
Agreement under the section "Employment Contracts and Termination and Change-
in-Control Arrangements"). The Committee believes that Mr. Bacon's 1999
compensation package is appropriate and consistent with his performance during
1999, as well as within the range of comparable companies.
Under the Company's executive compensation program, the total compensation
mix for senior executives emphasizes long-term rewards in the form of stock
options. See "Executive Compensation--Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year" and
"Employment Contracts and Termination and Change-in-Control Arrangements"
elsewhere herein for information concerning options granted to the Company's
executive officers during 1999.
Section 162(m) of the Code limits the Company to a deduction for federal
income tax purposes of no more than $1 million of compensation paid to certain
Named Executive Officers in a taxable year. Compensation above $1 million may
be deducted if it is "performance-based compensation" with the meaning of the
Code. The Committee has determined to satisfy the requirements for
"performance-based compensation" with respect to compensation awarded to its
Named Executive Officers whenever possible and to the extent then practicable.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
On May 31, 1996, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit
Facility") with Mosvold Farsund Invest AS ("Mosvold"), which established a
$6,000,000 revolving line of credit (the "Revolving Facility"). Mosvold is a
Norwegian corporation controlled by Mr. Mikalsen, a director of the Company.
13
<PAGE>
Outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Facility accrue interest payable
monthly at an annual rate equal to NationsBank of Georgia NA. prime lending
rate plus 1%. The Company is obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee equal
to .75% of the unused portion of the Revolving Facility. Prior to the
repayment of any principal by the Company under the Revolving Facility,
Mosvold has the right to elect to convert the amount of principal being repaid
into shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price of $10.00 per share.
On June 9, 1997, the Company borrowed $3,000,000 under the Credit Facility.
On October 31, 1997, Mosvold exercised the option to convert those borrowings
into 300,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at $10 per share. The
Company paid Mosvold $112,000 in interest on the outstanding borrowings during
1997 and $26,000 and $10,000 for commitment fees not borrowed during 1997 and
1998, respectively.
There were no further borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Credit
Facility expired on June 30, 1998.
In connection with the establishment of the Credit Facility, the Company
issued to Mosvold a warrant to acquire up to 100,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock at a price of $10.00 per share which expired on May 31, 1999.
On March 23, 2000, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Venturos
Holding AS, a company controlled by Terje Mikalsen, a member of the Company's
Board of Directors, under which the Company borrowed $2,000,000 for a term of
four years. The terms of the loan call for the Company to pay interest at the
rate of prime plus 1%. Principal payments of $167,000 begin June 2001 and are
to be paid quarterly through March 2004. In the event that the Company
successfully completes a private placement or public offering of common stock
greater than $2,000,000, then the lender shall convert the outstanding balance
of the loan into shares of common stock at a discount of 25% from the offering
price.
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
Set forth below is a line graph indicating the stock price performance of
the Company's common stock for the period beginning June 23, 1998 (when the
Company's Common Stock became registered under Section 12 of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) through December 31, 1999 as compared to
the Oslo Stock Exchange's Small Business Index (OSE-SMB) and the Information
Technology Index (OSE-IT). The graph assumes that $1.00 was invested at the
beginning of the period and has been adjusted for any dividends distributed
after June 23,1998. No cash dividends have been paid by the Company during
this period.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Iterated OSE-IT OSE-SMB
-------- ------ -------
Jun 98 1 1 1
Sep 98 0.26 0.69 0.67
Dec 98 0.18 0.77 0.59
Mar 98 0.28 0.89 0.69
Jun 99 0.27 0.98 0.73
Sep 99 0.2 0.98 0.76
Dec 99 0.27 1.41 1.82
14
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of shareholders that are intended to be presented at the Company's
2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company no later
than Thursday, November 30, 2000 in order to be included in the proxy
statement and proxy relating to that Annual Meeting. Shareholders are also
advised to review the Company's Bylaws, which contain additional requirements
with respect to advance notice of shareholder proposals and director
nominations.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters which may come before
the Company's shareholders at the Annual Meeting other than those mentioned in
the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and referred to in this Proxy
Statement. However, if any other matters are properly presented to the
meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to
vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
A copy of the 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including financial
statements, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may be
obtained without charge upon written request to Investor Relations, Iterated
Systems Inc., 7 Piedmont Center Suite 600, Atlanta, Ga. 30305-1530.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/S/ John C. Bacon
John C. Bacon
President and Chief Executive
Officer
March 23, 2000
15
<PAGE>
ITERATED SYSTEMS, INC.
PROXY
Please sign and return this Proxy even if you intend to attend the meeting.
The undersigned, a shareholder of Iterated Systems, Inc. (the "Company"),
who holds the shares set out beside his or her name, does hereby appoint John C.
Bacon and Haines H. Hargrett as proxies, or either of them, to vote all of the
shares held of record by the undersigned at a meeting of the Company's
shareholders on April 28, 2000, at Grev Wedels Plass No. 5, First Floor
Conference Room, in Oslo, Norway, at 11:00 am, and at any adjournment thereof
with respect to all matters which properly come before the meeting.
This Proxy may be revoked by attending the meeting and retrieving it. If no
direction is given, the shares represented by this Proxy will be voted in favor
of the recommendations of the Board of Directors.
(Continued and to be dated and signed on the other side.)
<PAGE>
ITERATED SYSTEMS, INC.
Please mark your
A [X] votes as in this
example.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR all
nominees
listed at right WITHHOLD
(except as AUTHORITY
marked to the to vote for all
contrary at nominees
right) listed at right
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. ELECTION [ ] [ ] Nominees: 4. OTHER BUSINESS: and, in their [ ] [ ] [ ]
OF DIRECTORS John C. Bacon discretion, upon any other
John R. Festa matters that may presently
To elect the five Terje Mikalsen come before the meeting or any
nominees listed at Alan D. Sloan adjournments thereof.
right for Director Asmand R. Slogedal
for a term of one THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED
year. WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDERS.
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL
authority to vote for any individual BE VOTED FOR ELECTION OF ALL FIVE NOMINEES
nominee, strike a line through the LISTED UNDER "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS," FOR
nominee's name in the list at right.) APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE
1994 AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN,
AND FOR RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF
ACCOUNTANTS.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT [ ] [ ] [ ] PLEASE DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN THIS PROXY
OF 1994 AMENDED AND PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
RESTATED STOCK OPTION
PLAN: To ratify and
approve the amendment Receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting
of 1994 Amended and and of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report
Restated Stock Option of the Company accompanying the same is hereby
Plan of the Company. acknowledged.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
3. SELECTION OF [ ] [ ] [ ]
ACCOUNTANTS: To
ratify the
appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP
as the Company's
independent auditors
for the fiscal year
ended December 31,
2000.
No. of Shares Owned ______________________
Signature of Stockholder ______________________________ Print Name _________________________ Date April ___, 2000
NOTE: Your signature should appear the same as your name appears herein. If signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee
or guardian, please indicate the capacity in which signing. When signing as joint tenants, all parties to the joint tenancy
must sign. When the proxy is given by a corporation, it should be signed by an authorized officer.
</TABLE>
